South Eastern Regional College
Castle Park Road
Bangor
County Down
BT20 4TD
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Email:admissions@serc.ac.uk
Phone:03456007555
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Graphic Design
HNC · 1 Years · Full-time · 09/2026 · UndergraduateSERC Bangor
- Awarded by:
- Pearson Education Ltd
Course summary
Why study this course?
This course will allow you to explore a diverse range of graphic design topics and industries available, helping you to find your speciality and area of interest. It gives students with an enquiring creative mind the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to achieve high performance in the graphic design environment.
About the course
This qualification will provide you with knowledge and practical experience in graphic design as well as other core skills required for employment within the creative visual industries.
The HNC in Graphic Design course is delivered FT over 3-4 days a week to allow students to balance other work and commitments alongside their course of study.
This course has an emphasis on learning skills current to the visual arts industry with the aim of increasing your employability and potential progression.
The course is project driven and student focused, covering a wide range of digital and production skills on the course which will include digital drawing, software use, photography, contextual studies, and animation., students who wish to develop skills in the visual arts. The course is highly practical, but it also demands academic ability.
Contextual studies increase your knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary art practices. You are taught academic skills and methods and learn to write analytically about graphic design and related concepts. This programme is delivered using a range of on-campus and online synchronous and asynchronous approaches.
How will it make me more employable?
Pearson is committed to delivering learning that is rooted in the real world and to develop work-ready graduates with the professional skills and behaviours that employers need. The course will help learners develop a wide range of skills including, but not limited to:
Technical Skills
• Contextual Knowledge
• Ideas Generation and Development
• Graphic Design Knowledge and Skills
• Professional Practice
Employability Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Emotional Intelligence
• Entrepreneurship
• Leadership
• Reflective Practice
• Decision Making
• Team Working
Where will it take me?
Successful completion of the HNC Graphic Design course may provide you with the opportunity to complete a further year leading to the Level 5 HND in Graphic Design.
Related Degree Programmes- Many universities offer specific Graphic Design degrees or related degrees for example;
• BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• BA (Hons) Visual Communication
• BA (Hons) 3D Animation
• BA (Hons) 2D Digital Animation
• BA (Hons) Illustration
Employment- This Higher National programme has been designed to equip students with the knowledge required to thrive in the changing world of work. Roles may include, but are not limited to:
• Graphic Designer
• Illustrator
• Concept Artist
• Animator
• Digital Designer
Modules
Level 4 Module A- Process and Practice:
The module is made up of two units as follows:
A1 Concept and Development (85 credits)– This unit is designed to enable the practice and development of underpinning knowledge, understanding and proficiency of creative practice through exploration of the subject area.
A2 Creative Project (35 credits)- This unit is designed to give students the opportunity to consolidate and apply their learning through the production of a portfolio of work related to project outcomes.
For each unit you will be assessed against the following criterion:
• Contextual knowledge
• Ideas generation and development
• Technical knowledge and skill
• Professional practice
• Communication
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.
Assessment method
Students are assessed using a range of different methods.
You will have both formative and summative assessments throughout the programme
These may include coursework, Project Based Learning, presentations, practical activities, role-play, products and case studies.
This is dependent on the requirements of each unit of study.
Oral, written and online feedback will be provided during your course to help improve and monitor performance.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 0025
- Institution code:
- R01
- Campus name:
- SERC Bangor
- Campus Code:
- B
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
We offer a diverse range of world class courses and study options, and we’re delighted to offer our international students a warm welcome to study at SERC.
For more information visit: https://www.serc.ac.uk/international/students
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - C
Typical grade profile indicated above. Grade profiles equivalent to 32 UCAS tariff points or above, to include Art and Design or a visual arts related subject, will be considered dependent upon subject and Awarding Body entry requirements.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP
Typical grade profile indicated above. Grade profiles equivalent to 32 UCAS tariff points or above, in Graphic Design or a related subject, will be considered dependent upon subject and Awarding Body entry requirements.
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher
Scottish Higher profiles equivalent to 64 UCAS tariff points or above will be considered dependent upon subject and Awarding Body entry requirements.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MP
Typical grade profile indicated above. Grade profiles equivalent to 32 UCAS tariff points or above, in Graphic Design or a related subject, will be considered dependent upon subject and Awarding Body entry requirements.
Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis on application.
Alternatively, you can provide evidence of your ability to undertake the programme by meeting the requirements for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process, either through Accredited Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Further details on APL can be found in the HE admissions process section of our website and the HE Accreditation of Prior Learning SOP.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Other
- All applicants must hold GCSE grade C/4 in English Language, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification AND GCSE grade C/4 in Mathematics, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills- Application of Number, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification AND passes in 4 different subjects (can include English Language and Mathematics and as above), with 1 at GCE Advanced (A) level (grades A-E), and 3 at GCSE level (grades A*-C/9-4), or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Minimum of 5.5 in all skills |
| PTE Academic | 51 | Minimum of 46 in each part |
All applicants must hold a GCSE grade C/4 in English Language, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills-Communication, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.
Or equivalent UKVI-approved English Language Test For further information please contact our International Department at international@serc.ac.uk
Click here to find out more about becoming an international student at SERC. https://www.serc.ac.uk/international/students
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £3150 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £3150 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £3150 | Year 1 |
| England | £3150 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £3150 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £3150 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £3150 | Year 1 |
| International | £8250 | Year 1 |
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
There are a number of sources of financial support available to students. These vary depending upon your course of study. Apply as soon as possible as closing dates vary between funds.
The main types of student finance are tuition fee and maintenance loans, which have to be paid back, and grants and bursaries, which do not have to be paid back.
For more information visit: https://www.serc.ac.uk/support/student-finance/full-time
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