![Alexis Taylor, Head of Art & Design](https://www.northampton.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Alexis-Taylor-150x150.jpg)
Alexis Taylor
Head of Art & Design
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
DiscoverClearing is now open. Call to find your place: 01604 214808.
Get in touch with us as we may be able to offer you a place for September 2024 through Clearing.
UCAS Code
BA: W210
BA with Foundation: W211
Level
UndergraduateUG
BA (Hons)Duration
Full Time: 3 years
Full Time Foundation: 4 years
Starting
September
BCC at A-Level or,
DMM at BTEC
Fees UK 24/25
Full Time: £9,250
Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
Fees International 24/25
Full Time: £15,200
Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200
Location
For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:
The University of Northampton’s Graphic Communication Design BA (Hons) explores the communication of ideas and messages to diverse and evolving audiences through a dynamic range of media that highlights the potential of what design can achieve.
Studio culture is at the heart of the Graphic Communication Design degree, naturally fostering the creativity, collaboration and debate that inspire personal perspectives on design. Students experiment with a range of traditional processes and emerging technologies to challenge established conventions of image-making and meaning.
Through engaging with real-world problems, social issues and commercial scenarios students develop critical, reflective and professional skills that will prepare them for the ever-changing creative industries.
Teaching on the Graphic Communication Design course includes both large and small group settings ensure you receive the support and feedback needed to refine your skills.
Lectures and workshops are designed to build your knowledge base and technical skills Through seminars and presentations you will present your work and engage in critical discussions, enhancing your communication skills.
Our innovative teaching approach includes both face-to-face and online interactions, accommodating diverse learning styles and needs.
The course covers everything from digital media software to traditional craft skills, such as print making, 3D and photography, ensuring you are well-prepared to enter the creative industries as a versatile and competent designer.
Updated 12/08/2024
Explore your creative capabilities with the University of Northampton’s Graphic Communication Design programme. Here, every visual concept you develop has a clear purpose, whether it’s to market, entertain, solve business problems, raise awareness of important issues, or influence public perception.
Our programme blends carefully developed design solutions with the latest technologies to create messages that are clear, impactful, and engaging. We focus on the role of effective design in communicating ideas powerfully and memorably.
The course covers four main areas:
Commercial Enhance your technical skills and apply design principles to real-world commercial projects. You’ll gain insights into audience behaviour and learn how to produce compelling and persuasive designs.
Experimental Explore the limits of traditional design. We encourage you to adopt new perspectives and use your creativity to tackle complex messages and themes innovatively.
Social Impact Channel your design skills towards making a positive difference. This stream emphasises social, ethical, and environmental challenges, motivating you to design with compassion and purpose.
Professional and Critical Gain an in-depth understanding of the creative industries and what it takes to succeed in them. You’ll explore the business aspects of design, boost your research capabilities, and refine your analytical thinking regarding visual culture.
After graduation, our students enter a variety of creative roles, including positions in top agencies, freelance work, and starting their own businesses in areas such as branding, advertising, illustration, film, and interactive design. Others choose to enhance their skills through postgraduate study.
Explore the exciting world of the creative industries with two respected competitions: the Penguin Cover Design and D&AD New Blood Awards. These platforms offer a fantastic opportunity for you to present your work to leading figures in the design world. Students from the University of Northampton’s Graphic Communication Design BA (Hons) programme have a history of performing well, reflecting our commitment to excellence in design education.
Our students regularly achieve recognition at the Penguin Cover Design Award, consistently reaching the shortlist.
This year was no exception, with Evy Diepenbroek and Karla Ayree both nominated in the Adult Fiction category. Karla was delighted to win the national prize with her cover for Bernardine Evaristo’s ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, demonstrating the high standards our students strive to meet.
Evy Diepenbroek was also honoured with a nomination for her thoughtful design for the same book.
In addition, our participation in the D&AD New Blood competition has been fruitful, with our 2022 graduate Laura Tucker winning a coveted pencil for her environmentally focused animation for Giff Gaff Recycling. These achievements are a testament to the supportive and inspiring environment that Northampton offers to budding designers.
Complete key modules across your first, second, and third years in the Graphic Communication Design program, and you’ll earn the Northampton Employability Gold Award.
This award showcases your developed employability skills, a significant milestone in your professional journey. Plus, it qualifies you for the Northampton Promise: if you find yourself unemployed twelve months after graduation, the University guarantees you a paid internship lasting between three and six months. This is our commitment to your future success.
Your academic schedule will blend 15 hours per week of lectures, seminars, workshops, and technical demonstrations tailored to your study level. To complement your classes, we suggest dedicating about 10 hours weekly to independent study. Beyond structured class times, you’ll also have full access to our state-of-the-art technical facilities for further learning and exploration. This balanced approach ensures you have both the guidance and the freedom to excel in your studies.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.
Schedule
Your taught study will be a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and technical demonstrations, usually for 15 hours per week, depending on your level of study. In addition, we recommend that you spend around 10 hours per week in self-directed study time. You will have access to technical facilities and studies outside of taught time.
