Graphic Design
Graphic Design
4 years (with placement year and/or overseas study)
BA (Hons) Graphic Design offers a hands-on, ideas-focussed experience where you'll learn various approaches to visual communication, using both traditional and new technologies in workshops and projects.
The graphic design discipline has grown to include branding, motion graphics, user experience (UX), user interface (UI), and digital design, all rooted in creative problem-solving. Our curriculum encourages you to explore freely without being tied to specific software and will develop your understanding of how to design for different platforms and formats.
In a world influenced by AI, it's vital for students to understand communication theory. They need to know how to convey messages effectively and identify their target audience and not rely on the technology to provide the answers for them. By placing these concepts at the core of our curriculum and discussing emerging technologies, we equip you with the adaptable skills needed for your future career.
We promote an experimental and innovative approach to graphic design. We encourage imaginative thinking, urging you to challenge norms and take risks. You'll also engage with the industry through guest speakers, workshops, studio visits, and live projects, working with our extensive network of external partners. Our graduates leave as creative and distinctive designers, often finding roles at top agencies and studios around the world.
Special Features
- Globally recognised: We are ranked in the top 100 schools for art and design in the world (QS World Rankings 2024).
- Live projects: There will be regular live projects with industry partners throughout the course, where you can gain professional skills. Recent partners have included the Natural History Museum, typeface design studio Dalton Maag, magazine publisher It's Freezing in LA!, and streaming platform MUBI.
- Work placement: The course offers a work placement opportunity between years two and three.
- Collaboration: You will take part in an innovative module offered to students across Manchester School of Art which encourages interdisciplinary study, collaboration and external-facing projects.
- Design competitions: Students' successes include awards in regional, national and international arenas including D&AD Global Students Awards, ISTD, Royal Society of Arts, Creative Conscience and the Global Spin Awards.
- Study trips: You may have the opportunity to undertake study trips to key design cities. Recent trips have included Berlin, Copenhagen and New York, and Venice Architecture Biennale and Milan Design Week.
- Studio visits: You may the option to attend studio visits in Manchester and London across a range of graphic design practices.
- Mentoring scheme: Students are given an opportunity to be matched with an industry mentor to meet several times a year to give advice and guidance on how to develop skills and knowledge for entering the workplace.
Course Content
The course provides you with lateral thinking skills and a curiosity to solve visual problems in unexpected and creative ways. You will be encourage to take calculated risks throughout your studies and produce contemporary and relevant design that embraces imaginative thinking.
The programme promotes external engagement with professional industry connections and partnerships. This is achieved through live projects with national and international design studios, visits to graphic design studios and agencies in Manchester and London, networking events, portfolio reviews, and alumni talks, which have led to placements and internships after studies.
At Manchester School of Art, our design courses are taught in vibrant, open studio spaces alive with energy and creativity. These dynamic environments foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, encouraging students to engage, experiment, and learn from one another within a culture of shared practice and innovation.
Year 1
In Year 1 you will be introduced to the studio-based culture of the course through a series of design projects encouraging the development of ideas, experimentation with visual language and acquisition of technical skills. This is supported by a contextual programme that places practical elements into a wider cultural, critical and social context.
Storytelling, Sequence and Narrative
Graphic design is about telling stories, whether that be through image making, photography, typography or motion. This module will help you to develop skills in these areas and understand how to depict a sequence of events within a design through both static and time-based approaches to visual communication. You'll be encouraged to engage with the tools and techniques available to disseminate information through a variety of platforms
Year 2
In Year 2 you will study more specific areas of graphic design practice. You will be encouraged to take risks and experiment along with gaining knowledge of professional practice and designing for a specific audience. A programme of workshop projects develops both technical and conceptual skills. Studio content is developed in liaison with industry and offers opportunities for work experience.
Professional Context
This module will develop your understanding of the professional graphic design industry and promotes engagement with external partners to foster a greater appreciation of designing for a specific audience and context, and the considerations and restrictions you may have to work within. This professional learning experience provides you with an insight into working on real world problems with precise specifications such as understanding accessible design. It will help you to foster professional approaches to design and develop transferable skills in teamwork, pitching and presenting, and technical ability.
Year 3
In Year 3 you will develop a professional portfolio that reflects your individual career aspirations. You will have the opportunity to enter national and international competitions, professional assessment schemes and live projects. Your work is supported by a visiting lecture programme that offers a diverse range of perspectives across the whole platform of graphic design practice.
