Undergraduate course
BA (Hons)
Graphic Design with Foundation
This course is a four-year programme of study that includes an additional foundation year, enabling you to develop the required practical, technical, academic and creative skills for your undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth.
Our typical offer
32 UCAS points
Get hands-on with unique resources
Learn from experts and gain practical skills with regular access to the latest digital and analogue ‘CreaTech’ facilities.
Personalised, supportive, welcoming
With our tailored approach to teaching, enjoy enviable support in your journey through university.
Do graphic design for good
Inspired by the University’s Ocean City setting and world-leading research, learn to design sustainably for future generations.
About
As never before, the world needs graphic designers. By combining ideas, images and text to communicate memorably and with impact, they ensure vital messages are experienced and understood. The creative industries are hungry for new ideas, but expect them to serve a purpose too – with this course you’ll learn how to design for this need. Just look to our graduates, who enjoy senior positions at some of the most impactful and adventurous creative studios in the UK and abroad, as proof.
Mr James Brocklehurst
Lecturer in Graphic Communication
What is a foundation year?
A Foundation year provides an additional entry-level year for you to gain further knowledge of a subject before starting a full degree course.
On completing the Foundation year successfully, you progress automatically onto the full degree course, which is usually three years. You don’t need to apply for a place on the full degree course.
Further information on
University of Plymouth courses with Foundation years
.
A full list of potential progression routes is listed under course details
Why choose a degree with a foundation year?
- To build your confidence to study at university level.
- To gain the knowledge and skills needed to complete a full degree.
- Your qualifications don't meet entry requirements for a three-year degree.
- You want to study a new subject that your previous qualifications or experience haven’t prepared you for.
- You may have thought university wasn’t an available option for you.
- You want to join a university course that is needed for the career you’d like.
This course is for you if...
you are passionate about visual communication and creative design
you want to be part of a creative community
you enjoy the freedom to explore your creativity, experiment and push boundaries
you want to level up your graphic design skills and expand your portfolio through practical experience
Details
Foundation year
The Foundation pathway provides students with non-standard entry points to progress onto the BA (Hons) course. The Foundation year allows you to develop skills across a range of media and introduces creative best practice in preparation for the first year of the undergraduate programme. During the Foundation year you will have the opportunity to explore creative processes relevant to visual design, animation, illustration, print-making, fine art, and photography. The course is designed to encourage visual exploration and creative discovery within an engaging and vibrant studio setting. Upon successful completion of the Foundation course, you will join the undergraduate BA (Hons) programme equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete an undergraduate degree.
Core modules
ADA3001
Materials, Methods and Media
Explore creative techniques using a range of hands-on materials and playful experimentation. You’ll dive into visual storytelling, image-making and design thinking to spark new ideas. Shape your own creative voice, tackle visual challenges, and learn to think deeply about your work.
ADA3002
Image, Type and Narrative
Dive into creative projects using analogue & digital tools to explore how images and words work together. You’ll build your own ideas, experiment with different styles and techniques, and develop a portfolio of creative outputs. As the module progresses, you’ll take the lead in driving your work through hands-on discovery and independent thinking.
ADA3003
Risk and Resolution
Build your creative confidence by planning and presenting a final project and exhibition linked to your chosen degree. You’ll explore your strengths, work independently, and develop ideas through research and design, readying you for your next steps in art and design.
ADA3004
Critical Themes in Art and Design
Discover how art and design theories and practices have changed over time. You’ll explore key ideas, movements and media, and learn how to research, write and present your thoughts. This module helps build your confidence in thinking critically and prepares you for future creative study.
Year 1
In the first year, you'll explore core principles of graphic communication through typography, image-making, and layout. Modules introduce editorial, identity, and digital design, encouraging creative problem-solving and critical reflection across a range of visual contexts.
Core modules
GDES465
Type And Image
Explore how type and image work together to communicate ideas. You’ll experiment with analogue and digital techniques to create bold, thoughtful designs. Through research, sketching, making, and reflection, you’ll develop your creative process and learn how to bring type and image into powerful visual relationships.
