Head of Art & Design
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
Graphic Communication Design (Top-Up) BA (Hons)
Key Facts
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UCAS Code
W212
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Level
UndergraduateUG BA (Hons)
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Duration
Full Time: 1 year
Part Time: 2 years -
Starting
September
-
Full Time: £9,535
Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credits -
Full Time: £17,000
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Waterside
Updated 13/12/2024
Get in touch
For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
Our Graphic Communication Design (Top-Up) BA (Hons) builds upon your prior knowledge and skills to explore the communication of ideas and messages to diverse and ever-evolving audiences through a dynamic range of media that highlights the potential of what design can achieve.
The Top-Up programme will develop your critical understanding of communication, expand your understanding of how the Creative Industries work, and advance your creativity and professionalism. The Graphic Communication Design (Top-Up) is focused on identifying your individual interests, launching you on your career path and honing your commercial design skills.
Studio culture is at the heart of our Top-Up programme, naturally fostering the creativity, collaboration and debate that inspire personal perspectives on design and prepares you for the professional industries.
Students experiment with a range of traditional processes and evolving technologies to challenge the conventions of image-making and meaning. Through engaging with issues, real-world problems and commercial scenarios, you will develop critical, reflective and professional skills that will prepare you for the ever-changing creative industries.
Highlights
- On the Graphic Communication Design BA (Top-Up) course, you will have access to specialist resources, regular guest lecturers and industry contacts.
- The opportunity to work with live commercial briefs, social impact initiatives and international competitions.
- Several of our Graphic Communication Design students have either been shortlisted or have gone on to win international design competitions, such as Penguin Cover Design Award and Design and Art Direction – New Blood Awards (D&AD).
- Along with exhibiting your work in your final year Degree Show, we have had students participate in D&AD’s ‘New Blood’ and the ‘New Designers’ industry graduate degree showcases in London.
- Dedicated GCD design studio with access to Macbooks, creative software, cameras and lighting kits, sound and print facilities.
- High-quality teaching from experienced practising designers and educators.
- Work based learning through live commercial projects with a real focus on your future career, with employability modules in all years of the course.
- Participate in social design projects.
- Technical support and specialist workshop demonstrations
- Success with national and international competitions.
- Regular input from industry professionals.
- Study trips and cultural visits.
- Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.
- HP Laptop and software included with this course, see Eligibility criteria and Terms and Conditions
Entry Requirements
Standard entry requirements apply. Applicants are expected to have studied a Graphic or related Art and Design subject at Foundation Degree/HND or equivalent.
Course Content
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £9,535*
- UK – Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- International – Full Time: £17,000
* The 2025/26 annual tuition fee for undergraduate courses has not yet been confirmed by the Department for Education but is expected to be £9,535 for year one. UON will adjust fees annually in line with government policy.
Staff
Careers and Employability
A Graphic Communication Design 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:
- Branding
- Advertising
- Illustration & Animation
- Editorial and Publishing
- Digital moving image
- Interactive, online, social media and app design
- UI/UX Design
- Packaging design
- Photography
- Information design
- Social Design
Throughout your time on the graphic communication design top up course, as well as post-study, we offer ongoing support to ensure you receive the guidance and information needed to succeed in your chosen field of work.
Master’s Opportunities
Our 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.
Facilities and Special Features
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;
- Large specialist studio spaces with dedicated access to Mac-books, digital cameras, lighting kits and sound recording equipment. Additionally we have access to a vast collection of magazines and books in studio.
- Additional iMac design suite
- Subsidised digital printing
- Printmaking facilities and professional photography studios with controlled lighting studios
- Video editing suites
- Free Adobe Creative Cloud software account for your duration on the course