Higher National Diploma Graphic Design

Study mode:	Full-time
Programme length:	2 years full-time
Programme location:	Oxford & Cherwell Valley College (Banbury campus)
Year of entry:	September 2013
Home/EU fee:	£5,000 per year full-time
International fee:	£6,630 per year full-time
UCAS code:	W210
Institution code:	O25

Why choose this programme

This programme has been introduced to attract individuals who are ready to challenge themselves to develop into an employment ready independent creative practitioner. We will encourage imagination, innovation and experimentation through a wide range of assignments that have been developed using our established relationships with graphic design companies. We believe that students need as much real working experience as possible to survive and be successful in this competitive market, and our programme has been specifically designed to enable our students to develop their creativity in a number of key projects.
The HND is a practical programme upon which you will learn the skills that industry professionals use and create design concepts fit for the professional market. Our HE staff, industry practitioners and guest speakers, all collaborate to ensure our students obtain the underpinning academic, practical and creative skills you will need, as well as the processes for producing successful projects; all this whilst being located in a new purpose built creative arts centre that has the latest technology working alongside traditional art and design techniques.

Summary of Programme

This programme will provide an opportunity to develop the skills to compete in the workplace within the graphics industry. The programme has a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure you have the appropriate expertise to be able to thrive in the competitive world of work. You will study a range of practical subjects including graphics software, photography and video. The programme will also include a number of guest speakers, industry professionals and dedicated HE staff, working collaboratively to ensure that talent is recognised, utilised and developed appropriately. A key part of the programme will be to ensure you have a work-based experience within the second year of the programme.

Programme Content

Please note that as programmes are reviewed regularly, the unit list may vary from that shown here

Year 1 (Level 4)

Core Units:

Contextual and Cultural Studies
Visual Communication
Ideas Generation and Development

Specialist Units:

Typographical Skills
Packaging in Graphic Design
Editorial Design
Design Principles

Year 2 (Level 5)

Core Units:

Professional Practice in Art and Design
Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation

Specialist Units:

Work-Related Experience
Corporate Identity in Graphic Design
Research Project
Critical Study
Advertising Photography
Corporate Identity in Graphic Design

Assessment methods

The units are delivered through a variety of techniques to suit all different learning styles. The class work includes; group work, pair activities, crits, discussions, practical work and presentations.

The assessment you undergo will be both formative and summative:

Formative - Designed to provide you with feedback on your progress and inform you of your ongoing development. Formative assessments, such as in class exercises, tests, activities, do not form part of your grade.

Summative - Designed to provide a measure of your achievement in respect of your performance in relation to the intended learning outcomes of your programme of study.

At each level of study you will be asked to participate in formative and summative assessment procedures which require you to consider and grade your own work against the agreed assessment criteria. This allows you to reflect upon your own practice, with tutors, and to take responsibility for acknowledging areas of strength and areas for development in your work.

All your time at college will be based around a range of learning activities including lectures, workshops and practical sessions. An emphasis is placed on working and learning with others and you are regularly set tasks to complete in partnership with other students. A large part of the programme demands that individuals are independent thinkers and problem solvers; the learning environment allows you to progress your learning with an emphasis on taking responsibility for your own studies during your time on the HND.

Entry requirements

120 UCAS Points based on a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent:

This can include: Extended Diploma Art & Design, Media, Graphic Design, Photography, with an overall Merit grade

Offers are made on the outcome of an interview/portfolio process; we also welcome students returning to education and international students.

We also support Widening Participation and encourage applicants with non-standard qualifications.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable, by achieving a score in a recognised test such as:

British Council IELTS: normally minimum level 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in the reading and writing components;
TOEFL minimum score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based or 80 internet-based.

What you can progress to / Career prospects

The HND Graphic Design programme prepares students for employment in the Creative Industries.

Upon successful completion of this Higher National Diploma, students can either progress into industry or may be able to upgrade their qualification by progressing to the 2nd or final year of a related BA (Hons) degree programme at another institution.

How to apply

Full-time applicants should apply via UCAS. Please visit www.ucas.ac.uk

UCAS code: W210
Institutional code: O25

For more information please call 01865 550 550 / 01865 551 691

Fees information

Home/EU Fee: £5,000 per year (full time)
International Fee: £6,630 per year
For further details on fees and financial help please contact one of our friendly customer service advisors on 01865 550550 / 01865 551691 or email uni@ocvc.ac.uk