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Graphic Design
Graphic Design

Graphic Design

Level 3
Gloucester

Course Overview

Full Time
Certificate
Shortlist and Apply

Get a comprehensive introduction to the graphic design industry from working artists. Using state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll work on live briefs set by real businesses, as you learn design theory and application. From initial briefings and class discussions, to presenting your work and taking part in workshops, you’ll get to grips with the full design process.

You’ll become well-versed in all things design related, become a creative thinker, and produce a great portfolio of work for higher education or work as a designer.

 

What you’ll learn  

You’ll learn all the ins and outs of graphic design, spanning a huge range of design communication and concepts. From typography and illustration, digital manipulation and visual recording, to marketing and branding, digital design and desktop publishing – you’ll gain a thorough understanding of all of the ways in which design is used and can influence our lives. Putting your knowledge into practice, there’s plenty of topics to delve into and try your hand at producing designs for a wide range of live briefs.

You’ll study graphic design and other related topics to develop a range of traditional design and study skills. Through the history of design, you’ll get to research and discover the historical and contextual practice and evaluate how this impacts your own design work.

With a strong emphasis on digital design skills, technical workshops and masterclasses, as well as self-directed study, our expert lecturers will support you to develop a full, professional design skillset that prepares you for your next steps.

 

Highlights 

You can look forward to:

  • Opportunity for internal internships
  • Each year there is a residential trip abroad, as well as a range of field trips that form a vital part of learning outside of the classroom. Last year we visited Design Museum, V&A, Oxford Natural History Museum, Ashmolean, Tate Modern, as well as other course related trips
  • Industry week delivered by industry specialists 
  • 3D printers, A2 printer, heat press, foiling materials, screen printing
  • Industry-focused tutors, studio classroom environment, independent approach

 

Assessment  

Assessment is coursework based with no exams. There are two modules per year with mini briefs for skills development and portfolio building. Throughout the course there will be a range of formative and summative feedback, giving you the opportunity to develop and grow as a designer. By the end of the course, you will have a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design with a Graphic Design pathway from Pearsons.

 

Anything else?  

There is a course fee charged at enrolment to cover essential course materials and trips. This includes use of iPads, Apple pencils, Wacom pen, photography equipment, print credits, Poska pens and other consumable equipment that you use.

You’ll normally spend 4 days a week in college, and benefit from a weekly pastoral session with a student mentor for any additional support.

At Gloucestershire College we want students to develop their English and Maths skills so that they achieve their learning goals and future career aims. For this reason, all full-time students (16-18) who have not achieved grade 4 or above English language or maths GCSE will study these subjects as part of their course.

You’ll also complete 100 hours of CPD and develop additional employability and work-based skills through our Which Three Skills programme.

  • Typical Entry Criteria

    • Five GCSE subjects at Grade 4 and above including:

      • GCSE English Language or Literature at Grade 4 and above or GCSE Maths at Grade 4 and above
      • Four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 and above

    Gloucestershire College welcome any other/combinations of relevant qualifications that are comparable and/or equivalent to the typical course entry requirements.

    For 19+ applicants that do not have recognised qualifications may still meet course entry requirements through alternative methods of assessment at the College’s discretion.

    All queries regarding course entry criteria including the equivalency of qualifications and exceptional extenuating circumstances should be directed by email to the Admissions Department through applications@gloscol.ac.uk.

    Graphic Design Level 3 courses require a GCSE in an Art subject OR a strong portfolio.

  • The general progression route for our Graphic Design (Level 3) programme is:

    Graphic Design (Level 4 and 5) Higher National Certificate/Diploma

    Or

    Employment in industry

Shortlist and Apply

If you would like to apply for this course, please add it to your shortlist. You may then add further courses to your shortlist or continue to complete your application.

Shortlist and Apply
Graphic Design

What You Will Pay

British and European Union students

Age: 16-18

You will pay

£400

for your course

(approximately £200.00/year)

This includes the following fees:

Events: £170

Materials: £230

Your course could be free of charge as you may be eligible for financial support to help pay your tuition fees, travel, exams, materials or childcare.

When you enrol you’ll need to pay any course fees for the first year, which you can do by direct debit, cash, debit card or credit card.

Please contact us for more information.

0345 155 2020

British and European Union students

Age: 19+

You will pay

£8,583

for your course

(approximately £4,291.00/year)

This includes the following fees:

Events: £170

Exam: £185

Materials: £230

Your course could be free of charge as you may be eligible for financial support to help pay your tuition fees, travel, exams, materials or childcare.

When you enrol you’ll need to pay any course fees for the first year, which you can do by direct debit, cash, debit card or credit card.

Please contact us for more information.

0345 155 2020

If you would like to apply for this course, please add it to your shortlist. You may then add further courses to your shortlist or continue to complete your application.

Shortlist and Apply

Overseas students

Please contact us to discuss your fees for this course

0345 155 2020

Working in the creative industries is challenging but exciting, and presents all kinds of job opportunities spanning fine arts, graphics, interior design, music, performing arts, photography, radio and television.

Gloucestershire College is part of an elite group of the best arts and media providers in the county. In fact, we’ve got a long history of producing successful students. We are proud of our industry connections with world-renowned and local artists, as well as employers who are actively involved with the College.

