Graphic Communication BA (Hons)
University of Reading
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews for 30 graduates of Graphic Communication BA (Hons) at University of Reading for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Design Studies.
This particular course
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 | £25000 | £26500 | £30000 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £23000 - £28000 | £23500 - £29500 | £27000 - £42500 |
All Design Studies courses of University of Reading
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 |
All Design Studies courses in the UK
Course Description
Develop the ability to express your design ideas confidently, learn how to solve real-life graphic communication challenges, and graduate with a diverse and relevant portfolio.
The Department of Typography & Graphic Communication offers you a distinctive approach to a design degree. We integrate different ways of thinking about design – practical, historical, and theoretical – so that you will become a well-rounded ‘thinking designer’, with a profile that’s sought after by the design industry.
You will undertake practical projects across digital and print media, and learn about design principles and how to respond to user needs. Current projects include: brand campaigns, e-books and magazines, music packaging, newspapers, pictograms, wayfinding and sign systems, and websites and mobile apps. You will also enjoy a hands-on approach to design history through our renowned graphic design collections.
You will learn how to communicate your design ideas clearly and persuasively through project reports and presentations. Essays and a final-year dissertation will develop your research skills and your ability to bring your ideas together. This combination of academic writing, problem-solving, and client-facing communication gives you a competitive edge in the employment market. You can also broaden your profile by studying abroad in your second year.
We offer small-group teaching, accessible tutors, dedicated 24-hour studio spaces, and a hands-on approach to design history through our renowned graphic design collections. You will learn how to communicate your design ideas clearly and persuasively through project reports and presentations. Essays and a final year dissertation will develop your research skills and your ability to bring your ideas together. You will also have opportunities to collaborate with staff on research projects with real-world impact. Overall, 95% of students were satisfied with the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication (National Student Survey, 2021).
The curriculum is constantly evolving and is informed by the research carried out by our staff. Our research, much of which is concerned with everyday communication, is recognised as excellent - 95% of our research is world leading or internationally excellent and 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4 and 3 submissions – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; Typography and Graphic Communication).
Placement
We bring the benefits of placements into the Department for all students. Employers such as IBM Design and Oxford University Press are actively engaged with our teaching and offer individual feedback on student projects. You will develop your approach to design in a practical way through working with real clients, real budgets and real time scales. These ‘real jobs’ are supported by your tutors and form part of your assessment. You will also work alongside the University’s professional design team to gain experience of dealing with print and online production processes.
In your second year you will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions, where the design courses are taught in English. We currently have links with DHBW in Ravensburg, Germany; Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada; and Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.
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.
This particular course
Current jobs
This particular course
Required skill level of job after 15 months
This particular course
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Graphic Communication BA (Hons) at University of Reading
| 75% | Sales occupations |
| 15% | Information Technology Professionals |
| 5% | Business, Research and Administrative Professionals |
| 5% | Artistic, literary and media occupations |
Grading & Study Time
Grading Distribution
Students of the course received the following grades
Entry Requirements / Admissions
UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course
This particular course
English language requirements
| test | Grade | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | We require a minimum score of 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 100 | We require a minimum score of 100 overall with no less than 20 in Listening, Writing and Reading and 21 in Speaking. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | We require a grade A or a score of 185 overall with no element less than 169. |
|
| Cambridge English Proficiency | We require a grade C or a score of 185 overall with no element less than 169. |
|
| PTE Academic | 76 | We require a minimum score of 76 overall with at least 64 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
| Institution's Own Test | Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing). |
|
| Trinity ISE | Only ISE III and ISE IV are acceptable and we require a Pass in each element. |
Costs
Tuition Fees Graphic Communication 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 | £22350 | year 1 |
| International | £22350 | 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)
University Rankings
Positions of University of Reading in top UK and global rankings.
See all 29 university rankings of University of Reading
About University of Reading
The University of Reading is a publicly funded university in Reading, Berkshire, England. Reading has four major campuses; London Road and Whiteknights campus which are located in Reading itself, with Greenlands campus being found on the banks of the River Thames. The fourth campus is known as Iskandar Puteri, in Malaysia.
List of 375 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Reading - Course Catalogue
Student composition of University of Reading
-
Total number of students enrolled at University of Reading by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 11905
- postgraduates:
- 3995
- Total:
- 15900
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Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Graphic Design”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught
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| Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) |  UCAS Tariff |
City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Graphic Design (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) | Bath Spa University | - | 0% | 5% | £9250 | £17585 | 120 | Bath | On campus Full-time |
|
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Graphic Design BA (Hons) | The University of Edinburgh | 72% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | £34800 | 146 | Edinburgh | On campus Full-time |
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Graphic Design (with Professional Practice Year) BA (Hons) | University for the Creative Arts | 76% | 6% | 3% | £9250 | £17500 | 144 | Canterbury | On campus Full-time |
|
Graphic Design with Foundation Year BA (Hons) | Buckinghamshire New University | - | 5% | 11% | £9250 | £15000 | 122 | High Wycombe | On campus Full-time |
|
Graphic Design (with placement year) BA (Hons) | Loughborough University of Technology | 90% | 0% | 2% | £9250 | £22000 | 177 | Loughborough | On campus Full-time |
|
Illustration with Graphic Design BA (Hons) | De Montfort University | - | - | - | £9250 £9250 | £15750 £16250 | - | Leicester | On campus Full-time |
|
Graphic Design BA (Hons) | Liverpool Hope University | 40% | 0% | 15% | £9250 | £12500 | 128 | Liverpool | On campus Full-time |
