Graphic Design BA Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

Our Graphic Design degree fosters innovation and creativity, equipping you with the skills to become a successful and influential designer in today's competitive global market. With a focus on practical experience, critical thinking, and entrepreneurialism, our degree gives you the skills necessary to thrive, shaping the future of visual communication.

By studying our Graphic Design course, we’ll offer you a unique blend of hands-on learning, industry exposure, and theoretical knowledge. You'll immerse yourself in a studio environment, developing core design skills and exploring innovative solutions through practical projects. As you progress, you'll delve into the cultural, social, and ethical dimensions of design, exploring emerging technologies and gaining valuable work experience through optional placements or a year in industry. Our degree is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to stand out in the competitive job market and make a lasting impact on the world.

You’ll be offered a wide range of opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as the chance to collaborate with industry professionals, network with peers, and showcase your work in various settings. Upon graduation, you'll be well-prepared to pursue a successful career in graphic design, working for agencies, studios, or as a freelance designer. Our graduates have gone on to work for leading brands and organisations, demonstrating the effectiveness of our course in preparing students for the real world.

What you'll Study

Level 4 grounds the student in both the subject and the University experience. Through a studio-based programme of playful experimentation, students will gain an understanding of visual appreciation by:

applying core theory
developing a design process
acquiring core digital and physical skills
an understanding of design in a historical and contemporary context.

Students also have the option to complement their design studies with a language focus, at both Levels 4 and 5.

Level 5 leads the student to build on level 4 skills by relating them to communication and visual problem-solving for third parties. Modules target an understanding of designing for others and the impact and potential consequence, intended or otherwise, that design may have on society. Students are encouraged to develop a design ethos that will help them to shape their career direction, through deeper reflection on their work and the changing faces of technology, audience and environment. Students will be able to target specialist design focuses in their solutions to individually define their career path, which is also complemented by real-world placements and experiential opportunities. There is also the opportunity to engage in industry or to study abroad for a year between Levels 5 and 6.

Level 6 allows the student to flourish through their own authorial direction. Students will devise their briefs to create a unique portfolio of work that indicates their abilities and intent for future ambitions in industry or further study. Industry interviews take place to give an insight into and build confidence for future employment opportunities. Further skills in design management, with aspects of entrepreneurial focus and self-promotion, are also explored. The final year culminates in a public and industry-facing exhibition, showcasing the student’s body of work.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

The course is structured across three years, each comprising of three, ten-week terms. Each term focuses on 40 credits worth of study and builds from understanding the foundations of how design appreciation and process work to targeting a career within the industry.

All Levels are delivered by practicing academics with broad insight and experience in the design industry. Individual staff specialisms enhance the core structure of the course and visiting lecturers, practitioners and graduates further establish a wider understanding of the contemporary creative landscape. Specialist technicians and workshop facilities across the campus are also engaged to provide technical and craft-based skills.

All work on the course is practice-based and no exams are used for assessment. Each year will require engagement with academic discourse in the form of essays, articles and reflective writing.

Assessments are initially formative, allowing students to submit work for constructive feedback to further enhance the development of their solutions before final summative grading. As the learning environment is studio-based, staff are engaged with students on a one-to-one basis for continual discussion and appraisal of work in progress.

Assessment is based on both the student's research, interpretation and development of their ideas as well as the implementation, effectiveness and professionalism of their solution. These elements are evidenced through a range of deliverables such as:

reference materials
sketchbooks
experimental practice
engagement
written and visual interpretation
presentations
group work
physical and digital artefacts.

Criteria for each assessment are clearly identified at the project's inception so that intended goals are clearly understood.

The nature of the discipline often requires specific materials and equipment, we aim to support the students with these needs as much as possible to minimise costs.

All studios are provided with free black-and-white printing, allowing for the demands of rapid proofing of concepts to be cost-free. If students are requested to provide a physical submission in a specified format (i.e. an A1 poster) then we will cover the cost of that process in-house. We also provide core materials for studio engagement (paper, pens, pencils, inks, brushes, etc.). If a student chooses to pursue a solution that requires specialist materials, then those costs would be incurred by the student, but support in locating the most cost-effective supplier would be given.

We provide access to computer facilities and relevant software across all university sites as well as having facilities to borrow other technical equipment for short periods (cameras etc.).

Students are encouraged to build up their own resources to help define their individual practice, but this is not critical to the successful engagement of the course.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Study a Common First Year

This course shares a common 'design and innovation' first year with students on fashion, graphic, interior and product design courses.

This means that you’ll learn alongside students studying a similar discipline, helping to broaden your knowledge and exposure to other concepts, perspectives and professions in the first year of your degree.

As you learn and collaborate with students from other courses, you'll not only widen your social and professional network but also learn new skills that will set you up for success in your industry.

In your second and third years, you will progress to studying more specialist modules within graphic design, developing your skills to become a World Ready graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
International Baccalaureate	28 points
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above
T Level	Merit
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma: DMM
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff	72 points
GCE A level	72 points overall, including grade D in A level
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP
International Baccalaureate	24 points
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4 Scottish Highers: CCDD
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall
T Level	T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma: MMP
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Who you'll Learn from

Andrew Hooper

Programme Leader: BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Dr Alan Summers

Programme Leader: MA Design & BA (Hons) Product Design

Dr Janey Deng Klingelfuss

Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design

Gareth Price

Lecturer Graphic Design

Kevin Furlong

Senior Lecturer Graphic Design

Stephen Clarke

Lecturer in Fine Art, Graphic Design and Photography

Where you'll study Creative Campus, Kingsway, Chester

Join our Creative Community

Connect with Experts

Specialist Studio and Workshop Spaces

Art and Design female student in art studio workspace with various art materials.

Music Rehearsal and Recording Facilities

A group of music students performing on stage.

Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC)

A man looking at photography printed artwork in gallery space

Equipment Loan Provision

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Graphic Design at the University of Chester will prepare you for a wide range of careers within and beyond the creative industries. Our graduates are working with employers such as the BBC, Laura Ashley, Co-Op, Music Magpie, Games Workshop and the NHS, designing user experience and user interfaces, websites, packaging, brand identities, apps, motion graphics, editorial and interiors.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, and extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Graphic Design BA (Hons)

Available with: