BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate design degree incorporating a compulsory foundation year. Core topics include Programming, Research Methods, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes a compulsory foundation year before progressing into subsequent years of study. The first year covers foundational study through Contextual Studies in Media and Design, Creative Sectors, Personalised Learning, and Creative Research in Media and Design. The second year introduces core concepts through Visual Languages, Digital Foundations, Typography, and Design Contexts. The third year builds practical approaches via Word and Image, Design Contexts and Critical Research, Narrative Structures and Motion, and Designing for Innovation and Interaction. The final year culminates in advanced study through Major Project, Experimental Communications, Presenting and Portfolio, and Professional Design Practice and Positioning.
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
72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications. These can include: A-Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A-Levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass Access to HE Diploma T-Levels You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9-4 / A*-C) or Level 2 equivalents.
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What students say
Based on about 51 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 68%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 87%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 55%
- Left higher education: 45%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 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: 25%
- Administrative occupations: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 40%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 58%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 68%
- A degree: 3%
- Other HE qualification: 18%
- No formal qualifications: 11%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Bronze for student outcomes.
Modules
- Contextual Studies in Media and Design
- Creative Sectors
- Personalised Learning
- Creative Research in Media and Design
- Study Skills for Success
- Major Project (Foundation Year)
- Visual Languages
- Digital Foundations
- Typography
- Design Contexts
- Ideas and Process
- Word and Image
- Design Contexts and Critical Research
- Narrative Structures and Motion
- Designing for Innovation and Interaction
- Developing Design Practice
- Major Project
- Experimental Communications
- Presenting and Portfolio
- Professional Design Practice and Positioning
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year at University of West London earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £24,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,000 and £29,000. The £24,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year at University of West London do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year at University of West London?
86% 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 (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year at University of West London?
The typical offer is BC at A level. The average entrant had 97 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) with Foundation Year at University of West London?
55% of students continued into their second year, and 45% left higher education.