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Do you have a passion for graphic design and want to develop professional-level skills while building a distinctive personal practice? Our BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree will provide you with the creativity and skills to turn your artistic interests into an innovative professional career.
You’ll enjoy the creative freedom to express your personal style using professional-grade facilities and equipment, all under the guidance of our friendly, industry-expert tutors.
This course will establish core design competencies and technical skills that will equip you with essential problem-solving abilities through effective, and engaging design concepts.
Whether you’ve just left college or are looking to embark on an exciting new career prospect, this unique degree opens the door to a wealth of creative possibilities as you progress into the design industry.
UCAS Tariff Points: 48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications)
A Levels: 2xD grades
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit
T Levels: Pass (D or E on the Core)
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
About the course
Designed with both school/college leavers, and career-changers in mind, this degree is ideal for anyone looking to excel in the graphic design industry.
If you have an interest in visual communication, branding and visual identity, you can turn your creative interests into a professional career that you can thrive in.
Designed to support your progression into a growing industry, our modules will build your practical graphics, creative, enterprising and employability skills and encourage the development of hands-on, practical skills in industry-standard software and techniques.
You’ll gain relevant exposure through live creative briefs as well as the chance to work collaboratively with other creative practitioners across a breadth of contemporary specialisms that support your career aspirations.
This course is subject to validation by Luminate Education Group
We are proud to work in partnership with
We are part of Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus initiative which works to forge closer links between TV and Film professionals, production companies, broadcasters and students. Through this initiative you will have access to a range of boot camps, masterclasses and special events, including visits to live sets and studios, industry workshops, visiting speakers and the opportunity to gain feedback on your work from industry professionals. The scheme is encouraged and supported by the broadcasters based in the region, including Channel 4, the BBC and ITV.
We are also members of Film Buddy UK who offer bespoke employability services to encourage, inspire and assist students directly into work experience placements and employment within the Film, Television & Creative Media Industries. UCL Creative Arts students have free registration with the company throughout their studies and have access to live Q and As with some of the world's leading specialists, mentoring support, access to work experience opportunities and FB-1, an online catalogue of interviews and podcasts with specialists from the screen industries.
If you would like to apply for to study full time, please do so via UCAS.
The institution code for University Centre Leeds is L21.
The application fee for applying through UCAS is £28.50, unless you are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2025/26 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Modules may include:
Typography (Mandatory) - 20 credits
This module introduces you to both the rich history and contemporary applications of typography, developing essential skills in working with type across multiple contexts and platforms. Through a combination of traditional printmaking techniques and digital approaches, you'll explore typography's role in creating meaning, establishing hierarchy, and enhancing visual communication.
Digital Design Fundamentals (Mandatory) - 20 credits
You’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of graphic design software, primarily Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and explores how these tools can be applied to create visually effective digital assets like web banners, social media graphics, and simple interactive elements. You’ll develop an understanding of design principles such as layout, colour theory, typography, and image manipulation, all within the context of digital media.
Branding and Visual Design (Mandatory) - 20 credits
Branding stands as a pivotal skill set, encompassing more than just logo design—it involves creating a visual identity that resonates across various media. You’ll explore how to develop and deploy effective branding strategies that communicate core values and engage audiences through well-designed assets such as logos, brochures, flyers, and packaging solutions.
Graphic Design in Context (Mandatory/ Elective) - 20 credits
A series of lectures and seminars will introduce you to key theories, authors, movements and ideologies pertinent to understanding art and design. Creative practice will be contextualised within its social, political, and economic climate helping you to understand the symbiotic relationship between creativity and culture.
The Creative Professional (Mandatory) - 20 credits
You'll research your chosen career pathway and are introduced to a range of aspirational practitioners, before producing a case study of your professional working practices and career path. You'll produce a personal development plan that reflects the transferable skills you have gained and will take with you into employment in the creative industries.
Commercial Practice (Mandatory) – 20 credits
Working together with peers from other creative disciplines you'll be introduced to the breadth of opportunities for commercial creative practice. You'll be introduced to a range of potential ways to monetise your work, which could vary from creating products to delivering community workshops depending on the nature of your practice.
Contemporary Issues (Mandatory) – 20 credits
Delivered as a series of lectures, seminars and discussions covering a range of key topics, this module relates to relevant to issues in contemporary visual art and design. It introduces you to current debates, themes and issues surrounding the visual art and design industry and equips you with a critical perspective on your own practice.
Collaboration (Mandatory) – 20 credits
To reflect the development of a professional network, and in industry, this module requires you to work in collaboration with a practitioner from another creative field to produce a practical project that incorporates different specialisms. You'll be encouraged to critically reflect on your overall learning experience and discuss the merits of working in collaboration.
