BA (Hons) Graphic Design

at Anglia Ruskin University - Cambridge

TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT

3 years full-time

Year 1

In the first year of your Graphic Design degree, we’ll spend a lot of time in the studio, complemented by field trips and the opportunity to create design on-the-go in Amsterdam.

Our focus is firmly on introducing you to the design process, and you’ll be developing the creativity to solve design problems and tasks. In particular, we’ll explore typography and web design, and you can get hands-on with industry-standard applications and specialist software.

You will also learn how to research, analyse and write about art and design. We look at design history, practice and how designers have realised their ideas throughout the 20th century and into the present day.

From this stage onwards, you’ll be ready to fine-tune your skills and apply them to complex design briefs.

This is a hands-on, practical course and our assessment is based on the coursework you complete for each of your modules. This includes completed project work as well as accompanying material such as sketchbooks.

We’re looking to see how you research, analyse and develop your work – in other words, how you think as a designer.

You’ll also attend lectures and produce written material. We’ll look at these when we’re reviewing your progress.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

Assessment
Assessment is ongoing and includes one-to-one feedback, group crits and class design presentations, so you can be sure you’re receiving structured, insightful feedback throughout your degree course.

Core modules

• Design Process
• Graphic Design: Histories and Ideas
• Introduction to Type Media
• Introduction to Web Design

 

Year 2

There’s an increasing focus on employability and life in the design profession in Year 2, developing your understanding of the industry and the roles of design professionals – including those that are self-employed.

We also take time to explore the visual languages of graphic design, and the design brief – from initial proposal through design development to pitching and production.

We’ll work on a range of projects including design for publication, packaging, brand development, advertising and promotion, informational graphics and new media design. This is a great opportunity to try a number of different media and practices, see what interests you, and focus on the career paths that are available to you as a professional designer.

This is a hands-on, practical course and our assessment is based on the coursework you complete for each of your modules. This includes completed project work as well as accompanying material such as sketchbooks.

We’re looking to see how you research, analyse and develop your work – in other words, how you think as a designer.

You’ll also attend lectures and produce written material. We’ll look at these when we’re reviewing your progress.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

Assessment
Assessment is ongoing and includes one-to-one feedback, group crits and class design presentations, so you can be sure you’re receiving structured, insightful feedback throughout your degree course.

Core modules

• Design Practice
• Graphic Design Media Specialisms
• Professional Studies in Design
• Ruskin Module

 

Year 3

Your final year is all about getting you ready for life after graduation, by developing your portfolio website and honing your ‘design writing’ skills which, ultimately, you’ll use to promote your work.

Back in the studio, you might find yourself responding to commissions, working on live briefs or entering competitions. While allowing you to experiment and get creative, these projects will also get you thinking like a professional graphic designer, by focusing on visual problem-solving.

There’s the option to take a summer work placement as part of your final-year module.

And of course you’ll prepare for your Degree Show where you have the chance to promote your work and everything you’ve learned to industry professionals.

This is a hands-on, practical course and our assessment is based on the coursework you complete for each of your modules. This includes completed project work as well as accompanying material such as sketchbooks.

We’re looking to see how you research, analyse and develop your work – in other words, how you think as a designer.

You’ll also attend lectures and produce written material. We’ll look at these when we’re reviewing your progress.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

Assessment
Assessment is ongoing and includes one-to-one feedback, group crits and class design presentations, so you can be sure you’re receiving structured, insightful feedback throughout your degree course.

Main
96 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent level 3 qualifications), including Art, Design or Media subjects.

3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English.

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

You may also be accepted to this course with an IELTS 5.5 (Academic level- with no individual score being lower than 5.5) or equivalent English Language qualification as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University, but will then be required to undertake additional compulsory free English language modules in your first year.

You will be asked to provide a digital portfolio for review and will be given the option to book a meeting to discuss this with us.

Alternatives

UCAS Tariff points acquired from BTEC Level 3 Diplomas in a related subject are accepted.

UCAS Tariff points from Access to HE Diplomas are accepted.

International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 24 points is accepted, this must include a related subject.

UCAS Tariff points from Scottish Advanced Highers are accepted.

UCAS Tariff points from Scottish Highers are accepted.

UCAS Tariff points from the Irish Leaving Certificate are accepted.

UCAS Tariff points acquired from the International Baccalaureate Certificate are accepted, related subjects are required.

Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Tuition fees for international students (2022/23)
£14,300

International students starting 2022/23 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your tuition fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will also ask you for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter. Details will be in your offer letter.

Careers
The creative industries are booming in the UK, employing more than two million people. Our BA (Hons) Graphic Design will prepare you for a career as a graphic designer, as well as for design-related roles in digital graphics, online media, communications and marketing, publishing, and advertising.

Our previous students have gone on to work with design studios or media and communication companies, producing advertising, corporate identities and promotions, packaging and branding, informational design, editorial and book design, web designs and interactive media.

We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements. Cambridge is the perfect place to gain experience – a creative hotspot that’s home to thousands of established businesses and start-ups.

You’ll have many opportunities to generate a strong portfolio of graphic design projects that will help you secure a job in this rewarding, vibrant and growing industry. These include getting involved with regional design agencies and national design networks such as D&AD and YCN, engaging in ‘live’ projects or commercial briefs and building your industry contacts. All of these can lead to freelance projects, work experience and internships, which could result in offers of work before you even graduate.

Cambridge is the perfect place to gain experience – a creative hotspot that’s home to thousands of established businesses and start-ups. Our students have gone on to work alongside the likes of Drench, Filofax, Nash Matthews, Onespacemedia, Coast Digital, Workshop Creative Agency and Piranha Designs.

There are plenty of opportunities to get your work seen, too. At the end of your final year at ARU, you’ll take part in our Degree Show and could be selected to produce publicity materials for the event – the perfect launchpad for life as a graphic designer.

Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our renowned MA Graphic Design & Typography. With our Alumni Scholarship, you’ll even get 20% off your fees as an ARU graduate.