Graphic Design with Integrated Foundation Year BA (Hons)

This is a four-year version of our popular BA (Hons) Graphic Design course, with an integrated foundation year. Excel as a creative visual thinker. Impress with your abilities to communicate with audiences. Become a highly professional presence in the world of graphic design.

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Overview

Our passionate and highly experienced staff understand how to nuture talent and are dedicated to building your confidence, knowledge and design skills that will help you to succeed within the creative industries. We have fantastic facilities, award-winning students and alumni, and a focus on employability and cutting-edge professional skills.

The Graphic Design team combine teaching with professional practice in a variety of fields including: graphic design, branding, illustration, exhibition and experience design, editorial, print, web and mobile interface, packaging, 3D (digital/physical/Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR)), animation and motion graphics. Each bring their industry insights and experience directly into teaching and, when coupled with influential guest speakers, enriches your student experience and ensures that the course meets the needs of an exciting and dynamic industry.

Why us?

Our Design courses are award-winning - our most recent successes include 'The Best In Show' award at Design and Art Direction, a Global Association for Creative Advertising and Design; seven nominations for the Creative Conscience Awards and the Adobe Students Creative Awards
Internationally acclaimed guest speakers from across the design world, such as Andy Altmann (Why Not Associates) and Andy Sandoz, an Honorary graduate and former president of the internationally influential Design and Art Direction. More guest speakers can be found on our page

Access to outstanding facilities including FabLab Sunderland, which is part of a global network of digital fabrication spaces; glass/ceramic expertise and a water-jet cutter at the National Glass Centre; a rare and comprehensive traditional print studio; and extensive pre-production, process, finishing equipment and technical support

Our student work

Join our creative community: @SunderlandCreative #WeAreCreative

Course structure

In the first year – the foundation year – you will study five modules; a module about the foundations of art, design, performance and media production, an essential study skills module, a foundation project module, practical numeracy skills, and an introduction to creative practice module. After completion of this foundation year, you will then move onto the Graphic Design honours degree course.

Teaching methods include, lectures, seminars, group work and e-learning. We encourage you to develop independent study skills. You will also have opportunities to present ideas to other students and develop concepts within groups. Teaching takes advantage of the University’s specialist computer laboratories.

View more student work in our student galleries.

Foundation Year

The Creative Industries: Arts, Design, Performance, Media Production Integrated Foundation Year includes five modules:

Foundations of Art, Design, Performance and Media Production (40 credits)
Essential Study Skills (20 credits)
Foundation Project (20 credits)
Practical Numeracy Skills (20 credits)
Introduction to Creative Practice (20 credits)

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

Design Theory 1 (20 credits)

Join with students from other design courses to explore the most significant movements, theories and practitioners that have shaped design thinking and approaches over the years.

Introduction to Visual Communication (60 credits)

Take an introductory look at broad design principles, visual hierarchies, typography, software, layout and grid systems, colour theory and presentation. Apply these through hands-on creative projects.

Visual Communication and Design Principles (20 credits)

Explore visual graphic language through a schedule of exercises and design methodology aimed at encouraging an understanding of the technical and creative processes involved in graphic design.

Motion Graphics 1 (20 credits)

Look at approaches and techniques appropriate to the creation of moving graphics. Explore the theory and practice of designing, planning, editing and creating time-based, or 'motion' graphics through taught workshops.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Design Theory 2 (20 credits)

Continue to study the principles of design alongside students from other design courses.

Beyond Desktop Publishing (20 credits)

Get a basic introduction to the historical, theoretical and fundamental principles of typography and design. Follow this up with in depth practical research on typography, image creation and advanced layout techniques using new technology and traditional processes.

Contemporary Graphic Communication (40 credits)

Learn how to deal with a range of contemporary subjects and themes where outcomes provoke opportunities for the audiences themselves to share in the act of communication, test design boundaries and explore creative concept, ethics and technique.

Motion Graphics 2 (20 credits)

Build upon knowledge gained from the stage one module and continue to explore the creative and visual possibilities of motion graphics.

Optional modules (choose one):

Integrated Creativity (20 credits)

Understand how the changing environment in which design, as part of a culture, responds to its role as communicator. Consider various contexts and scenarios in pursuit of originality and creative solutions.

