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Graphic Design HND

Bedford college Graphic Design

Overview

Graphic Design HND (Full time)

This qualification is designed to equip you with the knowledge, flexibility and skills required for a successful career within an exciting and ever-widening industry. The course will provide you with the opportunity to develop a professional portfolio, covering branding, corporate identity, design for print, advertising, illustration, editorial design, typography, digital design, and animation.

You will regularly engage with leading UK design professionals through ‘live projects’ and talks, and benefit from our impressive track record for both gaining employment and winning national competitions. The course is an active member of British Design and Art Direction (D&AD) and has forged strong industrial links with both local and national designers.

At the end of the year, you will exhibit your work locally and at a major London venue as part of D&AD’s New Blood exhibition. Work experience opportunities will also be made available to you in the latter stages of the course. A list of visiting contacts and speakers is available on request.

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Course information

Need to know

Entry requirements

You will be suited to this course if you can evidence the ability and/or potential to:

  • Work imaginatively in graphic and visual media
  • Generate and develop creative ideas in response to a wide range of briefs
  • Articulate and communicate your creative intentions clearly
  • Show a willingness to collaborate and discuss your work in group situations
  • Reflect critically on your activities and learning, and demonstrate intellectual inquiry
  • Embrace new ways of thinking and exploit digital technologies.
How will I be assessed?

You will work with a range of specialist lecturers, including practising designers, in well-equipped studios and workshops. Project briefs will be set for each assignment, and you will be encouraged to develop a personal response to each task. All activities will be supported through one-to-one tutorials and group discussions to inform you of personal progress and to aid assessment. Assessment will be continuous throughout the course, with assignments graded at the end of each task.

Course content

What will I study?

To achieve HND status you will have studied the following modules (Year 1 HNC study modules are marked HNC):

  • Professional Development (HNC)
  • Individual Project (HNC)
  • Contextual Studies (HNC)
  • Techniques and Processes (HNC)
  • Typography (HNC)
  • Graphic Design Practices (HNC)
  • Professional Practice
  • Applied Practice Collaborative Project
  • Advanced Graphic Design Studies
  • Communication in Art & Design (HNC)
  • Surface Design (HNC)
  • Branding & Identity
  • Conceptual Practice
  • Art Direction

Next steps

On successful completion of the HND you can move directly into employment within the design or advertising industry, or alternatively top-up the qualification to a full Bachelor’s degree at Bedford college or elsewhere. Upon successful completion, graduates are employed as graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, web, and digital designers throughout the UK with some entering Europe and the USA. Alternatively, you could continue your studies with a Master of Arts (MA) qualification at University.

Additional information

Basic art & design equipment such as layout pads, pens, scalpel, ruler, and external hard drive as per the materials list.

Resource fee of £150 to cover all in-studio colour laser printing, use of specialist studio materials, papers and adhesives, provision of studio journals, two key texts, visiting speakers’ travel expenses and for completing students a contribution towards exhibiting at a major London venue.

Developing a personal portfolio (completing students) and self-promotional items approx. £100, and occasional visits by train to London.

Please note: You will be required to attend college 12 hours per week (Days to be confirmed).

Interested in this course?

If you would like to be notified when this course is next available, please fill out the form below.

Register your interest
Available Courses
Bedford College
Starts: 18/09/2025
Type: HE
Length: 1 year
Day(s): Wednesday, TH
Time(s): 9:15am - 4:30pm
Fees: £6,000.00 Fee notes: The fee indicated is for each year of the course.
Tresham College Kettering Campus
Starts: 23/09/2025
Type: HE
Length: 1 year
Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday
Time(s): 9:00am - 4:30pm
Fees: £6,000.00 Fee notes: The fee indicated is for each year of the course.
Disclaimer

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the Website is correct, some details may be subject to change. The Bedford College Group reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.

Funding Information

You could be eligible to take out a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees. Click on the link below to find out more about the financial support available for our Higher Education courses.

Find out more

If you decide to pay for your course yourself, we also offer an affordable Direct Debit instalments option to help spread the cost of tuition fees (terms apply).

Additional Learning Support

If you have a specific learning difficulty or disability, are deaf or hearing impaired, our Additional Learning Support team are on hand to give you assistance whenever you need it. Email: ALSteam@bedford.ac.uk or call us on 01234 291333.

Any questions?

If you would like to find out more about this or other courses, please use our Livechat below, email info@bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk or call us on 0345 658 8990.

Accessibility

We have access arrangements in place to help students with disabilities or any other particular needs. Call us on 01234 291000 or 01536 413123 for more information.

Additional formats

Course information sheets are also available in large print and audio formats. Call us on 01234 291000 or 01536 413123 to order your copy.