School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries 

BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Part-time 8 years, Full-time 4 years

Turn your creativity into a career with Graphic Design at Wolverhampton - where industry connections, expert guidance, and cutting-edge facilities prepare you to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-evolving design industry. 

Turn your creativity into a career with Graphic Design at Wolverhampton - where industry connections, expert guidance, and cutting-edge facilities prepare you to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-evolving design industry. 

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
15 September 2025
UCAS Code
W2VC
Course specifications
Course length
Part-time (8 years),Full-time (4 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
School
School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries 
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

If you’re driven by creativity, visual problem-solving, and a passion for impactful communication, Graphic Design at the University of Wolverhampton is the perfect launchpad. This degree doesn’t just teach you design - it immerses you in real-world practice, helping you become a designer with both vision and purpose. 

We offer a future-facing curriculum that combines contemporary design practice with critical theory and strong industry links. From the outset, you’ll work in professional-standard design studios with access to the latest software, digital print facilities, Risograph printing, laser cutting, and large - format scanning and printing. These spaces mirror the workflows and pace of real creative agencies, so you graduate confident and studio-ready. 

Whether you’re interested in branding, motion graphics, editorial, UX/UI or experimental design, our course supports specialisation through a diverse mix of briefs, workshops, and client-led projects. You’ll build a dynamic portfolio that reflects your personal direction - and gives you the competitive edge in securing freelance, agency or in-house roles. 

What's unique about this course?

  • Built around real-world projects, agency simulations and client-led briefs 
  • Integration of professional studio spaces and commercial-standard facilities 
  • Access to a wide range of digital and physical production tools, including laser cutters and Risograph printers 
  • Individualised portfolio development focused on your creative interests and career goals 
  • Strong links with industry and guest input from working designers and agencies 
  • Opportunities to specialise in motion design, UX/UI, branding, and experimental design 
  • Embedded theory within all practical assignments to build critical thinking and reflective skills 
  • Future-focused with exposure to AI, XR, and immersive design tools 
  • Projects explore sustainable and inclusive design, preparing you for ethical practice 

What happens on the course?

Across the three years, you’ll take part in an exciting mix of studio-based learning, live client briefs, workshops, lectures, and independent practice. From day one, you’ll be working in dedicated design studios equipped with Adobe Creative Cloud, Wacom displays, Apple workstations, and print finishing equipment - giving you the space and resources to test ideas, refine techniques and bring concepts to life. 

Assignments are varied and reflect the full spectrum of the design industry - from branding and publication design to digital campaigns, UX journeys, animation and experimental media. You’ll build technical fluency while developing your own creative voice, and by final year, you’ll be leading self-directed projects and building a distinctive professional portfolio. 

Learning takes place in a studio culture that mirrors industry - with group critiques, concept development sessions, collaborative projects, and real-time feedback from tutors and visiting professionals. Alongside this, our specialist workshops give you hands-on experience with a range of creative technologies, including laser cutting, Risograph printing, projection mapping, screen-based motion graphics and immersive interfaces. 

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

This course prepares you for a wide variety of creative and strategic roles, including: 

  • Graphic Designer (in-house, freelance, or agency) 
  • Motion Designer 
  • UX/UI Designer 
  • Branding Specialist or Visual Identity Designer 
  • Art Director 
  • Packaging or Publication Designer 
  • Digital Illustrator 
  • Design Strategist 
  • Creative Entrepreneur (running your own design practice or studio) 
  • Postgraduate study in Graphic Design, Design Research or Creative Leadership 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Our Graphic Design degree is shaped by real - world expectations - and so are our spaces. You’ll work in fully equipped graphic design studios that simulate agency environments, allowing you to engage with projects in a professional context. We offer: 

  • Dedicated Mac suites with industry-standard software and Wacom drawing displays 
  • Access to professional Risograph printers, laser cutting and print finishing equipment 
  • High-quality digital and large-format printers, scanners, and photographic studios 
  • Immersive design technologies including AI and XR experimentation tools 
  • Studio environments shared with peers across visual communication, illustration, and digital arts 
  • Integrated breakout areas, bookable presentation rooms and group collaboration spaces 

These facilities are housed within our School of Creative Industries, encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration and providing a supportive, inclusive community that values experimentation and innovation. 

You’ll be taught and mentored by experienced practitioners who bring insight from branding, publishing, digital media, advertising, and motion design. Plus, you’ll gain exposure to live briefs, national competitions, and industry events - preparing you to make connections, build confidence, and step directly into the design world. 

Graphic Design at Wolverhampton nurtures more than creativity - it develops confident, articulate professionals with a rich toolkit of technical, conceptual, and interpersonal skills. You’ll graduate with: 

 

  • Advanced use of industry-standard design software and workflows 
  • Ability to develop and present creative solutions to real client briefs 
  • Strong portfolio development and personal branding skills 
  • Skills in motion graphics, UX/UI, and emerging media 
  • Print and digital production know - how including Risograph, laser cutting, and digital fabrication 
  • Experience collaborating in professional - style environments 
  • Knowledge of design history, theory, and ethics integrated into your practice 
  • Confidence in presenting, critiquing and evaluating design outcomes 
  • Understanding of freelance, studio and agency models of employment 

You’ll leave with a polished, professionally presented portfolio - and the agility to respond to industry demands, new technologies, and creative opportunities. 

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

Prepare for Foundation Pathway:- We will consider applicants who have not achieved 48 UCAS points (equivalence) from prior level 3 qualifications, if you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience. You will be required to attend and pass a compulsory Prepare For Foundation assessment day where you will take part in a variety of activities which will assess your suitability for the course. If you would like more advise and guidance about this admissions pathway, please contact the Gateway team to discuss and support you in making an application to us.

Contact the Gateway - University of Wolverhampton (wlv.ac.uk)

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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