Top 10 reasons to study Graphic Design at BCU

If you have a passion for graphic design and a desire to work in the creative industries, our diverse, practice-led BA Graphic Design course could be the one for you. From highly experienced tutors to industry-standard facilities, we’ve compiled the top ten reasons why this degree is an excellent step towards pursuing your dream creative career.

1. Our industry partnerships

You can benefit from our strong links with industry partners, who set live project briefs for students to work on during the course. This experience working with industry boosts your CV and enhances your portfolio ready for graduation. Our partnerships include high-profile organisations such as Moonpig, Turner Duckworth, Superunion, Conran Design, Design Bridge, Man Vs Machine, Studio BLUP, Bulletproof, The Times and The Pratt Institute and many more.

 2. Our experienced course tutors

The tutors on our BA Graphic Design course are enthusiastic individuals who are practitioners in their field, and keen to pass on the knowledge of their own professional experience. All of our tutors specialise in either designing or researching for a variety of fields including typography, wayfinding, interactive design, motion graphics, brand and UI, packaging, print making and letterpress.

3. Our facilities

The course is situated at our £62 million Parkside Building which boasts state-of the-art facilities, allowing you to pursue your particular interests and develop your practice through the use of industry-standard equipment. You’ll have access to digital print centres, screen-printing and letterpress facilities, Adobe software training rooms, bookbinding and printing facilities, 3D printing, and typographic archives.

4. Our work placement opportunities

You will have the exciting opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of the course. Whether you’re interested in editorial design, branding or art direction, a placement with a high-profile company and work experience with real-life clients is the best way to prepare for your career in industry. See more about how our students have worked with industry.

5. Our community

As a Graphic Design student you’ll be part of the friendly and vibrant community in the College of Art and Design. Based in the Parkside Building, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with other creative students studying illustration, photography, film and animation and diversify your own practice.

6. Our international perspective 

BCU has a diverse community of students from all over the world, and the Graphic Design course has a widely internationalised curriculum. You will also have opportunities to study abroad as part of your course and take trips to locations such as New York, Berlin and Paris.

7. Our external engagement

The Graphic Design course offers you the chance to get off campus and benefit from visits to companies, interviews, specialist events and guest lectures from visiting professionals in the field. This ensures you leave with the knowledge needed to excel in the working world.

8. Our networking opportunities

Through placements, external engagement and collaboration with other students, you’ll have lots of opportunities to network and build strong professional relationships within the creative sector, even before graduating. This can often lead to opportunities such as work placements, sponsorships, future clients and, in some instances, permanent employment.

9. Our focus on employability

The approach and structure of the course has been designed to ensure that you leave confident in your practice and with a set of transferable skills. As a graduate from the course, you’ll be suitable for employment, not just within the creative industries, but in other professional sectors such as marketing, education, tourism and freelance.

On top of this, you have access to our employability services during and after your time at BCU, Careers+ and Graduate+.

10. Our awards ceremony

In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the College of Art and Design Awards. Prizes, provided by our industry sponsors, range from professional mentorships, to work placements, to bursaries – all invaluable to new graduates beginning their careers! You have a chance to showcase the work you have done with BCU's Inspired Festival with the opportunity to have it presented around Birmingham City Centre on billboards and on BCU campus.