Find the perfect course for you - chat with Diggory, our new AI uni coach.

University of Central Lancashire

UCAS Code: W710 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Entry requirements

96 UCAS points from A Levels

96 UCAS points from Access to HE Diploma

GCSE/National 4/National 5

5 GCSEs at grade C/4 including Maths and English or equivalent.

Pass IB Diploma with 96 UCAS points from Higher Level subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MMM

96 UCAS points from Scottish Highers or Scottish Advanced Highers.

T Level

Pass (C and above)

UCAS Tariff

96

About this course

Course option

4years

Full-time | 2026

Subject

Graphic design

**Course Overview**
In recent times, the field of Graphic Design has undergone rapid evolution, mirroring global trends in the transition of business and communication to the digital realm. The BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme with optional Professional Placement, acknowledges the dynamic nature of the contemporary creative landscape, combining timeless artistic principles with cutting-edge technological advancements. This fusion not only addresses the demands of the digital age but also
opens up a multitude of opportunities for aspiring graphic designers worldwide.

The course places a strong emphasis on fostering creative problem-solving skills within the realm of visual communication. Students engage in a comprehensive exploration of both traditional and digital media, honing their abilities in print and digital design. Core disciplines include typography, editorial design, branding, and packaging, providing a well-rounded foundation for aspiring designers. Moreover, students delve into the dynamic world of digital platforms, gaining expertise
in areas such as moving image creation, interface design, and photography.

A distinctive feature of the programme is its commitment to real-world application. Students actively participate in tackling challenging live briefs, navigating projects with genuine deadlines that simulate the fast-paced nature of the professional graphic design landscape. Our University’s robust industry connections facilitate valuable opportunities for students to embark on placements with top agencies, offering a firsthand experience of the professional graphic design environment.

The BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme not only equips students with technical proficiency but also nurtures their creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. Through a curriculum designed to reflect the ever-evolving industry, graduates emerge as versatile professionals capable of navigating diverse challenges in the graphic design field. The programme’s dedication to practical, industry-relevant experiences ensures that graduates are well-prepared to make meaningful contributions to the global creative landscape.

Also offered by UCLan in Preston, UK, the BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme stands as the oldest Graphic Design course in the UK, with a prestigious legacy spanning over 50 years. This remarkable milestone signifies not only the programme’s historical significance but also underscores the invaluable experience garnered over decades. The course has consistently evolved, aligning with industry needs and embracing technological advancements, ensuring a curriculum that remains at the forefront of contemporary design education.

**Future Careers**
Graphic design is a creative profession that always remains in strong demand, due to the ways that its underpinning principles inform almost all visual communication which in turn can be applied in almost any other area. Job openings related to graphic design, typography, illustration, and digital design are now being published more often than ever before. This employability potential is anticipated to be even higher in the future as fields related to arts in general and design in particular expand into new frontiers. With the rapid advancement of design technologies, qualified and skilled professionals are becoming more and more essential for almost all industry sectors.

The programme’s knowledge and skill diversity will equip graduates with the necessary expertise to be employed in different sectors (industry, private or government) and as part of different departments including graphic design, digital media, marketing, e-commerce or multimedia. Additionally, they can be employed in design agencies, design studios, digital agencies, advertising agencies, multimedia agencies, marketing agencies, consultancy firms, or even start their own independent graphic design company.

The Uni

Course location:

UCLan Cyprus

Department:

School of Arts and Media

Read full university profile

What students say

We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

92%
Graphic design

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Design studies

Teaching and learning

87%
Staff make the subject interesting
88%
Staff are good at explaining things
85%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
85%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

75%
Library resources
89%
IT resources
77%
Course specific equipment and facilities
72%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

93%
UK students
7%
International students
40%
Male students
60%
Female students
67%
2:1 or above
8%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
B
C

After graduation

The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Design studies

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£23,000
med
Average annual salary
87%
med
Employed or in further education
57%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

40%
Design occupations
11%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers
8%
Artistic, literary and media occupations

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Design studies

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£15k

£15k

£20k

£20k

£22k

£22k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here