Course summary
Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster.
Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.
Our Foundation year in Art and Design is designed to provide you with an introduction to our range of subject areas, and to prepare you for the discipline of your choice. It will give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within the field. It begins in the first semester with the development of fundamental Art and Design skills, as well as practical exploration across all of the disciplines in our Art and Design Foundation programme. In the second semester you are encouraged to specialise in your own discipline and are supported at this stage by tutors from your host course. You will also benefit from workshops in our high-end facilities, and from working with leading academics who will encourage you to become a confident and creative thinker. Your practical development is accompanied by modules in both semesters on foundational academic skills – skills that will be essential as you progress to your chosen full degree.
On successful completion of the Foundation year, you'll be able to move on to study for the Graphic Design BA Honours degree over a further three years study.
On the Graphic Design BA you’ll learn a broad range of creative, technical and professional skills and use these to respond to industry-standard briefs and collaborative project work – preparing you for life as a professional graphic designer.
Our Graphic Design BA reflects both the multi-disciplinary nature of today’s graphic design industry and the constantly evolving society in which we live.
A graphic designer is a creative problem solver who understands the psychology of how and why people engage with visual messages such as brands, across numerous formats – including screen, print, objects and physical spaces. During the course you’ll learn the latest processes and software, but you’ll become far more than a technologist. Instead, you’ll use analogue and digital tools to explore typography, photography, film and visual effects to create powerful interactive content that engages, promotes, entertains and informs.
Collaboration is at the heart of this course. Located at our Harrow campus you’ll be an integral part of our Art, Design and Visual Culture community, working alongside students from illustration, animation, games design, film, photography, music, fashion and journalism. Through project work you’ll learn how to collaborate with people from other disciplines effectively, and gain crucial teamwork and communication skills.
The main aim of the course is to prepare you for a successful career. Taught by experienced industry practitioners, you’ll take professional core skills modules throughout your three years of study. This can be complemented by an optional additional year spent on placement with a relevant company or studying abroad. You’ll also have access to events and industry-set competitions through our links with organisations such as New Designers and D&AD.
Top reasons to study with us
- Westminster is ranked 2nd in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025 for ‘Research Quality’ in Art and Design
- Join an institution ranked in the UK top 20 for communication and media studies (QS World University Rankings 2024) and for student satisfaction in communication and media studies (Complete University Guide 2024)
- Study in an extensive design-focused campus 20 minutes from central London, taking advantage of the capital’s cultural and creative opportunities
- Become proficient in industry-standard software tools including Adobe InDesign, PhotoShop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premier Pro and XD
- Work in advanced facilities including our extensive print, 3D and photographic studios and our specialist Emerging Media Space for 3D printing, laser cutting and realities such as VR, MR and AR.
- Learn to market your skills, network with industry professionals and find work through the Westminster Enterprise Network
- Spend a year on placement or studying abroad, adding an impressive element to your CV
- Exhibit at our end-of-year student showcase at London Gallery West and the New Designers industry show