GDES466
Design Histories
Discover how design has shaped, and been shaped by, culture, technology, and society. Through writing, discussion, and creative activities, you'll explore the history and theory behind graphic design and its impact on today’s industry. Build critical thinking, contextual awareness, and reflective skills that help you position your work in a fast-moving creative landscape.
GDES467
Type as Image
Explore how type can bring ideas to life. You’ll get hands-on with traditional and digital tools, learn how to make design choices that communicate clearly, and discover the creative power of typography. From sketch to final layout, you’ll build your confidence by experimenting, developing ideas, and creating work that’s expressive and meaningful.
GDES468
Editorial Design
Learn how to design multi-page layouts that tell a story and guide the reader. You’ll explore how type, images, rhythm, and format work together to handle more complex content. Build your confidence in editorial design, develop your own creative process, and discover how to make your layouts clear, engaging, and visually powerful.
GDES469
Identity Design
Learn how to create bold, memorable brand identities that connect with real audiences, across print, digital and ‘out of home’ environments. Explore how to visualise a brand’s voice and personality, build your creative process, and bring your ideas to life across different platforms with confidence and style.
GDES470
Motion Design
Explore how type and imagery moves! You'll design motion graphics for screens, such as animated logos, social media ads, and digital displays. Learn to plan and create dynamic sequences while sharpening your design thinking and creative process in the fast-paced and growing world of motion design.
Year 2
In your second year, you'll deepen your understanding of typographic practice and graphic communication through experimentation, collaboration, and critical analysis. Modules encourage creative risk-taking and the development of refined design outcomes across editorial, identity, and digital contexts. A faculty-wide collaborative project introduces real-world challenges, fostering teamwork and interdisciplinary thinking.
Core modules
GDES546
UX/UI Design
Design for interaction across digital platforms. Explore how users engage with interactive media, such as websites, apps, and emerging tech like wearables and spatial computing. Learn to plan and create visual interfaces using UX and UI principles. Build hands-on experience in visual communication and interaction design to shape intuitive, user-focused experiences.
GDES547
Experimental Graphic Practices
Experiment with typography and graphic design in playful, creative, and unexpected ways. Explore how risk and non-routine processes can lead to new possibilities. Develop work across editorial, identity, and digital formats. Learn to analyse design using key perspectives, and apply academic conventions to reflect critically on your own creative decisions.
GDES548
Design Contexts
Explore how graphic design ideas evolve through time and shape culture today. Investigate current and historical debates through lectures, tutorials, and collaborative sessions. Share your research through presentations and writing. Use theory to frame your practice and understand how design influences, and responds to, the world around us.
GDES549
Designing for Change
Use graphic design to spark change, challenge norms. Create impactful work such as publications, grass-roots campaigns, NGO brand identity systems, animated sequences, app concepts or immersive pop-up experiences. Build your skills in editorial, identity, and digital design while exploring ethical perspectives. Apply your thinking to contemporary issues through hands-on, purpose-driven work.
GDES550
Designing for Brands
Develop your skills in identity and digital design through a hands-on project. Create work such as typefaces, brand systems, product packaging, motion graphics, or immersive brand experiences. Explore new ways to analyse graphic design and apply them to contemporary examples, building a clearer understanding of your creative direction.
GDES551
Collaborative Design Project
Collaborate across disciplines to tackle a real-world challenge through graphic design. Explore the opportunities and rewards of teamwork to develop designs that are not possible when working individually, embracing skill-sharing, fresh thinking and collective problem-solving.
Final year
In the final year, you'll consolidate your design practice through self-directed projects, competition briefs, and portfolio development. A dissertation module supports critical reflection and research aligned with personal and professional goals. With a focus on typographic problem-solving and real-world challenges, you will produce a major body of work that showcases your creative identity and prepare you for employment or further study.
Core modules
GDES614
Minor Project
20 credits
After reflecting upon level 5 learning experiences, future aims and personal interests, students, in negotiation with tutors, propose and undertake a project that solves a complex graphic communication problem. Solutions must have a typographic emphasis. The project can also provide an opportunity to further explore or confirm potential award option choices: core, editorial, identity or digital.
