Course summary

Discover the emergent principles of graphic design and digital storytelling – developing your skills as an independent, authentic and confident practitioner with an initial foundation year to prepare for the course.

UCAS points

• 80

This must include at least 32 points from at least one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (to include a relevant subject, such as Art, Design and Technology, Textiles or Graphics). For example:

• CDD at A Level with a grade C in a relevant subject.

• MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.

• Pass overall from a T level qualification with C from core

• A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M in a relevant subject and may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies

• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4

We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Art and Design.

We treat the foundation year as part of the Art and Design degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Art and Design degrees.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider the Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

Portfolio review

If your application is successful, you will receive an email inviting you to submit a link to your portfolio.

The portfolio helps us understand whether we are able to offer you a place on the course you’ve applied for. Your UCAS statement and portfolio provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your creative experience, potential ability and enthusiasm for the course you’ve applied for. Visit our portfolio review guidance.

Future careers

This course prepares you for careers and future study in:

• Graphic design
• User experience (UX) design
• Designing for environments and 3D spaces
• Editorial and digital publishing
• Motion graphics and animation
• Illustration and printmaking
• Branding and visual identity
• Advertising
• Design strategy and policy making
• User research
• Account directing
• Graphic design for film and TV
• Typography and type design
• Digital product design

Many of our graduates launch their own businesses, while previous graduates of this course now work for global studios and agencies such as:

• BT
• Coop
• Disney
• Department of Education
• DixonBaxi Studio
• Du. st Design
• G4S
• GBH
• Jaywing
• Regular Practice
• Sky
• Studio Hawk
• Why Not Associates

Apply for an undergraduate degree course

How to apply for a foundation, top-up or bachelors degree

For undergraduate degrees, UK applicants need to apply through UCAS, the University and College Admissions Service.

Undergraduate degrees include:

• Foundation degrees (FdA, FdEng, FdSc)
• Top-up degrees (BA, BSc, BENG, LLB)
• Bachelors degrees (BA, BSc, BENG, LLB)

Applications open in September for courses starting in October the following year.

International applicants

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply direct or through UCAS. To apply direct, please use the online application form.

Getting started with UCAS

The first step is to register in the UCAS Hub and start a new application. You can save your application as you go, so you can complete a little bit at a time if you want to.

We recommend reading UCAS's guide to filling in the application form.

Your statement and references

As part of your UCAS application, you'll need to write a personal statement. You might also need to give names and contact details for people who can give you a reference.

If you're not sure where to start, try our guides to writing a good statement and choosing the right referees.

Assessing your application

Our admissions tutors will:

• check the subjects you're studying
• check your grades
• read your personal statement
• read the references we've received.

Depending on your course and application, we might also:

• invite you an interview
• invite you to submit a portfolio.

If you are invited to one of these, we'll send you everything you need to know. But if you'd like to know more now, you can read our guides to preparing for an interview and preparing a portfolio.

Application decision

After assessing your application, we will contact you with a decision. We usually start to make offers from November through to March, depending on when you applied.