Course contact details
HE Admissions (HEadmissions@southessex.ac.uk)
Email:HEadmissions@southessex.ac.uk
Phone:01702 220688
Fax: 01702 432320
University Centre South Essex
Luker Road
Southend
SS1 1ND
Graphic Design & Illustration
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- September 2026
- Undergraduate
- University Centre Southend
- Awarded by:
- University of the Arts London
Course summary
The BA (Hons) Graphic Design & Illustration degree programme treats the various subject areas within visual communication not as discrete disciplines but as interweaving lines of enquiry. It is for this reason we operate upon a unit structure, which encourages individual creativity.
Our strength is in our determination to provide a pro-active, creative atmosphere, which observes and responds to current and future working practices. We run a small tight-knit course of around twenty students in each year, this allows us to really get to know our students.
The Pathway choice at the beginning of Year 2 allows the students to further specialise within their practice.
Modules
Year 1 for full-time students (Level 4): AGD 101 Introduction to Visual Communication; AGD 102 Visual Culture & Contexts; AGD 103 Creative Image Making; AGD 105 Typography; AGD 106 Alternative Media & Thinking.
Year 2 for full-time students (Level 5) Graphic Design Pathway:
AGD 202 Corporate ID & Branding; AGD 203 Graphic Design in Three Dimensional Contexts; AGD 204 Self – Directed Study; AGD 205 Literature Review & Dissertation Proposal; AGD 206 Work Placement.
Year 2 for full-time students (Level 5) Illustration Pathway:
Ai 202 Narrative Illustration; Ai 203 Illustration in Three Dimensional Contexts; Ai 204 Self – Directed Study; Ai 205 Literature Review & Dissertation Proposal; Ai 206 Work Placement.
Year 3 for full-time students (Level 6) Both Pathways:
AGD/Ai 301 Dissertation; AGD/Ai 302 Industry Led Brief; AGD/Ai 303 Subject Realisation; AGD/Ai 304 Professional Promotion.
Assessment method
Coursework is assessed in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes including portfolio and sketchbook submissions, group presentations, written essays and research folders. There are no examinations.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework:
Year 1 100% coursework: 88% Studio based with a written element 12%;
Year 2 100% coursework: 88% Studio based with a written element 12%;
Year 3 100% coursework: 75% Studio based with a written element 25%
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- University Centre Southend
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- September 2026
Apply by
14 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:
- W210
- Institution code:
- S43
- Campus name:
- University Centre Southend
- Campus Code:
- S
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University Centre South Essex 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
14 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:
- W210
- Institution code:
- S43
- Campus name:
- University Centre Southend
- Campus Code:
- S
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
The University Centre has decided to temporarily stop sponsoring international students who need a student visa to study on our programmes in our campuses in the UK until further notice.
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff 64 points
Access to HE Diploma M: 15 credits
15 credits at Merit or above
GCSE/National 4/National 5
English Language GCSE at grade C (4) or above, OR a Level 2 equivalent such as functional skills
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- Interview
- Interview will be over Microsoft Teams.
- Portfolio
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | IELTS 6.0 - minimum 5.5 across all components. |
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Related courses
At University Centre South Essex
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