Graphic Design at UCA

With an emphasis on research and problem-solving, our Graphic Design course at UCA Farnham will give you, as a graphic designer, the tools and confidence to develop your practice as a skilled professional communicator.

Our priority on this course is to ensure that your work comes from a place of informed and independent research and that you master your own unique style and visual language within graphic design.

On this course, you'll explore different applications of visual language and how it relates to your area of specialism. In the process, you'll enhance your understanding of the aesthetic and commercial value of your work, and build professional experience that will make your practice more innovative.

Benefitting from our course staff's extensive industry links, you'll also have the chance to foster relationships with industry partners within your area of specialism. UCA is proud to boast connections with a range of organisations including the BBC, FutureBrand, GF Smith and Typocircle.

Through guest lectures, live briefs and opportunities to network with industry experts, you’ll gain current experience of the design industry, learning how to present both yourself and your design work in a professional arena.

Course entry options

Select from the following options to find out more about the different study options available for this course:

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Graphic Design
MA

A one-year course of advanced study for furthering your research skills and specialising within your discipline.

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Campus
UCA Farnham
Start date(s)
September 2025
Duration
1 year full-time
Entry requirements

Honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in the subject/related discipline
and/or
Relevant work experience

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Graphic Design
MA with Integrated Pre-Masters

This course includes a year-long preparatory course of study to ready you for your Masters course, developing your specialist knowledge, research skills and confidence in working alone.

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Campus
UCA Farnham
Start date(s)
September 2025
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry requirements

A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject

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Graphic Design

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Duration
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Graphic Design

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Campus
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Graphic Design

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Campus
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Graphic Design

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Accreditations, partners and industry connections

The World Design Organization (WDO) logo

The World Design Organization (WDO)

The World Design Organization (WDO) is a global network of almost 200 members. It is an international non-governmental organisation that promotes the profession of design and its ability to generate better products, systems, services, and experiences; better business and industry; and ultimately a better environment and society.

Roshini Surietty, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Nirmalkumar Paghdal, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Manika Manandhar, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Chun Yang Lin, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Maryann Philip, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Kavya Gupta, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Mitanshee Srivastava, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Roshini Surietty, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Chaithra Baiju, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Yash Dobariya, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Simran Deo, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham Amet Yu, MA Graphic Design, UCA Farnham
What you'll study

What you'll
study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

On this course you’ll prepare for postgraduate study with a mix of online and face-to-face learning that will give you the study skills required to complete a Masters course.

Studio 1
This unit is your investigation into expanded forms of practice. By challenging traditional and established means of communication, through visual and contextual investigation, you will develop experimental and varied methodologies and processes.

Research & Professional Contexts 1
You will be introduced to the principles of research and the methodological approaches applied to the study, analysis and production of practice. As such, this unit establishes the basis that all practice, intellectual thought and knowledge acquisition is informed through distinct stages of research management.

Studio 2
You will be encouraged to critically reflect on the development of your research and will challenge you to investigate multiple areas of study. A series of practice-based projects will enable you to consider and apply a range of methods, approaches and ideas which will inform and assist you in the development of your practice.

Research & Professional Contexts 2
In this unit, you will identify and make contact with an external partner, with whom you will agree a project plan and agree outcomes. By working with an external partner, you will have the opportunity to place your work in a wider contemporary context and engage new audiences.

Major Project
The culmination of your studies, this unit gives you the opportunity to demonstrate evidence of advanced conceptual, theoretical, and technical. You will apply your research skills and in-depth subject knowledge to produce a substantial major project that is innovative and sophisticated in its conception and execution.

Course specifications

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.

Fees & funding

Fees & financial support

Tuition fees

  • 2025/26: £10,500

Tuition fees

Tuition fees

  • 2025/26 (MA): £18,000
  • 2025/26 (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - Sept & Jan): £17,500
  • 2025/26 (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - May): £8,750

Please note: the fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only. For more detailed information about our course fees please see our fees and finance pages. 

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of financial support information available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

Current UCA students and alumni may be eligible for a tuition fee discount.

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources. Discover what support you might qualify for please see our scholarships and fee discounts.

Additional course costs

In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make. Please see the Additional Course Costs section of the Course Information Document for more details of the costs you may incur.

Explore our Gradshow

Each year, we’re privileged to be able to share our graduates’ incredible work with the world. And now’s your chance to take a look.

Visit the online showcase

Facilities

We have dedicated graphics studios, as well as digital media suites equipped with Macs and PCs, which are programmed with specialist software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Dreamweaver, After Effects and Fontographer. There are also screen printing, Riso, letterpress, intaglio and book-binding workshop facilities, as well as an open access printmaking studio. Additionally, there are photographic studios with darkrooms and digital processing equipment.

View 360 virtual tour

Graphics studios, UCA Farnham

Printmaking studio

Print studio, UCA Farnham

Digital Media Suite, UCA Farnham

Digital media suite, UCA Farnham

Student in UCA Farnham library

Library, UCA Farnham

Career opportunities

You'll benefit from well-established industry links with corporate, media, cultural and creative organisations.

Our course has links with:

  • Design Bridge
  • Pearlfisher (design group)
  • FutureBrand
  • The Brewery
  • The BBC
  • Imagine
  • Bloom
  • Interbrand

We also have regular guest lecturers and recent guests have included:

  • Richard Williams - Founder of Williams Murray Hamm
  • Tim Perkins - Group Director of Design Bridge
  • Philip Carter - Founder of Carter Wong Tomlin
  • Helen Healy - Picture Editor for the Guardian newspaper

MA Graphic Design alumni go on to work in a diverse variety of exciting careers. Employment opportunities include:

  • Graphic design
  • Museum design
  • Web or interactive design
  • Picture editing
  • Freelance design or illustration
  • Brand design
  • Packaging design
  • Retail design
  • Art direction
  • Design management.

You may want to undertake further study or research to specialise even further.

Entry & portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. You can either submit a digital portfolio or request an in-person portfolio review with the course team. Further information will be provided once you have applied. View portfolio advice

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