Computer Illustration (20 credits)

Look at the commercial application of pixel/bitmapped illustration, scalable vectors, technical illustration, digital airbrushing, photo-realistic 3D, and books.

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules:

Design Research Project (20 credits)

Research and write about a design area that is relevant to your intended career path.

Graphic Design and Professional Practice (40 credits)

Explore specific aspects of graphic design and choose a range of projects according to your own personal interests or portfolio/career needs. Demonstrate a wide range of independent research, creative and technical skills and create high quality work, which you can include in a formal portfolio.

Design – Final Major Project (60 credits)

Produce a project that will be the centrepiece of your showcase to future employers, demonstrating your fresh and creative approach to your discipline. Develop new and specific skills, explore creative direction and be immersed in the exploration of broad, deep, enquiring and focused communication.

More about BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Integrated Foundation Year at Sunderland

Discover more articles

The University provides generous studio spaces, well-equipped workshops and excellent facilities for design students

Digital suites: our digital design suites are equipped with Apple Macs, PCs, HTC VIVE VR and Wacom Cintiqs with Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium.

Software: ZBrush, Unity 3D, Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D, Dreamweaver and Adobe Creative Suites. Our specialist technical staff, including qualified Adobe and Maya Certified Instructors, offer back-up and help in making the most of the software.

Extensive pre-production, process, finishing equipment: from 3D design and printing, bookbinding, vinyl and large format printing, animation and VR, as well as laser-cutting and wood and metal workshops.

Technical support: Along with our software specialist, we have a team of experienced technicians - specialists in their fields who are on hand to support you to realise your vision.
Design facilities
FabLab Sunderland offers a diverse range of specialist digital design and fabrication equipment. Based at the Hope Street Xchange in Sunderland city centre, it is a creative space where anyone can make (almost) anything. Our students gain free access to FabLab's machines which include:
- Epilog laser cutter
- ShopBot CNC router
- The Roland Modela MDX-20 milling machine
- Roland Vinyl cutter GS-24
- Dimension 1200es Series 3D Printer – ABS plastic (large capacity 3D printer)
- Ultimaker 2 (small scale 3D printer)
- Ulitmaker 2 Extended (medium scale 3D printer)
FabLab
The library is your gateway to information resources and services both on and off campus, all through a single search box. We have digital resources and support tailored for your course including access to The Secure Collection made up of rare art books, artist books and special editions; exhibition catalogues from many major galleries; and a huge range of design and production software. See the art and design key resources for more information.

Access 1400 study places, including quiet and silent zones, 300+ PCs, group work hubs, online module reading lists and study skills support, all in our quality learning environments. You’ll have full use of two libraries, both with extensive opening hours. And ‘Live Chat’ enables you to access library support and help, from anywhere, 24/7.

We’re much more than a library, the University Library and Study Skills team are on hand to guide you throughout your studies on and off campus from embedded skills sessions, digital skills support to one-to-one and drop-in advice on research and academic skills.
Library Services - arts and design
The Department of Glass and Ceramics is based in the National Glass Centre, a nationally recognised glass production and exhibition centre with world-class production facilities and a programme of international exhibitions and creative projects.

Studying here puts you at the heart of an international network of professionals in the glass and ceramics sector. You will be exposed to the most modern techniques in glass and ceramics art, with access to world-class production facilities. Through the Centre’s visiting artists and designers programme, you will have the opportunity to learn from internationally renowned, high-profile artists currently working in the glass and ceramics field. You will also be given access to and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge contemporary exhibitions to help launch your career. National Glass Centre is also home to the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, which has a long history of showing cutting edge contemporary art.
National Glass Centre
Map and directions

Facilities

See our Virtual Tour for a 360 view of our facilities.

Entry requirements

The Integrated Foundation Year is specially designed to support you where you have just missed the grades required for direct entry onto a three-year degree, or if you have relevant work experience and are now looking to broaden your subject knowledge but want more time to develop study skills before starting your degree.

Entry requirements are provided for guidance only and we may offer you an entrance interview which will help us determine your eligibility for your chosen degree. This enables us to consider making you an offer if you are perhaps a mature student who has been out of education for a period of time, or you have gained significant knowledge and skills through employment rather than traditional education.

