BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity is designed to produce strategic thinkers and creative communicators. The course equips you with the tools to become a professional practitioner within this expansive industry.
Elisa talks about rebranding the city of Chernobyl as part of her final year project.
Alexander tells us about his final year project – designing the identity for hotel Gaff.
Explore projects from graduating students from London College of Communication's BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity course, exhibiting as part of LCC Degree Shows 2019.
Designer, researcher and BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity Course Leader at London College of Communication, Alison Barnes talks about her new book ‘Creative Representations of Place’ and her future research projects.
Discover our printing techniques, from Lithographic Printing to Print Finishing and Bookbinding.
This workshop offers a wide-range of expertise in everything from etching to lithography.
The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.
The course explores diverse and creative approaches to branding and identity, from concept to outcome.
You’ll gain valuable insights into all aspects of the subject from its historical, social, cultural and commercial contexts, through design practice relating to brand and identity expression.
In addition, you'll have access to the College’s extensive range of resources; from printmaking and letterpress to moving image and digital media.
The course is designed to produce strategic thinkers and creative communicators who will become significant professional practitioners within this expansive industry.
Practical projects and technical workshops, designed to enable you to choose and develop the right message, to the right audience, at the right time and using the right media.
The course will allow you to place graphic branding in the context of graphic design, branded spaces and interiors, packaging, moving image, advertising and narrative storytelling. It is designed to encourage innovation and initiative.
Your practice will be supported and informed by theory associated with the subject, which places it within an historical, cultural and social context.
Collaboration - This combination of practical and theoretical exploration and understanding is further supported by live projects and collaborative involvement with industry.
We are industry-focused and regularly set projects that enable you to work with professional designers.
Recent collaborations have included projects with Radley Yeldar, Studio PSK, Nomad and Echo.
Students have the opportunity to apply for the Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) and the chance to take part in initiatives such as Talent Works.
BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.
In common with all courses at University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.
The first year of the course will introduce you to strategic brand thinking, combined with design principles associated with a broad range of media.
Units summary:
Introduction to Graphic Branding and Identity (20 credits)
This unit will introduce you to your course and its subject specialism as well as to effective learning and studentship at undergraduate level.
Branding & Design Principles (40 credits)
This unit will introduce you to the importance of audience and personas; brand promise and purpose, brand values, brand personality and tone of voice alongside the development of a range of graphic design principles in typography and layout.
Brand Narratives (20 credits)
This unit introduces to the importance of developing a brand story with which to engage your audience.
This unit focuses on an exploration of branding in the context of 3D packaging, allowing you to explore materials, form and physical interaction.
Introduces histories, theories and debates relevant to graphic branding, identity and visual culture.
The second year will consolidate and expand on your experience of brand expression across a range of different online and offline media.
You’ll explore the role branding might have in a range of social, cultural and political contexts.
We encourage individual and collaborative working, with theoretical aspects of the subject, all within an exploratory context.
Units summary:
Brand Expression (40 credits)
This unit will enable you to understand how brands communicate across cultures in global and local contexts and how design can be used to maximise this communication in terms of meaning and brand personality.
Gives you the opportunity to collaborate with design students from other courses on a live industry brief.
This unit challenges you to engage with branding in social, cultural and political contexts, recognising that as designers we have the ability to bring people together around current societal challenges.
It also explores the potential for audience engagement in a range of emerging technologies.
You’ll study a specific set of ideas, practices and theories chosen by you and related to your career and practice ambitions.
The Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) is an optional year-long learning opportunity, allowing you to undertake a variety of internships and professional experiences for a whole academic year in Year 3, as part of a four-year degree.
It is a managed year of professional experience largely undertaken in the design profession in a variety of national and international locations.
Successful candidates are selected on a competitive basis from academic performance and studentship, successful completion of the DPS bridging studies and by portfolio and proposal.
The final year allows you to pursue your own interests and direction through supported independent study. It will provide you with confidence to choose your future path within the industry, or progress onto postgraduate study.
There are two pathway options in term one and two of Year 3. One route involves an 8,000 – 10,000-word piece of written work (Route A), or the other route combines a 4,000 – 5,000-word piece of written work plus a Self-Initiated Project (Route B).
Units summary:
Route A:
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (Route A) (40 credits)
Is a 8000-10,000 word thesis on a subject of your choice in negotiation with your tutor.
Industry Practice (20 credits)
In this unit you will choose from a range of live or design agency set briefs to give you the experience of working with clients or with industry partners.
Major Project Studio (60 credits)
This unit is the culmination of your degree. It offers a range of project choices that enable you to continue to develop a personal portfolio of work relevant to your aspirations. Briefs include those set by agencies, live briefs, competition briefs and the opportunity to undertake self-initiated projects.
Route B:
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (Route B) (20 credits)
Is a 4,000-5,000 word thesis on a subject of your choice in negotiation with your tutor.
Industry Practice (20 credits)
In this unit you will choose from a range of live or design agency set briefs to give you the experience of working with clients or with industry partners.
Major Project Studio (60 credits)
This unit is the culmination of your degree. It offers a range of project choices that enable you to continue to develop a personal portfolio of work relevant to your aspirations. Briefs include those set by agencies, live briefs, competition briefs and the opportunity to undertake self-initiated projects.
Self-Initiated Project (Route B) (20 credits)
This unit offers you the opportunity to undertake an extensive self-initiated project that allows you to work on an aspect of the subject area that particularly interests you and reflects your aspirations for your portfolio and career after your degree.
Course Leader, BA (Hons) Graphic Branding & Identity
Senior Lecturer and Year 1 Contextual and Theoretical Studies Coordinator
Senior Lecturer and Year 2 Contextual and Theoretical Studies Coordinator
Lecturer, BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity
Ian Hague
Tim Miller
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.
80 UCAS tariff points, which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:
And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).
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:
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English language requirements page.
All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.
The portfolio, along with the details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:
This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in graphic branding and identity and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.
You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.
You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.
State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.
You must apply for this course though Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where you will need the following information:
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application.
If you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units/modules on a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively.
The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application.
Click here for important information about our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
For further information on Erasmus and UAL exchange schemes, please visit the Erasmus and Non-Erasmus Exchanges section on the UAL website.
International applicants can apply through either of the following routes:
If you are applying through UCAS you will need the following information:
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
Further information on applying via UCAS is provided on the University Applying through UCAS page.
For full details on the application process, visit the Undergraduate Application page, and for further advice for international applicants, please visit the UAL International Application page.
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
International applicants, whether applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or by direct application, you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check, we will not be able to proceed with your application.
International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.
If you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units/modules on a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively.
The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application.
Click here for important information about our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.
Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a full portfolio.
We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview. To find out more, view our Undergraduate Application Process page.
International applicants may be invited to interview in person at LCC, or via Skype if overseas or unable to attend. Details of this interview will be sent via the UAL Portal.
Your portfolio of work is the most important part of your application, and you must clearly evidence development work as well as work from completed projects.
You are required to present a portfolio with a maximum of 20 images that you consider would help support your application.
We will advise you of your application outcome through UCAS Track. If you are an International applicant and have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL Portal.
We invite all offer holders to come to London College of Communication to attend one of our Offer Holder events. Offer holders will have the chance to meet the team, find out more about the course, and see our diverse and vibrant student community in action.
Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.
If you are offered a place for 2020/21 but wish to defer to 2021/22, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter.
International applicants will have to pay a pre-payment in order to defer. In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.
£9,250 (2020/21).
Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Please visit our undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.
£22,920 (2020/21).
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.
Careers include:
