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Graphic Design

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
The Northern School of Art
More about The Northern School of Art

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

The BA (Hons) Graphic Design Programme encourages distinctive voices in communication practice. Alongside our sister programme, Digital Design & Advertising, our projects and programme ethos goes far beyond the aesthetic of design layout and typography. To be a graphic designer from The Northern, is to be a design communicator, a visionary and design specialist. The world and the way we understand, inhabit and navigate it, are changing and it’s the very nature of this that requires our students to rethink, question and constantly challenge the purpose graphic communication serves in society.

Our programme, promotes changemakers, we rethink what we know, we question what we do, and we challenge the world as we know it, through cutting edge design, through expansive experimentation, through new ideas and through our community. Collectively, as a design studio from the moment our students arrive, we make work that matters.

This degree emphasises mixed-media experimental work as well as real-world creative problem solving. Through live briefs students will develop industry relevant digital and analogue skills. If you are interested in the graphic design of branding, advertising, communication, typography and digital artwork this course is for you. As well as offering a conceptual approach to design through mixed-media, analogue and digital technology we offer areas of specialties including:

• Visual communication
• Image-making & illustration
• Printmaking (letterpress, risograph & screen printing)
• Editorial design
• Branding
• Advertising
• Typography
• Packaging
• Motion graphics

Awards
Creative Conscience 2022: Winner, Impact Category
Creative Conscience 2022: Winner, Mental Health Category
D&AD 2022 New Blood: The Portfolios, Graphic Design
D&AD 2022 New Blood: The Portfolios, Mixed Discipline
Creative Conscience 2021: Winner, Human Rights Category

Modules

In your first year (Level Four) you will explore:

  • Creative Processes and Experimentation
  • Adventures in Type
  • Creative Thinking
  • Visual Communication
  • Design Impact

In your second year (Level Five) you will develop:

  • Advanced Design Production
  • Creative Discussion
  • Design Specialism and Innovation
  • Future Industries

In your third year (Level Six) you will explore:

  • Project Research and Preparation
  • Dissertation Report
  • Final Major Project
  • Final Show and Portfolio

Assessment method

In course assessment. Each module is assessed upon completion and given a percentage mark.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • The Northern School of Art

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 22/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
W211
Institution code:
C71
Campus name:
The Northern School of Art
Campus Code:
H
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

The Northern School of Art has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W211
Institution code:
C71
Campus name:
The Northern School of Art
Campus Code:
H

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

International applicants

We do not currently accept students from outside of the UK. However, we can accept applications from those have evidence of pre-settled status to live, work and study in the UK. Please contact admissions@northernart.ac.uk for more information.

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 96 - 112 points

UCAS tariff points can be made up of a mixture of Level 3 qualifications.

A level - CCC - BBC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM - DMM

Access to HE Diploma

Successfully complete Access to HE Diploma

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Successfully complete Foundation Diploma

T Level - Pass (C and above)

Your potential is our main focus when assessing your suitability for the programme you have applied to. Because of this, we take into account all aspects of your application and not just your academic profile.
If you are a mature applicant (i.e. 21+ years), we will place more emphasis on your portfolio and the skills and experience you can demonstrate at interview.
Your portfolio, which you bring to interview, is an integral part of the assessment. It should demonstrate your current skills, interests and knowledge where appropriate.
It is also expected that you will bring evidence of written work to interview and/or have a Level 2 qualification in English/Literacy.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
https://northernart.ac.uk/study-with-us/hartlepool-campus/supporting-you/how-to-apply/
Portfolio
https://northernart.ac.uk/study-with-us/hartlepool-campus/supporting-you/how-to-apply/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Due to the creative nature of our programmes, we treat all applications on their own merit and welcome anyone who has the ability and aspirations to achieve at higher education. Applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate their potential to us by showing their portfolio at an interview. If you are predicted points below the stipulated range, or if you have any other qualifications or professional experience, please get in touch as we still may be able to consider you.

Learn more on the The Northern School of Art website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 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

As with most creative programmes delivered at higher education, this programme will have additional costs such as material and basic tools and contribution towards educational visits to ensure successful completion of the programme. The School offers financial support packages to help with this, whether this be through means-tested bursaries and/or grants. In addition, the School offers subsidised resale of course materials, free use of studios etc. More detailed information is provided at the interview stage; however, if you require this sooner please contact interviews@northernart.ac.uk

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