Our BA Graphic and Media Design course builds on London College of Communication's heritage and global reputation for graphic design education and is renowned for its experimental and applied approach.

This degree course acknowledges traditional values and specialist skills whilst recognising the changing and dynamic nature of design. The programme is innovative and flexible with a strong employment record. It provides you with the opportunity to specialise in future-facing areas of graphic design practice.

You can expect ...

You can expect to be encouraged to be innovative and to initiate change, to integrate practice and theory and work individually and collaboratively. You’ll possess technical skills but not be slaves to them, be able to make connections between disparate activities, be concept driven and capable of working across media. You’ll understand the complexities of audience and how to utilise your studies to plan your future direction whether in work or through continuing studies.

Furthermore, you will explore a variety of materials, media and methodologies and develop skills relevant to a career as a broad-ranging design professional. You will also take part in live, collaborative projects with industry to develop your entrepreneurship and introduce you to our commercial partners. These have previously included Diabetes UK, BFI, Interbrand, Dorling Kindersley, Design Museum London, ISTD, YCN, Illy Coffee, NHS, Moleskin and D&AD.

The course is delivered by experienced practitioners, tutors and other specialists including visiting speakers. All tutors on your course are active practitioners as well as involved in scholarly investigation, building industry links that also particularly support LCC’s unique Diploma for Professional Studies, where students can undertake work placements for a year anywhere in the world.

Tutors include ...

Course Director, David Simms who continues to develop his practice as a designer investigating the relationships between analogue and digital forms of image production. Recently he developed generative drawing machines using open source software 'Processing'. David's continuing research output has focused on the use of technology in learning and teaching. He has presented at conferences, institutions and to industry.

Alumni includes...

Students have gone on to work for various creative organisations including IDEO (Munich), Sonicjam (Japan), Imagination (Singapore), Pentagram, BBC, The Times, The Guardian, Mindshare, DK, Interbrand, Samsung, Hidden Art, Birch (Hong Kong), MADE, Intelligent PR, Hi-Tec Studio, Goodstuff, Saatchi X and Shroom Ltd, or have progressed to postgraduate study or established their own start-ups.

What our students say...

“[I gained] a very broad arts education - a conceptual and artistic take on the very practical world of graphic design. I was very glad to have had the printing facilities; silk-screen printing and letterpress, as they lent a lot to my projects and taught me invaluable techniques.” Former student, Sid Motion

“The most important part of the course, to me, was the chance to meet and work with like-minded people...The other incredibly valuable experience, was the chance to take a year in industry.” Former student, Nicola Ryan

"The industrial links are fantastic and I feel proud to say I have been there". Former student, Jessica Chamberlain

This course is taught within the School of Design at LCC.

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.

Year 1

• Introduction to Study in Higher Education: Introducing you to studying at higher education level including aspects of research and writing as well as design thinking and ideas generation
• Principles: Introducing you to basic design principles including composition, form, type and colour
• Exploration: Exploring the principles and practices both theoretical and practical introduced in the previous units through projects
• Contextual and Theoretical Studies 1: Introducing you to histories, theories and debates in relation to visual culture. It will focus on the development of twentieth and twenty-first century ideas in graphic design and visual communications and explore the common themes and cross-fertilizations that occur between theory and culture

Year 2

• Collaborative Project: Offering you the opportunity to work collaboratively with students on your course or other courses on live projects and competitions
• Stories, Methods and Form: Considering visual narrative, storytelling and the methodology and forms used
• Language, Audience and Environment: Considering language, its manifestation and the audience to whom it is aimed and the environment it might inhabit
• Contextual and Theoretical Studies 2: Developing your broader knowledge and understanding of the historical, social, theoretical and cultural developments of contemporary visual culture. You will have the opportunity to further contextualise various aspects of design, media and communication theory in its broadest sense by focusing on specific options

Diploma in Professional Studies

The Diploma in Professional Studies is an optional Industrial placement year between the second and fourth year of the course. The Diploma in Professional Studies is a managed year of professional experience largely undertaken in the design profession in a variety of national and international locations. Students are selected during the second year on the basis of their portfolio, studentship and a detailed year out proposal.

