Graphic Arts (BA)

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

English language requirements

All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.

Band A IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components

We also accept other English language tests.

Non-academic entry requirements

All applicants will need to provide a portfolio of art work

International qualifications

Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.

This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.

International Foundation Year for Law, Arts, Humanities, Business and Social Sciences

If you're an international student and don’t have the right qualifications for direct entry into this course, you may still be able to enrol by taking our International Foundation Year. This intensive, one-year course will give you the background skills and knowledge to enter into this undergraduate degree.

Contact us if you have a question about what qualifications you have or might need.

Other ways to qualify

You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:

• skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)

Find out more about our Admissions Policy.

Year 1

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

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

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.

Support for your studies

We make sure you get the best possible student experience by giving you generous contact time with teaching staff.

You'll have your own personal academic tutor assigned to you. They will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your studies.

Our technicians and library staff are also on hand to help you learn new techniques, use studio equipment, or find material to support your research.

How you’ll spend your study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:

How we’ll assess you

We’ll assess you using:

• creative projects
• essays
• portfolios

Your assessment breakdown, year by year:

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.

UK/EU fees

You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.

International student fees

You’ll pay £17,560 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.

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

Extra costs you might have to pay

• Optional Visits (e.g. museums, galleries)
• Art Equipment and Materials: Drawing paper; painting materials; sketchbooks
• Stationery
• Printing and Photocopying Costs
• Hardware
• Design equipment and materials
• Computer discs or USB drives
• Travel Costs for placements
• Textbooks
• Recording Equipment
• Other

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.

Clubs, societies and facilities

Our campuses have:

• cafes and restaurants

• bars

• health centres

• banks

• a post office

• student shops

• a hairdresser

Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.

We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.

Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.

Support while you study

We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:

• mental health, learning difficulties and disability

• money and accommodation

• childcare

• computers and IT

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.