BA (Hons) Graphic Design · Coventry UniversityBachelor's degree · 3 years
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Coventry University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Graphic Design Bachelor's degree at Coventry University

BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Coventry University. You'll develop visual thinking alongside technical proficiency, moving beyond aesthetic choices to understand the cultural, ethical and strategic dimensions of your work.

BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

The future graphic designer needs to be visionary, informed, responsible and technically adaptable. Coventry University’s Graphic Design BA (Hons) course challenges and guides you to become just that. From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Graphic Design is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Coventry University, based in Coventry Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Design studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 55% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Art & Design, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

8.9
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional93

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90

Limited evidence Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent85

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year one 4 modules
  • DesignerCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Design isn't decoration, it's a series of choices, and every applied creative decision brings with it meaning. How do historical, contemporary and emerging design approaches inform what we do? Through disruptive idea generation and by considering informed creative options, explore how history and currency can be mobilised to enable your personal design approach. The module explores the history of the discipline, encourages appreciation of contemporary contexts, fosters the ability to relate pract

  • UserCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Designing for people means understanding people, the receivers of our work. Who are they? How will they engage with the things we make? How do we tailor work to give audiences the best user experience? Working within real-world contexts, you will learn that creativity thrives on constraints and that innovation is about nuance. Simple but not easy, ready for a challenge?

  • Co-CreatorCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    What drives great design? Curiosity, conviction and a deep understanding of its impact. Build on these foundations by discussing and exchanging feedback on your work and that of other students, which should also help you enhance your communication skills and design abilities. This is where your creative identity begins to take shape, where you start to uncover what truly motivates you.

  • MakerCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Your discipline is one of making, whether through traditional analogue methods or modern digital techniques. In this module, you will explore and apply specialist tools that bring design to life in the pursuit of deeper and more immersive audience experiences. Combine your ideas and practical skills to create a design that capitalises on the best of both.

Year two 4 modules
  • Design Activism: Start a RevolutionCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Design isn't neutral; it has the power to inspire change. Harness visual communication as a tool for activism, crafting compelling narratives that spark awareness and action. From digital campaigns to physical interventions, explore how design moves people: strategically, ethically and powerfully. Because the right message, in the right place, can change everything. This module offers a specialist framing of intellectual debate within the global and contextual state of the discipline.

  • Design Strategy: Transform with InsightCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Branding is more than aesthetics, it is strategy made visible. Navigate a fast-paced, professional environment, collaborating with clients and peers to craft industry-standard brand identities that drive recognition and achieve real-world goals. Explore how insight shapes identity, learning to translate business strategy into compelling visuals that don't just represent brands, they transform their future.

  • Design Experience: Lead with EmpathyCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Good design doesn't just look great, it feels effortless. This module is all about understanding people: their needs, behaviours and motivations. Explore UI/UX principles to craft intuitive, problem-solving experiences. Through benchmarking and prototyping, develop human-centred design solutions. Because the best design isn't noticed: it's experienced.

  • Design Systems: Build a WorldCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Great design is a balance of detail and big picture, diversity and unity, creative chaos and order. In this module, you'll construct a visual system where every component must stand alone yet function within a greater structure. Balancing aesthetic finesse with technical rigour, you'll approach design as both an expressive and functional tool, mastering visual and conceptual coherence as the backbone of graphic design.

Placement year 2 modules
  • UK Work PlacementOptional
    Module details

    This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  • International Study/Work PlacementOptional
    Module details

    This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Final year 4 modules
  • Design Position: Take a StanceCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Take stock of your design journey and set the coordinates for your future. In this module, you'll reflect on the role of graphic design, the impact you want to make, and what a fulfilling career means to you. Position yourself within the industry and express your critical design philosophy through a self-affirming outcome that embodies your unique long-term aspirations.

  • Design Innovation: Create DangerouslyCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    This is your moment to own your expertise. In this module, you'll create a standout signature piece, whether it's a commercially viable design that showcases your entrepreneurial mindset or a bold response to a global competition brief. Push boundaries, refine your craft, and make your mark. Whatever you create, let it be unmistakably yours.

  • Design Agency: Together as OneCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Great design doesn't happen in isolation. This module immerses you in a collaborative studio environment where co-design is key. Working towards a shared goal, you'll navigate teamwork, harness individual strengths and contribute to a collective vision. Through real-world studio dynamics, you'll develop the essential skills of adaptability, communication and creative synergy because the best ideas are built together.