Year 3

Route A

• Dissertation ( Major): The culmination of the Contextual and Theoretical Studies component of the course, providing you with the opportunity to utilise all your knowledge and analytical skills related to visual theory in the realisation of a self-determined dissertation.
• Live Projects: Challenging you to utilise your graphic communication skills and knowledge in the answering of a live design brief
• Major Project Studio: The culmination of the course, providing you with the opportunity to utilise all your practical, critical and analytical skills in the realisation of projects related to the development of your individual portfolio

Route B

• Dissertation (Minor): The tculmination of the Contextual and Theoretical Studies component of the course, providing you with the opportunity to utilise all your knowledge and analytical skills related to visual theory in the realisation of a self-determined piece of written work which could be a report, a review, or an article.
• Live Projects: Challenging you to utilise your graphic communication skills and knowledge in the answering of an external design brief
• Self Initiated Project: Developing your specialist knowledge in more depth and explores further applications and possibilities in a particular design area in the form of a self-initiated project
• Major project studio: The culmination of the course, providing you with the opportunity to utilise all your practical, critical and analytical skills in the realisation of projects related to the development of your individual portfolio

When you reach the final year it may be that you have developed an interest in your dissertation topic and want to place greater emphasis on it. Route A allows you to do this. If on the other hand you wish to place greater emphasis on studio work by doing a smaller dissertation you can do so in Route B.

BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design's breadth of study means that its graduates are eminently employable.

Recent graduates are working in a variety of roles:

• Designer
• Producer
• Creative
• Art Director
• Motion Graphic Designer
• Arts and Culture Adviser
• Visual Merchandising Manager
• Communications Writer
• Social Media Planner
• Head of Design
• Senior User Experience Designer
• Animator
• Editorial Designer
• Production Co-ordinator
• Media Strategist

Our graduates have worked for a wide range of companies and agencies such as: IDEO (Munich), Sonicjam (Japan), Dalston Creative (Sweden), Light TV, Vault 49 (New York), Imagination, Karmarama, Brand Union (Singapore), AA School print studio, Hidden Art, Birch, Max Wigram Gallery, Sea Design, Iris, Cartlidge Lelvene, John Morgan Studio, YuCo Lab (Hong Kong), Pentagram, BBC, Times, Guardian, Mindshare, DK, Interbrand, Samsung, MADE (Midlands Architecture and the Designed Environment), Saatchi X, Shroom Ltd, Anthony Nolan.

Many alumni have also set up their own studios and businesses.

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

The BA Graphic and Media Design Course team recognise applicants come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds from across the world. The course in the main attracts students who apply direct from A level or other equivalent qualifications but it also welcomes students from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and other art courses as well as mature students who may have worked in industry.

Entry requirements (Home/International/EU)

For admission to the BA Graphic and Media Design course applicants normally need:

• 160 UCAS tariff points (gained at GCE Advanced level) will be considered, supported by passes in three other subjects at GCSE Grade C or above. 
• Alternatively, you will be considered if you have achieved 1 subject at GCE Advanced level and Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, supported by passes in three other subjects at GCSE Grade C or above. In addition, the University of the Arts London Awarding Body Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design will be considered.  
• We also accept people with the equivalent qualifications obtained through a National Diploma, Access, NVQ and a variety of other pre-University level qualifications including International and European Baccalaureate. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered.
• We also accept those with relevant professional and vocational qualifications.
• The subjects the Course Team will be looking for in your application are wide ranging: your A levels (or equivalents) would ideally be achieved at grade C or above and may include English, History, Media, Business, Art and Design or other Social Science subjects.

Other entry routes

We also welcome applicants such as mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this course will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with Graphic and Media Design Theory and practice. In such cases students applying on the basis of their previous experience or who wish to enter the course with through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes should apply via UCAS and will be guided by the admissions staff on the AP(E)L processes.

