Art - graphic design degrees

[stardust101]

DD is researching into options for Uni and thinks she may want to do her degree in graphic design/ graphic communication. She doesn't mind where in country she studies. Just wondered if anyone knew about this area and could recommend any good uni's? We are looking at doing a few open events so researching atm for 2023 entry. Thanks

My niece did graphic design at UAL and got a job as a graphic designer within a couple of months of graduating.

UAL are world leading - Central St Martins, London College of Communication and Camberwell are all under the UAL umbrella and well respected.

I’m not so knowledgeable on courses outside of London although Manchester has a good reputation and the courses looks pretty solid.

My DD studied graphic design at Arts University Bournemouth. It was great for her. Prepared her very well for the world of work. Her cohort all seemed to get good design jobs pretty quickly when they graduated.
The other place that seemed to have a good reputation when she was applying was Nottingham Trent

Thanks, I'll look into those although I think she prefers outside London. Also does anyone know how competitive places are. The grades required are not overly high but I assume they focus on portfolio. I wanted to make sure she had a good mix of choices including aspirational, likely and back up. Some sound very competitive.

A friend's dd also went to Bournemouth and has now graduated and has found employment as a graphic designer .

Back when they published percentage of applicants who got offers, it was between 60% and 30% for the better places, depending on the year. Yes, it's mostly about portfolio. There's often an interview where they talk about your work and perhaps do a group task to see how everyone gets on (relevant because there's a LOT of group work on the course). We were told it's important to have stuff in your portfolio that's obviously not school coursework. My DD had simple things like a label she'd designed for a friend's charity elderflower cordial bottles, a flyer to get new recruits for a football team, a Christmas card design. Just helpful stuff she'd done for people that was more graphic design than art, but the main thing was that it was stuff she'd done without teacher telling her to. Oh, and she went to a life drawing class, which the uni tutors liked. Anything that's obvious you're drawing from life not a photo seems to get brownie points. But doesn't have to be drawing. Quite useful to include photography, too, or things to showcase other creative skills.

Thanks for the portfolio tips. I'll mention that as she can produce some during summer break.

My son is first year graphic design at Arts university Bournemouth and really enjoying it. His other choices were Falmouth and Kingston both with excellent reputations. Selection definitely seems to be on the strength of the portfolio. They all offer guidance online on what to include. Falmouth especially had excellent online information. My son doesn’t like drawing and fine art and had barely any of that in his portfolio, yet received unconditional offers from Falmouth and Kingston and BBB from AUB. I believe they are quite competitive. However, since he’s been there, it seems that many if not most, have done the art foundation year and got on the course from successfully completing that. You should try and visit and get a feel for the place.