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Study level:
Undergraduate
Awarded by:
The University of Northampton

Course summary

Why choose this course?

Graphic Design BA (Hons) explores the communication of ideas and messages to diverse and evolving audiences through a dynamic range of media that highlights the potential of what design can achieve.

Studio culture is at the heart of the Graphic Design programme, naturally fostering the creativity, collaboration and debate that inspire personal perspectives on design. Students experiment with a range of traditional processes and emerging technologies to challenge established conventions of image-making and meaning.

Through engaging with real-world problems, social issues and commercial scenarios students develop critical, reflective and professional skills that will prepare them for the ever-changing creative industries.

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

  • Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one-to-one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

  • Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study, you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

  • At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026*.

  • Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand-new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course textbook is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

  • You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

The Northampton Employment Promise

  • In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that If you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

✱eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/for more information
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information

Modules

STAGE 1:
• Exploring Creative Practice (Compulsory)
• Roles and Contexts (Compulsory)
• Creative Projects (Compulsory)
• Critical and Cultural Perspectives (Compulsory)

STAGE 2:
• Graphic Design in Action (Compulsory)
• Creative Collaborations (Compulsory)
• Visual and Material Culture (Compulsory)
• Typographic Practice (Compulsory)
• Design Innovation (Compulsory)

STAGE 3:
• Professional Project (Compulsory)
• Careers for Graphic Designers (Compulsory)
• Industry Briefs (Compulsory)

Module information is quoted for 25/26 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly. 26/27 entry modules will be released in June 2025.

Assessment method

The course is assessed in a number of ways:

• Portfolio presentations

• Essays

• Dissertation

• Self-assessment and personal reflection.

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:
N38
Campus name:
Waterside Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 112 points

A level - BCC

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

Access to HE Diploma - M: 30 credits

Scottish Higher - BBBB

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points

T Level - Pass (C and above)

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
We look forward to welcoming you to an interview or audition at the University of Northampton. Interviews and auditions are designed to be positive, supportive experiences and around 40% of our courses include one of these as part of the process. If you are invited for an interview or audition you will receive an email from us with all the details about what you need to prepare. You may also see an interview/audition notification via UCAS on your UCAS Hub account. Please note that school servers can block emails from us so make sure to use your personal email address in your application. This is also a good idea as it allows you to still have access to your UCAS account once you have left school/college. You can see the details about what will happen at the interview or audition for your subject area at www.northampton.ac.uk/undergraduate/applicant-interviews. If you have questions about the interview or audition process here at UON you can email interviews@northampton.ac.uk.

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.

Every applicant to the University of Northampton is unique. We assess each application individually, considering qualifications, experience, and personal background. We welcome a wide range of qualifications and qualification mixes. Most UCAS applicants receive Conditional Offers, but Contextual or Unconditional Offers may be given based on factors like course choice, personal circumstances, interview performance, practical activities, GCSE results, and predicted grades.

Learn more on the University of Northampton 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.

Data from:
This course and 4 other design studies courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

80% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

70 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

85 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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