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University of Leeds · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Art and Design Bachelor's degree at the University of Leeds
BA (Hons) Art and Design at University of Leeds. Art and Design at Leeds equips you to work across visual media, digital platforms and traditional craft, developing both technical skill and conceptual rigour.
BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
continuation
About this course
BA (Hons) Art and Design is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Leeds. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Art graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £23,000. (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.
8.3
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong77
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
Exceptional90
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (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 8 modules
- Process, Making and MeaningCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module introduces you to the processes of research, design thinking, visualisation, experimentation, development and delivery of images, artefacts and objects integral to contemporary art and design practice. You'll explore a selection of 2D, 3D, 4D, craft, industrial and digital making processes. The relevance of processes and making to contemporary art and design practice are discussed and you will reflect on the meaning of creative choices and strategies through visual and written resear
- Design Studies: FoundationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module provides opportunities to develop the foundational skills of scholarly research, academic writing and critical thinking. You'll be immersed in key issues and debates informing the changing values and future of design and consider how these have been influenced by social and historical forces. It will equip you with the skills to read and understand academic texts and apply theoretical ideas to your own design practice. You'll also be introduced to research methods for finding and ana
- Creative Challenges and CommunicationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module involves a range of rapid and team-led design jams as you are taught a variety of design thinking skills that are both broad and discipline-specific. Being able to visually communicate design solutions in a range of formats is fundamental to this module – principles of type choice, layout and image usage are taught.
- Creative ThinkingOptional20 credits
- Introduction to PhotographyOptional20 credits
- Colour Design and ApplicationOptional20 credits
- Drawing beyond itselfOptional20 credits
- Editorial Design: Text, Image, NarrativeOptional20 credits
Year 2 9 modules
- Ideation, Materials and TechnologiesCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module introduces more advanced methods for the research, development and consolidation of ideas in order to arrive at a critical understanding of the relationship between materials, concepts and processes. You'll be introduced to visual research methods appropriate for a more focused engagement with creative practice through an advanced understanding of ideas, material processes and critical appraisal.
- Design Studies: ExplorationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your research and analysis skills and show you how these can be used to tackle the complex challenges faced by society today. You'll learn how to apply a range of different research methods to explore the role design plays in our lives. This module will equip you with an understanding of how you can use visual and contextual research to create positive change in the world and the confidence to put this knowledge into practice.
- Design for Interaction and ExperienceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module teaches skills in planning and designing post digital experiences. Team-based demonstrations introduce you to the potential of emerging technologies that may shape the future of design. You will engage with current media theories that help contextualise your work. Practical principles of designing for physical interaction (such as designing installations or digital experiences) are introduced and you learn how best to present your creative ideas using a range of techniques.
- Strategic Marketing for the Creative IndustriesOptional20 credits
- Digital PhotographyOptional20 credits
- Designing for ColourOptional20 credits
- Contemporary IllustrationOptional20 credits
- Collage CultureOptional20 credits
- The Art and Science of Cosmetic ProductsOptional20 credits
Year 3 9 modules
- Major Research ProjectCompulsory40 credits
Module details
As the culmination of the degree programme, this module provides students with the opportunity to investigate a topic of relevance to their programme of study or design more broadly. By conducting original research as part of the final-year project, students will demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge which is informed by the latest thinking in the discipline. While research will be conducted independently, students will be supervised by a member of academic staff.
- Art and Design Self-Directed ProjectCompulsory60 credits
Module details
The module provides students with the opportunity for the further exploration and consolidation of concerns that have developed in the Levels 1 and 2 modules. Students will employ appropriate media and processes to develop their ideas through to completed outcomes. Using various media, materials and technologies, the student's creative and imaginative interests develop through the creation of original artworks/artefacts incorporating practice-led research methodologies. The final output of this
- Creative AdvertisingOptional20 credits
- Collaborative Brand ManagementOptional20 credits
- Fashion Styling and PhotographyOptional20 credits
- Social DesignOptional20 credits
- Consumer NeuromarketingOptional20 credits
- AI, Games Design, and EthicsOptional20 credits
- Design in Scientific EnterpriseOptional20 credits
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
Art and Design at Leeds emphasises building your visual language through materials, processes and critical thinking. A course like this usually begins with foundations in colour, composition and form across traditional and digital media, supported by contextual studies in art and design history. In Year 2, you'll typically move into sustained studio practice and live briefs from real clients, alongside exploration of digital media such as motion, 3D or interaction. Year 3 narrows to specialist pathways, such as graphic design, illustration, fine art, fashion and textiles, or UX and digital work, culminating in a self-directed final project and degree show. Throughout, you'll develop a personal creative direction alongside professional practice skills.
Who it's for
This course suits you if you're visually curious and enjoy problem-solving through making, whether that's graphic design, sculpture, photography, interaction design or another medium. You'll thrive here if you're comfortable with critique, keen to develop a personal voice, and interested in understanding how art and design function in the world. Expect a mix of studio time, written reflection, and collaborative discussion. You should be prepared to take intellectual risks and document your thinking as you progress.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 87% of graduates in Art and Design are in work or further study 15 months after finishing their degree. Earnings typically range from £22,000–£27,000 at that point, rising to £20,825–£29,400 after five years. Of those in work, 55% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. Pathways vary widely: some move into design studios, others into curation, publishing, education or creative industries more broadly. Many pursue postgraduate study to specialise further.
University & format
This BA (Hons) is studied full-time over 3 years at the University of Leeds, a public Russell Group research-intensive university in England. Teaching is delivered in English. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, your degree is nationally recognised. The University holds Silver in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework (2023) and.
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 entryABB (specific subject requirements) typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
PlacementPublished placement option
Work placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of ABB (specific subject requirements). Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent95% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 160 - 175 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 the University of Leeds'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 | 95% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
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*A*A*A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeWW12quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code WW12). 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 University of Leeds 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 University of Leeds →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 University of Leeds funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
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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 | £23,000 | £19,500 – £26,500 | 935 |
| 3 years after | £21,000 | £13,500 – £26,000 | 50 |
| 5 years after | £27,000 | £22,000 – £33,000 | 50 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 935. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
90%
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
£23,000
£22,000 – £27,000After 3 years LEO
£21,000
£17,000 – £24,000After 5 years LEO
£27,000
£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.
90 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: 935. 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 £27,000Peer 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.
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 £23,000. 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 8.3 out of 10: NSS 77% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Leeds
All students34,580
International31.5%
Aged 25+13.6%
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 The University of Leeds
3,846 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 1125Shoplifting 724Other Theft 322Public Order 319Anti Social Behaviour 305
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 University of Leeds from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Leeds; 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 University of Leeds’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 University of Leeds and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Leeds
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 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.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Leeds. 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 Art graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £23,000. (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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