Graphic Design (with optional placement year)

Our Graphic Design courses offer you control over your creative direction and career ambitions. Because we teach both degrees together, you are not tied to one study route; for instance, if you develop a passion for illustration you can transfer to Graphic Illustration to study that pathway in much more depth.

Within both courses, projects help you develop the creative and technical skills you need for industry, while also being open enough to allow you the freedom to steer your work to suit your interests. This way, you get the most out of your time with us—tailoring your degree, exploring your career options and developing a personal approach to your creative process.

With our small class sizes, throughout your degree you will benefit from generous contact time with our tutors and technicians and easy access to all facilities, supporting you to advance your learning and hone your design skills.

Employability is at the heart of our Graphic Design course. Alongside developing a broad range of practical skills, you learn how to be a creative and critical thinker, developing transferable skills along the way.

Our links to professional bodies, experts and design practitioners makes for an industry-focused programme, providing you with fantastic networking and placement opportunities. For example, students have recently received industry-set briefs from BBC Studios, Jacob Bailey and Itineris, and worked on client-facing live projects for Suffolk Archives, 4YP, Saxon Packaging, MT Productions and Ipswich Vision. Tutors will also advise and support you in approaching design studios to arrange practical work experience.

To give you and your work maximum exposure, we support rolling out competitions from partner organisations as extracurricular projects, as well as embed national competitions within the course curriculum. process.
Graduates find jobs with respected graphic design studios in the region such as, Firebrand Creative, Jacob Bailey, Linassis & Co, StratgiQand This is Fever while others have gone on to work at national organisations including, FutureGov, Government Digital Services M-is and Saatchi & Saatchi While others develop careers in teaching or decide to study at Masters level. ​

Big ambitions, real opportunities - study at a university recognised for outstanding teaching and student experience. At Suffolk, you’ll benefit from career-focused courses designed in partnership with industry, hands-on learning that builds real-world skills, and strong employer connections that open doors. Their supportive, close-knit community means you’re more than just a number, with personalised support every step of the way. From day one, you’ll gain the confidence, experience and practical knowledge you need to stand out and shape your future with success.