Marketing and Promotional Design for Events (Mandatory) – 20 credits
In this module you'll explore the intersection of graphic design and marketing and how visual elements can influence consumer behaviours. You’ll develop the necessary marketing skills to effectively communicate and promote a brand or product with opportunities to create a range of promotional materials for events, including digital advertisements, print collateral, and social media content, using industry-standard software.
Live Brief (Mandatory) – 40 credits
Throughout your career as a graphic designer, you'll work with a range of clients to produce work for a range of briefs. This module introduces you to the realities of working in the graphic design industry. It will allow you to engage with live briefs set by external clients and receive feedback and guidance on your work from industry professionals.
Personal Project (Mandatory) – 20 credits
You'll develop your creative interests into a personal project for public display through experimenting and refining of ideas, concepts and techniques. This module will prepare you to undertake extended personal projects in a professional capacity or in further study.
Specialist Graphic Design Practice (Mandatory) – 20 credits
You'll explore aesthetics, techniques, and contexts to develop engaging designs in response to a series of scenarios. You’ll be encouraged to assess problems and produce solutions within the context of design research. Throughout this process you'll explore ideas, concepts, professional practices, specialist techniques and innovative approaches to resolve client briefs.
Contextualising Creative Practice (Mandatory) – 30 credits
Throughout any creatives career they are required to write about their work and present their work to an audience in a way that critically engages with the work they produce. In Contextualising Creative practice, you'll complete focused and sustained research into your chosen field to critically underpin your practice. This research will form the basis for your dissertation to contextualise your personal creative practice supported by a personal supervisor.
Collaboration (Mandatory) – 20 credits
This module provides you with the opportunity to work with others outside of your specialist area to produce a multi-disciplinary piece of work. You'll be encouraged to challenge your thinking and explore alternative working methodologies to further your personal practice.
Professional Portfolio (Mandatory) – 10 credits
As a graphic design graduate preparing to enter the creative industries, you must be ready to present your work and successfully communicate your ideas to a specific audience.
This module provides the opportunity for you to consider your practice before developing a professional portfolio that reflects your creative interests, abilities and career aspirations.
Client Brief (Elective) – 40 credits
This module will prepare you for the real working environment and provides the opportunity to initiate, negotiate, resolve and present a body of professional creative work that reflects your personal creative style and identity. You'll experience working with budget constraints, time pressures, and considering ethical responsibilities when undertaking professional work.
This module is optional. Students can select either this module or ‘Major Creative Project.’
Major Creative Project (Elective) – 40 credits
This module provides the opportunity to initiate, negotiate and present a sustained body of self-devised work. The resultant body of work is intended to be displayed as part of a public exhibition. It is expected that the work is informed by extensive research into a concept or idea, and that this is present in the work via an inherent meaning, narrative or communicative value.
This programme employs a diverse assessment method that includes project portfolios, client presentations, technical demonstrations, digital submissions, critical writing, research and exhibition work. This variety ensures you develop both practical design capabilities and professional presentation skills while building a comprehensive portfolio of work.
You'll attend lessons in the New Creative Studios at Mabgate Campus.
The practical studio at Mabgate Campus is an open-plan, industrial space converted to provide bespoke studio and teaching space that offers flexibility for all creative practice.
Successful completion of the BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme will enable you to pursue a variety of career opportunities within the creative industries, including work as a graphic designer, brand designer, communications specialist, content editor or into further higher education. Further qualifications like, MA or PGCE can lead to specialisation or teaching opportunities within the creative field.
UCAS Tariff Points: 48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications)
A Levels: 2xD grades
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit
T Levels: Pass (D or E on the Core)
GCSE English (desirable): English Language grade 4 or above is desirable. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
For the latest version of the Leeds City College regulations please click here.
There are additional costs associated with the practical elements of this programme, which may include:
These costs will be led by the nature of the work that you produce, however you will be expected to meet the costs of production of your projects.
Applications are open for 2025 entry.
To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please see the direct apply link further up this page or visit our 'How to apply' page and complete the steps.
You can also apply through UCAS.
For more information please visit our 'How to apply' page.
Course fees for Undergraduates are £14,000 (GBP)
Scholarship available £3,000 (GBP) all courses.
For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.
Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student
International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.
For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.
Our online and in-person Open Events give you a chance to hear from tutors, discover the range of student support available, and find out for yourself why University Centre Leeds has the highest rating for student satisfaction in the city (NSS 2024).
Open Days
Want to find out more about the wide range of courses, student support and more available for students at University Centre Leeds?
Request your University Centre Leeds Prospectus now.
