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Graphic and Communication Design

  • 3 Study options
  • Undergraduate
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2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Unleash the power of effective messaging with this course, which will level up your visual communication and storytelling abilities.

We live in complex and rapidly shifting times, where people consume media at a staggering rate. This course empowers you to cut through the noise and deliver effective communications in a world obsessed with going viral and chasing clout.

You’ll engage in the latest research and theory, before bridging the gap by flexing your creative palette. We’ll test your skills with our challenge-led teaching, which stems from one of the few Russell Group universities to offer this subject. You’ll sharpen your theoretical, practical, and professional skills that the creative industries are yearning for.

You’ll build a strong foundation of typography, interaction design, and design for print. Our challenging briefs are on hand to help you rise to the challenge, and at every stage of your course, you can choose how to follow your passions and career path.

By embracing making, reading, and writing, you’ll become a critical and innovative thinker and creator. You’ll be informed by the past, ready to challenge the present, and prepared for the future.

Student profile: Andrew Bays

''The placement year was the most impactful part of my university career. It brought me up to a whole different standard of the work I was producing before.''

Andrew Bays, Graphic and Communication Design BA

Why study at Leeds

  • A year in industry: Get the hands-on experience and the contacts to ensure you thrive in fast-paced professional environments.

  • Specialist facilities: Test your skills with our laser cutting and 3D print workshop, XLab for Immersive Technologies and other practical studios.

  • Access to experts: Glean insights from industry-recognised visiting speakers from across the world.

  • Showcase your best work: Dazzle employers with your talents and specialisms by producing two major independent and projects in your final year.

Rankings and awards

  • 6th in the UK for Art and Design, Complete University Guide 2026

  • 53rd in the world for Arts and Humanities, QS World Rankings by Subject 2026

Where this degree could take you

Our graduates have pursued a wide range of careers in a diverse range of fields. Many continue with their professional practice, while some have gone to work for companies such as:

  • Saatchi + Saatchi

  • FutureBrand

  • Exposure

  • Spiekermann Partners

  • McCann-Erikson

  • Smoke & Mirrors

  • Show Media

  • Elle Magazine

  • BBYO

  • Apple

  • Nike

Careers support

Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • Time abroad (mandatory) • 4 Years
  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

University of Leeds has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level ABB

ABB including an art or design-related subject.

If you don’t have an art or design-related subject but you are taking Media Studies A-level, we may also consider your application based on a high grade at GCSE in Art/Design and a portfolio of recent and relevant work.

T Level

Might be accepted as in combination with other qualifications, please contact admissions teams for further advice & guidance.

Scottish Higher

AABBBB OR AAABB (B at advanced level) or AABBB (BB at advanced level) including an art or design subject.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass: 60 credits including 45 at level 3, with grades specified for individual subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDM

in Art/Design

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal M1M2M2

including art/design or media.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 5 in Visual Arts and 4 in English.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

at least 5 at Grade 4 (C) or above including English

Other

Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 including art/design or media.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (SCC) / Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is acceptable in place of an A level. Applicants must achieve a grade B alongside AB at A level (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking)

Art Foundation course
We welcome Art Foundation course students. However, the qualification is not a requirement for entry and doesn’t usually count towards entry requirements, which are based on A-levels and equivalent qualifications. In exceptional cases, if you have not studied Art and Design at A level, we may consider an Art Foundation course in combination with grades ABB at A level.

Extended Project Qualification:
If you’re taking the EPQ, we may make you an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. In this case that would be BBB, plus EPQ grade A.

UAL Extended Diploma: Distinction in the UAL Extended Diploma (or High Merit where available). https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/courses/e190/graphic-and-communication-design-ba

Additional entry requirements

Other
Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year This course is designed for students whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university (also known as widening participation backgrounds) and who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry to a degree. The course will give you the opportunity to be taught by academic staff and provides intensive support to enable your development of academic skills and knowledge. On successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress to your chosen degree course. Find out more about the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year Alternative Entry Scheme for Mature Students If you are a mature applicant (over 21) and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE English and maths qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay. Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
TOEFL (iBT)87with no less than 20 in listening, 20 in reading, 22 in speaking and 21 in writing
PTE Academic60with no less than 56 in each component of listening, reading, speaking and writing

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

If the most common grade accepted is higher than our entry requirements, this is due to the attainment of our applicants. If you have been made an offer and you meet or exceed the grades of your offer, you will be accepted.

If grades lower than our entry requirements have been accepted, in most cases this is because we operate contextual admissions as part of our decision making, which considers factors beyond grades. For more information about contextual admissions, please visit our website.

Learn more on the University of Leeds website

International entry requirements

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, contact the School of Design Undergraduate Admissions team.

International Foundation Year:
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes. https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-applying/doc/foundation-routes

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For further information please see http://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduatefees

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