Visual Communication and Design BA (Hons)
Course code: W213
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.
Course type: BA (Hons)
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Inverness; Perth
Start in: September
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You access classes and/or materials digitally.
Duration: Full time: 4 years; Part time: 8 years
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable., You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.
What is special about this course?
Become one of the most sought-after professionals in the industry, combining your creative thinking with your passion for art, technology, and communication. Learn to generate innovative ideas and expand your creative problem-solving skills on our tailored programme, as you work on projects with social, economic, and environmental significance.
Develop your individual style and interests, as you gain a clear understanding of contemporary design theory and practice. With opportunities for exciting work placements, live projects, and national and international trips and competitions to suit your individual skills and interests, let us support you in the development of your professional profile and portfolio as you pursue this stimulating career path.
Special features
- A focus on the role of the visual communicator within contemporary design theory and practice
- An emphasis on 21st century skills development and interdisciplinary practice
- A range of work placement, live project, national and international competition opportunities tailored to your individual skills and interests
- The opportunity to develop your own creative and portfolio of professional practice and gain critical marketing experience
- Opportunities for national and international trips to enhance your experience
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- Entry to year one, HNC, is 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above OR
- One A Level at D or above
- For alternative entry see access routes below
- You will also be required to submit a portfolio of work and may be invited for an interview
Advanced entry
- Entry to year two, is HNC Visual Communication, including a Graded Unit result of B or above
- Entry to year three is HND Visual Communication, including a Graded Unit result of B or above
Access routes
- NC Art and Design
- NC Digital Media
- NC Art, Design and Media
- NC Computing with Digital Media
- University of the Arts London Diploma Level 3 Award
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media
Core modules are:
- Theory and practice: design
- Research project: design
- Professional design practice
- Social design strategies
- Design practice
Core modules are:
- Major design project: degree show
- Major research project
- Professional design practice
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures, practical sessions, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time: 8 years @ 20 hours per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
- Inverness
- Perth
Start date
- September
Fees
For information on costs of this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
Students are expected to fund the materials required for the production of projects, they should allow a starting budget of £150 per year for this.
Optional Course trips are available in some campuses at a fee of between £300 – £600, dependent upon selected destination.
What can I do on completion of my course?
The BA (Hons) Visual Communication and Design will prepare you for, but is not limited to, a career in digital media, design, broadcast, graphics, illustration or marketing.
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress to the MA Art and Social Practice
I chose UHI as I don’t like larger cities and here felt more relaxed. This course had a good variety of projects which allowed for us to explore different types of visual communications, learning about what ones we liked best and as we move through the years, we are given the opportunity to choose briefs that we feel best suit our personal preferences.
We work with clients during course, and I was lucky enough to have one of my designs chosen to be used by them. I have used software that is employers look for designers to have experience with as well as teaching me how to balance and prioritise large workloads. I made a lot of friends living in the halls of residence, I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere here and the lecturing staff are great! For me, the best thing about living here is the outdoors. You never need to go too far away to take a break from everything.
Robyn studied the BA (Hons) Visual Communication and Design at UHI Inverness.
I didn’t consider any other universities. The Visual Communications and design course allowed me to explore a multitude of mediums and modes of expression, helping me to discover my creativity and nurturing my existing skills into a professional practice. I entered my studies as someone with very little self-confidence or direction and left with passion and a drive to do something with my life.
I always felt supported to do my best work and was in a constant state of inspiration, the lecturers for the creative industry courses are extremely knowledgeable and very happy to share their experience.
My studies at UHI Perth have allowed me to develop as a professional and have pushed me to explore avenues which I’d had otherwise thought to be out of reach. Some of live creative briefs I tackled during my studies are still part of my portfolio today and have helped illustrate the skills and experience I bring to creative projects. What I like most about UHI is the friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Gregor studied the BA (Hons) Visual Communication and Design at UHI Perth.
Apply for Visual Communication and Design BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.