BA Graphic Design
About this course
BA (Hons) in Graphic Design is an undergraduate degree centred on visual communication, creative problem-solving, and contemporary design practice. Core topics include Computer Architecture, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. Students can undertake an optional placement year or a year abroad, as well as choose a foundation year before starting. The first year covers foundational visual communication through modules such as Investigating Visual Communication, Graphic Design Essentials, Graphic Design Studio, and Creative Debates. The second year develops applied skills with modules including Critical Practice and Visual Research, Visual Systems and Strategies, Defining Your Practice, and Professional Contexts, alongside optional lab choices like Digital Lab - Explorations and Social Practice Lab - Explorations. The final year focuses on independent projects and live industry briefs through compulsory modules such as The Design Sprint, The Applied Live Studio, and The Independent Creative Project, with further optional modules including Digital Lab - Strategies and Materials Lab - Strategies.
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
UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 16 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 93%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 82%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 93%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 70%
- Gained a higher qualification: 5%
- Left higher education: 25%
What graduates do next
Based on about 39 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 76%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 4%
- Unemployed: 1%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 15%
- Design occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 9%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 8%
- Skilled trades occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 180 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 55%
- West Midlands: 23%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 3%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Applied Professional Practice
- Contemporary Issues in Professional Practice
- Investigating Visual Communication
- Graphic Design Essentials
- Graphic Design Studio
- Creative Debates
- Creative Interventions
- Critical Practice and Visual Research
- Visual Systems and Strategies
- Defining Your Practice
- Professional Contexts
- Digital Lab - Explorations
- Social Practice Lab – Explorations
- Materials Lab - Explorations
- Culture Lab - Image Explorations
- Creative Industry and Enterprise Lab - Explorations
- The Design Sprint
- The Applied Live Studio
- The Independent Creative Project
- Digital Lab - Strategies
- Social Practice Lab - Strategies
- Materials Lab - Strategies
- Culture Lab - Curatorial Strategies
- Creative Industry and Enterprise Lab - Strategies
- Independent Critical Strategies
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Graphic Design at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £19,000 after 3 years, £24,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £28,500. The £24,500 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Graphic Design at University of Derby do next?
92% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Graphic Design at University of Derby?
93% 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 at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 129 UCAS points.
Does BA Graphic Design at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Graphic Design at University of Derby?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.