Art and Design (Graphics) Top-up

The Level 6 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Art and Design (Graphics) is awarded by Nottingham Trent University (NTU).

If you already have (or expect to achieve) a full Level 5 qualification - such as a Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree (FdA) or Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) - in an art and design-related subject, this popular course allows you to top-up to a full Level 6 BA (Honours) degree with just one more year of study. You will be able to develop your career in your chosen field.

Combining practical studio work in your specialist area with contextual and theoretical modules; an enquiring, creative and challenging approach to work is promoted. We encourage the belief that designers have independent thoughts, feelings, reactions, and attitudes which they need to externalise and visualise within theoretical work and practical design practice. Specialist areas are available for studio practice and students have access to supporting workshops.

Core modules include

-specialist studio practice -contemporary issues in design -practice-led research -advanced studio practice

Assessment

You'll be assessed through individual and group assignments and presentations, research tasks, and individual studio project work. Your work will be displayed in an end-of-year professional portfolio and public exhibition.

Bursaries

We want our courses to be accessible to students from any background, so we’ve put together a cash support package in the form of non-repayable bursaries to provide financial help where it’s really needed. Details for 2025-26 will be advertised once approved by the university regulator – the Office for Students (OfS). Please check our website - www.nottinghamcollege.ac.uk - for more information.

The qualification.

Level 6 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Art and Design (Graphics) - awarded by Nottingham Trent University (NTU).

Your career and progression

What career or progression opportunities are there? Many of our graduates set up their own small businesses. Some choose to venture into other sectors and are equally successful in gaining employment due to the transferable skills acquired on the course. Previous graduates have found positions with companies such as: Pendragon plc; Broadway Cinema Nottingham; Hyundai; ASDA George; Brown Dog; Defacto and New Fat. Other graduates continue with their studies with higher degrees or teacher training, with more than 40% progressing to postgraduate MA courses.