Graphic Design
Graphic Design is about the creative and diverse use of words, pictures, language, ideas and problem solving. Our approach to Graphic Design explores areas such as advertising, art direction, drawing, branding, image-making, typography and visual storytelling, for traditional and digital contexts, including motion graphics and digital design.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Ulster University |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 | Ulster University |
Duration
Attendance
Full Time. Three years (with option of four years with optional paid placement).
Attendance on the course is made up of taught sessions, lectures, seminars/tutorials, peer review/feedback, supervised studio and independent study.
Attendance at all sessions is mandatory and it is expected that you will engage not only with the taught elements but also with independent learning in the provided studio environment where your individual learning can be expanded through informal conversations with fellow students.
Entry Requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate
96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Careers / Further progression
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
Mammoth Design
Pale Blue Dot Design
Deloitte Digital
Crown Creative
Fluent Format
BBC
Kaizen Brand
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
Graphic Designer
Digital Designer
Art Director
Brand Designer
Illustrator
Brand Director
Career options
Graphic Design graduates are successful in the design, branding, advertising, digital, illustration, photography, broadcasting, publishing and promotional industries.
Most of the Design and Advertising Studios in Northern Ireland are staffed or run by graduates from this course. Graduates include graphic designers Tim Farrell, Alan Jackson and Tim McAllister, illustrators Oliver Jeffers, Barry Falls and Peter Strain and art directors Stephen Pierce, Karla McNally and Matt Evans. In addition, graduates find employment in diverse media, television and publishing roles.
Alumni achieve regular success and awards in advertising, book design, illustration, typography, digital design, app design and branding for companies, industry reviewed competitions and clients such as:
BBC, BT, Guinness, O2, Remus, New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, The Financial Times, Random House, Channel 4, Orange, UNICEF, Sesame Tree, the Kate Greenaway Medal and the British Book Awards: Children's Book of the Year, Walt Disney.
Those wishing to research and develop their own work to a higher level go on to pursue a Masters qualification either at the University of Ulster, or at other institutions in the UK and further afield. There is also the potential for entry onto a PhD.
There are also opportunities for those wishing to teach after the completion of a postgraduate teaching qualification.(PGCE)
Further information
Start date: September 2024
Deadlines for on-time applications
2024 entry application deadlines
For courses starting in 2024 (and for deferred applications), your application should be with us at UCAS by one of these dates – depending on what courses you apply for. If your completed application – including all your personal details and your academic reference – is submitted by the deadline, it is guaranteed to be considered.
16 October 2023 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – any course at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. You can add choices with a different deadline later, but don’t forget you can only have five choices in total.
31 January 2024 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – for the majority of courses.
Some course providers require additional admissions tests to be taken alongside the UCAS application, and these may have a deadline. Find out more about these tests at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/admissions-tests
Check course information in the search tool to see which deadline applies to you at the application weblink below.
Apply as soon as possible: Student funding arrangements mean that as offers are made and places fill up, some courses may only have vacancies for students from certain locations. It’s therefore really important that you apply for your chosen courses by the appropriate deadlines mentioned above, as not all courses will have places for all students.
All applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing - find out more about Clearing at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/clearing-and-results-day/what-clearing
Overview
Creative use of words and pictures for every type of communication.
Summary
Graphic Design and Illustration is about the creative and diverse use of words, pictures, language, ideas and problem solving. Our approach to Graphic Design and Illustration explores areas such as advertising art direction, branding, illustration, typography, photography, in print, digital and video form.
Thinking and ideas are central to producing good work. We value research, the design process and professionalism. Our analytical approach enables you to engage with exciting design challenges, react to a rapidly changing industry and to develop as sensitive and intelligent designers.
About
Like most university courses the learning process in Graphic Design and Illustration happens through modules. These modules have been designed to take the student through a journey of acquiring new skills , exploring the subject area and developing the individuals creativity. They are individually assessed and accumulated as you progress.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year 1 is spent developing awareness of the subject. Subjects like typography are often new and take some time to become familiar with. You will carry out projects that help develop your skills with words and images while deepening your understanding of how this can be used to communicate in a wider society. You will work in a dynamic studio environment and learn via lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops.
Year 2 is about increasing your skills and knowledge and applying them in a range of ways including illustration, branding, photography, advertising and motion graphics. Projects will include live competition briefs and projects throughout the course.
Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) or Diploma in Professional Practice International (DPPI):
On successful completion of Year 2 studies, students have the opportunity to take the optional module Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) or (DPPI). This year of study provides an opportunity for students to gain first hand practical experience within a professional environment such as an advertising agency or brand consultancy prior to their final year of study. This module links the education experience to the real life situation of practice in the creative industries. It provides students with a range of experiences and skills relative to their practice, future career and professional development.
Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS):
On completion of Year 2, students have the opportunity to take the other optional module Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS). This optional module provides an opportunity for students to undertake an extended period of study outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, developing an international perspective and an appreciation of cultural sensitivities which are desirable qualities in any graduate. Students will develop an enhanced understanding of the academic discipline whilst generating educational and cultural networks.
Year 3 is when students are encouraged to become increasingly independent in their working methods and in their choice of project. Students are encouraged to take part in major national/international student competitions such as Design and Art Direction (D&AD), the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) and Young Creative Network (YCN).
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
Associate awards
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Work placement / study abroad
On successful completion of Year 2 studies, you have the opportunity to take the optional module Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) or (DPPI). This year of study provides an opportunity for you to gain first hand practical experience within a professional environment such as an advertising agency or brand consultancy prior to your final year of study. This module links the education experience to the real life situation of practice in the creative industries. It provides you with a range of experiences and skills relative to your practice, future career and professional development.
You also have the opportunity to take the other optional module Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS). This optional module provides an opportunity for you to undertake an extended period of study outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, developing an international perspective and an appreciation of cultural sensitivities which are desirable qualities in any graduate. You will develop an enhanced understanding of the academic discipline whilst generating educational and cultural networks.
Ulster University,
2-24 York Street,
Belfast
BT15 1AP
T: 02870 123 456