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Course requirement - UG - Top-up alternate entry route

Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: <a title="admissions@solent.ac.uk" href="mailto:admissions@solent.ac.uk">contact us</a>

Learning and assessment - Creative design projects

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Learning and assessment - Final major project

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Learning and assessment - Portfolios

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Learning and assessment - Design based portfolios

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Learning and assessment - Essays

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Course information - Solent Careers (default)

The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.

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You'll generally need around 104-120 UCAS points from at least two A-levels or equivalent qualifications. Some courses might also ask for a portfolio of your work, so make sure to check the course details and prepare your best pieces.

What grades do I need to get into an art or design course?

Interior design: if you want to create environments for people expressed through interior design, surface decoration, or textiles, then interior design is for you. This field focuses on designing functional and aesthetically pleasing indoor spaces.
Graphic design: if you want to create visual concepts for magazines, books, apps, or marketing publications, then graphic design is something you might want to explore further. This field involves creating visual content to communicate messages through digital and print media.

What design degree is right for me?

Show your personality and creative talent: a good portfolio should demonstrate both your personality and your creative talent. Include a variety of work that showcases your skills and creativity.
Document the creative process: the whole creative process is important, showing the thought process from initial idea through to completion. Even unfinished work can be useful as it provides insight into your approach and problem-solving skills.
Tailor your portfolio: tailor your portfolio to the course you&rsquo;re applying for. Highlight projects that are relevant to the specific program and demonstrate your suitability for it.
Make it interesting and relevant: course tutors will have limited time to review each portfolio, so make yours interesting and relevant. Include your best work and ensure it is well-organized and easy to navigate.

What should I put into my portfolio for my application?

Absolutely! Solent has strong links with local galleries and art organisations, giving you the chance to exhibit your work both on-campus and externally. This is a great way to build your portfolio and gain exposure.

Are there opportunities to exhibit my work while studying at Solent?

Solent graduates have gone on to work in various roles like graphic designer, illustrator, art director, gallery curator, web/UX designer, professional artist, photographer, design consultant and interior designer. The uni's focus on practical skills and industry connections helps you get job-ready and stand out to employers.
During your studies, you'll have plenty of opportunities for work experience. You can pitch for paid work with real clients through Solent Creatives, the university's in-house creative agency.

What kind of jobs can I get after graduating?

Accreditation - SBID

Get ready to make your mark. Driven by a passionate team, our art and design courses help you to develop the essential skills and industry awareness required for work in the creative industries. From photography to fine art, you'll find the perfect course to develop your artistic side.

Art and design

As an art and design student at Solent, you&rsquo;ll have access to a range of high-end facilities to support your hands-on learning. Our fine art, illustration, and graphic design studios offer state-of-the-art facilities, including a sculpture workshop with metalwork, welding, woodworking, and casting equipment, and a print-making workshop with intaglio, etching, silkscreen, and letterpress facilities.
You can make use of a media production store with high-end cameras, lenses, lighting, and sound recording equipment, all free of charge.
The interior design studio features equipment for surface decoration, spatial design, and interior styling, including a digital laser cutter.
Our photography studio complex includes eight private spaces with full-width backdrops, various lighting options, and camera supports. Additional facilities include a still life studio, a white infinity cove, and three headshot booths. The studios are self-service after training and open until 11pm.

Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.

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A fine art student painting in the studio

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Industry link - IKEA

Industry link - Linden Homes

Signpost

Driven by a passionate team, our art and design courses help you to develop the essential skills and industry awareness required for work in the creative industries. From photography to fine art, you’ll find the perfect course to develop your artistic side. 

BuildingStars

£3 million invested to provide a modern interdisciplinary space with facilities for a range of courses including art, design, fashion and photography.  

AwardPlant

Identified as a beacon of good practice in a report by the RSA on creativity in higher education institutions. 

A creative environment which gives you the freedom to explore your craft, try new ideas and techniques, and collaborate across disciplines. 

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Learn from highly skilled industry professionals with recent and extensive experience in research, exhibition, publications and industry-based work. 

Cheer

Opportunities for work experience through live client briefs, our in-house agency, Solent Creatives, and Solent’s retail initiative, Re:So. 

