BA Graphic Design
Manchester Metropolitan University
About this course
BA (Hons) Graphic Design is an undergraduate degree focused on visual communication, narrative structure, and creative problem-solving in design. Core topics include Ethics & Professional Practice and Design & Creative Practice. Students can choose to undertake an optional work placement year between years two and three. The first year covers the foundations through Visual Thinking, Storytelling, Sequence and Narrative, and Graphic Attitudes. The second year focuses on developing visual strategies via Disruptive Practice, Visual Persuasion, and Professional Context. The final year centres on advanced project work and individual specialisation through Design Directions, Future X: Re-worlding, and Creative Voice.
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: BCC IB: IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English
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What students say
Based on about 70 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 82%
- Organisation and management: 87%
- Learning resources: 82%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 105 students who started
- Continued on course: 86%
- Left higher education: 14%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
- Working and studying: 10%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 45%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 525 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 55%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 12%
- South East: 3%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 115 students who started
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Access course: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 6%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Visual Thinking
- Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
- Storytelling, Sequence and Narrative
- Graphic Attitudes
- Future X: Kinship
- Disruptive Practice
- Future X: Symbiosis
- Visual Persuasion
- Professional Context
- Design Directions
- Future X: Re-worlding
- Creative Voice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Graphic Design at Manchester Metropolitan University earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £29,500. 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 at Manchester Metropolitan University do next?
100% 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 Manchester Metropolitan University?
89% 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 Manchester Metropolitan University?
The typical offer is BCC at A level, or 26 points in the IB. The average entrant had 155 UCAS points.
Does BA Graphic Design at Manchester Metropolitan University 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 Manchester Metropolitan University?
86% of students continued into their second year, and 14% left higher education.