• Undergraduate

Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) BA (Hons)

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Overview

Overview

Why study at UWL? 
  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide - The Guardian University Guide 2024
  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion - Daily Mail University Guide 2024
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
  • Number 1 London university (non-specialist) - National Student Survey 2023**
Why study this course?

Do you want to make your individual mark in the design world? Study graphic design at the University of West London and we will help you to become a standout designer who can work across the exciting media used in modern visual communications. 

On your graphic design degree you will find and develop your own visual voice, and receive tutoring on a one-to-one basis and in a small group. You will have access to a range of professional facilities so that you can become competent in both traditional and contemporary design-related areas.   

Studying in London, at the heart of the UK’s creative industries, gives you access to leading galleries and exhibitions, as well as potential employers.

View some of our students' recent work.

BA (Hons) Graphic Design at the University of West London - thumbnail

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.
With Foundation Year
Duration: 4 years

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with us?

Why study Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with us?

A collage of students

What our students say…

I love how passionate our tutors are about helping us to achieve to the best of our abilities.

Charlie Little
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Graphic displaying that the UWL Graphic Design courses were ranked 1st in London in the Guardian Guide Results 2023
Graphic advising on-site Macs and PC Labs
Our printmaking design studio, for paper screen printing, lino printing, mono printing, dry point etching and bookbinding.
The Digital Print Bureau has state of the art workstations, fully colour calibrated professional screens and cutting-edge software.
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

This graphic design degree will give you the means to develop your own unique visual identity and find work in this important creative discipline. 

This course focuses on the practice and application of graphic design. The practical skills you develop will be backed up by theoretical and contextual studies of graphic design in history and culture.

While your studies are founded on traditional and established graphic design processes and principles, they also embrace the future of design. This means you will cover a broad range of study areas, including:

  • typography
  • print design
  • illustration
  • design development
  • motion graphics
  • web design
  • design for mobile devices
  • animation
  • conceptual design thinking

You will have access to a variety of specialist equipment, including computer labs and digital print, photography and video studios. Through studio-based work, you will develop the skills and competencies to become a capable professional. 

As this course is taught from our main campus in Ealing, we integrate London exhibitions, gallery shows, design lectures and other events into our study programme, bringing the best in design into your classroom.

The select number of places available on our BA (Hons) Graphic Design means that we can offer you the one-to-one support you need to learn to express yourself visually. You will be taught using a range of methods, including: 

  • lectures
  • workshops
  • studio-based sessions
  • seminar groups

This combination of teaching methods will help you to build the practical, conceptual and strategic skills you need to become a respected designer. 

Compulsory modules

  • Visual Studies

  • Digital Skills

    This module introduces you to a wide range of essential digital media skills that you will need to support you on your course. You will also explore a wide range of software packages, including Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Muse. You will also be shown Apple Keynote, Nuke, blogging software and video editing software.

  • Research and Referencing

  • Image Making

    As a student on this module you will explore assumptions about image making and how to understand images. You will look at a variety of techniques, in particular the use of lens-based and editing techniques. Importantly, you will have the chance to develop image-making skills within the range of media most appropriate to your personal skill set.

  • Typography

  • Ideas, Development and Context

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

  • Design Portfolio

  • Experimental Communications

    You will have the chance to challenge conventional wisdom in the search for the unexpected as solutions to design problems. You will look at laser cutting, 3D printing, projection, experimental animation, glitch and more. Through your assignments you will explore experimental communication techniques and learn to mix and match unconventional approaches from different disciplines.

  • Concept Development

    You will further improve your design thinking; enhancing all your other areas of study and professional practice by helping you develop - and gain insight into - methodologies and processes that contribute to successful graphic design work.

  • Professional Presentation

  • Project

    In the final year of your degree course, you will create your own project with a high degree of independence. You will be allocated a supervisor and then given the freedom to create a piece of work, which you feel really represents you as a graphic design student. You will be guided and supported, but this is your vision and your chance to show the world what you have achieved while you’ve been at UWL.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

104 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:     

  • A Levels at grade B, C and C, or above   
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit   
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 - 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a portfolio.

Looking for BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents. 

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a portfolio.

Looking for BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students have received our Full-time Undergraduate Student Bursary.

Additional scholarships specifically for students in the fields of film, media and design are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

Funding your studies
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year
Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Ben Dunning

I am a designer, educator and author specialising in graphic, digital and interactive design. My first book: Video Games: An Introduction to the Industry, was published in December 2015 by Bloomsbury Fairchild. I have nearly 20 years experience of working in web, interactive and graphic design and over 12 years experience in teaching and education. I am currently exploring the role, scope and design of UI in video games.

I am a designer, educator and author specialising in graphic, digital and interactive design. My first book: Video Games: An Introduction to the Industry, was published in December 2015 by Bloomsbury Fairchild. I have nearly 20 years experience of working in web, interactive and graphic design and over 12 years experience in teaching and education. I am currently exploring the role, scope and design of UI in video games.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Someone working on a tablet surrounded by design swatches and a Mac

A graphic design career can take you in a number of inspiring directions. Once you complete your graphic design degree, you could go on to work in: 

  • graphic design studios
  • interdisciplinary consultancies
  • publishing houses
  • new media/multimedia studios
  • advertising agencies

Some of our former students have also successfully set up their own design businesses. 

Students who pursue a career in illustration tend to work on the basis of freelance commissions.

You may decide to specialise in a related area or explore a new subject. Please see our postgraduate courses for a range of options.

How to apply

How to apply

Search for courses

ARTSFEST

line drawing of a girl's head

Find out more about the work our students produce and view some of their recent work by visiting our Design ARTSFEST page. 

Find out more

Student work

Screenshot from Saskia's showreeel that reads "Saskia M showreel"

Saskia Millard

Saskia's work explores graphic print, typographic design and branding. 

Ollie Slater

Ollie is a creative and detail-oriented graphic designer with a passion for branding, print, and 3D design.

Phoebe Watts

Phoebe believes design should be simple, impactful and true to the cause.

Phoebe is a designer who takes pride in her artistic background and technical skillset, utilising it to problem solve and experiment with different ideas.

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.