BA Graphic Design with Foundation Year
Canterbury Christ Church University
About this course
BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate design degree that begins with a compulsory foundation year designed to build essential academic and creative skills before advancing to full honours study. Core topics include Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Design & Creative Practice. Students have the option to undertake a placement year between years two and three to gain professional experience. The course begins with Year 0, featuring compulsory modules such as Creative Arts and Industries, Creative Foundations - Design, and The Power of Arts, Humanities and Education. Year 1 introduces foundational studio practice through Welcome to the Studio, Graphic Design Tools, The Print Studio, and Typography. In Year 2, studies deepen with Working in the Studio, Designing the Campaign, Employability Modules, and Interdisciplinary modules. The final year comprises Leading the Studio, Exploratory Studio, Ready for a Career in Graphics, and the Creative Arts and Industries Project, culminating in a major practical body of work.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: DDE BTEC: MPP Access to HE: Pass 45 Credits 64 UCAS tariff points.
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What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 95%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 15%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Working and studying: 5%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 45%
- Sales occupations: 25%
- Sports and fitness occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 185 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 18%
- South East: 63%
- South West: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Access course: 5%
- Other qualifications: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Creative Arts and Industries
- Creative Foundations - Design
- The Power of Arts, Humanities and Education
- Success modules
- The Big Picture
- Welcome to the Studio
- Graphic Design Tools
- The Print Studio
- Typography
- Success Modules
- Working in the Studio
- Designing the Campaign
- Employability Modules
- Interdisciplinary modules
- Leading the Studio
- Exploratory Studio
- Ready for a Career in Graphics
- Creative Arts and Industries Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Graphic Design with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £30,000. The £25,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Graphic Design with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Graphic Design with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University?
85% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Graphic Design with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University?
The typical offer is DDE at A level. The average entrant had 106 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Graphic Design with Foundation Year at Canterbury Christ Church University?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.