2022/23 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BA Graphic and Communication Design (No longer recruiting from 2024/25)

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

In accordance with the School of Design admissions policy: please see our website (www.design.leeds.ac.uk)

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

Design

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Design

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Art and Design

Programme specification:

The programme will provide a challenging scheme of study with emphasis on independent enquiry and creative practice, informed by academic studies in a range of art and design subjects. Graphic design is a constantly evolving discipline; its relationship to business has been long established both through innovation and the development of communication strategies to achieve business objectives. The ability to take advantage of the opportunities within this relationship is fundamental to the aims of the programme.

Graphic & Communication Design is defined by the development of a creative concept visualised through effective creation and manipulation of visual images and words. The selection and application of appropriate media is essential to the effective delivery of the creative concept, or communication message. Without an inventive response to a design brief, neither technical expertise nor methodology will produce solutions above the commonplace. The programme brings together the creative, practical and intellectual elements of visual communication and will provide an opportunity for students to become focused and professional in their approach to their work.

At Level 1 each student experiences practical involvement in different aspects of graphic design and communication, gaining and developing fundamental intellectual and studio skills through project work and the development of creative computer skills in the dedicated Apple Mac suites. Contextual subjects examining the history and theory of art and design, the development of visual culture and the fundamentals of digital imaging are studied.

At Level 2 there are opportunities for students to undertake specialist projects in digital imaging, visual communications and marketing, graphic design and advertising and branding. Students will continue to engage in complementary studies in research methods and marketing.

At Level 3 the students follow a programme of practical and theoretical self-directed study. This includes a written investigation into a subject of their choice, relevant to graphic and communication design, and the research, production and presentation of a major design or visual communications portfolio. This final body of work is related to the student's chosen professional ambition. At each level students may choose to study subjects from a range of optional modules from within the School or (at levels 1 or 2) discovery modules offered by other departments in the University. This allows students to tailor their academic study to their own interests and strengths, develop useful complementary skills such as languages, or gain knowledge that helps make them unique as graduates.

Industrial Year Subject to satisfactory academic performance in Levels 1 and 2, students will be given the opportunity to gain an additional one year placement following Level 2. This UK or international work placement enables the student to gain a broad experience and insight into industry. Recent placements have included The Chase Creative Consultants, Fresh 01, McCann Erikkson and Huet & Co. The industrial variant of the programme will allow students to enhance their personal development and learning experience within a real life situation in preparation for their chosen career.

Year Abroad Subject to satisfactory academic performance in Levels 1 and 2, students will be given the opportunity to take an additional study year abroad at an appropriate European or International Institution. A satisfactory academic report from the host institution and a specified assignment by the student (portfolio or written report) must be submitted by the following October of the Year Abroad in order to be awarded the International variant of the programme.

The programme is principally, but not exclusively, directed towards careers in the communications and media industries. Graduates have an impressive track record as prize winners in national competitions and find jo bs with sought after employers in the graphic, creative and media sectors. The programme's emphasis on gaining academic and transferable skills equips students for a broad range of prestigious employment, enterprise or postgraduate opportunities.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as ’PFP’

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Students will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules:

Students may also study 0-20 credits of Discovery Modules.

The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.

Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.

Discovery modules:

Candidates will be required to study 0 - 20 credits of Discovery Modules

Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as ’PFP’

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Students will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules:

Students may also study 0-20 credits of Discovery Modules.

The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.

Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Candidates will be required to study 0 - 20 credits of Discovery Modules

Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as ’PFP’

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Students will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules:

Students may also study 0-20 credits of Discovery Modules.

The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.

Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.

Discovery modules:

Students may choose 0-20 credits of discovery modules. These must be at level 2 or level 3 unless they are special skills Discovery modules.

Last updated: 09/03/2023 10:45:05

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