PaintPalette

Benefit from working alongside our unique artist in residence and alumni mentoring scheme to develop your skills and stretch your imagination. 

People

You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.

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What&rsquo;s a foundation year? If you don&rsquo;t have the academic qualifications (A-Levels, BTECs&hellip;) or grades you need for your chosen bachelor&rsquo;s degree, foundation years are designed for you. This one-year programme equips you with the skills and knowledge to progress into a full undergraduate degree. 
What's an undergraduate (UG) course? An undergraduate degree is a university-level programme, usually lasting three to four years, leading to a bachelor&rsquo;s degree (e.g., BA, BSc) that students pursue after completing secondary education.
What's a postgraduate (PG) course? A postgraduate course is an advanced level of study undertaken after completing an undergraduate degree. It can be a master&rsquo;s degree (MA, MSc, or MPhil) that usually lasts one to two years, or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
What's an apprenticeship? Combine on-the-job training with academic study and earn a salary while working towards a higher education qualification such as a foundation degree, bachelor&rsquo;s degree, or even a master&rsquo;s. Apprenticeships are offered by employers in partnership with universities or colleges.

Our open days are the very best way to see what Solent can offer – a perfect opportunity to talk to our lecturers and meet current students, discover our facilities and explore our campus.

External Relations

Department of Art and Music

Art and Design Degrees and Courses at Southampton Solent University

Find out more about our art and design courses and find the perfect course for you.

https://app.geckoform.com/public/#/modern/21FO00j3snb4iz007h100jt4u8?field4284=Data%20Capture%20-%20Subject%20Area%20Landing%20Pages%20-%20Gecko%20-%2

We'll keep you updated with all the latest news from Southampton Solent University and your area of interest.  

Carve out your career in design across print and digital platforms. Solent gives you freedom to explore your craft in dedicated design studios.

Course - BA (Hons) Graphic Design - 287171 - BGDF

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

2025

UG course - BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Advanced manufacturing laboratory

Discover Solent's 3D printing and robotics systems, laser cutting, CNC and ancillary finishing services.

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Specialist Facilities

Advanced manufacturing laboratory facility at Solent University

Solent's advanced manufacturing facility brings together various technologies used in engineering, design and manufacture.

Engineering

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UG course - BA (Hons) Interior Design

UG course - BA (Hons) Interior Design Decoration

UG course - BA (Hons) Illustration

UG course - BA (Hons) Fashion Design

UG course - BA (Hons) Fashion Photography and Image Production

Specialist printing and reprographics

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Specialist printing and reprographics at Solent University

As well as standard printing, Solent has a wide array of equipment for specialist printing onto almost any surface.

Architecture, interiors and construction

Fashion, make-up and prosthetics

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UG course - BA (Hons) Fashion Management with Marketing

UG course - BA (Hons) Fashion and Beauty Media

PG course - MA Visual Communication

Print room

A fully-equipped traditional multi-discipline print and workshop space used to progress timetabled and open access undergraduate and postgraduate project work

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print-room

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Print room at Solent University

The print room is staffed by a technical team who are all practitioners in their disciplines.

UG course - BA (Hons) Photography

UG course - BA (Hons) Prosthetics and Special Effects Design

Photography darkrooms

Analogue darkroom comprising hand and machine film processing, black and white print enlargement, and individual colour enlargement booths.

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Photography darkrooms facilities at Solent University

The Spark

The Spark building combines interactive teaching spaces with lecture theatres and an atrium with social spaces. Central to the building is the futuristic Pod, which has a full-size lecture theatre and open-topped breakout space.

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The Spark-min

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The Spark at Solent University

A light and airy atrium with the futuristic, multi-functional 'pod' as its centrepiece, which features a full-size lecture room and open-topped viewing platform.

Business, marketing and finance

General

Law and criminology

Library

The Library is open for Solent students and staff to access computers and study spaces, and for browsing the shelves and borrowing items. 

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The Library-min

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Library and Learning Service

Library facility at Solent University

Discover Solent's library, which is open 24/7 during term time at peak times.

https://sportscomplex.solent.ac.uk/

UG course - BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

UG course - BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy

UG course - BSc (Hons) Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science

Solent Sports Complex

Sports Complex

A state of the art centre designed to meet all sport and health needs.

