The Course
This course provides a multidisciplinary environment that focusses on design methods. This practical course is ideal for students who want to explore a breadth of creative sectors, pursue their own interests, and work directly with industry for real-world results.
Through a carefully structured three-year process, we will teach you to become a highly-skilled and creative visual communicator with an authentic and individual voice, ready for employment in the creative industries.
Learning through doing is central to our approach. You will be given opportunities to develop analogue and digital skills in a wide range of media throughout the course, including illustration, photography, video, graphic design, 3D making and event design. You will then apply these skills to a range of practical briefs using a carefully structured problem-solving approach, drawing upon our staff’s extensive academic and industry experience.
Employability through work-related learning is another core aspect of the course. We provide regular opportunities to work on live projects, and students routinely engage with the local community, business clients, and external partners to produce solutions for real commercial enterprises.
Our successful alumni work in various industries, including illustration, television, photography, graphic design, film, animation, visual merchandising, and teaching. Graduate employers include leaders in all areas of the creative sector. In addition, many former students are now established freelance practitioners working for clients across the UK and overseas.
*The placement year is subject to approval.
The Structure
Core principles of design and communication are introduced within graphic design, photography and film, printmaking, and illustration. Through practical briefs, you will unpick communication processes including persuasion, narrative, documentary, and reportage, where your own interests will inform the content of your work. You may have the opportunity to collaborate with other students across disciplines at the University. You may also work with businesses and communities in the city and exhibit your work.
Course Facilities
BA (Hons) Visual Communication students are based in a purpose-built studio. Students will have access to a wide range of resources with a drop-in facility so work can be undertaken, provided resource inductions have been completed.
For Visual Communication students this will include 3D resources housed in dedicated workshops providing students with a hands-on experience over five main areas; wood, metal, laser-cutting and plastics, casting, ceramic and glass; print resources which provides excellent facilities for bookmaking and paper-based printmaking using a range of processes; and professional-standard, large-format digital printing and print finishing and a vinyl cutter enabling designs to be cut from many types of vinyl.
Visual Communication students will also be able to borrow a range of photography equipment including digital SLR cameras for still and moving image, lighting, and a range of support equipment, which can be used in our lighting studios or off-site. Computer suites house networks of Apple Mac computers featuring regularly updated, industry-standard software for a wide range of creative applications that support all our courses and a purpose-built specialist library which includes including special collections of artists’ books, photobooks and illustrated books as well as the University archive. Self service facilities are available throughout, supported by a dedicated and experienced team of library staff.
BA (Hons) Visual Communication
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Study Abroad
Studying abroad can help Leeds Arts University students gain valuable experience, broaden their horizons, develop international networks and experience their practice from a different perspective. Leeds Arts University has a global network of international partner universities in 15 different countries. Students can apply for a semester abroad in their second year of study.
Accolades
Students have a strong track record in winning design awards. Recent successes include:
12 Creative Conscience Awards 2014-2020
YCN Awards 2018
Wool Gather Art Prize
2.8 Days Later Film Award
Career Opportunities
Graduate employers include Aardman Animations, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Topshop, VICE Magazine (New York), Wallpaper Magazine, Saatchi & Saatchi, Tate Modern, Design Museum, The White Company, We Are Fallon, Marks and Spencer, Ilkley Literature Festival, David Oldham Photography, Bloomsbury Publishing, Sonar Festival, LBi London, Glastonbury Festival, I-am Associates, ASDA Marketing, Dubit Ltd, Red Star 3D, East Africa Playgrounds, Omobono, Kontra Oslo, Rapha Racing Ltd, Opera North, Left Bank Leeds, TNR Communications, OMD UK, 10 Associates, Haaretz, and New Era Cap. Graduates may also continue to postgraduate study.
Student Stories
Course News
Academic Staff
Connecting you to creative industries
Applying
*Please note that our courses are subject to an annual review process in order to maintain their quality and enhance the student experience. As a result, Course Specifications may be amended for the coming year.