BA Graphic Design
About this course
BA (Hons) Graphic Design is an undergraduate degree within the Fashion Design subject area that focuses on visual communication, digital commercial practices, and professional portfolio development. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Project Management, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. Students can choose to study the standard three-year route, or opt for a four-year duration that includes either a foundation year or a professional placement. The first year establishes fundamental technical capabilities and theoretical understanding through compulsory study in Into ARU, Process and Application, Introduction to User Experience Design, Critical and Contextual Studies 1: Think, Play, Learn, Fundamentals of Typography, and Graphic Design Ideation and Iteration. In the second year, students build on these foundations with modules such as Conceptual Thinking and Practice, Motion Graphics, Conceptual Progression and Development, Critical and Contextual Studies 2: Creativity and Context in Dialogue, and Ruskin Module, alongside optional choices including Reality Checkpoint – Socially Engaged Practice and the Public Realm, Reportage, Archive: Creative Futures, Exhibitions in Context, and Time Based Media. The final year centres on advanced professional preparation through compulsory modules including Graphic Design: Final Project and Professional and Experimental Graphic Design, alongside optional modules such as Critical and Contextual Studies 3: Creative Inquiry and Critical and Contextual Studies 3: Working in the Creative Industries.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
112-96 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, OCR, Access to HE and most other qualifications within the UCAS Tariff. Preferably to include an Art, Design or Media subject at A level or equivalent level. 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 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.
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 73%
- Learning opportunities: 68%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 42%
- Learning resources: 78%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 20%
- Design occupations: 20%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 15%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 5%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 150 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 66%
- London: 8%
- South East: 11%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Into ARU
- Process and Application
- Introduction to User Experience Design
- Critical and Contextual Studies 1: Think, Play, Learn
- Fundamentals of Typography
- Graphic Design Ideation and Iteration
- Conceptual Thinking and Practice
- Motion Graphics
- Conceptual Progression and Development
- Critical and Contextual Studies 2: Creativity and Context in Dialogue
- Ruskin Module
- Reality Checkpoint – Socially Engaged Practice and the Public Realm
- Reportage
- Archive: Creative Futures
- Exhibitions in Context
- Time Based Media
- Graphic Design: Final Project
- Professional and Experimental Graphic Design
- Critical and Contextual Studies 3: Creative Inquiry
- Critical and Contextual Studies 3: Working in the Creative Industries
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Graphic Design at Anglia Ruskin University earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £22,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,000 and £28,000. The £22,000 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Graphic Design at Anglia Ruskin University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Graphic Design at Anglia Ruskin University?
73% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Graphic Design at Anglia Ruskin University?
The average entrant had 133 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Graphic Design at Anglia Ruskin University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.