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sports-complex

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Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Sciences

Sports Complex at Solent University

Find out more about the Solent Sports Complex which can be used by students and staff at Solent.

Sport and fitness

Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.

Faculty - Creative Industries, Architecture and Engineering

Faculty of Creative Industries, Architecture and Engineering

Course information - Graduation cost (default)

There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately &pound;45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from &pound;15 to &pound;200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently &pound;15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.

Course information - Bursaries (undergraduate)

Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our <a title="Bursaries" href="/finance/bursaries" data-nodeid="8080b543-131f-4f12-9cc3-86094e376fc0" data-nodelanguage="en-GB" data-entryid="a9116e8f-d6a3-4d25-85d9-0337fcd9ea34">bursaries</a> and <a title="Scholarships" href="/finance/scholarships" data-nodeid="03f507da-f107-42fb-90bb-b658eb65c5c4" data-nodelanguage="en-GB" data-entryid="a59a52a6-5655-4815-875a-a45e4c2379c2">scholarships</a> pages to find out more.
Solent EU Welcome Scholarship (Fee Discount)
This scholarship is available to students from an EU country, with EU nationality, who are applying for an undergraduate course starting in September 2025. The scholarship will reduce your tuition fees to &pound;10,500.
<a title="Find out if you're eligible for the Solent EU Welcome Scholarship" href="https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/scholarships#euwelcomescholarship">Find out more about the scholarship</a>
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
<a title="Cost of living" href="/life-in-southampton/cost-of-living" data-nodeid="9450077e-a055-4bc5-b2ef-fff2e2f16311" data-nodelanguage="en-GB" data-entryid="7cdca52d-c102-43f0-8c2f-0fd5bf1ec70f">Cost of living support</a>

Student finance - bitesize

Video embed transcript for Student finance - bitesize

Upbeat music plays in background. 
A rack of gold earrings is shown. Lots of coins are thrown in the air. 

University might not be cheap, but it is affordable.
There are two main costs: your tuition fees, which goes to paying your lecturers,



A student is borrowing media equipment from university. 
Then a canteen is shown and then caviar. 

buying cool new gadgets for you to play with, and supplying the staff canteen with beluga caviar; and your living costs,


Two people are looking at their bills. An architect is looking at the roof being built. A man is wearing a suite. A pot of super noodles. 

which goes on the roof over your head, the clothes on your back, and 800% of your daily allowance of supernoodles.


People are waving union jack flags.
Someone pushes a 'help' button. 
People are chatting in a group in a coffee shop.
A untrustworthy man is smiling. 

If you're a UK student, you can get help with both of these.
So there's no need to borrow money from your mates or sketchy lenders.


Student Finance England logo is shown on screen. 
A person walks though field of barley. 
A person is counting coins.
Someone is taking pictures of their food. 
A group of friends are laughing whilst watching TV. 


Student Finance England – or the local regional equivalent

– provides two low-interest loans: a tuition fee loan to cover your fees, and a maintenance loan to cover accommodation, food, Netflix subscriptions and other essentials.


You apply online every year from February and you don't need a confirmed course or university place to apply.


Someone is in a field holding their arms out, a person pull a bow and arrow. 
A man is throwing money around. 
A person is stacking coins. 

The tuition fee loan goes directly to your university.

Maintenance loans are paid to you in three timely instalments.

How much you get depends on your circumstances.


A person is talking to someone about their options. 
A man is cycling though pigeons who all fly away. 
A baby is laughing. 

Additional financial help and support is also available, again
depending on your circumstances.

Disabled or disadvantaged students, those with dependents and various others can apply for extra help.


Lots of buns are shown in a bakery. 
Students are in a library looking at books. 
A basketball goes through a hoop. 
A person has empty pockets. 


And Solent also offers a range of bursaries and grants, from academic or sport scholarships to hardship grants or bursaries for those in care.


A lady fist bumps the air in celebration. 
Another person looks worried.
The moon is shown from space. 
A group of students celebrate graduation.
A man throws lots of cash in the air. 

Most of these you never need to pay back, unlike your tuition and maintenance loans, which you do –
even if you leave the country.

But even on the moon, you'll only start paying your loans back once you've graduated and the cash starts rolling in.


