Your future, supported. Our guidance, free. Talk to us on WhatsApp
CALMALINK · COURSES

BSc (Hons) Graphic Design with Foundation Year

Victoria College of Arts and Design (VCAD) · Arts University Plymouth

Explore this creative subject through visual research, project work and professional development. The official provider currently names the corresponding award BA (Hons); confirm the catalogue’s BSc title before applying.

The catalogue says BSc (Hons), while VCAD currently publishes a BA (Hons) with foundation year. The exact BSc curriculum is unverified; confirm the award title before applying.

London — Canary Wharf; Manchester — Wellington House; Leeds — Regents HouseBlendedDuration: 4 yearsNext intake: February 2027
Choose this course
01

Is this for you?

For visual thinkers interested in design, branding, print and digital experiences.

02

What you will learn

No verified curriculum is published for this variant. We can help you confirm it before choosing.

Subject areas

Subject guidance. The exact curriculum for this course variant needs confirmation with the provider.

Visual communicationTypographyDigital designPortfolio development
03

Explore your career potential

Gross annual figures. Region and source are shown for each occupation.

Indicative occupational salaries, not guaranteed earnings after this course.

Graphic designer

Related career

Creates visual identities and communication materials.

Starting out
£25,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£40,000

How to get there: Build a role-specific portfolio and practical skills; selection depends on work samples and employer requirements.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Web designer

Related career

Designs usable visual interfaces for websites.

Starting out
£28,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£50,000

How to get there: Build a role-specific portfolio and practical skills; selection depends on work samples and employer requirements.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Illustrator

Related career

Creates images for publishing, products and media.

Starting out
Not published
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
Not published

How to get there: Build a role-specific portfolio and practical skills; selection depends on work samples and employer requirements.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Animator

Related career

Creates moving characters and visual sequences.

Starting out
Not published
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
Not published

How to get there: Build a role-specific portfolio and practical skills; selection depends on work samples and employer requirements.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Advertising art director

Experience required

Directs the visual ideas behind advertising campaigns.

Starting out
£30,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£60,000

How to get there: Requires relevant workplace experience and responsibility; management-level pay is a progression possibility, not a course outcome.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Photographer

Related career

Creates images for commercial and editorial briefs.

Starting out
£25,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£45,000

How to get there: Build a role-specific portfolio and practical skills; selection depends on work samples and employer requirements.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

User experience designer

Additional training or accreditation required

Research user needs and design and test digital experiences.

Starting out
£32,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£65,000

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Advertising copywriter

Related career

Writes persuasive campaign concepts and advertising copy.

Starting out
£24,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£45,000

How to get there: Build a role-specific portfolio and practical skills; selection depends on work samples and employer requirements.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Web content editor

Related career

Plan, edit and maintain clear digital content for audiences.

Starting out
£25,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£40,000

How to get there: Build a role-specific portfolio and practical skills; selection depends on work samples and employer requirements.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Concept artist

Additional training or accreditation required

Creates visual proposals for characters, locations and the look of a game.

Starting out
Not published
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
Not published

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

3D modelling artist

Additional training or accreditation required

Builds three-dimensional digital objects for game and screen production.

Starting out
Not published
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
Not published

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Storyboard artist

Additional training or accreditation required

Plans screen storytelling through sequences of illustrated shots.

Starting out
Not published
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
Not published

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

VFX compositor

Additional training or accreditation required

Combines rendered imagery and filmed elements into finished shots.

Starting out
Not published
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
Not published

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Games visual effects artist

Additional training or accreditation required

Creates real-time visual effects such as weather, impacts and particles.

Starting out
Not published
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
Not published

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Exhibition designer

Additional training or accreditation required

Plans exhibition spaces, displays and visitor experiences.

Starting out
£25,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£45,000

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Product designer

Additional training or accreditation required

Develops functional products through research, prototypes and testing.

Starting out
£26,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£46,000

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Packaging technologist

Additional training or accreditation required

Develops packaging materials and tests protection and production performance.

Starting out
£23,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£40,000

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Print operator

Related career

Prepares digital files and operates print production equipment.

Starting out
£25,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£33,000

How to get there: Build a role-specific portfolio and practical skills; selection depends on work samples and employer requirements.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Visual merchandiser

Related career

Creates displays that present products attractively.

