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De Montfort University · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Illustration) Bachelor's degree at De Montfort University
BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Illustration) at De Montfort University covers core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills.
BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
80%
continuation
About this course
De Montfort University (DMU), Leicester, UK offers a whole range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research courses. View our courses, book a visit and more From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Illustration) is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at De Montfort University. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Design studies graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,500. (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.
8.2
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent84
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)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent80
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 80% (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 1 4 modules
- Exploration and Ideation for Graphic Design and Illustration
Module details
The module aims to build ideation skills to create innovative solutions to design briefs, through meaningful problem solving. You will gain an appreciation and understanding of design principles. Practical and technical skills will be taught in this module that will give you the tools to deliver your concepts through effective communication. The module intends to encourage creative curiosity, with students able to utilise reflective insight within their solutions.
Assessment: Lecture: 6 hours Tutorial: 42 hours Studio/lab: 42 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
- Applied Idea Development for Graphic Design and Illustration
Module details
Supports the development of ideation skills to create innovative solutions to design and illustration briefs through meaningful problem solving, here students will gain an appreciation and understanding of fundamental design and illustration principles. Practical and technical skills will be taught in this module, that will offer students the tools to explore and present concepts through effective communication. The module intends to encourage creative curiosity, with students able to utilise re
Assessment: Lecture: 6 hours Tutorial: 42 hours Studio/lab: 42 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
- Visual Communication for Graphic Design and Illustration
Module details
This module introduces the fundamental principles to understand and apply semiotics in a graphic design and illustration context, designed to enhance students' visual communication skills. Students will explore the relationships between product, service, client and audience to ensure their creative outcomes successfully resonate with all stakeholders. Practical and technical skills are also taught in this module to support the communication of final propositions and design concepts. Creative bri
Assessment: Lecture: 6 hours Tutorial: 42 hours Studio/lab: 42 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
- Creative Resolution for Graphic Design and Illustration
Module details
Explores the principles of successful visual communication to an audience, developing students' understanding of refinement and finesse within a client-designer context, exploring the resolution of the design process and reflecting on the requirements of the brief. Students will analyse design and illustration solutions in a professional practice context and evaluate strategic decision making and the success of projects. Through analysis and reflection, students will be able to evaluate necessar
Assessment: Lecture: 6 hours Tutorial: 42 hours Studio/lab: 42 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
Year 2 4 modules
- Design Process for Graphic Design and Illustration
Module details
Develops a design process to create innovative solutions to design and illustration briefs, through meaningful problem solving. Students will develop an appreciation and understanding of design and illustration principles. Practical and technical skills will be taught in this module that will give students the tools to deliver their concepts through effective communication. The module intends to encourage creative curiosity, with students able to develop and utilise reflective insight within the
Assessment: Lecture: 6 hours Tutorial: 42 hours Studio/lab: 42 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
- Design Process Progression for Graphic Design and Illustration
Module details
The module utilises design and illustration process skills for students to experiment with themes and creative solutions, and students will continue to develop an appreciation and understanding of design and illustration principles. Practical and technical skills will be taught in this module that will give students the tools to deliver their concepts through effective communication. The module develops a theoretical understanding allowing students to then develop their creative curiosity and la
Assessment: Lecture: 6 hours Tutorial: 42 hours Studio/lab: 42 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
- Design Communication for Graphic Design and Illustration
Module details
The module utilises design and illustration process skills for students to experiment with themes and creative solutions, and students will continue to develop an appreciation and understanding of design and illustration principles. Practical and technical skills will be taught in this module that will give students the tools to deliver their concepts through effective communication. The module develops a theoretical understanding allowing students to then develop their creative curiosity and la
Assessment: Lecture: 6 hours Tutorial: 42 hours Studio/lab: 42 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
- Personal Practice for Graphic Design and Illustration
Module details
In this module students will define their practice and as professional graphic designer or illustrator, or for design entrepreneurial activity. Students will research and understand relevant areas of creative practice. Students will also evaluate and question their creative strengths and direction. To do this, students will design and present a portfolio of their project work along which defines their practice and expresses their creative position.
