BA (Hons) Visual Communication

What it's all about?

We are interested in asking the question, how can visual communication be used to improve the world? The course will encourage you to question, debate and define your role as a visual communicator, exploring the what, who and why of communication just as much as the how.

You will creatively explore ideas that are relevant to you, developing the content of your work as much as its visual qualities. You'll collaborate with fellow students, engage with clients on live briefs, enter competitions and work within community settings, always embracing the idea of giving an audience to your work.

We provide a broad programme of study across a range of disciplines. Skills are developed in a range of media that include graphic design, illustration, photography, book design, typography, print-making, web design, digital media, video and animation. If you wish, it is possible to maintain a multi-disciplinary approach by working across a wide range of media.

Is this the course for you?

If you want to engage with the world in a meaningful ways, want to explore a range of subject areas and the relationships between them, this may be for you.

Mature students (21+)

We welcome applications from students who are returning to education. We offer many opportunities for adults, even if you don't have conventional entry qualifications. We're interested in your motivation, your potential, and your ability to follow the course successfully.

Course content
First year

You will explore the idea of communication through a variety of approaches, including documenting the world around you, telling stories, and solving design problems. You will work across a variety of media such as design for print, illustration, photography, web design, video and animation.

Modules include Visual Skills 1, Communication Skills 1, Communication Technology 1, Communication Design 1, Visual Communication 1, Critical Studies, Personal & Professional Development 1, and one elective.

Second year

Audience-focused projects, competitions and live briefs will develop your work in a range of contexts, encouraging you to respond to other people's visual communication needs. The second year will help you focus on areas of interest and support you in preparing for work placements.

Modules include Visual Skills 2, Communication Skills 2, Communication Technology 2, Communication Design 2, Visual Communication 2, Personal & Professional Development 2, Critical Studies, Enterprise in the Creative Industries, and one elective.

Third year

The third year encourages you to take a more independent and professional approach to your work, clarifying your ambitions and goals, which we will support you in achieving.

Modules include Applied Visual Communication, Personal & Professional Development 3, and a dissertation and final major project.

Assessment

Assessment is coursework-based.

European links

This course participates in the College's Erasmus student exchange scheme. Under the Erasmus scheme, a number of second- or third-year students have the opportunity to spend a minimum of three months studying in Europe, at one of our partner colleges in Belgium, France or Holland.

Live briefs

Throughout the course there are many live briefs, working directly with clients, communities and audiences, plus opportunities to exhibit your work and enter competitions.

Work placements

Work placements take place at the end of the second year. We will work closely with you to develop a portfolio and the professional skills you need to secure placements appropriate to your interests.

Resources

You will have access to Apple Mac suites with industry-standard software, a photographic studio and darkrooms, library and internet resources, and a visual communication studio.

Study visits

There is a national study trip for the first year and an international study trip for all years. In the second and third year there are optional specialised conference trips in fields such as film, photography and public arts.

Progression & career opportunities

Former students have found careers in all areas of the creative industries, such as the media (including broadcast), graphic design, publishing and advertising, arts management, the voluntary sector, illustration and photography, digital and new media, community arts, and art therapy. Others have become self-employed. Many of our students develop careers in arts education, including schools, youth work, museum and gallery education. Other students have gone on to postgraduate study in a range of disciplines.