Starting out
£23,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£31,000

How to get there: Build a role-specific portfolio and practical skills; selection depends on work samples and employer requirements.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21

Textile designer

Additional training or accreditation required

Develops fabrics, patterns and surface designs.

Starting out
£22,000
Typical reference
Not published
Experienced
£40,000

How to get there: Requires further specialist training and practical experience for this occupation; the course alone is insufficient.

Scope: UK · per yearSalary source · 2026-10-21
04

Study options and entry

Availability checked: 04/11/2026, 07:31

Campus, mode and intake
London — Canary Wharf; Manchester — Wellington House; Leeds — Regents House · Blended · February 2027
Duration
4 years
Published tuition fee
£9790 each year
Awarding university
Arts University Plymouth
Historical information (not the current offer)

£9790 each year

Entry requirements and routes

Standard Academic Route 18 and above students: Must have Five GCSEs including English Language Must hold Level 3 qualifications worth 72 UCAS tariff points (or above) or 120 Credit Ofqual qualification  For international qualifications, ECCTIS (formerly NARIC) will be used to establish equivalence to their comparable level in the UK. Non-standard Academic Route (Open to applicants aged 21 and over)  Applicants aged 21 and above, who may not meet the standard entry requirements, could be considered for admissions if they possess at least 2 years of relevant work experience in the UK (a professional CV is required). This experience should be gained from a managerial, supervisory, or customer- focused role and showcase transferable skills and knowledge necessary for entry onto the course.Work Proof: 1 recent payslip or Work reference letter

English language

English Language Requirement To meet the demanding academic content of a UK degree, all applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency at the B2 level or above of the Common European Framework (CEFR). A wide range of academic English qualifications and English tests are accepted as evidence of applicant’s English language ability, which include:  GCSE English Language grade 4/C or above  IELTS 5.5 overall  Level 2 Functional Skills Qualification in English  VCAD Internal English Assessment For further details, please see the VCAD English Assessment policy. Assessment Requirement All applicants must undergo an interview with the admission team, which aims to provide a holistic assessment to evaluate the applicant’s academic potential, English proficiency, self-motivation and enthusiasm for the subject.

Interview or assessment

On-campus interview process that includes Reading, Writing, Speaking

Classes and attendance

One day on campus and One day self study Weekdays: Available(9:30 AM - 4:30 PM) Status: Open for February 2027

05

Funding and support

FUNDING AWAITING CONFIRMATION

CalmaLink needs to check this course’s funding before confirming it to you.

Student Finance England

Tuition fees: To be confirmed

Maintenance: To be confirmed

Most courses starting on or after 1 January 2027 use the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). You must be under 60 on the first day of the course to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. At 60 or over, an additional living-cost loan may be available: we review this with you. If the course has not been confirmed as LLE-funded, check it with us.

For courses starting before 1 January 2027, the Tuition Fee Loan has no upper age limit. If you are 60 or over at the start of the first academic year, eligible full-time living-cost support is up to £4,582 in 2026/27, depending on household income.

Most courses starting on or after 1 January 2027 use the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). You must be under 60 on the first day of the course to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. At 60 or over, an additional living-cost loan may be available: we review this with you.

Previous study does not rule you out: it depends on what you studied, whether you received UK funding and the course. We review it with you.

Student Finance England makes the decision. We help you check. Official source

Course funding does not guarantee individual approval or a particular amount.

Funding source
Attendance and English

To receive a Maintenance Loan you normally need regular in-person classes during the week. A course offering only weekend attendance does not normally meet these requirements. Before enrolling, confirm the timetable and any applicable exceptions with the provider and Student Finance England.

The provider will check that you meet the English requirements for this course, whether you are a Home or international student. Declaring your level does not replace their assessment.

Read the official attendance guidance

VCAD publishes disability and reasonable-adjustment guidance, campus Student Information and Support, and careers support. Discuss personal adjustments and funding eligibility before enrolment.

Sources and review

Academic information reviewed: 2026-10-21

Catalogue availability and curriculum/salary evidence are checked on separate dates.

Official course page
Sources and review (22)

Additional facts checked on the official course page: Duration (2026-10-26)

YOUR NEXT CHAPTER STARTS HERE

You don’t need all the answers. Just take the first step.

Explore your options or tell us what you would like to study. We’re here to help you move forward.

WhatsApp