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Graphic Design

Course Code: DIPGD
  • Level: 3
  • Qualification: Diploma, Extended Diploma
  • Awarding body: Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC)
  • Duration: One to two years
  • Course type: Full-time
  • Time of day: Daytime
  • When you'll study: Various days and times
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What's it all about?

The UK had an estimated 2.29m creative industries jobs in the year to September 2021, including 1.62m permanent roles with a further 663,000 creative industry jobs were self-employed*, highlighting the demand for careers in this sector. 


This course provides you with an all-round understanding of the graphic design process, from initial idea development to final completion of your digital and print products to a professional industry standard, preparing you for your future in the field of graphic design.


By completing this course you’ll gain an advanced understanding of graphic design software packages including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and InDesign. In addition to this, you will learn about both product and portrait photography, branding and also gain project management skills, which will put you firmly on the path towards a career in the graphic design industry, whether that is working for an established company or starting up your own freelance graphic design business.


*Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.


Course information

This exciting course gives you practical training and an in-depth insight into the professional world of graphic design.

Areas you will study include: 

  • Advanced Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop skills

  • how to produce graphics for print based and digital publishing

  • how to produce motion graphics content

  • product design

  • product and portrait photography skills

  • how to use professional graphics tablets

  • how to develop your ideas into a finished visual product

  • how to successfully complete live briefs with local creative professionals

In addition, you will:

  • learn from industry experienced staff

  • benefit from links with all local media providers such as Bluestone 360, Pushed and Gammaray Creative Limited

  • use cutting-edge equipment

  • get fantastic opportunities to display your work in and outside of the College

  • collaborate with performing and production arts, film, music, esports, virtual reality and games development students.

Your individualised study programme will be made up of the following four areas:

  • the qualification you are studying

  • English and maths

  • work experience

  • other activities to develop your personal skills eg preparing you for employment, training or further/higher education.

In our experience in order to be successful on this course you will need one of the following:

  • four to five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C) (including English)

  • a level 2 media qualification

  • a BTEC first diploma

  • an NVQ Level 2/technical certificate

  • successful completion of an Apprenticeship course

  • equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience.

Assessment will be through written and practical coursework, employer projects, group work, presentations and analysis.


On successful completion of the diploma you can progress onto the extended diploma, which can lead to further progression:

  • university-level study in a related subject at institutions throughout the UK

  • an Apprenticeship

  • employment in a variety of jobs, for example: content creator, podcaster, junior graphic designer or marketing assistant. 

Please note fees are quoted for one year only.

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Future careers

What you could earn:

Production Managers and Directors in Manufacturing

£87,276.63

Potential salary

£10,555.74

Entry level salary

£40,777.71

Average salary

43

Annual openings in Plymouth

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