Visual Communication student drawing on a tablet

Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online)

Become a confident and versatile creative practitioner.

Key details
Location
Online
Course duration
2 years / 3 years
Attendance
Full-time / Part-time
UCAS code
W2OA (full-time)

Course overview

Create impactful visual content with the power to shift mindsets and inspire action on this unique online Visual Communication course.  

Drawing on Falmouth’s acclaimed creative culture, you will develop the practical skills and critical understanding to become a curious and dynamic practitioner across a range of platforms and formats within the ever-evolving creative landscape. 

You’ll learn from practising multidisciplinary creatives – direct from their studios to yours – and gain the latest industry insights through guest lectures and briefs, working with tutors and students from across the globe to build your networks and connections. 

Why study this course at Falmouth?

  • Join a global community of diverse creatives who are shaping the future of illustration, design, animation, photography and challenging the landscape of visual communication. 
  • Be supported to challenge yourself and develop your own visual language on a course designed and curated for online delivery. 
  • Build relationships with leading industry professionals through live briefs, online one-to-one portfolio reviews, guest lecturers, studio visits and optional in-person events. 
  • Define your passions, skills and ambitions to help locate your practice and build a sustainable career. 

Course details

BA(Hons) Visual Communication (Online) course video

On this Visual Communication course, you'll hone practical and theoretical skills in graphic design, photography, video, illustration and animation to create innovative visual content for a range of platforms. 

You’ll develop complex problem-solving and ideation skills, enabling you to experiment, and become comfortable taking risks to produce innovative visual solutions to briefs and weekly tasks. 

Your creative practice will be underpinned with a solid understanding of visual communication techniques and contextual awareness. You'll graduate with a professional portfolio, a creative business plan for your future, entrepreneurial skills and a high level of industry awareness and reality to help sustain your creative career post-graduation.

Industry guest speakers have included Google, Sony Music, NASA, Nando's, Superdry, Vanity Fair, Redbull and Adobe. 

Final year students get expert portfolio feedback in online one to one sessions with leading studios like The Association of Illustrators, ILoveDust, Grand Matter, Phantom Design and Anyways Creative Agency

Through practical work and critical investigations, you'll be encouraged to experiment with and disrupt visual practices and processes. Working within an immersive community culture, you'll develop your understanding of audience, explore all areas of the creative process and learn core visual language skills, including type & image, storytelling, craft and production.

As you work on live briefs, you'll be introduced to branding, consumer culture, typography and information hierarchy, the ethics and responsibility of creative practice, design for society and the importance of collaborative practice. You'll also gain an understanding of the history and theories of visual communications.

Modules

Play

This module aims to orientate learning, build organisational skills and develop an understanding of the elemental principles of visual communication through the application of a range of processes, building technical competence and analytical skills.

Industry

This professional practice module introduces you to the creative industries and asks you to begin to identify where your own practice might situate itself.

Relay

Develop industry skills in collaboration and refine your professional communication skills to enable you to work efficiently together to produce outcomes.

Form

This workshop-based practice module develops your specialist craft skills and refines your use of materials, process and techniques.
 

You'll work on a range of projects to challenge your emerging fields. Throughout these projects you'll hone your core skills, reflect critically on your strengths and explore alternative models of practise to help define your design future beyond the Visual Communication course. Undertaking self-selected briefs, technical learning activities and presentations, as well as collaborative exercises and independent research, you'll continue to strengthen and provoke speculative, experimental and industry process models.

Modules

Shape

Develop your ability to shape your ideas, and your outcomes, to find sustainable solutions for the specific needs of your intended audience.

Find

Work collaboratively to develop your use of a range of research methods to underpin the conceptual development of projects and find solutions to complex problems.

Break

This self-directed practice module aims to develop your ability to generate innovative visual communication strategies, underpinned by the development of your critical analytical skills.

Share

Develop collaborative industry-focussed ways of working to generate complex and ambitious creative projects.

Finally, you'll refine the detail and depth of existing projects, or work on new initiatives to cement your final visual communications identity, so you're ready to head into industry or go to further study. You will underpin your final portfolio through undertaking a reflective research project and exploring alternative models of practice to give you the essential skills you need for a successful career in the creative industries.

Modules

Jump

Evolve and refine a specialist body of creative practice and identify a future career pathway in the creative industries. It is the first stage in portfolio development that will build towards your professional identity and practice for when you graduate.

Sprint

This entrepreneurial module aims to situate your practice within industry and prepare you with the business skills you need for a successful career in the creative industries.

Launch

Develop an innovative final portfolio that demonstrates a high level of professionalism and industry level finish appropriate for your career ambition.

