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Graphic Design (and Illustration) at New College Swindon University Centre - UCAS

Course summary

The graphic design and illustration industries in the UK are thriving, offering a wealth of opportunities for creative professionals. With a strong foundation in creative innovation, a history of cultural impact, and a forward-looking approach to visual communication, these industries continue to play a crucial role in the UK’s creative economy and global cultural landscape. On the HND Graphic Design (and Illustration) programme, students will develop the underlying knowledge and skills that will enable them to begin their journey either as a working Graphic Designer or Freelance Illustrator. Combining research, development and production, students will explore the creative impact within the field of visual communication. At the end of the two-year study, this qualification ensures that you are either interview-ready or equipped to set up your own freelance business with a substantial portfolio of creative work. Throughout the program, students are engaged in exciting and imaginative projects that cover various aspects of the industries, including editorial/magazine design and illustration, logos and branding, poster design, book cover design, typography, packaging design/illustration, and self-promotion. Students will learn the major disciplines behind graphic design and illustration while mastering Adobe software programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro. Additionally, students research design and art movements, building awareness of the work of leading contemporary graphic designers and illustrators. They will learn to think creatively, tapping into their ability to think outside the box and create original and exciting designs. The course is taught by an industry professional in both graphic design and illustration. In the second year, there is an opportunity for a cultural trip to destinations like New York, Paris, Lisbon, Berlin, and Barcelona. Connections are made with local design groups, commercial printers, and guest speakers from the industry. Students receive a comprehensive schedule of professional practice training, including marketing themselves as graphic designers and/or illustrators, alongside portfolio and business website development, interview techniques, and a final graduation show. The program offers access to a purpose-built professional studio with an exceptional print room (featuring etching, screen-printing, T-shirt print, Risograph, and letterpress), as well as a photographic studio and darkroom, editing suites, and film cameras and studios. Skills gained: · Client presentations · Business marketing skills · Interview Techniques · Live Industry-led projects in both design and illustration · Professional output of print ready designs for brochures, magazines, flyers, branding and moving Graphics · Freelance business mentoring Employment opportunities will cover a range of sectors within the Graphic Design industry, as follows: · Editorial Design · Advertising · Freelance Illustration · Packaging Design · Publishing – Book cover design · Music Industry design departments · Marketing · Information Graphics Alternatively, onward progression to further study to either BA top up year or MA academic enquiry. Past students have moved on to BA Degrees in Graphic Communication, Illustration, Printmaking, Studio Management and Visual Communication.

Modules

YEAR 1 Module A: Process and Practice Module A1 : Concept & Development Module A2 : Creative Project YEAR 2 Module B: Professional Creative Practice Module B1 : Personal Professional Development Module B2 : Professional Project

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
GD24
Institution code:
N34
Campus name:
North Star Campus
Campus code:
N

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

New College Swindon is unable to accept international students that require a student visa to study in the UK

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Additional entry requirements

Interview

Portfolio


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6No less than 5.5 in reading and writing

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £7000 Year 1
Northern Ireland £7000 Year 1
Scotland £7000 Year 1
Wales £7000 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £7000 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Please note: Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students. *Fee information for European Union (EU) students: If your course starts on or after the 1st August 2021, you will no longer be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England unless you meet one of the following criteria: you are able to benefit from the citizens’ rights agreements you are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland – benefits of Irish nationals under Common Travel Area guidance arrangement will continue

Sponsorship information

The Principal’s Higher Education Scholarship The Principal’s Higher Education Scholarship is open to students who are starting the first year of a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) at New College Swindon. There is one scholarship awarded per academic year. The scholarship will cover the full tuition fees for either an HNC/HND programme. There are no restrictions on the duration of study (part-time or full-time)

Graphic Design (and Illustration) at New College Swindon University Centre - UCAS