Why I chose to study BA(Hons) Visual Communication (Online)
14 August 2026
This article was written by BA(Hons) Visual Communication (Online) student, Ella.
I think what comes with being creative is having a constant need to create with anything, anyone, and in any way. Studying Visual Communication has allowed me to do that, and so much more.
I had spent my A-level years picking random creative courses, constantly researching options and applying to universities I wasn't truly sure of. I was just itching to enter the creative industry but I just didn't know where or how.
To begin with, I was researching online study. For me, studying online allowed me the flexibility to keep my job, stay close to my family, and also be able to afford paying for my degree without a loan. While searching for a degree I could actually enjoy, I realised I was longing for something that allowed me to experiment and play with mediums, without feeling like I had to solidify where I had to end up. That was when I found BA(Hons) Visual Communication (Online).
In the first year, we focused on building a variety of skills that would be applicable not only in future modules, but in future jobs. We have lectures every week from industry creatives, who share their own journeys, allowing us to envision potential pathways but teach us to trust the process. The first year really gave me the opportunity to find who I am as a creative. That's not to say you have to, but the opportunity to experiment with different techniques and work on industry briefs, meant I was able to understand what I wanted to create, and why.
When it came to second year, one of our first modules threw us into the deep end of collaboration. In the first year you also have collaborative opportunities, but the primary focus is your own work. The Collaboration module, which takes place in the second year, ties every online course together. I met people from different countries, with different ages, ethnicities and stories. This module builds trust, collaboration, active listening and reflection. Don't get me wrong, collaboration has its downfalls. Managing people's time, expectations and personalities will be a tough journey, but it's that opportunity to learn how to do so that sets this course apart from others.
Within each year you have the opportunity for two face-to-face weeks. These trips are opportunities to learn about processes at an industry level, meet like minded people and the fantastic opportunity to network. If you think that the creative industry is a scary one to get into you couldn't be more wrong. On the trips I have been on, people have been so friendly, really educational and genuinely caring of a student's journey. They give advice, insider tips and the opportunity to reach out in the future. The information I gather on these trips is something I have continuously gone back to throughout modules, but also personal projects and my own portfolio developments.
For me, Visual Communication is all about connecting with an audience, telling a story and empowering messages. Within the course, so far, I have worked on projects to support ocean conservation, I have worked on developing book covers for children's books and built manifestos with people I can now call friends. Though these may not be for work or money, these have been opportunities I would never take for granted because they have developed me into a creative person that cares, works hard but still continues to learn. All of this is due to the endless experimentation and variety Visual Communication at Falmouth University has to offer. If any of this sounds like you, well, then I think Visual Communication may be the journey for you.
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