Graphic Design BTEC HND (with BA Hons degree pathway option) (full-time)
This full-time qualification is designed to equip you with the knowledge, flexibility and skills required for a successful career within an exciting and ever-widening industry. The course will provide you with the opportunity to develop a professional portfolio, covering branding, corporate identity, design for print, advertising, illustration, editorial design, typography, digital design, and animation.
You will regularly engage with leading UK design professionals through ‘live projects’ and talks, and benefit from our impressive track record for both gaining employment and winning national competitions. The course is an active member of British Design and Art Direction (D&AD), and has forged strong industrial links with both local and national designers. At the end of the year you will exhibit your work both in Bedford and at a major London venue as part of D&AD’s New Blood exhibition. Work experience opportunities will also be made available to you in the latter stages of the course. A list of visiting contacts and speakers is available on request.
Tackling hunger in schools
In the UK, 1.8 million school children are at risk of hunger each morning. A hungry child cannot concentrate and research shows that hungry children find it more difficult to learn, and are harder to teach as a result. We approached Williams Murray Hamm to help with a project for our 2nd year graphic design students. WMH wanted to use this opportunity to tackle the Hunger in Schools problem. Read more here.
Entry requirements
You will need:
- 32-48 UCAS points with some art, design and media element OR
- Art & Design BTEC Level 3 Diploma OR
- Art & Design Foundation Diploma (Pre-Degree) OR
- Equivalent Level 3 qualification
Entry is subject to a successful interview, where you will be asked to bring along a portfolio of your existing work. Applicants from A-Level courses displaying high levels of creativity will also be considered. We welcome applications from mature students who will considered individually on experience rather than qualifications.
You will be suited to this course if you can evidence the ability and/or potential to:
- Work imaginatively in graphic and visual media
- Generate and develop creative ideas in response to a wide range of briefs
- Articulate and communicate your creative intentions clearly
- Show willingness to collaborate and discuss your work in group situations
- Reflect critically on your activities and learning, and demonstrate intellectual inquiry
- Embrace new ways of thinking and exploit digital technologies.
Course content
To achieve HND status you will have studied the following modules
(Year 1 HNC study modules are marked HNC):
- Professional Development (HNC)
- Individual Project (HNC)
- Contextual Studies (HNC)
- Techniques and Processes (HNC)
- Typography (HNC)
- Graphic Design Practices (HNC)
- Professional Practice
- Applied Practice Collaborative Project
- Advanced Graphic Design Studies
- Communication in Art & Design (HNC)
- Surface Design (HNC)
- Branding & Identity
- Conceptual Practice
- Art Direction
You will also be introduced to web design and motion graphics in the second year.
Assessment methods
You will work with a range of specialist lecturers, including practicing designers, in well-equipped studios and workshops. Projects briefs will be set for each assignment, and you will be encouraged to develop a personal response to each task. All activities will be supported through one-to-one tutorials and group discussions to inform you of personal progress and to aid assessment. Assessment will be continuous throughout the course, with assignments graded at the end of each task.
Further study and career options
On successful completion of the HND you can move directly into employment within the design or advertising industry, or alternatively top-up the qualification to a full Bachelor’s degree at Bedford College or elsewhere.
Upon successful completion graduates are employed as graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, web and digital designers throughout the UK with some entering Europe and the USA. Alternatively, you could continue your studies with a Master of Arts (MA) qualification at University.
Additional information
Earlier this year, Bedford based brewer Charles Wells challenged students to come up with branding design ideas for its new multi-million investment brewhouse and visitor destination, due to open to the public in early 2020. 20 students will soon have the opportunity to pitch their individual creative design ideas.
Read more.Additional costs
- Basic art & design equipment such as layout pads, pens, scalpel, ruler, and external hard drive as per materials list.
- Resource fee of £150 to cover all in-studio colour laser printing, use of specialist studio materials, papers and adhesives, provision of studio journals, two key texts, visiting speakers’ travel expenses and for completing students a contribution towards exhibiting at a major London venue.
- Developing a personal portfolio (completing students) and self-promotional items approx. £100, and occasional visits by train to London.
To enrol on this course you must apply through the University & Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) using the institution code B23 and the course code 012W. Visit www.ucas.com or call us on 01234 291000 for more information.
Pay by instalments
The College offers an instalment plan for Further Education and Higher Education courses to students where the total amount payable at the point of enrolment is £200 or more. Within the scheme there is an ability to pay up to 6 instalments, depending on the length of the courses and the final payment must be paid at least a month before the end of the course.
Please note: You will be required to attend college 12 hours per week (Days to be confirmed).