A young child looks excited with money.
A man is looking at coins through a magnifying glass. 
Saplings grow.
A person is looking at graphs through glasses. 
A person is meditating on the beach. 
A person is counting coins. 
A cake with candles. Then the candles are blown out.




Because payments aren't linked to the amount you owe, but instead how much you earn,
from 2023, the threshold for repayment is £25,000 gross.

Earn less than that and you repay nothing.

Repayments come straight out of your paycheck, so it's pretty hassle free.

You do pay interest on what you owe, but it's in line with inflation.

And if there's anything left 40 years after entering repayment, the outstanding balance is written off entirely.


A man sighs a sense of relief.
People hold up signs with a question mark on.

Text appears on the screen: 'www.solent.ac.uk/finance'. 

So that's student finance; not a bad deal as deals go.

If you've got any questions or want a bit more info, visit www.solent.ac.uk/finance

or www.gov.uk/student-finance to find out more.

Upbeat music plays, then fades out. Cuts to graphic of animated colourful graphic, that fades down, and Solent University logo fades up as well as text, www.solent.ac.uk. [Video ends]

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Student finance

Student funding essentials - Student Funding for 2023

Student funding essentials

Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 

Hello and welcome to the student finance presentation for 2023 entry. My name is Joanna Wakely and I'm the Student Funding Manager here at Solent University. I'm going to provide a brief overview of the student finance system for the coming year.

Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 
Two red circles appear in each one says 'Tuition fees' and ''Living costs'. 

The two main costs for students entering higher education, are tuition fees and your living costs. Student Finance provide financial support on behalf of the UK government.

If you live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you will need to apply to your respective funding body as the systems vary. 

Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 
Shown on the screen is information from the presentation which says;
'What's different for international students?
- Tuition fees for international students are different, and unfortunately no tuition loan is available. 
- EU students; if you started a course on or after August 2021, you must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement scheme to get student finance. For more information about the EU settlement scheme; 
https://www.gove.co.uk/settled-status-eu-citezens-families
- However, we will be offering scholarships for international students'.

International students will need to self-fund the cost of tuition fees and living costs. For EU students starting a course after the 1st of August 2021, (or 2023 for most recent entry), you must either have settled or pre-settlement status under the EU settlement scheme, to be eligible for student finance. Otherwise, you will need to self-fund tuition fees and living costs.


Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 
On the screen appears two green circles, one has the text inside; 'Tuition fee loan', the other has text inside that says; 'Maintenance loan'. 

The tuition fees for home UK students are currently £9250 pounds per annum for undergraduate degrees and you may be able to apply for a tuition fee loan. Tuition fees for international students are higher. 

Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 
The circles fade to be smaller. Underneath one says; 'Tuition fee loans are paid directly to your university'. The other has text underneath that says; 'Maintenance loans are paid directly to you, in three termly instalments'. 

The tuition fee loan is paid directly to the University on your behalf. Maintenance loans are available to full-time UK students and it is paid directly into your bank account on a termly basis. You will need to apply every year to student finance and this usually opens at the beginning of February. Applications should be submitted by the closing date and it usually takes between six to eight weeks for assessment. Your student finance account is managed via your online web account.


Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 
A presentation slide is shown on the screen. On one side is an illustration of a person with a laptop and books. 
On the side is text; 
'Applying for your loans. 
- Loans are for UK students (and some eligible EU students)
- You can apply online every year from February, to you regional finance provider - more at www.gov.uk/studentfinance
- You do not need a confirmed course or university place to apply 
- Your existing credit history does not affect your ability to take out student loans'.  


Student Finance will consider three main conditions for eligibility. Firstly, they will consider your personal eligibility, i.e your immigration status, your residency, your domicile country and if you have any previous study that affects your student finance. Secondly, they will consider your course eligibility - this is your degree or HND. And finally, whether you are dependent or an independent student for assessment purposes. The amount of maintenance loan available to you, depends on where you live while studying, whether it is in the parental home or elsewhere. If you are a dependent student, they will consider the household income of your parents and if you are living with a partner, their income. Student finance will also consider the length of the course. The standard teaching year is for 30 weeks, with nursing students studying for 41 weeks. Students aged under 25 are classed as dependent students and the household income of parents will be assessed. Students aged 25 or over are automatically classed as independent.

