Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,050 per year
International/EU: £18,900 per year -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
A008
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When do I start?
September 2027
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Develop the knowledge, skills and attributes of graphic design practices that reflect your values, interests and career aspirations.
- Apply your skills in creative projects with professional and academic tutors and a rich industry network.
- Experiment with traditional and future-facing analogue and digital technologies in our purpose-designed studios.
- Showcase your work to the public and industry professionals via presentations, competitions and exhibitions.
By studying this course with a foundation year, you’ll begin by developing the creative, practical and academic skills needed for degree level study within the Creative Industries. You’ll learn alongside other foundation year students from across the Creative Industries Institute, becoming part of a vibrant creative community with access to specialist facilities, technical expertise and industry focused teaching. The foundation year prepares you to progress directly onto the Graphic Design degree, while also giving you the flexibility to transfer to another Creative Industries course without needing to reapply.
On the Graphic Design degree, you’ll explore the expanding field of graphic design through projects responding to social, technological, economic and political challenges. You’ll develop the knowledge, skills and creative approach needed to reflect your values, interests and career aspirations, while applying your learning through projects supported by professional and academic tutors and our industry network. Working in purpose-designed studios, you’ll experiment with both traditional and future-facing analogue and digital technologies to create innovative design solutions for the future. By the end of the course, you’ll have the professional skills and knowledge needed to begin your career, showcasing your work to the public and industry professionals through presentations, competitions and exhibitions.
Creative UK membership
We are members of Creative UK, which means our art and design students are also members until they graduate. With 10,000 members in its network, Creative UK represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries, advocating on the issues that matter the most to creative communities.
Employability
95% of our graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2022/23 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Number 19 in the UK
Our art and design courses are ranked 19th among 81 universities in the UK by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
Come to an open day
Discover our TEF Gold rated teaching and see why students voted Sheffield Hallam a top five university in England at the prestigious Whatuni Student Choice Awards.
View our students' work
View our gallery of student work and learn more about the exciting projects they've been working on this year.
How you learn
You’ll start this course with the foundation year, joining students from across our Creative Industries courses as part of one creative community. You’ll learn together in an immersive studio environment with access to specialist facilities, exploring a range of materials, methods and processes through practical workshops that encourage experimentation and creative thinking.
Working collaboratively across different creative disciplines will help you discover your interests, develop new approaches and build confidence in your skills. With regular support and feedback from expert tutors, you’ll also be encouraged to develop your independent practice and extend your learning beyond the studio.
You learn through
- Practical workshops
- Technical inductions
- Creative projects
- Lectures and seminars
- Self-directed study and practice
- Presentations
- Field trips
- Regular formative feedback
- Group and individual tutorials
- Guided critical reflection
- Live projects
What you’ll study on the foundation year
On the foundation year, you’ll gain a strong introduction to the creative industries. You’ll develop creative thinking, practical making skills and the confidence to explore ideas, experiment and take creative risks in a supportive studio environment.
Your learning is built around two core modules. The first introduces a broad range of creative skills, materials and processes through hands-on experimentation. The second gives you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned through longer, project-based work, with a choice of briefs linked to different degree routes.
Assessment is 100% coursework. You’ll build a portfolio that showcases your creative development, including project work, sketchbooks and digital documentation.
Graphic Design key themes
On the Graphic Design Degree, you’ll be encouraged to explore different disciplines, helping you refine your interests — and giving you the flexibility to change your degree route if needed. On successful completion of the foundation year, you’ll progress directly onto your chosen degree with the skills, confidence and experience needed for honours-level study.
You’ll explore design practices such as:
- Typography and type design
- Brand and visual identity
- Publication design
- Digital product design
- User experience (UX)
- Design for visual arts
- Exhibition and installation design
- Motion and narrative storytelling
Key themes
We encourage and support experimentation, adopting a risk-based approach where anything is possible. Across all years of your course, you’ll explore these approaches through the hand, head and heart:
- Hand – emphasising risk through play and exploration, practical and experiential acquisition of knowledge and skills
- Head – emphasising user research, analysis and responsible contextual application and production, while reinforcing year 1 attributes, skills and knowledge
- Heart – emphasising the development and realisation of practitioner identity through a portfolio of practice and engagement with industry, design identity and community, while reinforcing year 1 and 2 attributes, skills and knowledge
Course support
We’re a dedicated, qualified, and highly experienced teaching team, with world-leading research and recognised professional creative reputations, who take the time to get to know you.
