Graphic Design is a dynamic and ever-evolving industry where effective communication and bold ideas can have a positive effect on every aspect of contemporary life. You will learn to tell compelling visual stories that have a role in everything from branding and packaging, to filmmaking, animation and book design - with the opportunity to test your skills in international creative competitions.
We'll introduce you to specialist technology and professional workshop facilities, which you can use to develop your skills in a wide range of design disciplines, from commercial design to socially conscious projects. We'll help you to build a personal design portfolio built around your own interests and passions, teaching you how to develop effective and original design ideas, from brief to pitch.
This programme is also available with an Arts Foundation Year, which can provide an alternative route of entry onto the full degree programme. Find out more at https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/afyafyub/.
Subject ranked in the top 10 overall in the UK*
Links with industry and workshops with visiting experts
Specialist design studios, technology, and equipment
Take part in international student design competitions
Optional study visit to New York
Professional network of alumni
*Guardian University Guide 2025 (out of 62 ranking institutions).
In the first year, you are encouraged to work in both traditional and digital media while studying the fundamental principles of graphic design. The course introduces the creative methods needed in the industry to answer briefs, solve communication problems, and meet deadlines, alongside a theory course that underpins the social context and history of the subject.
This knowledge is taken further in the second year, where more advanced concepts of graphic design are introduced. The third year provides an opportunity for you to develop your own specialism with a range of projects to choose from, including projects set by industry. The third year culminates in a physical or online end-of-year degree show.
During the three years of the course, you are encouraged to undertake competition briefs or apply to recognised industry award schemes. The course has an impressive track record of success with the British Book Design & Publication Awards, D&AD New Blood Awards, Creative Conscience Awards, the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD Awards), the RSA Student Design Award scheme, Adobe Top Talent Awards, and many others. Depending on the award scheme, these offer opportunities for networking, industry recognition, placements and bursaries.
As the course progresses, you will develop a professional portfolio of work through a mixture of studio projects and independent, collaborative, and industry-led briefs.
Studio practice is a key element of this course, and you will have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in creative studio environments. Teaching and learning experiences may include online and studio activities, peer groups, lectures, workshops, seminars, and group tutorials. You can also benefit from one-to-one tutorials, portfolio reviews, and self-initiated work experience. On this programme, we would advise that you undertake three hours of self-study for every one hour of timetabled delivery.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
As this course aims to develop a wide range of practical and intellectual skills, assessment is varied and includes presentations, written projects, individual and group practical work, projects, and portfolios, in addition to academic essays. There are no formal end-of-year examinations. Throughout the degree, students are assessed through their production of practical and written work.
Students have regular access to workshops, labs, studios, and industry-standard equipment, as well as highly knowledgeable technicians. This environment can help students to develop their knowledge and skills, and complements our purpose-built design studios. Students are currently provided with free access to Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk software, and Lynda.com for the duration of their studies.
Students have the opportunity to engage with both live project briefs set by external clients and also national and international competition briefs.
Students are also encouraged to enter a range of competitions, for which the course has an enviable track record of success. Previous students have won the RSA Student Design Awards, graduated as members of the International Society of Typographic Designers, won D&AD yellow pencils, had projects reach the semi-finals of the Adobe Design Achievement Awards, and been commended for the YCN Student Awards.
We also make every effort to get our students work seen by potential employers; final year students produce a website in conjunction with their final year show. This aims to showcase their individual talents.
All students are encouraged to seek optional placements in design agencies during their time at Lincoln. This gives them the chance to gain hands-on experience and to establish contacts within the graphic design industry. Students are responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs while undertaking placements.
Our degree show is an exciting opportunity for our Lincoln School of Design students to showcase their work both physically and digitally to the public and businesses.
Explore Our Work
Lincoln School of Design students have a long history of winning and being shortlisted for international and national student design competitions, and the last few years have been no exception.
Because of the variety of content in the course, and therefore my portfolio, I stood out against others with a lot more experience than me. So much so that my employer hired a graduate when originally, they were expecting someone with at least 3 years' experience.
Natalie Bond
BA (Hons) Graphic Design graduate
Professional design specialists enhance the curriculum through a visiting lecturer programme.
Students can choose to participate in optional study visits. Recent destinations include New York. Please note that students will be responsible for their travel, accommodation, and general living expenses while undertaking an optional study trip.
Graduates who pursue careers as graphic designers can work across both print and digital platforms. Recent graduates have worked for agencies including True North, Iris, Jaywing, Landor, Design Bridge, Coley Porter Bell, Brass, Raw, Elmwood, Jack Renwick Studio, Interbrand, and Johnson Banks. Some set up their own independent studios or work as freelance graphic designers.
104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent qualifications.
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit.
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff points.
International Baccalaureate: 28 points overall.
GCSE's: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, EPQ etc.
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
For applicants who do not meet our standard entry requirements, our Arts Foundation Year can provide an alternative route of entry onto our full degree programmes:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/afyafyub/
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Standard workshop induction costs are covered by the University, as are some initial printing and material costs. However, depending on the media/materials chosen by the student, there may be additional material and printing costs incurred.
Students on this course have the opportunity to take part in field trip and international study visits. The University covers the costs of mandatory field trips, but optional study visits are at the student’s own expense. Previous destinations have included New York and Berlin. Students are responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs while undertaking work experience or internships.
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
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