100% Coursework
GDES624
The Competition
20 credits
Students undertake designs in response to a brief set by an international design competition. A project proposal is constructed, in negotiation with a tutor, that must also connect to a chosen award option (core, editorial, identity, digital), if relevant, and enable complex, novel solutions.
100% Coursework
GDES634
Portfolio
20 credits
Students are asked to investigate employment or postgraduate possibilities that reflect personal aims and ambitions. Self-promotion items are designed in response, including a portfolio presenting the body of design work produced during the course to date.
100% Coursework
GDES644
Major Project
40 credits
After reflection and consultation with tutors, a project proposal and schedule of work is devised, outlining a complex and challenging graphic communication task. Upon approval, the student undertakes self-directed supervised study, leading to the production of a major body of work reflecting personal aims, interests, and award option, where relevant.
100% Coursework
ADA601
Research Project
Examine how research underpins creativity and innovation in art and design. Explore key methodologies for creative inquiry, while developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and original exploration. Build confidence in forming research questions, investigating ideas, and articulating findings with clarity and depth.
GDES645
Transformative Project
Lead a self-directed design project that tackles real graphic communication challenges. Choose a focus, core, editorial, identity, or digital, and explore your creative direction. Use this opportunity to refine your skills, test ideas, and build work that supports your final year ambitions and award choice. Shape your practice through hands-on problem-solving.
GDES646
Competition Brief
Respond to real-world design challenges through international competitions and externally set briefs. Apply advanced design skills, tackle professional constraints, and develop independent, industry-ready solutions. Create work that showcases your creative thinking, technical ability, and ambition—aiming not just to enter, but to stand out and succeed.
GDES647
Industry Portfolio
Explore your future in design by researching the industry and shaping your career plan. Build a personal brand identity and create promotional materials like CVs, business cards, and social media profiles. Design a digital portfolio that showcases your creative strengths and ambitions, helping you communicate your professional identity with clarity and impact.
GDES648
Major Project
Propose and embark upon an ambitious self-directed design project that reflects your interests, career goals, and everything you've learned so far. Create a major body of work that showcases your creative identity and ambition. Share your final project in a public exhibition, with invited industry guests, as you prepare to transition into professional practice or further study.
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Experience
Hands-on learning
Have enviable access to exceptional facilities, including printmaking and letterpress workshops, large-format digital printing, Mac suites, photography studios, immersive media and digital fabrication labs and more – all bookable via an online system.
Teaching is led by experienced educators and practitioners, with specialist knowledge in typography, editorial and identity design, digital platforms, and design culture. You will also benefit from guest talks and workshops by leading figures in the field, offering invaluable industry insight and inspiration.
The Graphic Design studio.
Your creative home
Life on the course is vibrant and creative, with all three year groups sharing a dedicated design studio that fosters strong connections and peer learning. Small class sizes ensure close contact with lecturers and tailored support, helping you grow quickly as designers.
Based within the School of Art, Design and Architecture, you’ll be studying in the same on-campus buildings as other creatives such as illustrators, photographers, product designers and game developers, providing the opportunity for idea-sharing and collaboration.
Graphic design for good
Inspired by the city’s coastal and moorland setting and the University’s pioneering research, you’ll learn how graphic design can encourage us all to think and act more sustainably. Past projects have involved working with The Met Office, Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS and Environmental Science PhD students on communicating their vital work.
Many projects have won national recognition, from organisations such as the Royal Television Society, the Creative Conscience Awards and the International Society of Typographic Designers.
Learn from experts in their field
Mr Chris Booth
Lecturer in User Experience Design
Mr Mark James
Lecturer in Graphic Communication
Book and editorial design expert
Mrs Victoria Squire
Associate Head of School - Education and Student Experience
Typography expert
Life in Plymouth
Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Get involved with one of our many student groups
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
Turn creativity into a career
Graphic designers work in collaborative and creative environments, making work that reaches large audiences, and get paid to do it! We have an established track record of helping students prepare for employment, and land their dream job.
