Graphic Design Higher National Diploma

This programme will provide an opportunity to develop the skills to compete in the workplace within the graphics industry. The programme has a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure you have the appropriate expertise to be able to thrive in the competitive world of work. You will study a range of practical subjects including graphics software, photography and video. The programme will also include a number of guest speakers, industry professionals and dedicated HE staff, working collaboratively to ensure that talent is recognised, utilised and developed appropriately. A key part of the programme will be to ensure you have a work-based experience within the second year of the programme.

Programme content

Please note that as programmes are reviewed regularly, the unit list may vary from that shown here:

Year 1 (Level 4) Core units:
• Contextual and Cultural Studies
• Visual Communication
• Ideas Generation and Development

Specialist units:
• Typographical Skills
• Packaging in Graphic Design
• Editorial Design
• Design Principles

Year 2 (Level 5) Core units:
• Professional Practice in Art and Design
• Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation

Specialist units:
• Work-related Experience
• Corporate Identity in Graphic Design
• Research Project
• Critical Study
• Advertising Photography
• Corporate Identity in Graphic Design

Teaching and learning experience

All your time at college will be based around a range of learning activities including lectures, workshops and practical sessions. An emphasis is placed on working and learning with others and you are regularly set tasks to complete in partnership with other students. A large part of the programme demands that individuals are independent thinkers and problem solvers; the learning environment allows you to progress your learning with an emphasis on taking responsibility for your own studies during your time on the HND.

The units are delivered through a variety of techniques to suit all different learning styles. The class work includes; group work, pair activities, crits, discussions, practical work and presentations.

Why choose this programme?

This programme has been introduced to attract individuals who are ready to challenge themselves to develop into an employment-ready independent creative practitioner. We will encourage imagination, innovation and experimentation through a wide range of assignments that have been developed using our established relationships with graphic design companies. We believe that students need as much real working experience as possible to survive and be successful in this competitive market, and our programme has been specifically designed to enable our students to develop their creativity in a number of key projects.

The HND is a practical programme which will enable you to learn the skills that industry professionals use and create design concepts fit for the professional market. Our higher education staff, industry practitioners and guest speakers all collaborate to ensure our students obtain the underpinning academic, practical and creative skills you will need, as well as the processes for producing successful projects; all this whilst being located in a new purpose built creative arts centre that has the latest technology working alongside traditional art and design techniques.

Assessment methods

The assessment you undergo will be both formative and summative:
Formative - designed to provide you with feedback on your progress and inform you of your ongoing development. Formative assessments, such as in class exercises, tests, activities, do not form part of your grade.
Summative - designed to provide a measure of your achievement in respect of your performance in relation to the intended learning outcomes of your programme of study.

At each level of study you will be asked to participate in formative and summative assessment procedures which require you to consider and grade your own work against the agreed assessment criteria. This allows you to reflect upon your own practice, with tutors, and to take responsibility for acknowledging areas of strength and areas for development in your work.

Entry requirements

• 120 UCAS Points based on a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent: this can include: Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design, Media, Graphic Design, Photography, with an overall Merit grade
• Offers are made on the outcome of an interview/portfolio process

We also support widening participation and encourage applicants with non-standard qualifications, those who are returning to education as well as international students.

English language

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable, by achieving a score in a recognised test such as:
• British Council IELTS: normally minimum level 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in the reading and writing components
• TOEFL minimum score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based or 80

The HND Graphic Design programme prepares students for employment in the creative industries. Upon successful completion of this Higher National Diploma, students can either progress into industry or may be able to upgrade their qualification by progressing to the second or final year of a related BA (Hons) degree programme at another institution