BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration)
About this course
BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration), a design degree centred on visual communication, illustration and creative practice. Core topics include Research Methods, Ethics & Professional Practice, Design & Creative Practice, and Programming. Students can also complete a level six top-up option if they hold a relevant prior qualification. The first year covers foundational concepts through Visual Languages, Digital Foundations, Typography and Ideas and Process. The second year progresses to advanced themes via Word and Image, Design Contexts and Critical Research, Narrative Structures and Motion, and Designing for Innovation and Interaction. The final year centres on independent execution 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
96-112 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications. These can include: A Levels at grade B, C and C, or above BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit Access to HE Diploma T Levels You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 - 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents. Portfolio As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a portfolio. The portfolio should contain a maximum of 12 images (ideally saved together in a PDF, or, if not, as a JPEG). It should include evidence of creative practice in the visual arts and examples of process and development as well as completed outcomes where applicable. Regarding the required UCAS entry points, please note, a lower offer in this range would be dependent on your portfolio.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 69%: 67 offers from 97 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 96%
- Academic support: 81%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 76%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 60%
- Gained a higher qualification: 10%
- Left higher education: 35%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 45%
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Design occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 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 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- A degree: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Bronze for student outcomes.
Modules
- Major Project
- Professional Design Practice and Positioning
- Experimental Communications
- Presenting and Portfolio
- Visual Languages
- Digital Foundations
- Typography
- Ideas and Process
- Design Contexts
- 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) 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) 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) at University of West London?
98% 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) at University of West London?
The typical offer is BCC at A level. The average entrant had 125 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) at University of West London?
69% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 67 offers from 97 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on BA Graphic Design (Visual Communication and Illustration) at University of West London?
60% of students continued into their second year, and 35% left higher education.