Skip navigation
You are viewing our beta course page.

Graphic Design

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Arnolfini
Awarded by:
University of the West of England, Bristol

Course summary

Study in a studio environment with professional-standard facilities and the focus on the real-world skills you need to succeed in your career.

Why study graphic design?
Graphic design makes a powerful contribution to the cultural and economic life of contemporary society.

It exists in the public domain, acts as an indicator of current cultural thinking and is a catalyst for social, cultural and political change.

The role of the graphic designer in society and the professional world is multifaceted; designer as curator, author, craftsperson, editor, educator, collaborator and agitator.

Studying graphic design is excellent preparation for a creative career in the UK and abroad.

Why UWE Bristol?
BA(Hons) Graphic Design is based at the Arnolfini, at the heart of Bristol's creative and cultural community. You'll learn from practising graphic designers in a professional studio environment.

Past students have won awards in prestigious national competitions such as the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Student Design Awards and the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD).

In recent years, graduates' work has been exhibited at D&AD New Blood, London, with several being identified as 'Ones to Watch' and commendations received for several collaborative projects.

Our students are also regularly shortlisted for the Best British Book Design and Production Awards.

Our City Campus is a powerhouse of inspiration and collaboration, and home to our many City Creatives. It spans Bristol and is made up of Bower Ashton and renowned contemporary arts centres Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed.

Our strong industry links with the thriving city of Bristol ensure ongoing input from professional designers.

You won't be working on hypothetical designs. Projects are socially and culturally relevant, whether undertaken inside or outside the university.

Go on work placements and internships, or volunteer, to gain valuable workplace experience.

Attend talks from studios like OK/RM, Pentagram, Moving Brands, Mother London, Muf, APFEL and Book Works.

Showcase your work to talent scouts and potential employers at the final year degree show.

Focus on the avenues that most interest you, and graduate with an impressive portfolio of work, ready to make your mark in the industry.

Where can it take me?
This course prepares you for an idea-driven, sustainable and flexible freelance practice, or studio career in graphic design.

Many of our graduates find work with highly respected design studios in the UK and worldwide.

Others go on to further study, such as a masters in graphic design or graphic arts, or pursue a career in research or education.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • International Society of Typographic Designers

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:
W211
Institution code:
B80
Campus name:
Arnolfini
Campus Code:
2

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 112 points

A level

No specific subjects required. Points from A-Level General Studies and AS-Level subjects (not taken onto full A-Level) can be included towards a overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-Levels.

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

No specific subjects required.

Access to HE Diploma

No specific subjects required.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

No specific subjects required. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. This qualification cannot be used to satisfy any subject specific entry requirements.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Grade C/4 in English, or equivalent.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

No specific subjects required.

T Level

No specific subjects required.

We recognise the individual nature of each application and our typical offer should be viewed as a guide. UWE Bristol welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. We will consider evidence of your relevant personal, professional or educational experience where it demonstrates an ability and potential to succeed on the course. Please include details of any relevant experience in your application.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio
Following our review of your application, if you are not studying a related subject, we may request that you provide us with a digital portfolio. If you are asked to provide a digital portfolio, you may also be invited for an online interview, if we have any questions about your portfolio. A decision will then be made on the basis of both your application and our review of your portfolio. For more details on the process, please visit our selection page https://www.uwe.ac.uk/courses/applying/undergraduate-applications/selection-processes.

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.

At UWE Bristol we are committed to ensuring all applicants can fulfil their potential.

We make contextual offers for this course that are lower than our standard entry criteria.

We use a range of information from your UCAS application to consider your background and experiences as an individual and the impact these may have had on you. You do not need to provide us with any additional information to be considered for a contextual offer.

Learn more on the Bristol, UWE website

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.

Data from:
This course
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

42% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

85 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

92 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

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

Fee information is to be confirmed. All fees are subject to final approval. Please visit our website for further information.

Like this page