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones and online resources to help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Access to office and studio space, expert workshops, freelancing opportunities and a vast business network to tap into
- Industry-specific employability activities and careers support for up to five years after you graduate
The course develops strategies of attention, empathy, imagination, courage and resilience in the face of an uncertain future. Our course prioritises care as a critical activity – care for global human contexts and for the more-than-human world.
Applied learning
The foundation year has strong links across all Creative Industries degrees, offering opportunities to engage with live projects, competitions and work related learning. You’ll graduate from the year as an adaptable, collaborative and creatively confident learner, ready to apply your cross disciplinary experience to your future degree and career.
The BA Graphic Design course you’ll progress into has been designed to embrace real-world challenges and provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to be successful.
We do this by developing your expertise in collaboration with the professional creative and cultural sectors – with commercial and creative practitioners, commissioners, clients and arts organisations.
Work placements
On the BA Graphic Design degree, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements before your final year. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Live projects
You’ll have the opportunity on the BA Graphic Design course to work on live projects, giving you the chance to apply your skills in a professional setting and gain valuable feedback, exposure and networking opportunities.
Our students have worked with the NHS, social change charity Good Things Foundation, the BBC, and design studios such as Why Not Associates and Graphic Thought Facility.
Field trips
We offer opportunities to go on study trips and visits in the UK and abroad as part of the BA Graphic Design course – with free travel and accommodation for all mandatory field trips. These might include workshops, conferences or visits to practitioners’ studios, cultural institutions and special collections.
These trips are valuable for the experience of seeing work first-hand and understanding the professional world of contemporary graphic design.
Students can also apply for funding through the Turing Scheme to support a study exchange or placement outside of the UK.
Networking opportunities
You’ll have regular opportunities to meet acclaimed guest lecturers, graduates and industry practitioners within the University.
You’ll be part of a thriving community of creative practitioners through our membership with the AOI, BIMA, and our visiting lecture programme.
Competitions and exhibitions
During your Graphic Design study, we support you to enter national and international competitions which have the potential to enhance your professional reputation and put you on the radar of future employers. Our students have won prestigious global competitions such as the RSA Student Design Awards, which challenges students to design solutions that can shape the future.
These competitions can significantly impact your professional reputation, giving your professional career and instant boost.
At the end of your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work in our annual Future Now Festival of Creativity – to which we invite VIP guests, employers, businesses, influencers, friends and family, and the general public. The festival is widely attended and is hosted in the city centre. You’ll also be able to curate and exhibit your work on our online Gallery.
Course leaders and tutors
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This module provides the opportunity to apply and extend what you have learned in the first module. With a structured approach to project work you will be supported through a creative process to create an individual outcome to a brief. Workshops, seminars and studio practice help you to investigate, interrogate, research, test, trial and refine a project outcome. You extend this learning by developing strategies for organising independent study and time management.
You will be encouraged to consider the wider influences of history, environment, society and culture on Creative Industries disciplines as well as your own practice.
Indicative Content:
Theme based creative research
Choice of project briefs written in collaboration with Creative Industries degree route staff
Synthesising and communicating research
Core discipline specific vocabulary, terminology and some core discipline knowledge
Example independent study tasks to develop discipline specific knowledge
Technical inductions and other activities to support your project work
Creative process
Project proposal, management and planning strategies
Communication of work for different audiences and in different formats
Knowledge of other degree routes and broader creative and contextual awareness of the Creative Industries
This module introduces, and builds upon, core skills and techniques needed to develop creative work. Studio based activities promote an experimental approach to making which embrace risk-taking as part of the process. Curiosity, experimentation and exploration are core components of this module, developed through a wide range of workshops and practical activities.
Structured critical reflection alongside formative assessment throughout the module encourage independence and autonomy.
Applied learning strategies enable you to work alongside other students in an immersive studio environment. You learn from, and with, each other, while developing your own creative confidence.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Creative thinking core skills: curiosity, enquiry, exploration and reflection
Drawing confidence: observational, effective sketching, technical/perspective drawing, life drawing, drawing from imagination
Workshops in: print, photography, laser cutting, sewing, woodwork and more
Group projects and tasks
Fundamental principles for all disciplines with freedom for interpretation, e.g. colour theory, form, structure and image making
Field trips and local visits
A range of additional support through the Learning Centre including, planning and managing your time, academic writing skills and digital literacy skills
Using SHU email account and the virtual learning environment (Blackboard) to help manage your time, work independently and communicate with your tutors
Use of, and exposure to, facilities across the city campus alongside meeting staff from across the Creative Industries Institute
How to access student support services offered by the university and connect with others
Year 2
Compulsory modules
This is the level 4 work experience module and will enable you to work on an Applied Project.
