Graphic Design BA (Hons) (with Foundation Year)
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UCAS Code: W221|Duration: 4 years|Full Time|Creative Campus
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
This new and vibrant course has its roots in traditional Graphic Design and an eye for future developments in the Creative Industries. Much of our teaching involves problem-based ‘in-studio’ learning, where we introduce themes, issues, and contextual information using lectures and briefing sessions. This degree makes graduates industry ready by investigating the divide between education attainment and professional expectations.
Through our close ties to Adobe, we have privileged information about graphic design trends, and future software releases, which ensures our degree programme remains relevant. As part of your studies you will have the opportunity to become an Adobe Certified Professional.
At Liverpool Hope you will become part of a vibrant creative community. We know all students by name. You will have inspiring and supportive relationships with your tutors. They will develop your creative thinking and help you to understand the journey towards being an effective graphic designer.
Staff are world-leading researchers and professional designers with impressive publication and exhibition records. We can draw on this experience, and our professional networks, to help you in your studies and beyond.
The majority of our graduates go on to work in studios, while others take the freelance route, with a view to opening their own business. Not all graduates move into industry, our degree programme is also an ideal stepping stone to teaching or further study.
Liverpool is known across the world for it culture and humour. Students at Liverpool Hope will have the opportunity to engage with Tate Liverpool, Everyman & Playhouse Theatres, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, The Bluecoat contemporary arts centre and more.
The Creative Campus is only a few minutes’ walk from the centre of one the most exciting cities in the world.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups of around 15-20 students, and tutorials which may have no more than 10 students. You also have the opportunity to have a one-to-one meeting with your tutor each week.
In your first year of study, there are approximately 13 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 12 teaching hours in your second year and approximately 10 teaching hours in your third year.
On top of teaching hours, you are also expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as studying in groups to prepare for any group assessments you may have.
Assessment and feedback
Throughout your three years of study, you will have a number of assessments, including written exams, practical exams, portfolios, journals and coursework.
You will be given written feedback on your assessments, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor in more detail.
Foundation Year
The Foundation Year is a great opportunity if you have the ability and enthusiasm to study for a degree, but do not yet have the qualifications required to enter directly onto our degree programmes. A significant part of the Foundation Year focuses upon core skills such as academic writing at HE level, becoming an independent learner, structuring academic work, critical thinking, time management and note taking.
Successful completion of the Foundation Year will enable you to progress into the first year (Level C) of your chosen honours degree. Further details can be found here.
Year One
Foundations in Graphic Design
You will be introduced to the scope of contemporary graphic design. Through a series of practical studio projects you will have the opportunity to explore the relationship between word, image, colour, layout, composition, and meaning. This thematic block called, Introduction to the Principles of Graphic Design, is supported and informed by three other blocks, Digital Literacies for Graphic Design, Graphic Design Histories and Contexts, and Design Fundamentals.
Digital Literacies for Graphic Design will provide you with a variety of learning opportunities to develop and consolidate professional level awareness of the current and emerging digital technologies used in the Creative Industries.
Graphic Design Histories and Contexts is a series of lectures and seminars, which introduces key themes and issues in art, design and socio-economic history. Design Fundamentals, is delivered through a series on workshops based on practical skills such as, Drawing For Graphic Design, Applied Colour Theory, Introduction to Printmaking, and an Introduction to Photography.
Year Two
Explorations in Graphic Design
In your second year you will use the technical and theoretical tools you have acquired to begin problem solving in a range of contexts, including live briefs. The practical studio work is directly supported by the Applied Software and Production, and Theoretical Studies for Graphic Design elements.
The Applied Typography and Visual Language element focuses on the core principles of typography, layout and meaning. You will be able to make theoretical and conceptual connections between studio work and the Theoretical Studies for Graphic Design, which includes lectures and seminars on Typography and Layout, and Branding and Re-branding.
The Applied Software and Production element consolidates you knowledge and skills in Adobe Illustrator in readiness for the Adobe Certified Professional exam. In addition you will learn about graphic design production processes.
Year Two introduces the Professional Practice element. This challenges students to investigate and build pathways to employment, self-employment, or further study. The element begins with a survey of job prospects in the Creative Industries. It also introduces students to Liverpool Hope University’s e-Learning Hub, where micro-courses on employability, career planning, and interview techniques are highlighted.
Year Three
Advanced Studies in Graphic Design
You will consolidate your robust understanding of the theoretical and practical principles of Graphic Design by creating a distinct body of work, which can be used as a graphic design portfolio that is aligned to your individual interests and career ambitions. These projects can be a mix of, live projects, competition briefs, self-initiated design, and further explorations of the Adobe Certified Professional curricula.
The final year will allow you to further enhance your career planning through deeper explorations of Professional Practice. In which students are encouraged to develop a guide for career progression after they leave Liverpool Hope University.
In the Art Direction element, students utilise methods for interpreting and evaluating contemporary graphic design practice. Lectures and seminars deepen explorations into how meaning is generated, being both a product of designed intention and the perception of audiences. The Art Direction lecture series also includes the presentation of Art Directors portfolios, case-studies of graphic design, and allied creative industry projects. The graphic design research block provides you with the opportunity to tailor your own particular interests aligned with your career ambitions.
Entry requirements
There may be some flexibility for mature students offering non-tariff qualifications and students meeting particular widening participation criteria.
Careers
Graphic Design offers graduates a diverse range of career pathways including design for print, user interface design, motion graphics, illustration and editorial.
The degree will enable you to consider a range of career options and equip you with the skills needed to work in the wider creative industries. Opportunities for further study and postgraduate research are provided, including PGCE and taught Masters programmes.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
In your second year, you have the option to go on a work placement to experience graphic design in the real world. The work placement will greatly enhance your learning experience and employability opportunities once you graduate.
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are £9,535* for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,535*.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
*subject to Council approval.
Additional costs
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at university. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2025/26 are £14,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
With Foundation year, this degree is only available to study as a Single Honours course.