Visual Communication, BA (Hons), with industry placement

This course offers a multidisciplinary setting focused on design methodologies, ideal for students eager to explore diverse creative fields, follow personal interests, and collaborate with industry for practical outcomes. Over a structured three-year program, participants develop into skilled visual communicators with a unique voice, emphasizing hands-on learning through analogue and digital skills in media such as illustration, photography, video, graphic design, 3D creation, and event design. Skills are applied to real-world briefs, supported by staff expertise, while employability is enhanced via live projects, community partnerships, and interactions with external clients.The curriculum progresses through yearly stages: Year one introduces core design and communication principles via practical briefs in graphic design, photography, film, printmaking, and illustration, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. Year two builds creative practice through real-life projects and professional exploration, culminating in a strong portfolio. Year three refines individual focus, fostering entrepreneurial skills and leading to a graduate folio that reflects personal career goals. An optional four-year path includes a placement year for enhanced practical experience.

Year one – Core principles of design and communication are introduced within graphic design, photography and film, printmaking, and illustration. Through practical briefs, you will unpick communication processes including persuasion, narrative, documentary, and reportage, where your own interests will inform the content of your work. You may have the opportunity to collaborate with other students across disciplines at the University. You may also work with businesses and communities in the city and exhibit your work. Year two – You will develop your creative practice and apply your skills to real life-projects (whether self-directed, client-based or competitions). During the year, you will start to investigate the professional world related to your emerging practice. This specialism could be in any number of applications or subject areas, as directed by your own interests. You will develop an impressive portfolio of work to help secure vital work experience. Year three* – In the last year you consolidate the focus of your creative practice. You will develop your professional and entrepreneurial skills through engagement with visiting professionals, external events, and exhibitions. Work culminates in the realisation of a graduate folio which reflects your individual philosophy and career aspirations as a creative thinker and visual communicator. *If you choose to study this course over four years, this will include a placement year (also known as a sandwich year, work placement, industrial placement, or year in industry), which provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability and gain practical experience in your field of study. The placement year typically occurs after year two and before year three.