Our graduates have worked for the following iconic studios:
M&C Saatchi / Design Bridge and Partners / Future PLC / Jones Knowles Ritchie / venturethree / DesignStudio / Leo Burnett (UK and Sydney) / Koto Berlin / Bond & Coyne / Buck Los Angeles / Mother Design / Snask Stockholm / Webb & Webb / SEA Design / Pearlfisher / Together / Taxi / SomeOne / BBC Studios
M&C Saatchi / Design Bridge and Partners / Future PLC / Jones Knowles Ritchie / venturethree / DesignStudio / Leo Burnett (UK and Sydney) / Koto Berlin / Bond & Coyne / Buck Los Angeles / Mother Design / Snask Stockholm / Webb & Webb / SEA Design / Pearlfisher / Together / Taxi / SomeOne / BBC Studios
Platform for success
Our graduates work for some of the top global creative agencies
Eva
Eva joined the course from Latvia and now works as a Lead UI / Visual Designer for IBM in their research and development laboratories in Hursley.
Rowan
Rowan’s time at Plymouth lead to him becoming Design and Visual Identity manager for the National Trust. He now runs his own successful practice.
Paul
After working as a senior designer for several years, Paul now freelances for agencies including PearlFisher, JKR, Taxi Studio and Design Bridge.
I’ve worked on campaigns that have won awards for creative use of media and have had genuine impact. The exciting moment for me is when you get the stats back about how well a campaign has performed – it always makes the months of hard work you put into a job worth it.
Nathan
Graphic Design graduate
Graphic Design graduate
This course provided a wonderful opportunity to talk to professionals around the world, working in the field you want to get into. It has also given me the confidence to just go up and talk to people, however daunting it may seem at first!
Nadia
Graphic Design graduate
Graphic Design graduate
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for new full-time students starting in
Full-time study
£9,790 per year
£9,790 per year
Tuition fee price changes
The Government has announced that tuition fees from Academic Year 28/29 onwards will be subject to automatic annual inflationary increases, which we believe will be at a similar rate to the recent annual increases to fees, and may continue to be inflation based. The University may increase annual tuition fees in line with the Student Contract and the maximum tuition fee caps set by the Government from time to time.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies and we advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year.
Full-time study
£18,150 per year
£18,150 per year
Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
UK Government announcement on tuition fees
The UK Government has announced that a levy on tuition fee income in the region of 6% of an international student’s tuition fees may be introduced. If implemented, the University reserves the right to increase your tuition fees accordingly. The Government has made it clear that it has not officially decided on its stance and it is possible that the eventual levy amount or arrangements may differ from the initial proposal. Therefore, the University reserves the right to adjust tuition fees in accordance with the Government’s final position on this levy.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies. Therefore, please note that the tuition fee shown on this page may change as a result of the introduction of a levy. We advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
Additional costs
This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business. Studying a course in this faculty may incur additional costs relating to placement or equipment requirements.
Fund your studies
As an undergraduate at Plymouth, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
Supporting students with the cost of living
The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
Apply
Entry requirements
Our typical offer
32 UCAS points
32 UCAS points
Don’t have 32 UCAS tariff points? We will consider ‘non-standard’ applications on a case-by-case basis.
You may be eligible for a contextual offer
A levels
32 points from a minimum of 2 A levels.
BTEC National Extended Diploma
PPP in any subject.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma (preferably Art & Design or Combined).
T level
Pass overall with D or E on the core in any subject.
International Baccalaureate
24 points overall.
Other qualifications
Other combinations and non-A level qualifications also considered.
Extended entry requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
We are looking for applicants with good potential including with non-standard qualifications and background, so will consider every application on a case by case basis.
Alternatively, if you have any questions or concerns about meeting the entry requirements listed above we would encourage you to contact the Admissions Team on +44 1752 585858 or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk, where a member of the team can offer you further advice.
Ready to apply?
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
UCAS course code
W21F
W21F
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
4 years
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Entry requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
Our typical offer
32 UCAS points
32 UCAS points
BSearch entry requirements for your country
5
English language requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
Need support with your application?
- Personal statement guidance
- student visa support
- travel and arrival information
- and more.
UCAS course code
W21F
W21F
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
4 years
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day
Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth.
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The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) are made available to prospective students and their advisors through the Discover Uni website.