Graphic design shapes the way we see and think about the world around us. Join our award-wining students on the BDes (Hons) Graphic Design learning how to use graphic design to tell meaningful stories that make a difference.

The four-year BDes (Hons) Graphic Design degree offers a highly regarded and carefully considered programme which equips our students with the skills to meet current industry demands and nurtures thoughtful graduates who understand the value of ideas, ethics, concept development and deep thinking in design.

Gain practical work experience supported by our network of local, national and international industry partners along the way. During your studies you’ll have the opportunity to undertake live projects, placements and international exchange.

This programme scored 96% for overall satisfaction in the 2026 results from the National Student Survey (NSS).

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

Start date:

UCAS code:

Study Abroad:

Visit us

Apply for September 2027

Enquire about this course >

READ MORE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS

"My personal highlight was the creative freedom of the whole placement. The brief was very simple and open to interpretation. You could design whatever you wanted."

Bryony Spooner

Graphic Design student

Read more

"It was great to work with someone in a different field, witnessing different stages of our work develop into one full product. It was amazing to see the sketches grow from ideas."

Heather Fletcher

This course emphasises the importance of ideas and originality of content as key elements and the fundamental cornerstone of the graphic design process. It encourages creativity, integrity, social and ethical responsibility and a sense of challenge in the work undertaken.

The course will expose you to design in its broadest sense, including media, motion and spatial applications.

You'll gain the skills you need to successfully operate as a professional graphic designer, learning and develop expertise in techniques ranging from the traditional to the cutting-edge and experimental, all underpinned by deepening levels of conceptual and critical thinking. You'll gain the skills to develop unique design ideas, establish rigorous design processes, deal with complex design issues, make informed judgements and communicate conclusions clearly to a professional audience.

You'll gain an understanding of the creative economy and professional design practice. Throughout your studies you'll have opportunities to work on live projects, to undertake a work placement, and to benefit from lectures and workshops run by members of our supportive network of industry practitioners. These practical experiences provide the opportunity not only to engage with current graphic design practice but also to build your own network of contacts.

Throughout the course there are opportunities for international experiences. We work on projects with international clients and collaborators around the world, and also organise annual study trips to explore the graphic design culture in a different European destination each year. And you'll have the opportunity to apply to study abroad at one of our partner universities for a trimester in Year 3.

In the final year you'll devise your major project, articulating an individual design philosophy and further enhancing your subject specific skills and knowledge.

How you’ll be taught

This is a full-time course studied over four years. You'll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, workshop sessions and independent study.

Core knowledge and contextual understanding is acquired through lectures, studio practical activities, seminars, tutorials, group work, fieldwork and guided independent learning.

Assessments

Your knowledge and understanding of graphic design will be assessed using a combination of presentations of graphic design solutions, portfolios of creative work,

exhibitions, essays and self-reflective reports, regular individual and group presentations of projects to tutors, peers and, where appropriate, external bodies. Assessment methods are dependent on the module deliverables, whether studio-based or theoretical/contextual and can be through presentations, a portfolio of creative work, or a written submission.

Work placement

In the second trimester of your third year you will have the opportunity to study at a partner University overseas, or take a work placement in industry. Edinburgh-based StudioLR sponsors a best in show prize at our annual Degree Show, with the winner getting the chance to go and work with the agency for a month. We also have strong links with local agencies who offer mentoring and placements throughout the year, including Design Bridge in London, which has employed six of our graduates.

Study abroad

The programme has a wide international footprint. In the second trimester of your third year you will have the opportunity to study at a partner university overseas, or take a work placement in industry. The programme currently has international partners in France, Canada, USA, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Facilities

This course is taught in person at our Merchiston campus.

Popular modules

Foundation Digital Media 1

Foundation Digital Media 2

Foundation Graphic Design 1

Foundation Graphic Design 2

Visual Research Methods

Debating Design 1

Debating Design 2

Information Design

Graphic Design Studio 1

Graphic Design Studio 2

Illustration Text & Image

Design Studies 1

Design Studies 2

Graphic Design Studio 3 (Motion Graphics)

Experiential Graphic Design

Art Direction

International & Intercultural Graphic Design

Branding

Work Placement or Overseas Study Module

Design Major Project

Minor Project

Design Research Portfolio

Professional Practice Media Production

Also in year 4:

Enter work into competitions

Meet your Programme Leader and Teaching Team

Throughout your studies, you'll learn from experienced professionals and industry leaders who bring valuable expertise, insight and real-world perspectives to your learning experience.

