Graphic Design

UCAS code: W211

Here's what Coventry University says about its Graphic Design course.

The future graphic designer needs to be visionary, informed, responsible and technically adaptable. This course is designed to support your development in these areas through critical thinking, practical skills and creative exploration.

Designed for ambitious creatives, this course helps you develop a diverse set of graphic design skills and build a distinctive portfolio. You’ll have the opportunity to grow your confidence and professional understanding to pursue roles in established studios or explore your own design ventures.

Comprehensive design foundation: gain practical experience with essential design principles across multiple areas, including branding, advertising, information design, editorial and web design, typography, motion graphics and UI/UX. Creative ownership: take charge of your learning by selecting projects that align with your passions, honing your skills and shaping your own perspective on design. Portfolio development: build a standout portfolio that showcases your skills and creativity, helping you clearly define and pursue your individual career goals.

Why you should study this course Graphic designers harness the power of visual language to shape our perceptions of the world. Graphic design isn’t just about making ‘pretty pictures’. This course enables you to practice graphic design as a means of making meaningful contributions to the world. Here is how:

Exploration: foster ways of working that encourage creative discovery through play and experimentation with analogue and digital mediums, methods and techniques embedded in all modules. While informed by industry standards, this course does not aim to replicate the working world; instead, it provides a supportive space for innovation, risk-taking and imaginative thinking. Employability: prepare to be a productive force within industry. Develop key professional skills by working on authentic design briefs with real clients, taking part in studio visits and portfolio reviews, attending guest and alumni talks and showcasing your work through participation in renowned competitions such as D&AD. Technical skills: take pride in the work that you make. Attention to detail and industry-standard designs are developed through practised skill and iteration. Craftsmanship is considered just as important as a clever idea. Critical thinking: an inquisitive and investigative mindset leads to original designs. Learn to gather data, ask questions and draw conclusions to justify design decisions. In a world of questionable news and misinformation, an informed and inquisitive designer can begin to make a change in local, national and global communities. Storytelling: channel the power of design to connect and engage with people. Use design to solve problems, accessing its ability to enchant and activate emotions through storytelling.

• Joint 15th for career prospects in Graphic Design, Guardian University Guide 2025.

*Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn. Year One Modules Designer User Co-Creator Maker

Year Two Modules Design Activism: Start a Revolution Design Strategy: Transform with Insight Design Experience: Lead with Empathy Design Systems: Build a World

Sandwich Year There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Final Year Design Position: Take a Stance Design Innovation: Create Dangerously Design Agency: Together as One Design Identity: Own your Future

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

This course is assessed using methods that vary by module. These approaches are intended to prepare you for the complex and evolving contexts of professional practice. Assessment methods may include:

Artefacts Practical coursework Digital coursework Individual work Group work Live/video presentations Video presentations Video/academic essays Academic essays.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.