School of Art, Design and Architecture

BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Typography with Foundation

UCAS tariff 32 - 48
UCAS course code W217
Institution code P60
Duration 4 years
Course type Full-time
Location Plymouth
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The foundation pathway provides students with non-standard entry points to progress onto the BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Typography programme. 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 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) Graphic Design with Typography programme equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete an undergraduate degree.

Graphic Design with Typography with Foundation
Careers with this subject
The course encourages creativity, experimentation and risk-taking but blends this with a strong emphasis on vocational skills and preparing students for employment. Each project that students undertake has a real-world context, with either fictional or actual clients, audiences and problems to solve.
A 'careers spine' is introduced in year 2, along with placement opportunities, and year 3 has a dedicated five-week module where students research the industry, prepare an employment strategy, develop a brand identity for themselves and apply this to CVs, business cards, social media and digital portfolios.
We have a network of over 100 professional design studios that students can be put in touch with, and we consult with them to ensure course content is industry-relevant and up-to-date.
This means the majority of our graduates find regular paid employment in the creative industries within a year of leaving university. As well as becoming graphic designers, our graduates land roles as digital designers, art directors, UX designers, motion designers, marketing executives, social media managers, account handlers, strategists, researchers and academics.
Positions tend to be permanent, full-time and salaried. As your career progresses, so does your pay:
  • Junior: £17,000 to £25,000
  • Middleweight: £21,000 to £40,000
  • Senior: £30,000 to £55,000
  • Director: £50,000 to £100,000

 
Industry Liaison Day

 
Mid-way through the final year, we invite professional designers from our network into the studio to see student portfolio presentations. Students will typically present to six to nine designers throughout the day during three separate sessions. Afterwards, not only do they feel more confident in their abilities and fully prepared for real-world interviews, but many will walk away from the day with business cards and offers of internships.
Key features
Your foundation year will:
  • Welcome you to an engaging, experiential learning environment with a focus on active exploration, experimentation and discovery across a wide range of material, methods and media.
  • Help develop your practical, technical and creative skills through studio and workshop based projects.
  • Provide training in key learning skills for further undergraduate study and build an awareness of practise, context and theory.
  • Introduce you to the accessible community of experienced academics, practitioners and technical staff that will support you on your studies. 
  • Give you access to a wide range of enviable specialist workshops, laboratories and facilities across the campus and become part of our vibrant student community through the various opportunities available within the School of Art, Design and Architecture.
  • Enable you to explore and develop your personal interests and strengths as a creative practitioner.
This course is an integrated part of the BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Typography degree at the University of Plymouth. Successful completion of your foundation year (Year 0) will not lead to a separate award or qualification in its own right but provides progression onto Year 1 of 

Or one of the following related degree programmes: 
Key features of BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Typography 
  • Hands-on. Learn unique traditional and digital techniques such as letterpress, screen printing, 3D scanning and printing, augmented reality and projection mapping in our ‘Experiment’ module.
  • Be part of the community. Work with other students, such as product designers, photographers, illustrators and web developers, in our ‘Collaborative Project’ module.
  • Learn from experts. Meet professional graphic designers face-to-face and get portfolio advice during our ‘Industrial Liaison Day’. Join our ‘Design Society’ and help coordinate extracurricular speakers, events, exhibitions and socials.
  • Make it your own. Opt for a specialist award in the final year: Identity and Branding, Editorial and Publishing, or Digital and Experience.
  • Set up for success. 100% of 2020 graduates were satisfied with the course overall. 75% of 2019 graduates found employment in design occupations within 15 months of graduation.
Course 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

    • Materials, Methods and Media (ADA001)

      This module will introduce students to various techniques, materials and mediums through practise-based experiments, play and problem solving. You will be introduced to different creative processes and methods of working that will help you to develop your ideas and engage in critical and reflective practice.

    • Image, Type and Narrative (ADA002)

      Students will experiment with media, photography and typography to explore the relationship between image and word. This module enables students to gain knowledge within subject areas and explore the importance of developing an independent voice. Projects will become increasingly student driven as they develop their ability to propose ideas and solutions through self-directed inquiry, discovery and production.