Creative Voice
This module will develop your individual pathway and present you with the opportunity to work on personal and professional graphic design projects that explore real-world problems in a professional context. You'll develop a personal approach to building your exit portfolio that relates to your individual career aspirations and creative skill set. A diverse range of briefs will offer opportunities for you to perfect both the visual realisation and presentation of an idea, building your professional practise.
Assessment Methods
Unit end assessment and coursework.
Assessment Weightings & Contact Hours
10 credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A three year degree qualification typically comprises 360 credits (120 credits per year). The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be—
Study
- Year 1 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study
- Year 2 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study
- Year 3 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study
Assessment
- Year 1 100% coursework
- Year 2 100% coursework
- Year 3 90% coursework; 10% practical
Student Work
Visit our online Degree Show galleries to see examples of student work.
Staff
- Andy Ellison
Programme Leader
— - Will Albin-Clark
Lecturer
— - Fern Baxter
Senior Lecturer
— - Adam Griffiths
Senior Lecturer
— - Graham Jones
Senior Lecturer
— - Katie Jones
Lecturer
— - Sue Platt
Senior Lecturer
— - John Rooney
Senior Lecturer
— - Joanna Roy
Senior Lecturer
— - Lucy Vann
Senior Lecturer
— - James Wrigley
Lecturer
—
Winners of the annual Department of Design student awards announced at the Degree Show.
Set in Motion was a 9 day project involving 90 3rd year students on the BA Graphic Design course.
Graduates
Graduates from the course have gone on to work all over the world as designers in studios, design consultancies and in-house teams for industry. The skills learned allow our students to enter into a wide variety of roles including branding as designers and strategists; in magazine and publication design; as art directors and within creative teams in advertising agencies; and as digital media designers and filmmakers for creative online content.
Destinations include: Two Times Elliott, Wieden+Kennedy, Accept and Proceed, Studio Build, The Designers Republic, Love Creative, The Chase, True North, Bert Agency, Dinosaur, Wired Magazine, Penguin Books, Truth, Code Computer Love, Modern Designers, Hope for Justice, Creative Concern, Liberty, Men's Health Magazine, The Mill, Gyro, Elle Magazine, Condé Nast, BBC, ITV, Hinterland (NY), Mike Perry (NY), Eskimo Creative, Instruct, Saatchi & Saatchi, TBWA and Vogue Magazine.
Making an Application
How to Apply
Apply through UCAS.
We will ask you to provide a Digital Portfolio to support your application.
You will be notified of our decision through UCAS.
Entry Requirements
| UCAS Tariff Points/Grades Required | 104-112. GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered. A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement. AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications. Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course. Learn more about MMU's Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. |
|---|---|
| Specific GCSE Requirements | GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English |
| International Baccalaureate | IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English Points |
International Students
A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no individual element below 5.5 is required.
There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.
Tuition Fees 2026 Entry
The fees for 2026 entry are still to be confirmed.
See Funding your studies for further information and advice.
Additional Costs
Specialist Costs
Optional £100* —A ‘studio toolkit’ of basic design equipment including items such as pens, sketch pads, erasers, scissors and adhesives. Costs ranging from £30 - £100 per year.
Professional Costs
Student membership fees are available across all disciplines. You will be made aware of these however, they are not mandatory.
Other Costs
Study trips
Optional national and/or international study trips, typically during year one and two. These are mostly funded by students.
Costings are sourced from university-approved agents and will vary in-line with the current market and student numbers.
Laptop
Indicative cost PC Laptop: £600 -£1,000 (dependent on screen size) Indicative cost MacBook Pro: £1,500 - £2,200 (dependent on screen size)
Loan laptops and iMac/PC workstations are also available across the campus.
Workshop and Materials
Materials are provided for workshop inductions, further materials used when developing individual student work are available for purchase at cost from workshop stores. Costs are dependent on the specifics of student project ambitions.
Print Costs
You may be required to print work for assessment presentations through years one - three. A range of printing outcomes can be achieved at low cost using Man Met / School of Art printing facilities.
In year three, there could be an approximate additional amount of £100, towards printing cost for the degree show exhibition.
Indicative print / binding costs for the degree show – £100- £200 depending on individual project outcomes.
* All amounts shown are estimates.