  • Design Identity: Own your FutureCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Your work speaks for itself, now make sure it's saying the right things. In this module, you'll curate a self-promotional toolkit that reflects your skills, values and expertise with clarity and confidence. From personal branding to strategic pitching, you'll craft employability assets that make you stand out, whether you're landing your dream job, attracting the right clients, or carving your path in the industry.

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

The course equips you to become a visionary, informed and technically adaptable graphic designer. You'll usually begin with foundational modules in visual language, colour, composition and form, alongside workshops in materials, processes and print and digital techniques. Contextual studies ground your practice in art and design history. In Year 2, you'll develop sustained studio work with a growing personal direction, explore digital and emerging media, and respond to live briefs with real-world deadlines. In your final year, you'll pursue specialist studio pathways in areas such as graphic design, illustration, fine art, fashion and textiles, or UX and digital design. This culminates in a major self-directed project, professional practice preparation, and public exhibition through a degree show.

Who it's for

You're drawn to visual communication and want to understand how design shapes meaning, persuasion and social responsibility. You possess strong observation skills, enjoy experimenting with form and medium, and think critically about the world around you. You'll thrive if you're self-directed, pursuing independent research, refining ideas iteratively, and building a body of work that reflects your distinctive voice. This course suits those aiming for professional design practice or further specialisation in the field.

Careers & job market

Across Art and Design courses nationally, 87% of graduates were in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree. Of those in work, 55% entered highly skilled positions or pursued further study. Starting salaries typically ranged from £22,000 to £27,000 (15 months after graduation); after five years, the earnings range was £20,825 to £29,400. These figures reflect national patterns rather than guarantees for individual graduates. Career paths vary widely, graphic designers work as freelancers, in studios, in-house for brands, or in hybrid roles spanning design, strategy and digital media.

University & format

The BA (Hons) Graphic Design is studied full-time over 3 years at Coventry University, a university located in Coventry. Teaching and learning take place in English. The degree is a nationally recognised qualification awarded by a recognised UK degree-awarding body. The university holds a Gold award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
98%
Learning opportunities
91%
Assessment and feedback
94%
Academic Support
93%
Organisation and management
89%
Learning resources
94%
Student voice
95%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

PlacementPublished placement option

Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysBook an Open Day

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent85% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 96 - 111 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Coventry University's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent85%
another higher-education qualification10%
No / unknown prior qualifications5%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*A-level equivalent admitted students held
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Coventry University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£20,800 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at Coventry University →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Coventry University funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.

We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.

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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Art & Design graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£24,000£21,000 – £28,00025
3 years after£22,000£17,000 – £26,500295
5 years after£27,500£22,500 – £34,000295

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

90%
in work or further study 15 months on
55%
in highly skilled work or study
85%
continue past their first year
75%
find their work meaningful
100%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in art & design · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Art & Design nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,000
£22,000 – £27,000
After 3 years LEO
£22,000
£17,000 – £24,000
After 5 years LEO
£27,500
£20,825 – £29,400
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £16,000 – £30,500

National figures for Art & Design graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

90 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

85% working10% working and studying0% in further study55% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Art & Design courses at the same study level.

This course £27,500Peer median £24,500Middle 50% £22,125–£26,500
81st percentile

Compared with 1,698 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Web and Multimedia Design ProfessionalsSOC 2020 214 · 45% of published destinations · ASHE median £32,574
  • Skilled trades occupationsSOC 2020 5 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,241
  • Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
  • Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
  • Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Art & Design graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

87%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Art & Design courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Art & Design graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Design studios & agencies
  • In-house brand teams
  • Games & media companies
  • Freelance & self-employed

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £24,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 93.4% · in work or study 90% · continued 85%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Coventry University

All students29,505
International45.1%
Aged 25+30.6%

Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK

Students178,755
Aged 25+15.7%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Coventry Campus

2,964 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 1206Shoplifting 367Public Order 204Criminal Damage Arson 199Other Theft 190

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Art & Design right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Coventry University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £20,800 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Coventry University’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Coventry University and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 160 - 175 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by Coventry University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Design studies graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 55% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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