Top your FdA up to a BA (Hons) Design for Graphic Communication

This builds upon the practices and strengths of the FdA Design for Graphic Communication, helping you to progression into both employment and/or further study. Work Based and Work Related Learning will be the central focus of this Top Up year, allowing graduates to develop a wide range of practical and theoretical skills enabling them to choose to prepare for entry to the creative industries or application to postgraduate level study.

The contextual studies element of this Top Up course will have more of an industry focus and students will be required to produce a design research report based on their own primary research of the creative industries, critically analysing current industry practice and feeding back, directly into the students' studio practice and Work Based learning experiences.

Entry to industry will be facilitated by building upon the current practice of the FdA Design for Graphic Communication of assessed work placements, use of a mentorship scheme, studio visits, input of School of Graphic Design alumni and encouraging the development of entrepreneurial skills and understanding necessary for freelance practice or successfully finding a job.

Staff from the Top-Up and Postgraduate courses will develop teaching and learning activities together designed to facilitate and help interested students identify which postgraduate course is the most appropriate for them, build an appropriate portfolio and prepare for application, therefore ensuring continuation of experience and retention of the most suitable students.

Teaching and learning practice developed by School of Graphic Design staff on parallel courses (Diploma in Professional Studies and Grad Certificate/Diploma Design for Visual Communication) will be utilised in the curriculum. Both these courses have strong Work Based Learning and research method approaches that align closely with the aims of the FdA and this Top Up year.

This course is taught within the School of Design.

Learning and teaching

Courses in UAL span a broad range of art, design, communication, business, media, science and communication subjects. So the ways in which you learn and how your time is used will vary according to the specific course you are studying; this may be in studios, labs, classes, involve working alone, learning from peers in pairs or groups, or with external partners. Most importantly, no matter which course you enrol on, you will learn not only about your subject but also about how you learn and how to increase your knowledge base.

Our courses will guide you to take increasing responsibility and ownership of your work and your learning. We do this so that you will be ready and able to take full advantage of the full range of opportunities offered by the creative industries in the global economy. 

Assessment

Assessment always sounds austere and foreboding, but it is not. We see assessment as a very real part of learning, rather than just a means of looking back at past work and measuring achievement; we believe that assessment helps you plan future work and develop new ideas.

Your work will be assessed through projects or portfolios, with written papers or research journals, and, on some courses, examinations. You will be graded according to a set of marking criteria that relate to such things as research, subject knowledge, methodology, and your capacity to analyse and reflect on your achievements. So don’t be afraid of assessment - it is the way to progress.

Units

• Strategies for Visual Research
• Industrial and Theoretical Contexts
• Live Projects
• Personal and Professional Development
• Major Design Project

Our students have a wide variety of options available when they leave college. The significant percentage seek employment in the design industry either in the UK or abroad. Additionally, a number continue onto postgraduate study in courses in which they can pursue subject based research or teaching qualifications.

Enterprise and employability at UAL

We know what it takes to be successful in your chosen field. Your tutors are professionals in their own right and understand what you need to help you establish your career. Staff in our Centre for Student Enterprise and Employability (SEE) are dedicated to helping you build up work-relevant skills, knowledge, experience and networks throughout your time here. You will also benefit from our many relationships with industry, which give our students exclusive opportunities and access to networks and funding.

Artists and designers tell us they value UAL's informed engagement with their career and professional practice development and our ability to offer them practical advice, guidance and opportunities across the wide spectrum of possible professional pathways - as entrepreneurs and employees. Staff value the resources and skills UAL makes available to help them deliver effective professional and career development through the curriculum.

Find out more

ArtsTemps (SEE) is the UAL in-house recruitment agency placing students and graduates in paid temping roles within the University. 

Creative Opportunities (SEE) is the UAL job vacancy and work placement website for students and graduates and advertises hundreds of creative job and placement opportunities each month.

Get more information and advice on employment and creative careers for all UAL students and graduates.

Recruitment and admissions

Selection criteria

The aim of the admissions policy is to ensure that all applicants who can display the necessary vocational and intellectual abilities and motivation to benefit from studying are given equal opportunity to achieve a place on the course. It is also expected that successful applicants will fulfil the aims of the programme.

Application

In a written personal statement applicants should describe their interest in the subject, their reasons for applying and, in particular, describe their specific interest in this course.

Selection

Qualified applicants are invited to attend an interview and to present a portfolio of recently completed work. The portfolio may consist of:

• Finished work and work in progress;
• Sketch/note books, preparatory visual research and development work;
• Evidence of written work such as essays or written research.

Applicant's portfolios should demonstrate:

• Practical creative ability and the potential for development at BA (Hons) level 3 including
• Visual vocabulary (composition, line, shape, form, scale, space, light, colour and texture)
• Quality of and ability to generate ideas (conceptual thinking evidence)
• Use of materials, media and processes
• Critical knowledge of the subject area and capacity for intellectual inquiry and reflective thought at BA (Hons) level 3 including
• Contextual awareness (professional, cultural, social, historical)
• Evidence of research, analysis, development and evaluation (from previous academic study and employment)
• Evidence of Work Based Learning and/or industrial experience of communication design including
• Ability to situate, apply and/or transfer learning into professional contexts
• A developed and mature attitude to independent study and self management

Whilst each of these characteristics is regarded as important, particular emphasis will be placed on evidence of intellectual enquiry and a capacity for taking personal initiatives and to work independently in the context of a course that aims to produce students who interrogate and challenge existing forms and values in their subjects.

The interviews will normally be conducted by the course team, comprising Course Director and Lead Tutors.

Bridging studies

Once selected applicants will be required to undertake and successfully complete a 20 credit Bridging Studies unit. The purpose of Bridging Studies is to prepare you for your final year units and in particular the written element (Industrial and Theoretical Contexts).

Admission procedures

All applicants with the appropriate evidence of achievement will be invited to attend an informal interview. Open days are frequent throughout the year to enable prospective students to visit and talk to existing students about the course.

Minimum UAL entry requirements

Find out more about the University's Regulations on Admissions.

Students should have completed the LCC bridging course which prepares applicants for entry to this BA 'top up' year.

Applications from current UK/EU University of the Arts London students should be made using the College's UK/EU application form (PDF - 4MB). Any UK/EU student applying from outside the University needs to apply through UCAS. 

If you are a UK or EU student and you have an admissions enquiry please call +44 (0)20 7514 6599 or email info@lcc.arts.ac.uk.

International students should use the international application form which is available to download on the International Office's web pages. If you are an international student and you are unsure of how to apply please contact the International Office first before applying - call +44 (0)20 7514 8138.

Please note: This course will not be recruiting students for entry in September 2013. Find out more about course changes at LCC.