BA Graphic Design with foundation year
University of Greater Manchester
About this course
BA (Hons) Graphic Design with foundation year, a BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree within the field of graphic design and visual communication. Core topics include Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes a dedicated foundation year designed to build initial practical techniques and academic abilities prior to undergraduate study. The initial foundation year covers creative foundations, professional and academic skills, creative explorations, and project design, academic integrity and ethics. Subsequent stages introduce foundational studio work through introduction to studio practice in graphic design 1 and introduction to studio practice in graphic design 2, alongside production for print and production for screen. Intermediate study involves applied graphic design 1, applied graphic design 2, commercial practice in graphic design, and creative industries contexts. The final stage culminates in a major project, accompanied by professional practice and self-promotion and creative careers: action and engagement.
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
48 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels and BTECs. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications. Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Creative subjects are strongly preferred. You should also have five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent), including English. You'll be required to attend an interview and provide a portfolio of appropriate work. Your portfolio should demonstrate your skills in a range of relevant creative media and styles. The quality of the portfolio/interview is the primary basis on which applicants are selected; therefore, special consideration will be given to applicants without the above qualifications who have a strong portfolio. Relevant work or voluntary experience will also be considered. In these cases, we may ask applicants to undertake additional assessments to determine their suitability for the course. If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
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What students say
Based on about 27 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 81%
- Left higher education: 16%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 4%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 45 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 80%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 75%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- Other qualifications: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Bronze for student outcomes.
Modules
- Creative Foundations
- Professional and Academic Skills
- Creative Explorations
- Project Design, Academic Integrity and Ethics
- Collaborative Project
- Creative Project
- Introduction to Design Practice
- Applied Visual Thinking in Graphic Design
- Creative Industries Contexts
- Introduction to Studio Practice in Graphic Design 1
- Introduction to Studio Practice in Graphic Design 2
- Production for Print
- Production for Screen
- Applied Graphic Design 1
- Applied Graphic Design 2
- Creative Careers: Action and Engagement
- Innovate
- Commercial Practice in Graphic Design
- Major Project
- Professional Practice and Self-Promotion
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Graphic Design with foundation year at University of Greater Manchester earn?
The median salary is £18,500 after 3 years, £20,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £16,000 and £27,500. The £20,000 median after five years is £6,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Graphic Design with foundation year at University of Greater Manchester?
89% 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 with foundation year at University of Greater Manchester?
The average entrant had 121 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Graphic Design with foundation year at University of Greater Manchester?
81% of students continued into their second year, and 16% left higher education.