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Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA

Graphics & Digital Design FT

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Graphics & Digital Design FT course at Nottingham Trent University.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

56 - 64 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels

Most popular A-levels studied

See who's studying at Nottingham Trent University. These students are taking Graphics & Digital Design FT or another course from the same subject area.

Graphic design
SubjectGrade
GraphicsB
Fine ArtA
PsychologyC
MathematicsC
Media StudiesB
Source: HESA

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: W210

Here's what Nottingham Trent University says about its Graphics & Digital Design FT course.

This foundation degree in Graphics and Digital Design is geared towards creating ambitious graduates for the graphic design industry. Studying in a creative technologies institute, you'll gain valuable skills and experience that reflect current and future industry practice, building a professional portfolio tailored to your aspirations. After successful completion, you'll have the option to go straight into a career or top-up to a full honours degree.

Our aim is to develop and create ambitious graduates for the graphic design industry.

Working on a modern campus in our multi-million pound digital media hub, you’ll have the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and skills in industry-standard design software packages including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and InDesign, accessing s range of modern studio spaces.

Through live project briefs, we’ll push you to develop your research, critical discussion and presentation skills in seeking to solve a challenging design problem, whilst you’ll get an insight into how work is commissioned with the graphic design industry. We’ll develop your project management skills through collaborative projects, and you’ll be encouraged to take an experimental and creative approach to your work.

By the end of the two-year Foundation Degree, successful graduates will leave with a wide range of valuable skills, experience and knowledge, alongside a professional portfolio tailored to their career aspirations.

Key features

Gain hands-on industry experience while you study, with industry opportunities built into the course to ensure you graduate with the practical skills needed to make it in the industry. Use industry-standard equipment: Learn how to use specialist tech and equipment including Cinema 4D and Wacom drawing tablets. Work on live briefs: set by industry giants to boost your CV and industry connections. Previous students have worked on briefs from big names including John Lewis and The National Trust. Study in the heart of Nottingham: One of Europe’s top 25 student cities, and home to over 75,000 learners.

Employability

After completing your foundation degree, you’ll have the chance to top up to BA (Hons) Graphic Design or go straight into industry.

Employability is a key focus of this course, with modules including initiatives such as live projects and the opportunity to exhibit your work, to help enhance your future career.

This course will prepare you to work in creative industries in specialist technical roles, in areas such as feature films, television, and advertising.

You can also move straight into your career, in areas which might include:

  • Graphic designer

  • Animator

  • Illustrator

  • Website designer

  • Artworker.

Facilities

On this course you’ll study across various facilities located on our City Campus.

You’ll have access to:

  • Industry Spec Workstation PCs

  • Bookable Green Screen studio space

  • Motion capture studio

  • Adobe Creative Cloud

  • Autodesk suite.

Source: Nottingham Trent University

Course details

Qualification

Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA

Department

School of Art and Design

Location

City Campus | Nottingham

Duration

2 Years

Study mode

Full-time

Subjects

• Graphic design

Start date

September 2026

Application deadline

14 January 2026

Tuition fees

LocationFees
England£9,790 per year
Scotland£9,790 per year
Wales£9,790 per year
Northern Ireland£9,790 per year
EU£18,700 per year
International£18,700 per year

The modules you will study

Level Four (120 Credits)

• Graphic Design Development 1 (40 Credits) • Design Techniques and Technology 1 (40 Credits) • Theory and Context 1 (20 Credits) • Exploring Industry (20 Credits)

Level Five (120 Credits)

• Graphic Design Development 2 (40 Credits) • Design Techniques and Technology 2 (40 Credits) • Theory and Context 2 (20 Credits) • Industry Practice (20 Credits)

How you will be assessed

Assessment is 100% through coursework. You will receive feedback throughout each module and will be awarded a grade.

Nottingham Trent University student reviews

(4.2)
Based on 1252 reviews from Nottingham Trent University's students and alumni
5 star
50%
4 star
29%
3 star
16%
2 star
3%
1 star
2%
All reviews

Showing 1165 reviews

1st year

Media production

1 month ago

So far it's been a great social experience and I've met so many amazing people. Advice: put yourself out there constantly and never be afraid to say hello to new people!!!

(5)
Overall

3rd year

Sociology

1 month ago

There are so many societies to join and activities to participate in. NTSU run and promote lots of events throughout the academic year.

(4)
Student Union

3rd year

Sociology

1 month ago

There is a nice student atmosphere on campus during the day time. There are a range of evening activities in the evening too, the nightlife is very active here too.

(3)
University life

3rd year

Sociology

1 month ago

I am satisfied with the financial impact at Nottingham. The support available at the university has also been very helpful.

(3)
Finance

3rd year

Sociology

1 month ago

I felt very supported here. There is a range of support available like wellbeing and employability that has been useful.

(4)
Support

3rd year

Sociology

1 month ago

Lots of places to study around campus.

(3)
Facilities

National Student Survey (NSS) scores at Nottingham Trent University

The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.

Here you can see ratings from Nottingham Trent University students who took the Graphics & Digital Design FT course - or another course in the same subject area.

Design studies

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

92%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

95%

high

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

89%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

82%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

87%

med

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

86%

med

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

88%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

93%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

83%

med

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

92%

med

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

86%

med

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

88%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

93%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

84%

med

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

88%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

92%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

86%

high

How well organised is your course?

83%

high

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

88%

high

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

93%

med

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

88%

med

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

76%

med

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

89%

high

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

86%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

85%

high

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

93%

high

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

82%

med

Student information

See who's studying at Nottingham Trent University. These students are taking Graphics & Digital Design FT or another course from the same subject area.

Graphic design
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female59%Male41%
Where students come from
International15%UK85%
Student performance
2:1 or above72%
Number of students565
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

We have no information about graduates who took Graphics & Digital Design FT at Nottingham Trent University.

Earnings after graduation

Earnings from Nottingham Trent University graduates who took Graphics & Digital Design FT - or another course in the same subject area.

Creative arts and design

Earnings

£21.9k

First year after graduation

£25.6k

Third year after graduation

£29.2k

Fifth year after graduation

Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Graphics & Digital Design FT.

Source: LEO

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree

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Source: Nottingham Trent University