Communication Design

Our BA (Hons) Communication Design is a globally focussed programme that equips you with the skills to harness design as a powerful tool to inspire, inform and influence the world around you. Through creative thinking, hands-on design and a people-focused approach, you’ll learn to ask the right questions, spot problems and turn ideas into solutions. This course will ensure you are prepared to tackle real-world challenges with creativity and confidence, producing work that matters in an ever-evolving global design industry.

You’ll explore a wide range of media, including graphic design, photography, motion graphics, branding, publication design, and digital experiences including UI/UX. This mix of creative approaches will help you think beyond traditional design and business models. Your projects will focus on how people interact with systems and experiences, giving you the tools to create new ideas that challenge the norm and make a positive impact.

Studio-based learning is at the heart of the programme. You’ll work both independently and collaboratively on briefs for commercial entities or to promote social awareness and inclusivity, while building strong research and problem-solving skills. Peer-to-peer learning and collaborative studio practice will boost your confidence and adaptability, while strong links to industry provide you with the opportunity to work with partners through placements and live, real-world projects.

Through our Go Global programme you will have the opportunity to study for a semester or longer at our campus in Dubai, ensuring that by graduation you have developed the skills necessary to become a globally focused designer, ready to create ideas and strategies that influence, innovate, and drive change.

Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees.

Heriot-Watt is 2nd in the UK for positive graduate outcomes (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). As Scotland’s top producer of CEOs (Novuna, 2025), their programmes focus on giving you real-world experience and strong industry links to help you kick-start your career success story. You'll have lifelong access to their award-winning Careers Service with guidance on CV tailoring, careers fairs and job applications.

They guarantee accommodation for students on their safe, green parkland campus, with all energy and Wi-Fi bills included. For students coming from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Heriot-Watt provides a free semester of accommodation to help you with the costs of starting university.

You’ll also be living and studying in a top 2 UK student-friendly city (QS Best Cities, 2026) – Edinburgh. With a vibrant nightlife, eclectic food scene and plenty of shops and green spaces, it's a great city to be a student.

At Heriot-Watt University, you can choose to study flexibly with a 3-year honours degree, allowing you to complete the typical four-year Scottish Bachelor Honours degree in just three years while still enjoying the full student experience, including Welcome Week, Freshers’ events, and support from your Personal Tutor. This can save you both time and tuition fees while allowing you to graduate at the same time as students across the rest of the UK.

Register for your Heriot-Watt Priority Pass to make sure you are first in line when Clearing opens, or to chat with their friendly team