University of Chester
Graphic Design (including Foundation Year) BA (Hons)
University of Chester

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 55 graduates of Graphic Design (including Foundation Year) BA (Hons) and other courses in Design Studies at University of Chester for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Design Studies.

Overall student satisfaction
73 /100
55 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

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 £21000 £20000 £24000
25-75 percentile range £19000 - £22000 £15500 - £24000 £20000 - £28000


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

Develop an innovative, individual language and learn how to deal with the demands of an intensively competitive global marketplace as you experiment with various methods of visual communication.

We support design through research, taking into consideration the needs of client and audience. Acquiring knowledge of the cultural, social and ethical concerns of design, and developing your position on these issues, will give you the confidence to push the boundaries of design, exploring its social, commercial and entrepreneurial possibilities.

Studying with us will offer you the opportunity to be part of a creative community where you can reflect on and react to the changing nature of your discipline, and develop as an individual who is confident in undertaking any design problem.

You will work in a ‘hands-on’ multidisciplinary learning environment. Our curriculum has been developed to educate in the art and science of visual communication, with an emphasis on professional practice and skills acquisition, whilst also encouraging creative risk-taking and experimentation. Your learning will be supported within a setting that provokes creative experiences, embracing communication design as a social and commercial activity. To ensure you’re future-ready, we embed employability and entrepreneurial skills across our curriculum, alongside the Department’s already excellent links with employers, commissioners and galleries.

Foundation Year courses have been designed for students who do not have the necessary academic qualifications needed to enter directly into the first year of a degree but who have the ability and commitment to do so. Once the Foundation Year has been completed successfully, you can then go on to complete your degree.

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 (including Foundation Year) BA (Hons) at University of Chester

25% Elementary occupations
20% Artistic, literary and media occupations
10% Skilled trades occupations
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Finance Professionals
5% Welfare and housing associate professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Business and public service associate professionals

Grading & Study Time

The majority of assessment is project-based, comprising a body of research, idea generation and design development, plus finished graphic artefacts. A small amount of assessment is through presentations or pitches. There are no exams.

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

For the Art & Design degrees with a Foundation Year, qualifications should normally include and Art or Media related subject

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Design Studies

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

Access to HE Diploma

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

Other vocational qualifications at Level 3 will also be considered, such as NVQs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. Please note: certain courses may require that you have studied a specific subject at GCE A Level (or acceptable alternatives), e.g. Biology, Maths or Chemistry, or GCSE Maths at grade C.

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Graphic Design (including Foundation Year), 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 (including Foundation Year) BA (Hons)

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

Additional fee information

All students (except Internationals) on this programme will be eligible for a £500 cash bursary – only at level 3/Foundation Year. The tuition fee for the subsequent years of study on the full-time undergraduate degree will be charged at the undergraduate degree fee level. This fee is currently £9,250 a year for students starting in 2019 but this is subject to annual inflationary rises in line with inflation at that time, as measured by the Retail Price Index.

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:

  • Foundation

University Rankings

Positions of University of Chester in top UK and global rankings.

See all 13 university rankings of University of Chester

About University of Chester

The University of Chester, as the name suggests, is a university located in Chester. The university is formally affiliated with the Christian faith, but they make it clear in their mission statement that students of all faiths or no faith at all are welcome at their university. Chester operates from a total of six campuses, five of which are in Chester, the other in Warrington, with the main campus building being known as Parkgate Road Campus.

List of 330 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Chester - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Chester

undergraduates:
8005
postgraduates:
3300
Total:
11305
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Where is this programme taught

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