Course contact details
Admissions Office
Email:studywithus@hw.ac.uk
Phone:0131 451 3376
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS
Communication Design
- BA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 8 September 2025
- Undergraduate
- Scottish Borders
Course summary
The Communication Design programme develops three key areas of conceptual, applied and entrepreneurial forms of communicating information through a variety of media. The evolving technological components, growing ease of social media, and globalisation of communication require the design and interpretation of information to go beyond existing industrial and capitalistic formats.
This new type of communication design deals within collaborative experiences, socially dynamic and inclusive agendas, and provides key forms of critical informational research. This programme enables studio cooperative learning within a life-centred design approach in four evolving areas: moving image/animation, photography, graphic design (inclusive illustration), and interaction design (UX/UI).
This is further supported by elective courses in entrepreneurship, design management, art direction, and fashion communication which will prepare students for a variety of roles within the design industry and beyond including film, media, and social enterprise. In the end, it promotes a new type of student for a new type of world, where the disciplinary divisions are erased to promote a transdisciplinary approach to design.
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:
- W6CD
- Institution code:
- H24
- Campus name:
- Scottish Borders
- Campus Code:
- S
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff Not accepted
A level BCC - BBB
For entry to Year 2: ABB.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DMM
in a relevant subject for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: DMM in relevant subject.
Scottish Higher ABBB
Scottish Advanced Higher ABB
plus ABBB at Higher for entry to Year 2
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 29 points
For entry to Year 2: 30 points.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)
Scottish HNC Pass
HNC Pass in relevant subject for entry to Year 1.
For Year 2 entry: HNC in a relevant subject with B in graded unit.
Scottish HND Pass
HND in a relevant subject with a C in the graded unit for entry to Year 1. For Year 2/3 entry: HND in a relevant subject with BB in the graded units.
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
We operate contextual admissions defined by our Fair Access Policy which may mean entry requirements are flexible.
We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information on the entry requirements for these.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff Not accepted
A level BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MMM
in relevant subject.
Scottish Higher BBBC
including English
GCSE/National 4/National 5
It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent).
Scottish HNC Pass
B in the graded unit and passes in all 15 units for entry to year 2
(where there is a recognised route from a relevant HNC qualification)
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
The University guarantees to make a minimum entry offer to anyone who would be considered a Home or Rest of UK (RUK) applicant and who has achieved, or can achieve, the required grades from the following categories:
Priority postcode areas – Home Scottish applicants from SIMD20 postcodes or RUK applicants from POLAR 4 quintile 1 areas – identified through Scottish and UK government targets.
Care experience – Home Scottish or RUK applicants who have had experience of care, including adoption, kinship care, foster care and home supervision orders.
Additional entry requirements
- Portfolio
- The digital portfolio: Your application must include a portfolio of 10 to 15 carefully curated images in jpeg or PDF format. Please ensure that the images are high resolution and of good quality. These images should include examples of past work and must include evidence of the following: Research and investigation: To show the level of your engagement in visual investigation and research and how well you and apply and integrate it within a design project. This could be through the medium of note taking, sketches, photographs, painting, collages and so on… Design development: To show your ability to explore and develop ideas in a creative and critical way; and your level of skill and ability in the use of different visual methods and techniques to express development. We want you to show a strong evolution of your work and ideas. Visual communication and presentation: To clearly communicate and visually express your design projects from start to finish in a professional way. Statement: In addition to the digital portfolio please include a written personal statement of 300 to 400 words about why you have applied to Heriot Watt University and what has motivated you to choose this subject/s.
English language requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not been educated previously in the English language must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English Language tests that we currently accept as proof of English Language ability including our own English Language programmes, can be viewed on our website.
HWU English Language Requirements https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/entry/english-language-requirements.htm
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.
We realise that not everyone has an equal opportunity to evidence their full potential from school or college qualifications alone, so we use all the information you provide on your application form to assess both your current achievements and potential to thrive at university. Our minimum entry levels apply to MD20, POLAR 4 Q1 and care experienced students. Students from other widening access backgrounds may get an adjusted offer which is slightly lower than our standard entry requirements.
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 available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for Heriot-Watt University - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - 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.
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