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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

BA Graphic Design work in the summer show that includes typography, illustration, maps, sketches, notes, photography and posters.
BA Graphic Design work in the summer show.
BA (Hons) Graphic Design, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL
College
Camberwell College of Arts
UCAS code
W210
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Arts gives you a range of skills and knowledge to produce effective design for both social engagement and the future of the design industry.

Subject to re-approval

This course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high-quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Course overview

This course will give you the opportunity to join a community of designers, educators and students who are interested in exploring what it means to be a contemporary graphic designer. We believe that graphic design has a role in the broader fields and landscape of contemporary life, both locally and globally. Our aim is to empower you to be a proactive practitioner with the ability to make sustainable change. 

What to expect

  • A rich offering of projects: From the commercial to the more experimental.
  • Contextual studies: Engage in social, political, and design industry debates and ideas. 
  • Graphic design skills: Gain an understanding of core graphic design skills through workshops in typography, type design, layout and photography. 
  • Become the designer you want to be: You’ll develop a personal practice which works with content and audiences which are important to you.
  • Climate, racial and social justice responsibility: Understand and put climate, racial and social justice at the heart of your work and contribute to socially responsible creative challenges. 
  • Public events: Take part in producing, promoting and delivering public events as a way of showing work at the end of projects. 
  • Key ideas lectures: Be introduced to important questions and theories that underpin contemporary art and design. 
  • Multidisciplinary staff: Our course tutors come from a range of different disciplines, including artists, designers and filmmakers. 
  • Industry experience: Work with design and advertising agencies. 
  • Access to Camberwell's shared workshops: These include printmaking, photography, film, moving image, digital, plastic, ceramics, wood and metalwork. View the Camberwell facilities

Industry experience and opportunities  

You’ll be taught by designers, photographers, artists, and academics, who are complemented by a wide range of industry professionals who visit the course to lecture and teach. This gives you the opportunity to build your own network of creative practitioners. 

Students have opportunities to work on live briefs during their studies as well as find placements through our alumni network. 

Previous and current industry partners include:

  • The Wellcome Trust
  • Horniman Museum
  • Camden Town Unlimited
  • Southwark Council
  • Kellenberger White

Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the Diploma in Creative Computing between Years 2 and 3 to enhance your learning experience and employability skills.

Mode of study

BA Graphic Design is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Course units

Year 1

Unit 1 - Introduction to Graphic Design

Unit 1 is an introduction to your course, your College, the University and London. Students come from many diverse educational backgrounds and a part of this unit will enable to reflect on your own background and how that shapes the way you approach your course.

Unit 2 - Provocations

Unit 2 will introduce you to core skills and essential knowledge associated with the discipline of graphic design. Through workshops and software inductions, you will explore the analogue and digital construction of graphic design, informed by historical and contemporary research.

Unit 3 - The language of images

Unit 3 will introduce you to a range of conceptual and practical approaches to image-making in relation to the discipline of graphic design. Technical workshops and software inductions will support you to experiment with both analogue and digital methods of production. 

Unit 4 - Publish

Unit 4 encourages you to expand your knowledge of the specialist methods and media associated with graphic design practice. Working both collaboratively and independently, you will experiment with a range of key processes and techniques that will inform the production of final outcomes.

Year 2

Unit 5 - Design systems 1 

Unit 5 will introduce you to graphic design systems and the systems of graphic design. Through a series of exercises, you will explore several methods of design thinking, making and writing. Alongside visual outcomes, you will undertake a series of writing tasks which will explore different approaches to writing and its creative possibilities.

Unit 6 - Collaborative and collective practices

You will be introduced to different ways in which collaborative working can help you to focus and enhance your own creative strengths. You’ll have the chance to work with fellow students and creative communities.

Unit 7 - Design systems 2

This unit continues the systematic approach to making work established in Unit 5 and will ask you to respond more directly to an area of independent research defined by you. 

Unit 8 - Agency and representation

This unit challenges you to explore who you are as a graphic designer working within a world in crisis. You will critically analyse the role of the practitioner and your own position as an innovative and adaptable designer working on projects that centre on social, racial and climate justice.

Year 3

Unit 9 - Communities of enquiry

In unit 9 you will develop a practice-based research project within a community of enquiry which supports you to locate your practice within the discipline.

This forms the culmination of the course’s philosophy for developing graduates who have a strong sense of their own personal practice. 

Unit 10 - Staging

Based on your research from unit 9 you will develop a body of work to visually communicate your findings and opinions to an audience. You will edit and photograph your portfolio of work before designing a public platform for presenting it to the world.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS)

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.

Diploma in Creative Computing

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Graphic Design (with Creative Computing).
 

Learning and teaching methods

  • Briefings 
  • Critiques 
  • Independent learning and self-directed study 
  • Lectures 
  • Peer learning 
  • Seminars 
  • Study visits 
  • Technical inductions 
  • Tutorials 
  • Workshops 

BA Graphic Design

Open day recording

Course Leader Emily Wood gives an overview of BA Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Arts.

Student work

  • Camberwell-BA-Graphic-Design-Frank-Sharman.jpg
    Frank Sharman
    BA (Hons) Graphic Design, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL
  • Camberwell-BA-Graphic-Design-Tom-Guildmard.jpg
    Tom Guildmard - BA Graphic Design
    , Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Tom Guildmard.
  • Camberwell-BA-Graphic-Design-Alice-Rigby.jpg
    Alice Rigby - BA Graphic Design
    , Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Alice Rigby.
  • Camberwell-BA-Graphic-Design-Racheal-Treliving.JPG
    Racheal Treliving - BA Graphic Design
    , Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Racheal Treliving.
  • Camberwell-BA-Graphic-Design-Tanguy-Bertocchi-1000.jpg
    Tanguy Bertocchi - BA Graphic Design
    , Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Tanguy Bertocchi.
  • Camberwell-BA-Graphic-Design-Adam-Donnelly.jpg
    Adam Donnelly - BA Graphic Design
    , Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Adam Donnelly.

Film

BA Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Arts

Showcase: Ella Wanendeya

Staff

Technical staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are one or a combination of the following qualifications:

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum
  • And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • An ability to explore, articulate and develop ideas
  • An ability to research information and visual material to support your ideas
  • Your portfolio to demonstrate a range of appropriate skills and technical abilities
  • An ability to communicate your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
  • An ability to self-direct and evaluate your own work

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W210

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W210

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we

will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum 30 pages showing project work that is clearly presented
  • include research, references and processes that lead to finished project outcomes
  • include work in progress as well as final pieces to demonstrate your creative and developmental processes
  • be clearly annotated with explanations of what your work is, how you completed it and any additional supporting information.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

Camberwell BA Graphic Design graduates are currently working in advertising, branding, corporate identity, illustration, interactive design, print design, product design, film and video with leading companies such as Mother, Why Not Associates and Wolff Olins.

Many of our graduates have set up their own studios, including A Practice for Every Day LifeBrighten the CornersBurgess and Beech and Hyperkit.

Alumni

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.