For A-Level students, we typically offer places to those who achieve BCC. For those studying BTEC or Cambridge Technicals, a DMM is generally required. T-Level students should have achieved a Pass with grades C and above.
We welcome applications from those with a mix of A-Level and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications, as well as those holding a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
Applicants will need to attend an interview and provide a portfolio showcasing their work in Art and Design. International students can submit their portfolio electronically. Those with a relevant HND or Foundation Degree may be eligible to enter directly into the second or third year of the programme.
For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.
Entry into the foundation programme typically requires DEE at A-Level, MPP at BTEC, or a Pass at T Level with grades D or E. We also consider applicants with professional experience, alternative qualifications, or self-taught expertise related to the programme.
Once your application has been reviewed, we may invite you to an interview, which can be conducted either on campus or online. You will need to present about 10 pieces of your work, demonstrating a breadth of creativity across various formats and media, such as logo design, branding, digital work, and more. We also appreciate seeing your sketchbooks, whether physical or digital images, to understand your process.
The interview, conducted by a programme team member, will last about 30 minutes. It’s not only about evaluating your work but also understanding your passion for the course and discussing any questions you might have. If you’re visiting us on campus, you’ll also get a tour of our studios.
All international and EU students must meet our English language requirements to ensure success in their studies. The minimum standard is an IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with no less than 5.5 in each band.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
UK Students:
International Students:
Please note: Fees for the academic year 2024/25 are specific to that year and may increase with inflation in subsequent years.
Materials, Events and Visits
Trips
Degree Show
Technology
Art supplies
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
At the University of Northampton, we’re dedicated to empowering you with all the resources you need to make an impact after graduation. By joining our full-time Graphic Communication Design degree, you’ll start your studies with a high-spec laptop perfect for seminars, group projects, and home study—setting you up for success from day one.*
We’re committed to helping you realise your ambitions. Throughout your Graphic Communication Design BA, we’ll support you in identifying and developing your skills, discovering your strengths, and gaining practical experience. This robust preparation ensures you stand out when applying for jobs or further studies. Thanks to our confidence in our educational approach, we offer the Northampton Employment Promise, guaranteeing that our focused and award-completing students graduate highly employable, ready to secure great jobs or pursue further education.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).
The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) at the University of Northampton provides a supportive route into degree study, particularly suited for students who may not meet the traditional entry requirements.
If your qualifications differ from the typical admissions criteria, our four-year programme including the Integrated Foundation Year is an excellent opportunity to develop the necessary skills for degree-level study. The foundation year is focused on equipping you with key theoretical, practical, and academic skills.
You will begin with a foundation year, studied full-time, which is designed to help you adjust to the university environment and prepare for the rest of your degree. The subsequent three years will then follow the standard degree format. This approach aims to give you a solid start and continuous support throughout your university journey.
On the Graphic Communication Design programme, we employ a diverse mix of teaching methods to enrich your learning experience:
Your learning will be facilitated by our dedicated team of Senior Lecturers, Lecturers, and Associate Lecturers who are involved in all aspects of your educational journey, from setting projects to leading study visits.
Assessment is varied and designed to reflect real-world practices in graphic design. It includes:
To get a head start or to dive deeper into graphic design, consider exploring these resources:
Books:
Magazines:
Web:
Congratulations to our final year students for their outstanding achievements at the 2023 D&AD New Blood Awards and the New Designers Awards! This year, Carrie Slinn, Cara King, and Ellie Lines clinched the coveted Yellow Pencil at the D&AD New Blood awards for their innovative 'Stackd' app, designed to mimic the dynamics of the stock market, fulfilling the eBay brief to the highest standard.Additionally, Tab Dudley stood out at the New Designers exhibition, securing the top prize with their 220-page graphic art self-help book. This significant accomplishment highlights their remarkable creativity and dedication. We're immensely proud of our students for securing these prestigious accolades, showcasing their skills and making a significant impact in the design community.
Head of Art & Design
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
DiscoverSenior Lecturer - Graphics & Illustration
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
DiscoverSenior Lecturer in Graphic Communication Design
Graphic Communication Design BA (Hons)
DiscoverSenior Lecturer in Graphic Communication Design
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
DiscoverA Graphic Communication Design BA degree can open up your career options. You will not be limited to one specific type of role, but rather be able to pursue numerous career paths. Our Graphic Communication Design graduates use their design skills to work in:
Throughout your time on the course, as well as post-study, we offer support to ensure you receive the guidance and information needed to succeed in your field of work.
The University of Northampton’s master’s courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on master’s fees to give yourself a CV that will catch the eye of employers.
Every year the Graphic Communication Design team invite guest speakers, industry professionals and creatives into our studios to talk to our design students. In recent years we have had Adrian Shaughnessy, Ken Garland, Alan Moore, Jonathan Barnbrook and Malcolm Garrett to name but a few, along with practical workshops and Industry led portfolios reviews. We also invite our past students to talk about their current jobs and life after university.
When you study Graphic Communication Design at the University of Northampton, you will enjoy access to a number of different facilities and services to help you in your studies, including;
Our onsite printmaking workshop can enhance the creative practices of students on a variety of courses
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