    • Risk and Resolution (ADA003)

      Students will consolidate their skills, knowledge and understanding in initiating, researching, developing and presenting a final project and exhibition. This module will also enable students to continue to research and develop their strengths as an independent art and design practitioner and prepare them for their next stage of study.

    • Critical Themes in Art & Design (ADA004)

      This module introduces students to transformative phases within the historical and contemporary context of art, design, photography and media. Students will learn to ask critical questions and find answers through information gathering, reading and research. Through articulating responses, students will be introduced to academic conventions in preparation for progression to further Higher Education.

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    • Type as Image (GDES414)

      This module introduces students to typographic practice within the context of graphic design and encourages exploration of typographic solutions to basic graphic communication problems. Typography principles and terminologies are introduced and explored. Elements of the design process, such as research, concept development, and critical reflection, are introduced and attempted.

    • Type And Image (GDES424)

      This module introduces students to the use of typography in conjunction with imagery and encourages exploration of ‘text and image’ solutions to graphic communication problems. Understanding and use of the design process is further developed. Graphic design debates and contexts are introduced, as are ways of articulating these using academic conventions.

    • Editorial Design (GDES434)

      Students are introduced to editorial design principles, practices and contexts. Students are encouraged to consider how typography, image, layout and format, play a part in the communication of editorial content. Working methodologies and articulation of thinking, in the context of editorial design, is developed.

    • Identity Design (GDES444)

      Students are introduced to identity design principles, practices and contexts. Students are encouraged to consider how typography and other aspects of a visual identities, play a part in how brands communicate to their audiences. Working methodologies and articulation of thinking, in the context of identity design, is developed.

    • Digital Design (GDES454)

      Students are introduced to digital design principles, practices and contexts. Students are encouraged to consider how typography and other aspects of graphic design can communicate information and experiences through digital media. Working methodologies and articulation of thinking, in the context of digital design, is developed.

  • Year 2

  • Core modules

    Designing with Type (GDES514)
    This module extends and develops students understanding of typographic practice. A complex graphic communication problem is answered typographically. Students are encouraged to explore new methods and techniques, whilst honing their understanding of the design process developed at level 4.
    Experiment (GDES524)
    Students are encouraged to explore typography and graphic design processes that are playful, creative, non-routine and may contain elements of risk. The importance of experimentation as a way of revealing unforeseen possibilities within the design process is introduced. Key perspectives for analysing graphic design practice are introduced, and students are asked to apply these to their own analysis, following academic conventions.
    Developing Design Practice (GDES534)
    Students work towards a number of designed outcomes, building upon knowledge and skills gained at level 4, particularly in the fields of editorial design, identity design and/or digital design. Further perspectives for analysing graphic design practice are investigated, and students are asked to apply these to their own analyses, following academic conventions.
    Common Challenge: Collaborative Project (GDES544)
    Students are given a ‘macro-level’ topic, that is determined and introduced at a faculty level, and work together with other students to produce a graphic design response. The benefits and challenges of teamwork and collaboration are explored. Results are presented, alongside those from other programmes, at the end of the module.
    Optional module

    Foreign Exchange

    Core modules

    • Designing with Type (GDES514)

      This module extends and develops students understanding of typographic practice. A complex graphic communication problem is answered typographically. Students are encouraged to explore new methods and techniques, whilst honing their understanding of the design process developed at level 4.

    • Experiment (GDES524)

      Students are encouraged to explore typography and graphic design processes that are playful, creative, non-routine and may contain elements of risk. The importance of experimentation as a way of revealing unforeseen possibilities within the design process is introduced. Key perspectives for analysing graphic design practice are introduced, and students are asked to apply these to their own analysis, following academic conventions.

    • Developing Design Practice (GDES534)

      Students work towards a number of designed outcomes, building upon knowledge and skills gained at level 4, particularly in the fields of editorial design, identity design and/or digital design. Further perspectives for analysing graphic design practice are investigated, and students are asked to apply these to their own analyses, following academic conventions.

    • Common Challenge: Collaborative Project (GDES544)

      Students are given a ‘macro-level’ topic, that is determined and introduced at a faculty level, and work together with other students to produce a graphic design response. The benefits and challenges of teamwork and collaboration are explored. Results are presented, alongside those from other programmes, at the end of the module.

