BA (Hons) top-up Design

This course aims to enhance the expertise, creativity and dedication required to successfully establish a career within your chosen specialism in design. You can focus on your preferred specialist discipline such as graphic design, web design, textile design, multimedia design, or interior design, or take a broad and inventive multi-disciplinary approach based on what you want to see in your portfolio. There is opportunity for external work placement and freelance design work to enhance your portfolio, and ensure you are developing the skills required to be a confident practitioner.

Take a tour around our Graphic Design facilities

We have some of the best specialist equipment available to our graphic design students. They have access to our new Creative & Digital Centre that was built as part of our £5 million development. The bespoke creative space includes Industry standard editing suite, A professional meeting area for live briefs, Apple Mac suites, Top-of-the-range design technology and An open plan design studio. You will be involved in live client work and employer engagement and will use industry standard resources.

A higher education experience for your future

We offer flexible degree programmes that fit around work and life. You don’t need to head off to university to get a top-class higher education qualification. We offer a fantastic range of full and part-time higher education courses including HNCs, HNDs, foundation degrees, full honours and top-up degrees, professional qualifications and higher apprenticeships.

• 94% of our Higher Education graduates are in work and/or study (DHLE 2015).
• New College Durham has been awarded silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework for our Higher Education programmes (TEF 3 June 2018).
• High quality teaching from industry experienced lecturers.
• Extensive links with employers giving your CV a boost with work placements and live client briefs.
• Excellent value for money with affordable higher education fees.
• Small class sizes giving you better access to our fantastic lecturers and one-to-one support if you need it.
• Passionate about supporting our students with academic study.
• Flexible study options that allow you to complete your programme on a full or part-time basis, fitting your studies around family and work commitments.

Aims

Aims are as followed:

• Encourage development of professional, innovative and creative outcomes in a supportive work-related learning environment.
• Engage in academic activities and negotiated projects, as simulated or live client briefs, underpinned by personalised learning and individual focus.
• Promote engagement in industry focussed work, supporting the acquisition of professional skills relevant to employment or self-employment opportunities within the creative industries.

Modules

The programme contains the following three modules:

• Professional Context - Synthesise professional design skills through creative activity centred on self-promotion and creative portfolio building to support progression into a design focused career or further study.
• Design Research Study - Self-initiated and creatively designed in-depth research study on a topic of your choice.
• Final Major Project - Set your own self-initiated final major project(s) focussed on enhancing your personal style, opportunity for freelance, live work and work placements.

Teaching & assessment

You will have direct personal contact with an individual member of the course team to discuss academic and personal matters relevant to your learning. At induction you may discuss any learning or support needs – your progress will be monitored and you will be encouraged to arrange regular one-to-one sessions with your tutor to discuss any issues arising. You will also receive academic support from your module tutors. Support is given via tutorials at set intervals during the academic year.

Industry links:

This programme places focus upon the opportunity for you to engage in, and gain credit for, the development of industry based work. You will be given the opportunity to contribute to live client briefs with local and national organisations.

Entry Criteria

You will hold:

• A Level 5 qualification (HND / FdA / international equivalent 120 ECTS Credits) in a design related discipline.
• All external applicants must present an art and design based portfolio. (international applicants via internet/email respectfully)
• Evidence of digital literacy within portfolio to meet the needs of Level 6.
• To have, or be working towards, Level 2 (or equivalent) in English Language (or a minimum 5.5 IELTS in each band for international applicants).

Non-standard entry criteria:

• Evidence of appropriate creative experience or employment within the creative industries.
• An art and design based portfolio (international applicants via internet/email respectfully).
• Evidence of digital literacy within portfolio to meet the needs of Level 6.
• To have, or be working towards, Level 2 (or equivalent) in English Language (or a minimum 5.5 IELTS in each band for international applicants).