British undergraduate programmes / British Higher School of Art and Design

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

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Graphic Design course is offered to those who want to make a career in illustration, graphic and advertising design.

This degree provides a strong work-related experience aligned to graphic design, with students increasingly specialising in one of these two over the three years of study.

The first year is idea-focused, emphasising design thinking, generation of ideas and problem solving with workshops providing hands-on media and software experiences. The second year focuses on projects related to the creative and cultural industries, emphasising professional constraints and expectations. It includes live projects, pitching and work-related experiences and you will develop design production knowledge. The final year centres around the professional portfolio with national competitions, with special attention paid to professional standards of working and support from staff whose experience best matches student interests. The experience is intended to produce creative, ready-to-work professionals The staff team is drawn from nationally and internationally recognised designers and illustrators who bring their research and professional interests directly into the student environment.

Over the last two years alone, students on the graphic design and illustration course at the British Higher School of Art and Design have won commendations, prizes and work placements in a number of extremely high-profile national and international design competitions (YCN, D&AD Global Student Awards and many others).

The Course is taught only in full-time format. Progress is assessed each semester by link tutors from the University of Hertfordshire and independent external examiners from other British educational institutions.

Course structure

Year 1  (Level 4) 

This year is designed to develop students’ creative approach towards the process of search for ideas, development and presentation of design solutions. Students learn to create images using various methods and technologies, and they learn details of the production process in photography, computer design and fonts creation. Special attention is paid to research, history of design, previous and current experience.

Core modules

Thinking About Ideas L4 A
Visual Skills L4 A
Critical and Cultural Studies L4 A: Design
Visual Skills L4 B
Directions L4 B

Year 2 (Level 5)

Students learn current trends in design through communication with designers and analysis of their methods. Students learn to search for visual images in order to implement their own ideas and justify them in front of clients. At this stage of the course, the scope and scale of the project (to be implemented by students during the second semester) are determined. The course at this level also includes skill development in computer design, photography and print technologies for the purposes of expansion of creative horizons and development of creative thinking. In addition, students continue to study various aspects of graphic, design and illustration instruments in cultural and contemporary contexts.

Core modules

Visual Skills L5 A
Professional Development and Employability L5 B
Visual Skills L5 B
Critical and Cultural Studies L5 B: Design
Visual Communication L5 A (Graphic Design)
Visual Communication L5 A (Illustration)
The Live Pitch L5 B (Graphic Design)
The Commission L5B (Illustration)

Year 3 (Level 6)

During their final year leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts students can study either in Moscow or in the UK depending on their choice.

At the current stage the students are preparing to participate in the national students’ design competitions. They increase the number of design projects in their portfolios to be used when it comes to applying for jobs. Students implement various design projects, which are analyzed and assessed by designers. The topic and form of the diploma project are identified; its subject matter (which is directly linked to practical design) is studied. Research results are also included into diploma projects of prospective undergraduates.

Core modules

Competition Briefs L6 A
Final Major Project L6 B
Critical and Cultural Studies L6 A: Degree Essay/Report (Design)
Self Promotion L6 B (Graphic Design)
Self Promotion L6 B (Illustration)
Negotiated Project L6 B (Graphic Design)
Negotiated Project L6 B (Illustration)

Upon successful completion of Year 3 students will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Course director Tim Simmons

Student work

Recent students' victories at D&AD Student Awards, Pentawards, Post It Awards and ADCR Awards

Admission requirements and processes

To enrol on the course, applicants have to present a portfolio of their work and evidence of their English language competence. A grade 6.0 or higher on the IELTS scale is acceptable and the CAE and FCE qualifications are considered. If the applicant cannot produce a certificate, their English is tested together with prospective students who are applying for the Foundation Art & Design Course.

Enrollment is based on the results of a portfolio assessment and an interview with one of the tutors. The applicant's knowledge and skills reflected in their work should be comparable to the knowledge and skills students acquire at Foundation level. Interviews and portfolio assessments are usually scheduled in the 3 days following the language test.

Transfer to Year 2 will be possible only if a student attended a higher education institution which uses a credit-based system. For these purposes, the number of previously received credits is compared with the number of credits which is necessary for transfer to the relevant stage of a British undergraduate course.

Applications are accepted from March until August 31st, 2016. 
Classes begin in September, 2016.

Period of study

Full-time - 3 years

Tuition fees

Full-time GBP 5,100/year*

Students as a rule pay their tuition fees once a semester, that is, twice a year, but at their request can choose to pay on a monthly basis.

*This proposal does not constitute an offer, the prices are subject to change. Cost of services and conditions of their provision will be specified in the contract.

What documents are required if you apply

Online application form
Copy of previous education certificates and academic qualifications
2 photos 3х4 cm
Copy of your passport
Personal statement

Entry examinations

Applicants who apply for Year 1 of British higher education courses, need to sit the following:

English exam
Portfolio assessment
Entry interview

During the admission exams, the admissions staff will arrange a convenient date and time for demonstration of portfolio and interview, after that, the matriculant will be allowed to pass the English test. English test is not required for students from English-speaking countries or if an IELTS or equivalent certificate is produced.

For Russian residents, interviews are conducted according to the schedule which you can find on our FAD page. The schedule of entry examinations for the BA courses is the same for applicants who apply for the Foundation Art & Design Course (go to the course page).

For international students we can organise the skype interviews. In such cases the portfolio can be sent via email.

Required level of English

IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent certificate). Along with the IELTS results, the following certificates are also accepted:

CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) grade C or above;
FCE (First Certificate in English) grade A.

If a prospective student does not have an IELTS certificate of the required level but successfully passed BHSAD English test as part of BHSAD entrance exams, he/she needs to obtain an IELTS certificate before the start of the first semester on Year 1.

Required portfolio

The range of work in your portfolio should cover a broad spectrum of media, materials and approaches. Projects may be submitted in different disciplines including but not limited to graphics, drawing, painting, textile, photography, decorative art, design, web-design, animation. First of all, the admission committee would like to see how you can generate and develop your ideas; that is why, besides finished projects, the portfolio should also include notebooks with sketches, sketchbooks, written works (articles, essays, if any). Please try to present examples of the best and most recent projects which reflect your creative abilities.

Your portfolio needs to be printed (А3 format or larger). Animation and CG works should be presented on CDs or memory sticks. It advisable to show photographs of large works which otherwise would be difficult to transport.

Download presentation with examples and recommendations for portfolio development (PowerPoint, 3,9 Mb).

Interview procedure

Prospective students will be asked questions regarding their education and professional background in order to make a final decision about admission on to the course. Please be ready to tell the interview panel about yourself, your design experience and projects in your portfolio. You may be asked about the history of creation of a particular work and the context of its creation. The panel may ask you about well-known designers to learn about the influence of creative activities of other designers and artists on you, the reason why you follow them and the main incentive for your development in terms of your occupation.

Please contact if you have any questions: admission@britishdesign.ru or +7 (495) 640 30 15

British Higher School
of Art and Design, 2003 - 2019