Reach

This module asks you to contextualise your practice and identify future audiences for your work.

The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online) first-year student work

Work by Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online) first-year students

Stories from our community

Explore student projects, graduate successes, staff news and industry insights

The words 'haluhalo' on a black circle in white font
Studio Haluhalo

Introducing Studio Haluhalo: an inclusive studio from Visual Communication students Pita Santos and JJ Whippey

27 February 2024

Two students on Falmouth’s online Visual Communication BA course have cofounded a studio in Manche...

Introducing Studio Haluhalo: an inclusive studio from Visual Communication students Pita Santos and JJ Whippey
Head shop of Eliza Hatch - Woman with short blonde hair wearing dangling earrings and blue patterned long sleeved top.
Eliza Hatch - Crop

‘Cheer Up Luv’: meet the people taking back feminism’s most hated phrase

08 March 2023

Meet the Falmouth University tutor behind feminist photo series Cheer Up Luv.

‘Cheer Up Luv’: meet the people taking back feminism’s most hated phrase
Blossom Chambers and her daughter Poppy
Blossom Chambers and her daughter Poppy

Fine Art student’s mum rediscovers her own creative spark through online study

01 June 2022

Blossom Chambers is a print designer and student on our BA Visual Communication (Online) course. Her...

Fine Art student’s mum rediscovers her own creative spark through online study
Black and white illustrated text of VIS COM
Vis Com poster image

What is Visual Communication?

03 May 2022

Visual communication is all around us but how do we use it and why does it matter?

What is Visual Communication?
A woman smiling, wearing a green shirt
Rosie George resized image

“You are good enough”: Why I chose to study Visual Communication online

10 February 2022

This piece was written by Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online) student Rosie George BA Visual C...

“You are good enough”: Why I chose to study Visual Communication online
A portrait of Alan Lewis
Alan Lewis Cropped

How an online degree in Visual Communications is helping this student navigate a career change

15 November 2021

After being forced into a medical retirement from his previous job as a plumber and multi trades wor...

How an online degree in Visual Communications is helping this student navigate a career change

Resources and Support

  • Dedicated easy-to-use virtual learning environment (VLE)
  • Accessible online audio / visual content
  • A Student Advisor to support you throughout your studies and access to our Student Support Services
  • Access to our Employability Service
  • 24/7 access to Falmouth's extensive online library of contextual books, journals and resources
  • Access to online software tutorials at LinkedIn Learning
  • Students' Union community
  • Optional in-person events
  • Invitation to attend alumni events

Although online students don't have access to on-campus facilities as part of the course, you can hire equipment and access facilities by paying a charge. Find out more about availability and prices here.

An online student on their laptop
Is online study for me banner

Is Online Study for Me?

The creative culture at our core is not confined to our Cornwall campuses; with our online degrees, ...

Is Online Study for Me?
Two women and a man seated at a desk with a laptop and print outs
Falmouth staff at table

Online Learning Support

You'll have access to a range of support throughout your studies with us to help you thrive and deve...

Online Learning Support
BA Creative Writing (Online) students meeting each other for the first time
BA Creative Writing (Online) students meeting each other for the first time

Creative Writing BA(Hons) (Online) in-person event © Ellie Hope / © Mayn Creative

In-Person Events

As an online student at Falmouth, you’ll have the opportunity to attend in-person events throughou...

In-Person Events
Person sat at laptop working with design book
Interior Design online 2024

Parents & Carers Guide to Online Study

See how you can support a student considering an online degree at Falmouth.  

Parents & Carers Guide to Online Study
Collage work by student Alan Lewis
Creative work by Alan Lewis

Finding purpose and direction through online study


Be inspired by Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online) student Alan as he shares his creative work and tells us how studying online has opened up new doors for him. 

Watch the video

How you'll learn & be assessed

How online study works

This practice-based Visual Communication degree is underpinned by creative and technical tuition. We offer a truly multidisciplinary syllabus designed to meet the demands of visual communication within the creative industry.

What will my study hours be?

Depending on your choice of full-time or part-time study, you'll spend between 27-50 hours a week developing dynamic creative processes and contextual understanding. You'll be taught in online lectures, webinars, forums and design activities by staff with a wide range of industry experience, while developing your own direction and specialisms.

What does accelerated study mean?

An accelerated degree condenses your degree modules into two years on the full-time route, or three years on the part-time route. This means you'll be working across three study blocks per year, instead of two, including through the summer. Typically, there is a break of around two weeks between submitting your final assignment for each module and the start of the next study block. You will also get breaks on public holidays, for around two weeks at Easter and for around three weeks in December.