Assessment: Tutorial: 45 hours Studio/lab: 45 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
Year 3 3 modules
- Independent Practice
Module details
This project-based module is the principle means for students to test, apply and articulate the concepts and theories learned at levels 4 and 5 and to develop their personal creativity to a mature level. Essentially studio-based with minimal formal taught content, it provides the opportunity to explore and develop individual creative pathways under close tutor supervision. Students are responsible for selecting and organising the content of their study programme according to their individual int
Assessment: Tutorial: 45 hours Studio/lab: 45 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
- Independent Practice 2
Module details
The module utilises students' ideations skills to experiment with themes and creative solutions developed in the first block. This project-based module is the principle means for students to test, apply and articulate the concepts and theories learned at levels 1 and 2 and to develop their personal creativity to a mature level. Essentially studio-based with minimal formal taught content, it provides the opportunity to explore and develop individual creative pathways under close tutor supervision
Assessment: Tutorial: 45 hours Studio/lab: 45 hours Self-directed study: 110 hours Assessment: 100 hours
- Professional Practice
Module details
This module introduces students to the advanced knowledge and skills needed to understand graphic design and illustration professional practice including knowledge of the commercial aspects of design practice. Students will work on live and external briefs, which will involve research directly linked to generating appropriate ideas for the practical design work and the preparation of the final portfolio with support materials, to be assessed at the end of the module. The module introduces the pr
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
You'll develop visual literacy and design thinking from your first term. A typical Art & Design degree moves from foundational colour, composition and form through workshops in print, textiles and digital fabrication, supported by contextual studies in design history. In Year 2, you'll undertake sustained studio practice, exploring digital media and working on live briefs with real clients and competition deadlines. By Year 3, you'll specialise in a focused pathway, such as graphic design, illustration, fine art, fashion and textiles, or UX and digital, leading to a self-directed final major project exhibited at a degree show. Throughout, you'll develop a professional portfolio and learn industry-relevant practice.
Who it's for
This course suits those interested in graphic design and illustration. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among accepted students was 144–159 points. De Montfort has around 29,000 students across all programmes.
Careers & job market
Across Art & Design courses nationally, 87% of graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 55% were in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries (at 15 months) of £22,000–£27,000, rising to £20,825–£29,400 after five years.
University & format
This is a 3-year full-time BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Illustration) degree taught in English at De Montfort University, a public university in Leicester, UK. The degree is awarded by a nationally recognised UK degree-awarding body and holds a Bronze award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework 2023. Entry typically requires A-levels or equivalent, with most successful applicants holding a UCAS tariff of 144–159 points.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
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
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entryBBC typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
PlacementPublished placement option
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysOpen Days - Book your place
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent100% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 144 - 159 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 De Montfort 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
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
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.
Your UCAS points0
▾
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
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*AAA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeW221quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code W221). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write 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.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results 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 De Montfort 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
Internationalset by the university
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at De Montfort 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
All De Montfort University funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
undergraduate students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →students with household income £50,000 or less
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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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
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £24,500 | £22,000 – £27,000 | 6460 |
| 3 years after | £21,000 | £17,000 – £25,000 | 505 |
| 5 years after | £25,000 | £20,000 – £29,500 | 510 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 6,460. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
80%
continue past their first year
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in art & design · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Art & Design nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,500
£22,000 – £27,000After 3 years LEO
£21,000
£17,000 – £24,000After 5 years LEO
£25,000
£20,825 – £29,400national 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.
80 of 100
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 6,460. Cohort 2021-22. 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 £25,000Peer median £24,500Middle 50% £22,125–£26,500
54th percentile
Compared with 1,698 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
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 Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Design studios & agencies
- In-house brand teams
- Games & media companies
- Freelance & self-employed
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Art & Design graduates.
Fine Art TechnicianFirst Choice StaffPharmacy Technician – Brand New State-of-the-Art HospitalCompass AssociatesArtificial Intelligence Engineering ManagerMBN SolutionsArtificial Intelligence EngineerExperis UKDelivery Driver (Part Time 24 hours) - AndoverOcado LogisticsCompliance Business PartnerNashrock Insurance RecruitmentLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
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
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £24,500. 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 8.2 out of 10: NSS 84.3% · continued 80%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
De Montfort University
All students23,155
International31.8%
Aged 25+27.3%
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 De Montfort University
4,747 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 1557Public Order 619Anti Social Behaviour 570Shoplifting 499Criminal Damage Arson 362
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 De Montfort University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by De Montfort University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 De Montfort 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 De Montfort University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at De Montfort University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 144 - 159 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by De Montfort University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Design studies graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
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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