BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Start working towards your career in graphics with the BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme at BSBI. This programme has been selected by BSBI from among the many prestigious international degrees offered by University for the Creative Arts.

Faculty of Creative Industries

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Overview

Throughout this exciting degree, our aim is to foster new talent into creative leaders within the commercially oriented field of graphic design. From typography to visual corporate identity, you’ll meet the demands for UI/UX design solutions, websites and digital publishing. This is the guided pathway for our students to generate outstanding quality content for their successful futures within the communications industry.

BSBI’s diverse approach to teaching includes studio-based collaborative learning environment, workshops and support to find extra-curricular industry placements, always with a strong emphasis on the highest practical and industry related standards. The backbone of which is our strong focus on enterprise, leadership and success.

The course enables you to develop your design potential whilst guided by industry experts combining your work within an extensive portfolio of powerful software skills and effective creative thinking methods in highly complex design situations enhanced by a practical, vocational approach.

The four-year international route programme includes a foundation year, which will introduce you to the fundamentals of the creative industry and will give you the opportunity to refine a career path. You’ll build a strong portfolio needed to progress directly into your BA degree, whilst being prepared to use English language in an academic context.

Berlin School of Business and Innovation is in partnership with University for the Creative Arts (UCA). As a result of this partnership, BSBI is able to offer the BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme. UCA is an acclaimed creative institution in the UK that ranks highly in all three of the major UK league tables. The university has also been ranked 13th out of all UK universities in the Guardian League Table 2020; and ranked no.7 in the 2021 Guardian League Tables for Business, Management & Marketing.

SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS PROGRAMME BY APPLYING TODAY.

FIND OUT HOW TO APPLY HERE

What will you experience?

Central elements of this course include typographic skills and the focused application of design principles, which respond to practical design challenges in highly versatile markets. Structured teaching also encourages independent learning and project management. Students will engage in studio time, seminars and workshops but also supplementary activities such as gaining industry experience, all within Europe’s most exciting leading creative industry hub of Hamburg.

Students will have additional access to course and reading materials via the University for the Creative Arts platform.

Why study this course?

You will earn a bachelor’s degree with 120 UK credits per year (equivalent to 60 ECTS per year). This helps student mobility in the EU when it comes to transferring credits from one higher education institution to another.

Who should take this course?

In partnership with the highest-ranking creative education institutions, we aim to attract the most creative minds to generate expert professionals who will be equipped with the creative and practical solutions required in the professional graphic design landscape.

Course price

Hamburg: October

2024 October: International students Price: €11,000/year | EU students Price: €8,450/year

Special offer effective until 31 December 2024: Up to 30% savings for International Students | 10% savings for EU Students

Terms and conditions apply. Find out more here.

The School’s admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.

BSBI Portfolio Scholarship Competition

Students have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and the chance to receive a scholarship on tuition! This competition is valid on the Faculty of Creative Industries programmes being offered at the Hamburg campus.

Best Portfolio (Study for Free!)

1 Student | 100% Scholarship on Tuition

Second Best Portfolio

10 Students | 50% Scholarship on Tuition

Third Best Portfolio

20 Students | 40% Scholarship on Tuition

Find out more about how to apply here.

Programme Structure

The majority of your work will be completed in groups and on-going support will be provided through the use of structured, targeted individual tutorials and online tutorials.

The learning and teaching will consist of a variety of elements such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, animated/non-animated video, practical work, seminars and trips. The assessment strategy will include individual/group reports and/or presentations, case studies, essays, portfolio development, reflective journals and experiential work-based activities.

Teaching takes place Monday to Saturdays, during morning, afternoon, or evening sessions.

Please note: each year is divided into three terms.

INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION IN ART DESIGN AND MEDIA

  • English for Academic Purposes, Research and Study skills
  • Exploring Practices, Process, Materials and Techniques
  • Investigating Specialist Practice
  • Final Major Project

YEAR 1

  • Methods and Processes
  • Typography and Principles of Visual Communication
  • Historical and Contextual Methods

YEAR 2

  • Design Direction
  • Contextual Research and Theory
  • Study Abroad Exchange (optional)

YEAR 3

  • Contextual Research and Critical Perspectives
  • Final Major Project
  • Professional Practice

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Apply good knowledge of English to communicate relevant international, cultural, contemporary knowledge and historical, theoretical and professional contexts
  • Understand and formulate unique ideas into convincing concepts for the industry
  • Generate research and apply technological, theoretical and detailed knowledge of graphic design 
  • Understand various emerging and contemporary developments and debates in the communications industry

Application to the industry

  • Apply autonomy to deliver primary and secondary research involving the identification and use of relevant resources
  • To remain focused on upcoming employment opportunities within today’s dynamic and versatile market 
  • Combine practical training with independent study, to reach full design potential and respond effectively to changing briefs and client’s needs
  • Evaluate and apply a range of methods to respond to evolving and emerging technological changes in design applications to support opportunities in your creative practice 

Skills

  • Enhance understanding of critical engagement within the creative arts industry
  • Apply profound graphic design principles and technical skills in relation to associated industries and environments
  • Present and communicate compelling ideas, concepts, sustained research and teamwork efforts
  • Stay career minded and sustain your own networkability
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Career Progression

BSBI’s industry focused environment provides the ideal support to our students in their personal and professional development. Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll be able to pursue the following careers:

  • Graphic designer
  • Branding/corporate designer
  • Packaging designer
  • Editorial designer
  • Web and app designer
  • UI/UX designer
  • Art director
  • Creative director
  • Video director
  • Visualiser/visual creative

Hamburg shows it is at the heart of the creative industries within Europe.

Designers can benefit from digitization and the positive economic situation in Germany, did you know the industry has had an average growth of 4.1% until 2014-2019 in the communication design industry? 

Source: Ibisworld.com

Established Creative Agencies: 

Study in Hamburg, close to creative agencies like Jung von Matt, Blynk, Serious, Paperlux Studio, Sum.Cumo. Better yet, be near to start ups featuring client portfolios reaching from BMW, Google, Airbus to Mercedes Benz and Mc’ Donalds.

BSBI’s dedicated Careers Service helps graphic design students and alumni reach their career goals and realise their potential. The Service offers specialised support and aims to build long-lasting relationships with local and national employers. To find out more about the support available, visit the Careers Service website.