Glasgow School of Art
167 Renfrew Street
Glasgow
G3 6RQ
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Admissions
Email:admissions@gsa.ac.uk
Phone:0141 353 4512
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Communication Design
- BA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 14/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Garnethill Campus
- Awarded by:
- University of Glasgow
Course summary
The BA (Hons) Communication Design programme provides a dynamic, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that fully equips graduates as 21st-century designers, whether in professional studio practice or further academic study.
The curriculum consists of an exciting range of project-based practical and theoretical courses, which vary in length within and across the two academic semesters each year. During stages 1 and 2, particular emphasis is placed upon building a dynamic and inclusive community of learners, along with providing a solid, broad-based platform in research, experimentation and critical thinking ahead of choosing a specialist pathway for Stages 3 and 4. Stage 2 also contains two Bridging Projects that allow students to experience briefs and teaching from within the pathways, which include Photography (including Lens-based practice), Graphic Design and Illustration. In addition to the Bridging Projects, assessment feedback and the regular input of visiting speakers and lecturers from a broad range of Industry practices helps students to build an informed and nuanced understanding of the professional landscape they may enter following graduation.
The programme supports students in developing knowledge and understanding to undertake sophisticated research and visual problem-solving. Students acquire appropriate skills to contribute to the broader international contexts and territories of communication design and the ability to respond sensitively to complex ethical, societal, and environmental challenges.
The programme promotes a culture that recognises collaboration, interdisciplinary peer learning, and independence as essential elements in the effective practice of Communication Design. The research, scholarly activity, and professional practice of staff directly inform the contemporary relevance of the programme.
Within the programme, Studio courses provide a series of incremental project-based experiences with opportunities to reflect upon learning as it develops towards building a critical practice. Design History and Theory courses explore critical and contextual perspectives, and courses shared with other programmes, including Co-Lab and Design Domain, foster expanded perspectives by connecting broader domains of learning and knowledge. Opportunities for student international exchanges, collaborative learning, industry projects, and careers and enterprise experiences help support how students develop graduate skills and attributes.
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
- EU has vacancies
- Wales has vacancies
- England has vacancies
- International has vacancies
- Scotland does not have vacancies
- Northern Ireland has vacancies
- Republic of Ireland has vacancies
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:
- W213
- Institution code:
- G43
- Campus name:
- Garnethill Campus
- Campus Code:
- A
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
We accept a range of qualifications and many of our entrants come with advanced entry – meaning they begin their studies in second or third year. For more information please visit https://www.gsa.ac.uk/study-at-the-gsa/advanced-entry
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
A level - ABB
A Levels ABB
Scottish Higher - ABBB
SQA Highers with grades ABBB and above
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDM
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points
International Baccalaureate Diploma award with a minimum of 30 points (18 points at Higher Level);
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2
Completion of Irish Leaving Certificate with Four Highers at H2 or above
Scottish HNC - Pass
SQA Higher National Certificate
Scottish HND - Pass
SQA Higher National Diploma
HNC (BTEC) - M
Level 4 Diploma with Merit or above
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Scottish Higher - BBCC
The GSA is committed to working to widen access, including fair admissions for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. The minimum entry requirements of 4 Highers at BBCC will apply to applicants from Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 20/40 postcodes, as well as applicants who are care experienced, estranged from their parents or legal guardians, have caring responsibilities, are a refugee or currently receive free school meals
Additional entry requirements
- Portfolio
- Clearing applications will require the submission of a 15 page PDF Digital Portfolio. Please DO NOT apply directly via UCAS without being invited to do so. Clearing applications must be made directly to GSA via their wesbite - www.gsa.ac.uk/clearing
- Other
- Clearing applications MUST be made directly via www.gsa.ac.uk/clearing. Please do not apply via UCAS without being invited to do so.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS for UKVI (Academic) or IELTS (Academic) test taken at a UKVI approved test centre. Applicants must achieve 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Pearson PTE Academic UKVI or Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic. Applicants must achieve 59 overall, with a minimum of 59 in each subtest. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 73 | TOEFL (IBT) or TOEFL IBT at home. Applicants must achieve 73+ overall, with the following minimum scores in each component: Listening-17; Reading-18; Speaking-20; Writing-18. |
| Institution's Own Test | Applicants who complete GSA’s Pre-Sessional English for Creative Disciplines course will satisfy language conditions - https://www.gsa.ac.uk/undergraduate-degrees/english-for-creative-disciplines |
Applicants who require a Student Visa, and who are not a national of, nor have obtained a degree in one of the countries on the approved UKVI exemption list, will need to provide evidence of their English language ability through the use of a standardised test.
All test results must be dated within 2 years of your programme start date.
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 and 9 other creative arts and design courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- A*A*A*
- Highest grades
- CCC
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
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
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £24350 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| International | £24350 | 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.
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