Programme Leader: Seb Chaloner.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

English language

International students

Admissions policies

What are the entry requirements for Graphic Design?

As part of the selection process suitably qualified applicants will normally be required to submit a portfolio. This applies to all years of entry. You can find more information about what to include in your portfolio here.

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

Standard Entry Requirement: BBBC preferably including one of: Art and Design, Design and Manufacture or Daydream Believers Level 6 Creative Thinking at grade B.

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC preferably including one of: Art and Design, Design and Manufacture or Daydream Believers Level 6 Creative Thinking at grade B.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

CCC preferably including one of: Art and Design/Design and Technology: (Product Design)

Irish Leaving Certificate

H2, H3, H3, H3 at HL including preferably Art.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject. Related subjects include - Art and Design/Art and Design Practice/Creative Media Practice/Creative Media Production/Creative Digital Media Production. Others may be considered please refer to admissions team.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades DD (Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject. Related subjects include - Art and Design/Art and Design Practice/Creative Media Practice/Creative Media Production/Creative Digital Media Production. Others may be considered please refer to admissions team.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6,5,4 including preferably one of: Visual Arts or Design Technology.

Grade Pass

T Level should preferably be completed in a Creative/Design subject. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

Minimum Year 2

Please note there are limited places available for Year 2 entry.

Scottish Advanced Higher

BBC including preferably one of: Art and Design or Design and Manufacture

BBB including preferably one of: Art and Design/Design and Technology: (Product Design)

Pass HNC in Interactive Design, Visual Communication or Visual Communication: User Experience Design with grade B in the graded unit.

Minimum Year 3

Please note there are limited places available for Year 3 entry.

Pass HND in Interactive Design, Visual Communication or Visual Communication: User Experience Design with grade B at SCQF Level 8 in all graded units.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:

BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery

MSc Nursing courses

All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study.

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies

Postgraduate admissions policies

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Undergraduate student fees and funding information

Postgraduate student fees and funding information

International student fees and funding information

Tuition fees

Students from

Scotland

England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland

Overseas and EU

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.

Careers & employability

What can you do with a BDes (Hons) Graphic Design?

In this immersive degree programme, you will enter the dynamic world of graphic design and unleash your passion for communication and visual storytelling. Through a comprehensive curriculum blending theory and practice, you will develop the skills and expertise needed to create compelling and impactful designs across a variety of mediums and platforms. As our society becomes more and more visually-oriented, the need for excellent graphic designers grows. There is wide scope for employment including:

Editorial design

Motion graphics

Content creation

Data visualisation

Packaging design

Exhibition design

Set / prop design

Branding / marketing / advertising

Service design

Design research

UX (user experience) design

Illustration

Art direction

You'll explore a diverse range of design principles and techniques, from typography and motion to editorial and information design. Through hands-on projects, studio sessions, and collaborative workshops, you'll gain practical experience applying design research and theory to solve real-world problems and communicate ideas effectively.

You'll become a versatile and skilled graphic designer, equipped to thrive in a variety of creative industries, from visual identity to motion design, data visualisation to publishing. Our BDes (Hons) in Graphic Design will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the dynamic and competitive field of graphic design.

What does a Graphic Designer do?

As a Graphic Designer, you will enter the world of visual storytelling where your creativity and design skills will bring information to life as you craft visual communications to capture attention and convey messages with impact.

Picture yourself collaborating with clients, colleagues and communities to understand their needs and objectives, then translating those into visually compelling designs that deeply resonate with audiences.

You'll leverage your expertise in design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud to bring ideas to life across various mediums, from print to digital, in two and three dimensions. Whether it's designing a logo that defines a visual identity, an infographics that distils complex information, or a social media campaign that sparks engagement, your work will leave a lasting impression. Your passion for design and your eye for detail will set you apart as a trusted creative partner, inspiring clients and colleagues with your innovative ideas and impeccable execution.

Contact us

Accessibility statement

Privacy policy

Cookie policy

Document Centre

Freedom of information

Modern Slavery statement

Making a complaint

Service status

Edinburgh Napier University is a registered Scottish charity. Registration SC018373

© 2026 Edinburgh Napier University

Accept Cookies

院校未公布 DSE 對應等級，請向院校確認。

請查看下方完整入學要求原文，或向院校確認。

成績符合不等於錄取；資料取自院校官方公開頁，取得日期見各課；最終以院校為準。

報告這課資料錯誤