Many of the students who join Year 1 of the course have normally studied for a Foundation Diploma or a National Diploma in Art and Design (or equivalent). Some applicants from other backgrounds (for example school leavers or people returning to education) may need further time and support to help develop the necessary specialist skills and experience to progress smoothly on to degree level education – this is where the Foundation Entry Year (known as ’Year 0’) comes in. This is a one-year intensive programme that will guarantee progression on to the three year BA(Hons) Graphic Design degree. It is a practical, studio-based experience, developing your visual language through experimentation, mark-making and digital manipulation. As well as computer-based technology we introduce you to composition, shape and visual dynamics and an exciting range of workshops ranging from drawing and printmaking, through to photography and typography. You will also study the key historical and contextual events that have shaped graphic design today.

Graphic design can embrace so many different directions – it has endless potential, so many possibilities. Eventually you may become an art director or designer in a creative consultancy or work for publishing companies, magazines or newspapers. You could specialise in advertising, information graphics, promotional literature, new media, web design, motion graphics, typography or illustration. Your clients could be music companies promoting the next big thing. You could be providing information about global warming, the environment or digital games. To achieve your goal it’s crucial that you have frequent contact with tutors. Sadly, students at many other institutions rarely see staff due to huge group sizes – happily we’re very different! We know that small year groups are best and so we recruit around twenty students each year. This means that you see us regularly and receive a massive amount of regular support and feedback. We also believe that you should work from a studio base. In our case this is a huge, dynamic, modern, multi-functioning space in which all years of our course mix, share ideas and inspire one another.