Graphic Arts (BA)

You'll study 6 studio practice modules - one per semester – which form the heart of the course. You'll also study 6 modules that frame the context for your developing practice in terms of history, theory and professional application. You’ll study core modules to:

• understand how historic and contemporary practices relate to the graphic artist

• develop your research and design thinking

• build your critical reflection skills

• hone your making skills and technical expertise

In year 2, you can specialise further by choosing from a wide range of core modules designed to support your individual career plans.

Year 1 overview

You’ll develop key skills in design thinking and making. You’ll explore the specialisms of graphic design, illustration, motion design and photography through a series of integrated workshops and projects. Your 4 core modules will help you develop key knowledge and skills across these areas:

• An Introduction to Graphic Arts

• Historical and Critical Contexts

• Specialist Principles

• Research in Contemporary Issues

At the end of your first semester, you’ll be guided to choose a pathway to specialise in for the rest of your degree.

Year 2 overview

Your core practice-based modules help to build your practical and technical expertise within your chosen pathway, and develop your contextual and critical knowledge:

• Specialist Practice and Skills

• Critical Reflection of Specialism

You’ll also choose a core module from a list of options, allowing you to broaden your opinions and reference points as you engage with students from other art and design subjects:

• Business Skills for the Creative Industries

• Creative Futures

• Creative Writing

• Image and Branding

• Sight and Sound

• Visual Culture

You can also expand your experience by choosing from one of the following opportunities:

• spend a semester at a partner university in Germany, Norway, Spain, Switzerland or Turkey

• explore a subject that inspires you by initiating your own practice-based project

Year 3 overview

Your final core modules prepare you for professional practice and employment after graduation:

• External Partner Project - pitch and deliver creative solutions for real projects working directly with studios from the creative industries

• Professional and Critical Contexts - align your practice with professional standards

• Professional Planning and Evaluation - plan your launch into industry

You'll gain industry recognition by competing in prestigious international student design awards. You’ll also combine all of the skills you’ve gained to create your final major project. Using a research-led approach, you'll create an innovative and unique project to present to clients, employers, industry professionals and the press, at the end-of-year show.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Nickie Hirst is the course leader.

As a graduate of our graphic arts degree, you’ll be a highly skilled creative practitioner, ready to take your place in one of the fastest growing areas of the economy.

Our alumni work as:

• designers

• photographers

• animators

• illustrators 

You’ll find our graduates in high profile companies, such as:

• Mother

• ustwo

• Protein

• Moving Brands

• The Boiler Room

• iLoveDust

• Digital Annexe

• Johnston Works

• The Financial Times

• Activision M&C Saatchi

• Sony

• The Daily Telegraph

• Elle

• Jack Wills

• Blueprint

• The Guardian

• Harpers Bazaar

• The Sunday Times

• Wallpaper Magazine

• The Observer 

Our employability focus includes:

• ongoing advice from tutors with extensive experience in the creative industries

• careers events to introduce you to potential employers

• collaborative relationships with organisations such as De La Rue, Antalis Papers and MadeThought

• support to set up your own business through the University’s Small Business Clinic

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes

• CV and interview skills and workshops

• networking events

• careers fairs attended by top employers

• a wealth of volunteering opportunities

• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

Our in-house Studio 3015 provides paid design and marketing internships for our graduates. Through our network of institutional, professional and industry contacts, you’ll work on live projects to build a professional portfolio to show employers.

As part of your course, you can also choose to take a year-long paid placement with a professional design studio or creative agency. During your placement, you can apply the knowledge and skills you’ve developed during your degree, and gain vital professional experience.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK/EU students pay £9,250.
• International students pay £17,560.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees.

Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: W210
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2020 entry now

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

Applicants who meet our minimum entry requirements will be invited to attend an individual portfolio interview. Download our portfolio advice for graphic arts (152.98 KB).

We do not expect you to attend an interview if you do not already live or study in the UK. International and EU applicants are usually invited to send a portfolio by post or email.

We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.