BA Art and Design
About this course
BA in Art and Design, a fine art and fashion design degree exploring visual culture and creative practices. Core topics include Research Methods and Marketing. Students complete a major research project and an independent self-directed project in the final year. The first year covers foundational techniques through compulsory modules such as Process, Making and Meaning, Design Studies: Foundation, Creative Challenges and Communication, Visual Cultures and Vivid Futures, and Materiality in Design, alongside optional choices like Creative Thinking and Introduction to Photography. The second year progresses into ideation and brand strategy via compulsory modules including Ideation, Materials and Technologies, Design Studies: Exploration, Design for Interaction and Experience, Books Arts, and Brand Strategy and Design, with optional modules such as Strategic Marketing for the Creative Industries and Digital Photography. The third year centres on independent practice through the compulsory Major Research Project and Art and Design Self-Directed Project, while optional modules allow specialisation in areas like Creative Advertising, Collaborative Brand Management, Fashion Styling and Photography, Social Design, Consumer Neuromarketing, AI, Games Design, and Ethics, and Design in Scientific Enterprise.
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: ABB EPQ: BBB plus grade A in the EPQ BTEC: DDM in art/design. Excluding Art Foundation Diploma; please see Other Qualifications section. IB: 34 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 5 in Visual Arts and 4 in English.
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 76%
- Learning opportunities: 70%
- Assessment and feedback: 67%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 56%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 68%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 100%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 220 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 17%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 19%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 29%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Process, Making and Meaning
- Design Studies: Foundation
- Creative Challenges and Communication
- Visual Cultures and Vivid Futures
- Materiality in Design
- Creative Thinking
- Introduction to Photography
- Colour Design and Application
- Drawing beyond itself
- Editorial Design: Text, Image, Narrative
- Or a University of Leeds Discovery Module
- Ideation, Materials and Technologies
- Design Studies: Exploration
- Design for Interaction and Experience
- Books Arts
- Brand Strategy and Design
- Strategic Marketing for the Creative Industries
- Digital Photography
- Designing for Colour
- Contemporary Illustration
- Collage Culture
- The Art and Science of Cosmetic Products
- University of Leeds Discovery Module
- Major Research Project
- Art and Design Self-Directed Project
- Creative Advertising
- Collaborative Brand Management
- Fashion Styling and Photography
- Social Design
- Consumer Neuromarketing
- AI, Games Design, and Ethics
- Design in Scientific Enterprise
- University of Leeds Discovery Module
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Art and Design at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £38,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £8,500 more than the UK median for Art.
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Art and Design at University of Leeds?
76% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Art and Design at University of Leeds?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 147 UCAS points.
Does BA Art and Design at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Art and Design at University of Leeds?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.