Module Aim:
In this module you will engage with a range of design pathways exploring different disciplines and technologies.
Through workshops and a taught lecture series, you will develop an appreciation of the value of graphic design histories and contemporary practice.
Through your creative projects and reflection, you will explore possible future practice.
You will experience professional work through an applied project with practitioners and clients.
Indicative content:
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Research Methodologies
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Concept Mapping
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Communication Theory
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Semiotics in practice
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Project Workflow & project management
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Presentation and participation
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Disciplinary Briefs
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Live-work experience
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Visual Identity
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Type Design
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User Experience
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Motion
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Exhibition
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Graphic Design Lecture Programme
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Experiential Workshops
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Visiting Practitioners
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Tools, production & digital software skills
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Continuing professional development (CPD)
Module Aim:
This module explores the principles of Graphic Design, you will learn to be curious and look at the world through a ‘creative’ lens.
Exploratory projects give you creative opportunity to play, challenge and experiment with ideas, technologies and techniques.
You will begin to develop the values and attributes fundamental to studying graphic design in higher education. You will learn to understand the value of research, creative processes and independent activity.
You will work individually and collaboratively in a vibrant and diverse studio environment.
Indicative content:
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Research, Process & Reflection (RPR)
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Graphic Design Principles
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Analogue & Digital
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Composition
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Grid Systems
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Colour
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Form
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Risk to innovate
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Exploratory Process
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Language and visual vocabularies
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Culture
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Typography
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Symbols & Iconography
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Meaning
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Gestalt psychology and human experience
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Production & digital software skills
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Visiting Practitioners
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This project-based module will facilitate you to collaborate with others to tackle sustainable development challenges creatively. With the support of academics and external stakeholders, you will develop your collaborative, creative, communication, and presentation skills. Through multi-disciplinary project work, you will develop an informed and imaginative response to local and global sustainable development challenges.
Learning will be blended and delivered through teaching, workshops, doing, and independent study individually and in groups.
Indicative content:
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Study and consideration of Sustainable Development
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Exploration and utilisation of collaborative skills
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Exploration and utilisation of design thinking and creative thinking tools
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Project management
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Creative research methods
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Understanding audiences
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Communication and presentation skills
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Working with others, building relationship including with external stakeholders
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Critical thinking and reflection
Module Aim:
This is the level 5 work experience module and will enable you to work on an Enhanced Applied Project in collaboration with industry partners.
You will tackle a real-world challenge, negotiated between you and your industry partners.
You will be introduced to a range of contexts (social, political, economic, cultural, environmental). You will develop an understanding of these contexts and demonstrate how graphic design can act as an agent for change.
This module will support you in exploring and securing professional enhancement and/or preparation for sandwich placement success including the Applied Diploma, through the development of an increasingly professional portfolio.
Indicative content:
- Independent research & ethics
- Project workflow & project management
- Presentation and participation
- Development of process
- Writing reflectively
- Contexts and Impacts of Design
- Social
- Political
- Economic
- Cultural
- Environmental
- Contextual Briefs
- Live-work experience
- Responsive multi-disciplinary
- Tools, production & digital software skills
- Continuing professional development (CPD)
Module Aim:
This module explores traditional and emerging tools for innovative approaches to visual communication, responding to industry-led and self-directed project briefs.
You will articulate research-based ideas through designed and written outputs. You will develop your confidence and make visible, your position within the wider discipline of Graphic Design
You will be exposed to real-world practices, and collaborative working throughout the module. You will further develop your expertise and knowledge of the subject area.
You will prepare for the optional Sandwich Placement Year, or progression to study at Level 6.
Indicative content:
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Advanced Production Methodologies
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Project Workflow & project management
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Presentation and participation
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Written articulation
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Visiting Lecture & Practitioner Programme
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Disciplinary Briefs
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Live-work experience
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Visual Identity
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Publication & Typography
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User Experience
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Motion
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Exhibition
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Tools, production & digital software skills
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Continuing professional development (CPD)
Elective modules
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada.
Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability.
Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification.
Please check and refer to the webpage How study abroad works. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.
Year 4
Compulsory modules
Module aim:
The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).
A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will:
- Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course
- Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.
- Grow their student network and relationship building skills.
- Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs
- Help student make informed graduate careers choices.
Indicative Content:
In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.
To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This is the level 6 work experience module and will enable you to work on a Consultancy, Employer Led Scholarly Research project.
This module will enable you to further develop your portfolio and activity aligned with your desired career trajectory.
You will consider and to opportunities and contexts, in the real-world, beyond your academic setting. This will support your autonomous development, research, learning and project refinement.
You will direct your processes, portfolio and design practice towards your desired future professional or academic pathways.
Indicative content:
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Portfolio of practice
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Refinement of discipline and standards of production
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Portfolio Projects
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Connecting to a community of practice
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Continuing professional development (CPD) & ethics
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Being visible
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Presence
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Communication
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Exhibition
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Visiting Lecturers & Practitioners
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Advanced Technical, Digital and Production Skills
Module Aim:
In this module you will explore how your practice can engage collaboratively with peers, projects and the world.
You will work with peers, visiting lecturers, and a range of international competitions. You will select projects and work with a variety of audiences and contexts to position your practice within the breadth of the discipline.
You will reflect on your practice and identity, alongside your values and approach to research, design process and making.
Indicative content:
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The practitioners voice
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In articulation
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Writing
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Presentation
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Dialogue
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In process
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In practice
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Disciplinary contextual pathways
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Live-work experience
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Set briefs
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Self-Initiated
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Competition
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Collaborative
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Portfolio of practice
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Refinement of discipline
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Connecting to a community of practice
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Continuing professional development (CPD)
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Visiting Lecturers & Practitioners
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Advanced Technical, Digital and Production Skills
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Advanced Research & Analysis Methodologies
Workshops will be tailored to the situational cohort’s needs, engagement and reflection of final-year pathways and activities focused on value, momentum and confidence in the learner's identity and practice.
Future careers
The BA Graphic Design course prepares you for careers and future study in:
- Graphic design
- User experience (UX) design
- Designing for environments and 3D spaces
- Editorial and digital publishing
- Motion graphics and animation
- Illustration and printmaking
- Branding and visual identity
- Advertising
- Design strategy and policy making
- User research
- Account directing
- Graphic design for film and TV
- Typography and type design
- Digital product design
Many of our graduates launch their own businesses, while previous graduates of this course now work for global studios and agencies such as:
- BT
- Coop
- Disney
- Department of Education
- DixonBaxi Studio
- Du. st Design
- G4S
- GBH
- Jaywing
- Regular Practice
- Sky
- Studio Hawk
- Why Not Associates
All in on your career
We promise you’ll be ready to launch your career. With employer connections, hands-on learning and lifelong career support, we’ll help make your ambition a reality.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Explore the libraryEquipment and facilities
You'll have access to a wide variety of facilities across the university campuses – including a 24-hour learning centre, Students’ Union, cafes and eateries, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces and more. On the Foundation Year, you have a dedicated studio space on City Campus, with access to all the facilities below.
On the Graphic Design course you'll be based in a fully equipped and purpose-designed studio, with state-of-the-art facilities including:
- Industry-standard computer software and equipment
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Digital and analogue print facilities including screen-printing, etching, and risograph
- A photographic studio and creative media centre
- Digital fabrication and rapid prototyping
- Virtual reality equipment and software for coding
- Textile printers
- Ceramics
Media Gallery
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- Standard offer: 80 UCAS points
This must include at least 32 points from at least one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (to include a relevant subject, such as Art, Design and Technology, Textiles or Graphics). For example:
- CDD at A Level with a grade C in a relevant subject.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
- Pass (A*-C) overall from a T level qualification with C from core.
- A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M in a relevant subject and may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language or literature at grade C or 4 or equivalent
• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Art and Design.
We treat the foundation year as part of the Art and Design degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Art and Design degrees.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent.
Portfolio review
If your application is successful, you will receive an email inviting you to submit a link to your portfolio.
The portfolio helps us understand whether we are able to offer you a place on the course you've applied for. Your UCAS statement and portfolio provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your creative experience, potential ability and enthusiasm for the course you've applied for. Visit our portfolio review guidance.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2027/28 is £10,050 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2027/28 is £18,900 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 302KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
