Overview
Study Graphic Design at Canterbury Christ Church University and become a confident and artistic graphic designer. At CCCU, you’ll be immersed in a vibrant studio culture that fosters collaboration and creativity.
Our supportive community encourages peer-to-peer learning, ensuring you thrive in an environment where ideas are shared and creativity flourishes. Learn in our state-of-the-art Daphne Oram building for creative arts, with access to industry-standard facilities including a print studio and Mac rooms.
As you study Graphic Design at university, you’ll hone your skills in complex design software and gain the technical expertise essential for modern graphic design. Our curriculum covers all aspects of graphic design, from typography and branding to digital design and print making, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
A foundation year will help you develop the study skills and self-confidence needed for higher education when you don’t reach the entry requirements for your subject or you need a grounding in a new subject area.
What’s more, you’ll benefit from strong industry connections through practising design lecturers, live projects, and networking events, gaining real-world experience, which is crucial for building a standout professional portfolio.
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate.
Join us at CCCU, where you'll not only learn the art and science of graphic design but also become part of a creative and supportive community ready to push your boundaries and create impactful work.
100%
of our Graphic Design students were in high-skilled or graduate level employment 15 months after finishing their course
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024Entry requirements
64
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | DDE |
| BTEC | MPP |
| Access | Pass 45 Credits |
| International Baccalaureate | TBC |
More information
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Module information
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. So we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Alongside the modules below you will choose from our new curriculum that will help you achieve student success, engage with contemporary topics and work with industry or the community.
As well as the core modules, you will also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. This will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module and staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular option module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You'll be taught through a combination of practical workshops, lectures, tutorials and critique sessions.
Each module will require you to respond to at least one 'brief' (as in industry). The brief will specify your deign challenge, itemise resources and assets, note any constraints and advise a schedule of activities.
During practical workshops you'll gain the skills and technical knowledge needed to respond to the briefs. Lectures will give you a firm grounding in the theoretical aspects of graphic design and will help you to develop your critical understanding of your own practice. Tutorials enable you to discuss your individual design work with your tutors and the critique sessions are to help you show and explain your working processes and to deliver and receive feedback with your peers and tutors. This combined approach encourages expression of your ideas, observations and experiences within a supportive academic environment.
You'll also meet with your academic personal tutor to get personal support throughout the course.
When not attending lectures, critiques, workshops or other timetabled sessions, you'll continue learning through self-study. Typically, this involves working on practical briefs and preparing for coursework assignments, workshops and tutorials, reading journal articles and books and undertaking research in the library, and making use of the print making studio facilities. Independent learning will take up to 24 hours per week.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
In some of your modules in Year 2 and Year 3, you'll undertake independent research working under the supervision of a member of the course team. You will meet with your supervisor regularly and they will support you to ensure you carry out your research effectively and reach your full potential.
Whilst your workload will change in response to deadlines, you should see your studies as a full-time job of at least 36 hours per week.
The team consists of highly qualified industry professionals, who have interests and experience in diverse areas of graphic design. All of the teaching team hold teaching qualifications and are research-active, sharing a range of expertise and experience. They all have experience in delivering research-informed teaching and have an enthusiastic passion for design.
A foundation year provides an introduction to academic study and life at university, supporting every student to achieve their full potential.Simon PrinceFoundation Year Course Director
How you’ll be assessed
Graphic Design is assessed through the submission of practical assignments normally consisting of a practical response to a brief (such as a game), and a supporting set of materials (such as a PDF collection of sketches and planning, and/or a written or video-based evaluation). The requirements of each module will be made clear in their handbooks / briefs. There is one module per year that is assessed using essays, but this is primarily a practical degree programme. There are no formal exams. Each module contains several opportunities for 'formative' assessment also known as a “crit”/"critique" for which you give and receive feedback from your tutor and peers.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
Graphic Design is assessed 100% through coursework. Each practical module (five per year in Years 1 and 2) will contain 2 briefs requiring responses from you. In the case of group work your individual contribution is what is assessed. While this is primarily a practical degree every year you have one theory-based module requiring an essay as your coursework submission. You are assessed against module-specific Learning Outcomes and School-level marking criteria which are made available to students during their studies.
Feedback
You will receive formative feedback on all practice assessments and summative feedback on end of module assessment hand-ins. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor. In addition to summative feedback (normally returned 15 working days after submission), you will have frequent opportunities to present and receive feedback on your progress as part of the teaching.
Your future career
Graphic design is a creative professional discipline that remains in strong demand. Graduates from the course have moved into a range of creative careers, including working as graphic designers either salaried within design agencies or on a freelance basis.
Our interdisciplinary ethos and approach assist graduates in working not only in prescribed work roles such as graphic designers, graphic artists and art workers but in working across a range of creative industries including graphic design, influencing, marketing, social media, web design and beyond.
Graduate destinations include Netflix, Universal, BBC, TEA Entertain, Sky as well as lots of local Design agencies such as Geo Media, Sleeping Giant and Finally.
Many students also continue on to further study, such as postgraduate courses in Graphic Design or related creative disciplines both at Canterbury Christ Church University and at other institutions.
I left CCCU with a thorough understanding of how to approach and question creative briefs as well as a presentable portfolio, which ultimately landed me my first job.Sophie, Graphic Design CCCU alumni
Graphic Design
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time - Foundation Year 0 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
| Full-time - years 1-3 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
The tuition fees relate to 2025/26 only. Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
Home (UK) tuition fees for Foundation Years at Canterbury Christ Church University will be set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for foundation years in classroom-based subjects or non-classroom based subjects, as set by the UK Government.
Home (UK) tuition fees for subsequent years 1-3 are currently set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for standard undergraduate degrees set by the UK Government.
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 onwards, our undergraduate home tuition fees for subsequent years of study are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Industry links
We work with a range of design companies and other industry partners as the initiators of live client briefs. In recent years these have included Finally Agency, Rising Sun Domestic Abuse Charity, The Goods Shed, The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, Red Bullet Agency, Edible Kingdom, John Baxter (Parisian author and literary walking tour guide), Broadstairs Folk Festival, Saga Holidays, Greyhound Board of Great Britain, Sea Green Art and The Canterbury Society.
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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