Some students under 25, may be still assessed as an independent student and this would apply to those students who have either worked for three years prior to the start of study, are married, are care leavers or are estranged from their parents.

Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 
On the screen is shown a new presentation slide. 
There are four columns each with different text.
The first column says; 
'Disabled Students Allowance is non income- assessed and based on your specific needs to help with your studies e.g. notetaker, equipment, mentoring'. 

The second column says;
'Childcare grant - up to 85% of the costs of registered childcare (subject to maximum cap).'

The third column says;
'Parent's Learning Allowance - for students with children'. 

The fourth column says;
'Adult Dependant Grant - for students with an adult dependent who has no income'. 

There is also additional funding available from Student Finance in the form of the Disabled Students Allowance, for those students who have specific learning difficulties, or long-term medical conditions. For those students who have dependents there is a child care grant, parent learning allowance and adult dependence grant and full information is available on the government website. The University has a number of additional bursaries, scholarships and grants that are non-repayable. There are targeted bursaries available for those that are care leavers, have lived in supported accommodation, or who are estranged from parents, or have significant caring responsibilities. The additional support grants include, a course cost grant for those students with compulsory course costs, a diagnostic support grant for those students who require financial help with the cost of a dyslexia assessment, the unpaid placement grant for those students who would like to undertake an unpaid placement or volunteering during their time as a student, and there is also a local bursary for students living in an SO or PO post code from an admissions address. There is a technology bursary which is designed to assist students on those from low income backgrounds with IT facilities and there is a general support grant for students in financial difficulty. Full information and eligibility criteria for these, is available on the university website.


Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 
On the screen a new presentation slide is show with the text;
'Tuition and Maintenance Loan repayments
- Repayments start the April after you have left your course
- Payments are not linked to the amount you owe but how much you earn
- From April after leaving university, you only replay if you are earning more than the threshold limit (gross)
- Repayment are taken directly from your salary through our PAYE (pay as you earn)'. 

Full information regarding loan repayments is available on the student loan company website. Broadly speaking, repayment of loans is linked to your earnings after you graduate and you only begin to repay your loans when you are earning above the income threshold. Payments are deducted from your salary by your employer, or if you are self-employed by the self-assessment tax return.


Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 
A new presentation slide is shown on the screen with the text;
'Tuition and Maintenance loan repayments 
- Repayments start the April after you have left your course
- Payments are not linked to the amount you owe but how much you earn
- From April after leaving university, you only repay if you are earning more than the threshold limit (gross)
- Repayments are taken directly from your salary through PAYE (pay as you earn). 

Interest is charged on the loan and is based annually on the retail price index.


Joanna Wakely, Student Funding Manager for Solent University is sat talking to camera. 
Text appears on the screen; 
'student.funding@solent.ac.uk 
023 8201 5200' 
Another presentation slide is also shown with web links to use;
www.solent.ac.uk/finance
www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator
www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk
www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk
www.thestudentroom.co.uk
www.gov.uk/studentfinance.co.uk - ENGLAND
www.gov.uk/studentfinancewales.co.uk - WALES
www.saas.gov.uk - SCOTLAND
www.studentfinanceni.co.uk - N.IRELAND
https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-eu-students -EU


Thank you very much for listening and please remember if you do have any questions then we are more than happy to answer them for you. Our contact details can be found on the university website and we can be contacted by email, phone or in person.

Student Funding for 2023

Graphic design graduates can pursue employment in a range of different creative industries. From marketing and advertising to printed media production, through to web and UX design, all major businesses require a team of talented designers in order to properly communicate with their customers and stakeholders. Graduates may also find themselves applying for work in creative agencies, or utilising their skills on a freelance basis.
In it's Design Economy 2021-2024 report, the Design Council reported that 1.97m people were working in the UK's design economy in 2020. And in 2019, the design economy contributed &pound;97.4bn to the UK economy.

Graphic Design

Most of our specialist support services are based around the Student Hub, a central space where you can access all the information and support you may need during your time at University. The Student Hub is the first point of contact if you have any queries relating to your course, including questions about your timetable, options, and assessments and extenuating circumstances.

Advanced manufacturing laboratory

About the advanced manufacturing laboratory

Gallery

Equipment

Courses that use this facility