Language requirements (International/EU)

• International and EU students: In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) is required.
• If your first language is not English you should check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English. Further information is available on our International Applications page.
• International applicants, please visit our International Applications page for further details regarding International Admissions.

Study Abroad applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join this BA course for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student. Please visit the Study Abroad website for details on how to apply or contact the Study Abroad office:

T: +44 (0)20 7514 2249
E: studyabroad@arts.ac.uk

Deferred entry

For Home/EU applicants, the Course Leader will determine whether deferred places are available for the course. If you wish to defer your place, it is advisable to indicate this on your application form and/or discuss this with the admissions team and course leader before/after applying at the earliest opportunity. In all cases, deferred places will only be held for one year.

International applicants are normally permitted to defer entry to any programme of study for one year only, after which they will be asked to re-apply.

Admission procedures

The selection procedures for the course adhere to the Equal Opportunities policy of the University of the Arts London.

Applications are normally made through UCAS. Applications for this course are assessed on the basis of qualifications, the portfolio and the personal statement.

If more information is required, a member of the course team may contact the applicant and in some cases, may request the candidate to attend an interview.

Student selection criteria - what do we look for?

All applications will be considered by the course team and offers will be made based upon the following selection criteria.

The team will consider three key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

1. Firstly they will look at your qualifications (or projected results).
2. Secondly, they will review your academic or personal reference.
3. Then they will scrutinise your portfolio and personal statement.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in graphic design and that you have thought very carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You should take great care when writing your personal statement to ensure that it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your biggest chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. It is also an opportunity for you to state what you feel you would bring to the course. Through their personal statement, applicants should show a strong interest in Graphic Design, motivation and a willingness to learn and explore. This can be demonstrated through work experience, studying and personal experience and their ambitions for personal development as a student at the LCC.

Portfolio advice

Your portfolio of work must evidence the following:

• Visual vocabulary: Quality of compositional skills and use of line, shape, form, scale, space, light, colour, texture and time
• Ideas generation: Quality of ideas and expression of conceptual thinking
• Research and its application (including sketchbooks)
• Systematic identification and investigation of appropriate resources
• Materials and media exploration and experimentation: Experimentation and testing of materials in realisation of concepts
• Contextual awareness and its influence on the portfolio: Understanding & application subject knowledge and context

Interview advice

Occasionally an applicant will be invited for interview who has either requested to discuss their application with the course director or who the course director feels would benefit from discussing their application prior to final consideration.

If you are invited for interview you can prepare yourself in advance by thinking of questions that you may have for the course director and also re-familiarising yourself with your UCAS personal statement- from which the course director’s questions will probably arise. The interview will be relatively informal and will take place, normally, at the LCC.

Students are admitted to the course having fulfilled the necessary entry requirements and on the basis of their potential to benefit from the programme.

Minimum UAL entry requirements

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

UK/EU Applicants

You will need to apply through the UCAS online application system.

You can find London College of Communication (LCC) courses listed under University of the Arts London on the UCAS website. All LCC UCAS course codes can be found on the course ‘Facts’ tab (at the bottom) or on the UCAS website.

Our University code is U65

There is no 'Campus Code' for London College of Communication

If you are a UK or EU student and you have an admissions enquiry please use the Online Course Enquiry Form selecting LCC as the College you are interested in. For additional enquiries please use the contact information as below:

T: +44(0)20 7514 6599

International Applicant Enquiries

If you are a non-EU international student admission enquiries should be made through the International Office. For additional enquiries please use the contact information as below:

T: +44 (0)20 7514 8138
E: international@lcc.arts.ac.uk

Study Abroad Applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join this BA course for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student. Please visit the Study Abroad web page for details on how to apply or contact the Study Abroad office on the details below:

T: +44 (0) 207 514 2249
E: studyabroad@arts.ac.uk