The BA(Hons) Visual Communication degree employs a variety of assessment strategies over the course of the year. These include the submission of portfolios of practical work, presentations, verbal reports and a major practice project.

Your summative (final) assessments occur at the end of each module, usually at the end of the study block. You may also have interim formative assessments part way through a module as well. These assessments help ensure that you remain on track with your work.

You will receive continuous written and/or verbal feedback on all your work throughout the year. At the end of the module you will receive detailed feedback in written form.

You'll be able to check in with your online tutor to discuss your progress and ask any questions you have about your course. 

Find out more about learning online

Staff

Our staff team is made up of experienced academics and subject experts. We pride ourselves on our global community of innovative graphic design, illustration, and photography professionals at the forefront of creative production. This connectivity provides essential networking opportunities for our students and graduates and helps inform and shape our future-focussed curriculum.

Sarah Langford

Course Leader, Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online)

Multidisciplinary Graphic Artist and Course Leader for BA(Hons) Visual Communication (Online) Sarah ...

Sarah Langford

Alexandra Lethbridge

Module Leader, Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online)

Alexandra Lethbridge is a conceptual artist working with photography and installation. Her practice ...

Alexandra Lethbridge

Lily Hayes

Online Tutor, Visual Communication BA(Hons) (online)

A multi-disciplinary designer and musician, Lily's work centres around the relationships between typ...

Lily Hayes

Grace Lister

Online Tutor, Visual Communication BA (Hons) (online)

Grace Lister is a multidisciplinary designer and educator. Grace works as creative producer and desi...

Grace Lister

Claire Scully

Online Tutor, Visual Communication BA(Hons) (online)

Claire Scully is a multi-disciplinary professional Illustrator, author and educator specialising in ...

Claire Scully
Headshot of Eliza Hatch

Eliza Hatch

Online Tutor, Visual Communication BA(Hons) (online)

Eliza is a photographer, facilitator, speaker and gender rights activist. After graduating from The ...

Eliza Hatch

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Careers

As a Visual Communication graduate, you could have a career as:

  • A graphic designer, photographer, animator or illustrator

  • A multidisciplinary creative

  • A filmmaker, director or content producer

  • A communications strategist or brand manager

  • An art director or advertising creative

How to apply

Apply 

You have the option to apply via UCAS or directly with us, depending on your education and experience. Find out more about ways to apply. 

UCAS codes

You can apply for the September 2024 full-time route through UCAS using: 

  • University code: F33
  • Course code: W2OA
Course route Course start Apply now
Full-time

September 2024

Apply via UCAS

Apply directly

Part-time September 2024 Apply now
     

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an online interview to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you've specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.

Applying with UCAS points

Course route Entry requirements
BA/BSc(Hons) degree 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

Check the title of your course to see if it's a BA or BSc award. UCAS Tariff points will primarily be from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

Applying without UCAS points

We'll welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) and learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), and should have been gained within the last five years, and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications. Find out more about APL.

If your first language is not English, you'll need to take an English Language test.  We accept: 

  • IELTS - minimum overall score of IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening 
  • TOEFL iBT (online test) - minimum of 80 overall and at least 19 in all 4 components 
  • LanguageCert (online test) - a High Pass from the ESOL B2 Communicator test in reading, writing, speaking and listening (2 parts) 

We also accept a range of other recognised English language qualifications.  You can visit our English Language Requirements page for more information. 

For more information about equivalent international qualifications or English language requirements please contact our friendly Course Advisors

For starting your studies in 2024

Applications for these courses remain open whilst there are spaces available. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

The academic start date is 23 September 2024*.

 

Please note:

*Virtual Welcome Week begins the week before the academic start date. During this time, our Student Advisor team will host Welcome Webinars and be in touch with practical information on how to study online.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees for September 2024 entry

Annual tuition fee Student
£10,400 per year 2 years accelerated full-time
£6,935 per year 3 years accelerated part-time

Tuition fees for September 2025 will be confirmed in summer 2024.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. 

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

What funding can I get?

Funding for online study is different to on-campus study. You'll find information about both tuition fees and how you can fund your online study on this page.

Explore funding options
Two female Falmouth University students sat at a table with open books

Typical course costs

You will need to purchase a laptop/desktop computer. It is an essential piece of equipment that you will need right from the start of the course. Our students use both PCs and Macs.

