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Graphic Design

Graphic Design

Graphic design teaches how to communicate ideas and messages visually and effectively. Typography, publication design, illustration, user interface and experience design, and motion graphics are the main subjects.

Design and arts

Example courses

Typography and publication designUser interface (UI) and interaction designUser experience (UX) designMotion graphics and animationPackaging design

What do graduates do?

  • Graphic designer
  • Advertising art director
  • Illustrator
  • UX designer
  • Web designer
  • Animator
  • Creative director
  • Digital marketing specialist
IN HIGH SCHOOL

Which subjects matter?

The University of Edinburgh does not ask for a specific A-level or IB subject for graphic design. Most applicants have ABB, or 34 points in the IB. A digital portfolio showing artistic skill is also required.

Example: University of the Arts London (UAL), first-year courses

  1. Unit 1: Introduction to Graphic Design
  2. Unit 2: Type
  3. Unit 3: Image
  4. Unit 4: Publish

Length by country

United Kingdom
UAL Camberwell BA Graphic Design 3 years, in 3 stages.
USA
A bachelor's degree is usually completed in 4 years of full-time study.
Netherlands
A bachelor's at a research university takes 3 years (180 ECTS). At an HBO (university of applied sciences) it takes 4 years (240 ECTS). At an HBO, the first year is called propedeuse.

Exams required for this field

Portfolio United Kingdom

After you apply, UAL Camberwell BA Graphic Design asks for a digital portfolio of up to 30 pages. Research and process work should also be included, and an interview may follow.

TOLD (Test del Design) Italy

TOLD is used for entry to Politecnico di Milano design bachelor's degrees for 2026/27.

SCHOOL EXAMPLES

Examples of schools where you can study this subject

4 schools in 4 countries. Programmes were checked on the schools’ own websites. These are only examples; every country has many more options. We choose the schools that fit your budget, documents and goals together.

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USA

Boston UniversityGraphic Design · Boston

United Kingdom

University of EdinburghGraphic Design BA (Hons) · Edinburgh

Hungary

University of PécsGraphic Design (BA+MA) · Pécs

Poland

Vistula UniversityGraphic design · Warsaw
BY COUNTRY

What to know, country by country

For each country where you can study this subject: an example tuition fee and the next step in the timeline. You can find the details in our country guides.

USA1 schoolCountry guide
Bachelor's tuition$66.720per year · 2026/27Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • 7 November 2026

    SAT exam (next date 5 December 2026). Whether a school asks for a test varies by school

United Kingdom1 schoolCountry guide
Bachelor's, international student, fields other than medicine and dentistry£27,650 to £34,670per year · 2027/28The University of Sheffield
  • 26 October to 21 December 2026

    Booking period for the January 2027 session of the ESAT, TMUA and TARA exams (for universities other than Oxford and Cambridge).

Hungary1 schoolCountry guide
Medicine (English-taught medicine), 12 semesters€7.900per semester · 2027/2028University of Szeged, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School
  • 1 December 2026

    International applications for 2027/28 open at the University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine.

Poland1 schoolCountry guide
Economics bachelor's (ekonomia, pierwszego stopnia), Polish, full-time, foreign student, single payment€2.600per year · 2026/2027University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences
  • November 2026

    Check from the university's list which documents show that your high school diploma gives the right to apply to university in Türkiye, and whether you need a Polish sworn translation.

YOUR OWN LIST

Let’s build your school list for Graphic Design together

  • We choose schools from 26 countries that fit your grades, budget and documents.
  • We gather every school’s application timeline, required documents and exam scores in one list.
  • We put tuition fees and living costs side by side.
  • We prepare your application file and personal statement together.
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is asked for in a graphic design portfolio?

For 2026 entry, the University of Edinburgh asked for a single PDF of up to 20 pages. Up to 5 pages are given to each of the four assessment criteria. UAL Camberwell asks for up to 30 pages and expects research and process work to be included too.

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Is a Foundation Diploma compulsory for graphic design?

It is not compulsory for UAL Camberwell's graphic design bachelor's. It appears as one of the accepted qualifications. UAL's one-year Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is also open to international students and prepares them for art and design bachelor's degrees.

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DESIGN AND ART

Other fields of study in this category

ElsewhereCampus ElsewhereNext
ArchitectureInterior ArchitectureUrban and Regional PlanningFashion DesignIndustrial DesignFilm and Television ProductionMusicFine Art

Last checked: October 2026.

Is Graphic Design right for you?

Let's talk about interests, strong subjects and target countries, and narrow down the subject and school options together.

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