Graphic Design BA(Hons)
With an emphasis on design thinking and crafting big ideas beautifully, this course is your springboard to a design career in the creative industries. You’ll discover how to solve challenging questions facing society and business today with great ideas delivered appropriately across print and digital platforms.
Key details
| Location | Falmouth Campus |
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | W214 |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
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Introduction
In your first year you’ll learn how to become an adept visual communicator, developing core skills in typography, branding, visual language, craft and critical thinking. You’ll experiment and explore as you move through the course, defining your identity and critical perspective for becoming a fully formed practitioner.
You will:
- Head to London for a week where you’ll visit a range of different studios from the boutique Fraser Muggeridge Studio to Pentagram, the world’s largest independent design consultancy.
- Have the opportunity to go on trips to cities abroad so you can gain global perspectives on the subject.
- Work on briefs created with, and supported by, industry practitioners.
- Enter creative competitions such as D&AD, ISTD and the Creative Conscience Awards.
- Go on an industry placement in the summer before your third year.
- Create an industry standard portfolio in your third year.
What our students do
Student Shortlisted for Design Award
Graphic Design student Danielle White has had her work recognised at the South West Design +...
Double Accolade for Graphic Designer
Graphic Design student Ian Walden recently received two prizes for his work.
Ian, who...
Falmouth Most Successful Uni at D&AD
Falmouth is celebrating a bumper year at the D&AD New Blood Awards, where the number of...
Award Win for Graphic Design Student
Graphic Design student Bethany Rush has won the adult fiction category as this year's...
Students Sweep D&AD New Blood Awards
Only the very best creative students are awarded coveted Pencil awards at D&AD New Blood, so...
Four Students Shortlisted for Coveted Design Award
Four Falmouth students have been shortlisted for this year's Penguin Random House UK Student...
Designer Awarded during Final Year Show
Graphic Design student Jen Marsden is off to Australia after being...
An Exchange of Ideas, Knowledge and Expertise
Graphic Design students recently visited 36 studios across London and The Netherlands. These...
What our graduates do
Our graduates have begun their careers at places like Mytton Williams, Biles Inc, Smith & Milton, The Partners, Bisqit, Turner Duckworth, Design Bridge, Thomas Matthews and The Chase.
Course details
What you'll learn
With design process and problem-solving at its heart, this course explores how creative and meaningful ideas can be made. You’ll study the historical, social and cultural issues connecting theory and practice, and gain real-world skills from live briefs and workshops from leading designers.
By taking on practical and critical work, you’ll explore and experiment with new processes and practices. Working together in our immersive studio culture, we’ll study things like how to come up with ideas, the history of design, and the latest industry innovations.
Modules
Design Process
A Word in your Eye
Narrative
Difference and Identity
Focusing more on real-world, industry-facing projects, we’ll encourage you to challenge convention and produce daring, original work. We’ll study areas like information hierarchy, ethical issues and design for society, while continuing to build your core skills. You’ll also go on study trips - usually to London or Amsterdam - to learn from designer-led workshops and visit studios like Pentagram, GBH, Fitch, Mother and Trapped in Suburbia.
Modules
Consumerism
Typography
Design Directions
Collaborative Practice
Your third year focuses on intense project work, a dissertation and professional practice workshops. On top of building your core skills, you’ll take a critical look at your strengths and explore various directions for your future career. Towards the end of the year, you’ll exhibit at D&AD New Blood and at our own exclusive show at the Royal Society of Arts.
Modules
Journeys
Dissertation
Destinations
Transitions
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.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
How you'll learn
You’ll attend group tutorials, seminars, workshops, peer critiques and regular individual tutorials - giving you the chance to present work and hear feedback in our new, dedicated studio space.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study |
1 | 30% | 70% |
2 | 30% | 70% |
3 | 24% | 76% |
How you'll be assessed
Year | Written exams | Practical exams | Coursework |
1 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
2 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Assessment methods
- A variety of design briefs.
- There’s an ongoing policy of review and feedback every week with staff and other students, while formal assessment is twice yearly.
- In year three you’ll write a dissertation and exhibit your work for assessment as part of a final-year show.
Staff
Our award-winning designers, associate lecturers, technicians and other staff members specialise in traditional and digital fields. As well as frequently contributing to books and publications, they’re often invited to judge professional design awards.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Bryan Clark
Bryan leads the subject of Graphic Design at Falmouth and is responsible for the undergraduate...
Timothy Donaldson
Timothy Donaldson is a letterworker: a practising graphic designer, type designer and...
Matthew Rogers
Matthew is a multi-skilled, reliable and innovative socially-minded thinker who enjoys sharing...
Andy Neal
Andy's career began as a musician; composing and performing material with Detritus, and...
Ashley Rudolph
Ashley graduated from the BA(Hons) Graphic Design course at Central St Martins in 1995, and has...
Nicola Salkeld
Nicola is one half of MOTH, which is a research project, that investigates...
Dion Star
Dion has been a senior lecturer at Falmouth University on the BA(Hons) Graphic Design course...
Jon Unwin
Following graduation from the MA Graphic Design course at the Royal College of Art in...
Matthew Dixon
Since graduating from Central St Martins in 1995, Matt has designed and directed campaigns for...
Facilities
- Large, open-plan, dedicated design studios.
- Design lab featuring traditional and digital production equipment.
- Photography and audio space supporting stills, moving image and sound.
- Mac desktop and laptop computers with professional software.
- Extensive library facilities including thousands of books, DVDs, magazines and journals.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Ready to join us? If you're applying through UCAS Apply and Track, you'll need to reference the university and course codes below.
- University code: F33
- Course code: W214
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our International applications page.
We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition 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.
As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
UK/EU applications: 15 January 2020 (for equal consideration)
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
How to Apply
Get application information including personal statement advice, interview tips and what to include in your portfolio.
Portfolio Advice
What is a portfolio and how do you make one? Read our guide.
Personal Statement Guide
How do you write a personal statement and what should you include? Read our advice.
Interview Information: Graphic Design BA(Hons)
Find out what to expect at your Graphic Design interview.
After You Apply
Find out what happens after you apply to Falmouth and what you'll need to do.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Can tell the visual story of their work.
- Thinks about the context of their work and the relevance it would have to a specific target audience.
- Can show the journey of their projects, the depth of your creative enquiry, and the quality of their ideas.
- Can investigate the questions of their project work, or explore the facts and information behind their ideas.
- Shows critical thinking and the ability to contextualise.
- Can provide a rationale for their intended project direction.
- Demonstrates emerging potential in visual and verbal articulation.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees 2020-21
£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£16,000 - full-time international
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.
Typical course costs
- £540 - Recurring annual costs
- £260 - One off costs for the course duration (compulsory trips, final portfolios or shows, etc)
- £2,750 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page
Ask a student
What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?
From course details, our facilities and the local area 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.