When considering your purchase of a laptop, the most important things to look out for is the CPU/RAM/graphics card, as we use software that needs a large amount of power. We recommend one with as fast a processor as you can afford (8GB of RAM minimum) and a reasonably sized screen (13" minimum, 15" is optimum), plus the following absolute bare minimum computer specifications:

Windows:

  • Windows 10
  • At least an i7 processor
  • No less than 8-16GB Ram 
  • Graphics Card (nVidia 1080 minimum, not Intel Iris integrated graphics) with at least 2GB 
  • 256GB hard drive space minimum 
  • 1920 x 1080 display resolution or higher (most displays offer a higher resolution than this)
  • Mouse with a scroll wheel and two buttons

Apple Macbook Pro:

  • Mac OS 10.15 or newer
  • At least an i7 processor
  • No less than 8-16GB Ram 
  • Graphics Card
  • 256GB hard drive space minimum 
  • 1920 x 1080 display resolution or higher (most displays offer a higher resolution than this)
  • Mouse with a scroll wheel and two buttons
  • A dongle to plug things into the laptop is also required for all modern apple laptops

In general, it is cheaper and more cost effective to buy a Windows Laptop. A good spec Windows machine can be sourced from places such as Dell or PC World. Windows laptops do tend to be heavy for carrying about though. A good rule of thumb is if your laptop is capable of running a modern 3D computer game then it should generally be suitable for the kind of graphical work you will doing.

Anything in the MacBook Pro range will be suitable for your work and light to carry around. A USB dongle is a wise purchase with an Apple laptop as you can then plug in mice, keyboards, usb sticks, digital projectors etc. Avoid the MacBook and MacBook Air as they are small and underpowered for the work you will be doing.

Recurring annual costs

£100-£200 - Studio kit (outlined in your Welcome Letter)

Recurring annual costs

£100-£200 - recommended reading throughout your course including books and publications.

Face-to-face events (optional)

£100-£400 - As an online student you will be given the opportunity to attend up to two events per academic year to meet your classmates and tutors in person. Dates and location of the events will vary.  

Study trips (optional)

£100-£400 - for optional study trips which will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.

Other digital equipment/software:

  • 16 -32 GB memory stick so you can back up your work regularly (approx. £10-20)
  • Wireless or Bluetooth mouse (approx. £15)

Adobe Creative Cloud

You will need access to Adobe Creative Cloud. You may be eligible for discounted licenses through Adobe's education pricing and Falmouth University seeks to provide further discounts when possible. If any discounts are available, we will communicate these to you.

For more information please visit Adobe Creative Cloud.

Ask a student

What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?

From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Similar courses

A printed piece of paper with green ink annotations and pens
Creative Writing Online_2022

Creative Writing BA(Hons) (Online)

Whether you dream of penning novels, writing for games, creating compelling digital campaigns or wri...

Creative Writing BA(Hons) (Online)
student smiling into microphone in studio
Sound house student

Media Production BA(Hons)

An exciting and market-driven fusion of filmmaking, advertising and journalism, this Media Productio...

Media Production BA(Hons)
Student sat on the floor working on a project
BSc Business and Marketing

Business & Marketing BSc(Hons) (Online)

Become a skilled, confident, ethical and future-ready business and marketing professional with this ...

Business & Marketing BSc(Hons) (Online)
People standing by board with ideas pinned to it
Marketing Communications 2024

Marketing Communications BA(Hons)

In a world where technology is transforming how we live, work and play, marketers must be fast, flex...

Marketing Communications BA(Hons)
Photo of  bubblegum strips on a pink table with blue background
Natalie skinner Bubblegum

Commercial Photography BA(Hons)

From creating photographs and films for high-end advertising and marketing campaigns to producing vi...

Commercial Photography BA(Hons)
Immersive Business clients using VR equipment
Immersive Business

Business & Digital Marketing BSc(Hons)

Prepare yourself for a career in the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of business and digital mark...

Business & Digital Marketing BSc(Hons)
Design presentation for sustainable beauty app
Kiera Sylvester Fashion Marketing

Fashion Marketing BA(Hons)

Blend your flair for communication and eye for fashion into a successful career as a fashion markete...

Fashion Marketing BA(Hons)
Bright coloured labelled champagne bottles
Lara Hennings Graphic Design

Graphic Design BA(Hons)

On this course, you’ll join a collaborative community that will support you to develop your distin...

Graphic Design BA(Hons)
Advertising students work displayed on wall
Bea Shakeshaft and Cameron Russell

Creative Advertising BA(Hons)

Turn your ideas into powerful advertising campaigns with impact.

Creative Advertising BA(Hons)

Virtual Open Days & events

Head to our Open Days & events page to see upcoming virtual Open Days and online events covering everything from student funding to application advice.

Find an event
Two students seated at a table with yellow and red background
widget
widget