Eligible entry qualifications:

1. Normally a minimum of three Level 2 qualifications (NVQ, GCSE or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade C or above** and a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A or AS Levels, BTEC certificates/diplomas, access courses or equivalent)
OR
2. Demonstrable evidence of appropriate knowledge and skills acquired from at least three years of post-school work experience.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator.

If you are unsure of whether you think you might be suitable for the course, please contact us!

** If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. Equivalent alternative qualifications are also accepted, such as Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have not achieved a grade C in Maths and English we may be able to work with you to ensure that you are able to gain these in the first year of the course, depending on your experience.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

For more information about our Integrated Foundation Year courses please see our Help and Advice articles.

Fees and finance

The annual fee for this course is £9,250 but you will receive £3,000 cashback in Year 1 of the full undergraduate course.

In addition, you may receive free travel across the Tyne and Wear region and a University of Sunderland StudyPLUS Card loaded with additional offers up to the value of £200, plus a bundle of study skills books worth £80.

If you are a full-time UK student you may be eligible to receive financial support to cover your fee and maintenance loan for the full four years.

Please note, this course is not available to international students.

If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

Use our scholarships calculator to see what you may be entitled to.

Scholarships calculator

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Throughout the course we support you to launch your design career. You will develop a creative and industry-ready portfolio, access work placements, attend employability days and put your designs on show to the public.

On modules such as ‘Graphic Design and Professional Practice', you will also receive valuable advice on a variety of work-related topics. These range from costing and business plans to going freelance, self-promotion, self-employment, enterprise, careers, networking and copyright issues.

You will also develop a Professional Engagement Document. This highlights all your self-development activities and engagement with industry, as well as other factors that give you an edge compared to other graduates.

Career options

Our graduates have gone on to work all over the globe in graphic design, editorial, infographics, motion graphics, advertising, web, packaging, experience and interactive design. Our graduates boast employment at Everything Different, Ordinance Survey, MTV, Sitel Group, Newcastle Football Club, Sports Direct, Initials Marketing, Cravens, Blumilk, Frontier (games) and SEGA. Most work in the creative industries of publishing, design consultancies and advertising design, while others prefer self-employment.

This creative degree can also open doors into many other careers, such as teaching, or further study to Masters or Doctorate level.

Real-world experience

We encourage you to participate in competitions and award schemes including those run by the Design and Art Directors Association (of which we are a corporate member). Such competitions are part of building up a compelling creative portfolio.

In your final year you'll display your work at our annual Degree Show, attended by industry experts and potential employers. You may also have the opportunity to take your work to London.

In addition, our academic team organises visits to arts venues across the UK and in cities such as Edinburgh, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris and New York. Our London campus hosts a visit each year, providing access to the varied museums and galleries and opportunities to visit studios such as JRK Global, Anyways and Ogilvy.

Employability days and guest speakers

We hold specific ‘employability days’ to help give our students that essential cutting edge. We invite graduates and employers to come into the University in order to look at student portfolios and give advice.

Through our links with industry, we also attract professionals in graphic design to come in and give talks throughout the year. These help you gain valuable insights and contacts in the world of work. Our creative spaces and conferences attract acclaimed guest speakers from across the design world, such as Andy Altmann (Why Not Associates) and Andy Sandoz, an Honorary graduate and former president of the internationally influential Design and Art Direction. To find out more about our guest speakers visit Creative Lives.

Creative Industries Week

Creative Industries Week gives everyone in Arts and Creative the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits and career events. This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working, broadens your experience, to build your confidence and help develop your career path.

Meet the students

The support, facilities and taught subjects are all world class.

Bex Ross
My course allowed me to experiment, push new ideas and learn new, innovative techniques.

Brendan Carr

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries.

Page last updated: 30 April 2020

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Graphic Design with Integrated Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Overview

Why us?

Our student work

Join our creative community: @SunderlandCreative #WeAreCreative

Course structure

Foundation Year

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Optional modules (choose one):

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules:

More about BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Integrated Foundation Year at Sunderland

Art and Design Degree Shows

Dr Manny Ling: How to get the most out of your Design degree

Shauna Hambley: Tips for beginning your Graphic Design career

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Career options

Real-world experience

Employability days and guest speakers

Creative Industries Week

Meet the students

Bex Ross

Brendan Carr

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Sign up to receive more information