Through these links, we are able to provide invaluable work experience through live project briefs and exciting joint events. Trips are embedded throughout our creative courses to inspire you and broaden your experience. In recent years, our students have travelled to Amsterdam, Cannes, London, Milan, New York and Paris with their course.

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Student Stories

Sam Sek

I did one year of sixth form, but I wanted to focus on Art and felt like I'd rather use that skill to my best and focus on things I find more interesting. I prefer how visual it is. There’s a lot of thinking but it’s freer and you can do what you want really. We learn new skills and I like that we have multiple briefs – you don’t get burnt out and bored on one brief. I like how different the briefs are. You can pick one theme and really focus on that. I can put all my personal interests into the brief, so I got to design a poster for a tattoo shop in the style that I’m quite interested in.

Sam Sek

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Ysabelle Leal

I’ve always liked fashion and I knew that college would help me more than sixth form. I need to be more practical, and I knew the college course would help me a lot more than sixth form – and it did! At college you meet a lot of different people, and they inspire me in different ways. It helps me grow by seeing how other people’s minds work. That wouldn't have happened if I’d stayed in my school!

Ysabelle Leal

FASHION, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Brianny Witts

I applied to GC to explore my creativity with the resources that they provide for their arts students. I came to an Open Evening and was very interested and excited so applied straight away. The lecturers are very good at getting the most of me. There are so many materials to choose from and print facilities. I want to be a fashion designer and my second year briefs have allowed me to tailor my work to this goal. If you’re looking to explore your talents in a friendly, well-equipped facility, apply to GC.

Brianny Witts

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus
Kamran Delestan

Going to college was more affordable than going to university, which really appealed to me as I didn’t want lots of debt but would be just as qualified as a university student. I chose the course as I want to be a sound engineer. I could learn more about music generally in the HNC and then specialise this year in my HND, by choosing certain modules to complete. After this course I want to do my top-up year at University of West London and specialise in live sound engineering. The college has already helped me start the application process.

Kamran Delestan

MUSIC, HNC/HND

Gloucester Campus
Crystal Francis

I started studying my A Levels but didn’t enjoy it, so decided to study fashion at GC instead. I feel much more motivated on this course as it’s something I really enjoy and I get a lot of direction from lecturers. On the course we are given a brief but have lots of freedom to do our own thing, and I really enjoy elements such as trend forecasting and marketing. I would say as long as you’re applying to something you really want to do; you’ll get what you need from studying at GC."

Crystal Francis

Extended Diploma Level 3 – Fashion

Cheltenham Campus
Tom Zheng

I did work experience at GC and really liked the vibe, the people and learned a lot. I enjoyed Level 3 Music and wanted to learn more so decided to progress onto the HND. The resources and lectures have been great. I liked the practical activities the most: playing, performing and creating compositions. My dream is to be a live performer and GC has helped me achieve that by educating me on the music business and I’m currently in negotiation with a record label.

Tom Zheng

MUSIC, HND

Gloucester Campus
Laura Ignacio

The best skill I learned at GC was the way of experimenting with everything – I learned to say yes. College really taught me that I can make anything and explore different pathways; it taught me to be adaptable and that I can learn any skill. If I don’t know skills or techniques I have the tools here to learn them really fast. I could learn about set design, and I could learn about sculpting at the same time, and I can learn about painting at the same time, and learn every single one of those skills very well.

Laura Ignacio

ART AND DESIGN - LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Vin Blick

I was in bands throughout school and did live sound engineering at local festivals and pubs with friends. I chose my course because I’m hoping to be a live sound engineer – and I’d definitely recommend college if you want to go into production or performance. I’ve formed great relationships with my lecturers and you get so much knowledge and understanding of the industry. I’ve learnt so many new skills, and got a great understanding of how to set up sound equipment, using the spaces and the equipment you have to make the best sound.

Vin Blick

MUSIC PRODUCTION, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus

Facilities

Art Rooms

Art Rooms

Our art rooms are spacious areas for students to explore their creativity and express themselves. Across our campus, they have large windows overlooking our campuses or the countryside while allowing natural light through. You’ll find tools and materials such as paints, brushes, canvases, sculpting clay, and other supplies with display areas for showcasing completed works of art.

Drama Room Theatre

Drama Room Theatre

We have several fully equipped theatres with industry-standard facilities, including full lighting rigs, sound systems, projection facilities, and space for an audience of up to 300 people. They allow students space to practice and perform all year round for both technical and performance-based performing arts students.

Recording and Music Studios

Recording and Music Studios

We have several fully equipped theatres with industry-standard facilities, including full lighting rigs, sound systems, projection facilities, and space for an audience of up to 300 people. They allow students space to practice and perform all year round for both technical and performance-based performing arts students.

Dance Studios

Dance Studios

Our dance studio at Gloucester Campus is designed for rehearsals and performances. Here you’ll find a sprung floor to absorb the shock and friction of movement, a full-length wall of mirrors, a ballet beam, and a sound system for music.

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Next Steps

Find out more

Check the progress of your application and find out everything you need to know about the application and enrolment process at GC.

Open Events & Campus Tours

Join us for our next event and check us out for yourself. We hold Open Evenings several times a year where you can explore our campuses, meet the teaching teams and explore life at GC.

Application FAQs

Check out some of our most frequently asked admissions questions or get in touch with the team.