BA(Hons) in Graphic Design

Study in a studio environment with professional-standard facilities and a focus on the real-world skills you need to succeed in your career.

Why study graphic design?

Graphic design makes a powerful contribution to the cultural and economic life of contemporary society.

It exists in the public domain, acts as an indicator of current cultural thinking and is a catalyst for social, cultural and political change.

The role of the graphic designer in society and the professional world is multifaceted; designer as curator, author, craftsperson, editor, educator, collaborator and agitator.

Studying graphic design is excellent preparation for a creative career in the UK and abroad.

Why UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Graphic Design is based at the Arnolfini, at the heart of Bristol's creative and cultural community. You'll learn from practising graphic designers in a professional studio environment.

Past students have won awards in prestigious national competitions such as the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Student Design Awards and the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD).

In recent years, graduates' work has been exhibited at D&AD New Blood, London, with several being identified as 'Ones to Watch' and commendations received for several collaborative projects.

Our students are also regularly shortlisted for the Best British Book Design and Production Awards.

Our City Campus is a powerhouse of inspiration and collaboration, and home to our many City Creatives. It spans Bristol and is made up of Bower Ashton and renowned contemporary art centres Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed.

Our strong industry links with the thriving city of Bristol ensure ongoing input from professional designers, with extra mentoring support also on offer through the West of England Design Forum.

You won't be working on hypothetical designs. Projects are socially and culturally relevant, whether undertaken inside or outside the university.

Go on work placements and internships, or volunteer, to gain valuable work experience.

Attend talks from studios like OK/RM, Pentagram, Moving Brands, Mother London, Muf, APFEL and Book Works.

Showcase your work to talent scouts and potential employers at the final year Creative Industries Degree Show.

Focus on the avenues that most interest you, and graduate with an impressive portfolio of work, ready to make your mark in the industry.

Where can it take me?

This course prepares you for an idea-driven, sustainable and flexible freelance practice, or studio career in graphic design.

Many of our graduates find work with highly respected design studios in the UK and worldwide.

Others go on to further study, such as a master's in graphic design or graphic arts, or pursue a career in research or education.

At UWE Bristol we empower you to make a choice. To choose a university that challenges itself as much as you. To choose a passion that gives you purpose. To choose a community that leads the way, encouraging you to question everything, and to become the best you can be.

Change the world

At UWE Bristol, we’re focused on solving future global challenges through outstanding learning, world-leading research and a culture of enterprise.

Here, we empower our students to make a choice. To choose a university that pushes itself as much as it pushes them. To choose a community of original thinkers - breaking new boundaries and leading the way.

From our enterprise support programmes to industry masterclasses. Professional mentoring to business incubators. World-leading research facilities to work experience opportunities across the globe. We give our students the tools they need to act on their ideas and make them happen.

Each of our pioneering courses has been created in partnership with industry professionals. And over 150 come with professional accreditation from industry bodies. Coupled with world-class teaching, they’re designed to equip students with the most in-demand skills, and the kind of mindset that employers want and need. So that when you graduate from UWE Bristol, you’re ready to take on the world.

Our mindset

We believe that it’s only when you ask 'what if?' that you discover 'why not?'. That’s why we’re not afraid to ask difficult questions – and tackle the big issues head-on. It’s our way of continuing to make a real difference in the way we learn, analyse and contribute to the world we live in.

Our values

Ambitious

We’re not afraid to shape, challenge and tackle the big issues, to take the initiative and pave the way.

Inclusive

We make UWE Bristol a supportive and inspiring place to learn and work – somewhere where diversity of experience and perspective is encouraged, and learning and research are shared and accessible.

Innovative

We create new opportunities for the people who work and study with us. We embrace different ideas and pioneer new and sustainable ways of doing things.

Collaborative

We have strong connections locally and globally. We help people and organisations be the best they can, building trust throughout our university community and beyond.

Enterprising

We instil a thirst for new knowledge, its creation and application, empowering our students and staff to demonstrate a creative questioning approach, a 'can-do' confidence, and the ability to navigate uncertainty.