Graphic Design (Graphic Illustration) BA (Hons)

Our Graphic Illustration 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. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>We are proud that many of our graduates find jobs with respected graphic design studios in the region such as Firebrand Creative, Jacob Bailey, Linassi + Co, StrategiQ and This is Fever ; while others have gone on to work at national organisations including FutureGov, Government Digital Services, M-is and Saatchi & Saatchi.<br/>If you want to run your own business, the degree also equips you with the crucial skills to be a successful freelance designer or to set up your own design practice. Alternatively, you can progress to a design-related Masters degree or initial teacher training.

The University of Suffolk is modern, bold, and committed to making a difference.<br/><br/>From placements and live projects to industry-standard facilities, you’ll gain hands-on experience that sets you apart. <br/><br/>Smaller class sizes mean you’ll get to know your lecturers, collaborate closely with your peers, and build the confidence to thrive — all part of why we’re ranked 4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction (Guardian University Guide 2025).<br/><br/>Located in Ipswich on the beautiful Suffolk coast, Suffolk offers a welcoming campus with lower living costs and strong career connections to London and beyond.<br/><br/>Apply through Clearing and get closer to your future.