  • Final Year

  • Core modules

    Minor Project (GDES614)
    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.
    The Competition (GDE624)
    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.
    Common Dissertation (ADA600)
    The module engages students in situating practice through research, contextualisation and critical reflection, in relation to their final stage study and post University aspirations. Programmes can offer: a traditional dissertation; preparation for an extended dissertation; situating existing practice; or the construction of a new body of work as practice-based research.
    Portfolio (GDE634)
    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.
    Major Project (GDE644)
    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.

    Core modules

    • Common Dissertation: Critical Practices (ADA600)

      The module engages students in situating practice through research, contextualisation and critical reflection, in relation to their final stage study and post University aspirations. Programmes can offer: a traditional dissertation; preparation for an extended dissertation; situating existing practice; or the construction of a new body of work as practice-based research.

    • Minor Project (GDES614)

      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.

    • The Competition (GDES624)

      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.

    • Portfolio (GDES634)

      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.

    • Major Project (GDES644)

      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.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BA Hons Graphic Design with Typography with Foundation Programme Specification 2021 22 6811

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.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

32 - 48

Don’t have 32–48 UCAS tariff points? We will consider ‘non-standard’ applications on a case-by-case basis.
A levels: For Level 3 entry the Tariff points entry level will normally be 32–48 points from A level or equivalent. Non-standard applicants will normally be interviewed.
BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended
Irish Leaving Certificate:Irish Highers, H5 in five subjects equivalent to 32–48 points.
International Baccalaureate:24 overall
T levels
Pass in any subject.
Proficiency in English:Students for whom English is an additional language will need to demonstrate ability in spoken and written English equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0 and/or successfully complete the university’s special test before entering the foundation year.
English language requirements.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
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 585858or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk, where a member of the team can offer you further advice.
See our portfolio advicefor further information. 
Fees, costs and funding
Student 2022-2023 2023-2024
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £14,600 £16,300
Part time (Home) £770 £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.
How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 

UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 

To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Succeed as a visual communicator

Become a graphic design and typography expert Become a graphic design and typography expert
 Being great at typography makes you a better graphic designer. Work with expert staff and gain practical experience with state-of-the-art facilities.

Personalised, supportive, friendly Personalised, supportive, friendly
 Join a friendly community of like-minded individuals who are all supported on their journey through university.

Do graphic design for good Do graphic design for good
 Through collaborative projects, students learn how graphic design can help make our world better in the future.

An industry-relevant curriculum

Although it's been running for over 25 years, the course is continually developed by staff, in consultation with industry, to keep it relevant and up to date.
<p>BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Typography <br></p>

Learn from experts in their field

  • Lecturer in Graphic Communication
    Programme Leader – Designer and artist with work held in the MoMA collection
  • Associate Head of School - Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions
    Digital design expert, exhibited in London, Bilbao and Copenhagen
  • Associate Head of School - Education and Student Experience
    Typography expert, Director of the International United Designs Alliance
  • Lecturer in Graphic Communication
    Branding expert, clients include Universal Music Group and the BFI
  • Associate Lecturer
  • Industrial Research Fellow - Creative Industries - Low Carbon Devon

Platform for success

Our graduates work for some of the top global creative agencies

Eva Dage Eva Dage
 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 Green Rowan Green
 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 O'Brien Paul O'Brien
 After working as a senior designer for several years, Paul now freelances for agencies including PearlFisher, JKR, Taxi Studio and Design Bridge.

  • [ UK top 25 for teaching quality (The Times and The Sunday Times 2021)
  • [ UK top 10 for design and crafts (Guardian University Rankings 2022)
  • H 92% student satisfaction (2022 National Student Survey)
  • ] 75% in design occupations within 15 months (2022 Graduate Outcomes Survey)
<p>BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Typography - portfolios<br></p>

How to prepare your portfolio

When applying, you’ll need to show us a portfolio of creative work, but don’t worry; because our students come from a range of different backgrounds and courses, there are a number ways you can do this. 
Your portfolio should demonstrate originality, depth of learning and evidence of engagement. Creating one that gives an impressive idea of the breadth of your work could make you eligible for an unconditional offer. 

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* These are the latest results from the National Student Survey. Please note that the data published on Discover Uni (Unistats) is updated annually in September.