Courses background

BA (Hons) Level 6 Degree (Top-Up) Home Study

Gain a respected qualification that opens doors to professional recognition, career advancement, and global opportunities in Graphic Design.

BA (Hons) Level 6 Degree (Top-Up)

Home Study course

home study

Start Date

September 2025

Price

£3,695 (Easy-pay plan available)

Duration

1200 hours total qualification time

Work Placement

Graduates of this course are eligible for a one month work placement with a graphic design company. All placements are organised through the British Academy of Graphic Design, within the greater London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh areas.

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Study Option
Home Study
Course Level
Level 6 on the FHEQ
Entry Requirements
18 years old or over
A recognised BTEC level 5 qualification (or equivalent) in Graphic Design,
If English is not your first language, you must have at least level 5.5 IELTS or the equivalent.
Assessment
16 online practical assignments
Application Process:

We can offer recognition of prior learning at our Academy. Therefore, if you have already obtained a BTEC HND qualification with another institution within the last 5 years, you will require the following documents:
Your e-Portfolio
Course Transcript
Qualification Certificate

Awarding Body
UH
The Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Graphic Design is awarded by the University of Hertfordshire.

You will be enrolled on a Level 6 top up programme delivered through the British Academy of Graphic Design. This programme is validated, quality assured and awarded through the University of Hertfordshire.  The BA (hons) Level 6 top-up in Graphic Design represents 1200 total learning hours and 120 credits at level 6 (undergraduate degree-level) study.

In this programme, you will develop a specialised knowledge of Graphic Design. You will work closely with a team of subject specialist tutors who will help you to develop advanced academic abilities and a sophisticated professional practice. Throughout your studies, your tutors will provide support, guidance and feedback, allowing you to progress in your studies, build an independent practice or pursue a career in the industry. Designed around 16 assignments that are delivered through 4 distinct topic modules, this degree programme will provide an academic structure to your studies. It will help you to establish your own reputation and distinctive approach to graphic design.

As a Home Study student, you will have full access to our Online Learning Centre. This is your virtual campus and contains all your course content, learning resources, access to online learning services, tutor support and assessment materials. You will also have access to our popular student forum where tutors and students engage in discussion about course assignments, and share work and feedback.

The programme is aligned with statutory body requirements, such as the QAA Quality Code, QAA Subject Benchmarks, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ), and Advance HE principles, ensuring an academically rigorous and professionally relevant learning experience. It also adheres to the Herts Learning Approach, (University of Hertfordshire) which emphasises active learning, inclusivity, and a supportive learning community.

Please contact us for further details.

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Topics

The BA (Hons) Top-up programme includes 4 compulsory modules of study.
Each module has a completion timeframe of six months.

    • Module 1 - Advanced Practice in Graphic Design

    Refine your craft and align your work with professional standards across the graphic design industry. This module explores the wide range of roles designers play in B2B and B2C contexts and shows you how to connect client objectives with end-user needs. You'll develop innovative responses to complex briefs through research-led concept development, while embedding ethics, sustainability, and accessibility into every decision. By the end, you'll communicate ideas with clarity and confidence using polished presentation methods and client-ready deliverables.

    • Industry Roles and Professional Standards
    • Complex Briefs and Concept Development
    • Research Methods and Strategic Alignment
    • Ethical, Sustainable, and Accessible Practice
    • Client Communication and Presentation Skills
    • Module 2 - Dissertation

    Build advanced independent research skills tailored to graphic design. You'll define a focused question, conduct a rigorous literature review, and select appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods to gather and analyse evidence. Guided support strengthens your academic writing, time management, and referencing, enabling you to produce a well-structured, critically argued dissertation that informs your creative practice.

    • Research Question and Proposal Design
    • Literature Review and Hypothesis Building
    • Methods: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed
    • Analysis: Content, Discourse, and Semiotics
    • Academic Writing, Referencing, and Time Management
    • Module 3 - Major Project Ideation and Development

    Lay the strategic foundation for a substantial design project. From topic selection and audience research to concept generation and early prototypes, you'll develop ideas that align with market insights and personal career goals. Experimentation with tools, materials, and methods is paired with timeline planning, peer critique, and portfolio curation - so your direction is clear, credible, and ready for implementation.

    • Topic Selection and Audience/Market Research
    • Ideation Techniques and Prototyping
    • Tools, Materials, and Method Exploration
    • Timeline, Milestones, and Deliverables
    • Portfolio Development and Constructive Critique
    • Module 4 - Major Project Implementation

    Translate your concept into a professional, market-ready outcome. You'll refine solutions through user testing and iteration, manage production and vendor workflows, and maintain quality control against industry standards. Clear documentation, reflective evaluation, and confident final presentations ensure your work resonates with clients and audiences while demonstrating full command of the design process.

    • Production Planning and Workflow Management
    • User Testing, Iteration, and Technical Refinement
    • Quality Assurance and Industry Standards
    • Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication
    • Final Presentation, Documentation, and Portfolio

View Programme Specification BA

Tutors

Our tutor community includes hundreds of talented professionals with both local and international credentials. Here is a sample to illustrate the depth of creative experience that Academy students benefit from:

This degree aligns with national benchmarks and university standards, ensuring a rigorous, industry-relevant education underpinned by quality and integrity.

Testimonial

Joana Moreira

Quality Assurance Manager

The British Academy of Graphic Design

The British Academy of Graphic Design is part of a network of creative design education brands that offers courses in Interior Design, Garden Design, Fashion Design, Photography and Digital Marketing. Our philosophy is to make high-quality education accessible to all by empowering people to do what they love. Through the power of online and blended learning, our students are able to harness their creativity and practically apply it to succeed in their chosen careers.

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Choosing the right course

We offer a range of graphic design courses to suit your goals.

Why not contact our experienced staff for advice, or browse to our other courses.

Higher National Diploma Home Study
BA Honours Degree Home Study

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