Southampton Solent University
Graphic Design BA (Hons)
Southampton Solent University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 10 graduates of Graphic Design BA (Hons) at Southampton Solent University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Design Studies.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Design Studies

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Design Studies at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22500 £20500 £24000
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £25000 £17000 - £25500 £18500 - £29500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Design Studies

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22025 £20113 £23568
25-75 percentile range £19981 - £25071 £15144 - £24676 £17604 - £29974

Course Description

Are you hoping to work and study at the point where art meets communication? This challenging course explores a range of techniques including web design, UX design and motion graphics and delivers all the skills you’ll need to start a career as a graphic designer.

Graphic design at Solent University encourages you to explore a range of professional techniques and develop your own unique visual style. Throughout the course you will create visual products for a range of printed and digital mediums, and explore academic theories and visual culture in the context of contemporary graphic design.

Your professional development is supported by a wide range of high-end printing and design facilities. These include two Vandercook letterpresses, three screen print beds and three Intaglio/etching presses for calligraphy and etching work. Students also have access to photographic studios and darkrooms; a fully equipped workshop for metal and wood-working, and Apple Macs with the latest Adobe Creative Suite software.

The course’s teaching team come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, and many are still active in the industry. The team’s close links with practising professionals have enabled past students to take part in a variety of work-based opportunities, live briefs and placements.

Graphic design students are also encouraged to submit their best work to design competitions, securing valuable exposure. Past students have found success at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Student Design Awards, the Design and Art Direction (D&AD) Awards, and the Young Creative Network (YCN) Awards.

Solent is a forward thinking creative university, and yet can trace its art school back to 1855. The course delivers a broad range of transferable skills applicable to an equally broad range of industry pathways.

What does this course lead to?

Recent graduates work in a variety of areas including graphic design, illustration, multimedia design, web/UX design and motion graphics – in organisations including;

Adjust Your Set

Imagine Publishing

David Newman Design

Tweaq Media

Gary Frost

Manchester City Football Club

House of Fisher

Esquire

Halldale Group

The Graphic Design House

Who is this course for?

This graphic design programme is ideally suited to students from a fine art, design or illustration background who want to improve their communication skills while developing a professional portfolio.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Graphic Design BA (Hons) at Southampton Solent University

35% Skilled trades occupations
15% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
10% Animal care and control services
10% Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Sales occupations
5% Customer service occupations
5% Caring personal services

The course is assessed through a mix of project work, portfolios, essays and a final year project.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

with 5.5 in each individual component.

TOEFL (iBT) 80

with a minimum of 20 in each individual compoenent.

For information about applying to Solent as an International applicant, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/help-for-international-students

Solent University offers a number of bursaries, grants and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/grants-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Graphic Design, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Graphic Design BA (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £15000 year 1
International £15000 year 1
EU £16125 year 1
International £16125 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2
  • year 3

University Rankings

Positions of Southampton Solent University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 9 university rankings of Southampton Solent University

About Southampton Solent University

Solent University was established in 1855 in the City Centre of Southampton, South East England. This institution started out as a private Art school in 1856 and has since evolved into one of the most important HEIs in Southampton. Being so centrally located, students are within walking distance of most amenities in the city. Even so, the university provides more than sufficient facilities for students to find anything they need on-site. The Solent campus has a particularly active Student Union office, a great Student Hub for career or even personal advice, as well as a variety of popular restaurants.

List of 203 Bachelor and Master Courses from Southampton Solent University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Southampton Solent University

undergraduates:
8110
postgraduates:
625
Total:
8735
  • Students perspectives of living in Southampton
  • What our postgraduate students thought of their time at Solent
  • Why Solent? Marketing students share their view
  • "What I wish I'd known as a fresher"
  • Life at Solent - Norwegian students
  • Why Solent? Travel and tourism students share their view

Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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