Visual Communication and Design BA (Hons)
Course code W213
What is special about this course?
Become one of the most sought-after professionals in the industry, combining your creative thinking with your passion for art, technology, and communication. Learn to generate innovative ideas and expand your creative problem-solving skills on our tailored programme, as you work on projects with social, economic, and environmental significance.
Develop your individual style and interests, as you gain a clear understanding of contemporary design theory and practice. With opportunities for exciting work placements, live projects, and national and international trips and competitions to suit your individual skills and interests, let us support you in the development of your professional profile and portfolio as you pursue this stimulating career path.
Special features
- A focus on the role of the visual communicator within contemporary design theory and practice
- An emphasis on 21st century skills development and interdisciplinary practice
- A range of work placement, live project, national and international competition opportunities tailored to your individual skills and interests
- The opportunity to develop your own creative and portfolio of professional practice and gain critical marketing experience
- Opportunities for national and international trips to enhance your experience
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- Entry to year one, HNC, is 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above OR
- One A Level at D or above
- For alternative entry see access routes below
- You will also be required to submit a portfolio of work and may be invited for an interview
Advanced entry
- Entry to year two, is HNC Visual Communication, including a Graded Unit result of B or above
- Entry to year three is HND Visual Communication, including a Graded Unit result of B or above
Access routes
- NC Art and Design
- NC Digital Media
- NC Art, Design and Media
- NC Computing with Digital Media
- University of the Arts London Diploma Level 3 Award
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media
Year 1 - HNC
Year 2 - HND
Year 3 - BA
Core modules are:
- Theory and practice: design
- Research project: design
- Professional design practice
- Social design strategies
- Design practice
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
Core modules are:
- Major design project: degree show
- Major research project
- Professional design practice
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures, practical sessions, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time: 8 years @ 20 hours per week
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Perth
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | 2024-25 Part-time | 2025-26 Full-time | 2025-26 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Honours | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | 2024-25 Part-time | 2025-26 Full-time | 2025-26 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) | £7,440 | £496 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) | £7,440 | £496 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) | £9,250 | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) | free | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship for the degree (3rd) year and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship | 2025-26 Full-time | With scholarship |
| Year 1 | HNC | £8,775 | £8,775 | £8,925 | £8,925 |
| Year 2 | HND | £8,775 | £8,775 | £8,925 | £8,925 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £14,988 | Free | £15,870 | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | 2024-25 Part-time | 2025-26 Full-time | 2025-26 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £8,775 | £585(per HN credit) | £8,925 | £595 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £8,775 | £585 (per HN credit) | £8,925 | £595 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £14,988 | £2,498 (per 20 credit module) | £15,870 | £2,645 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Honours | £14,988 | £2,498 (per 20 credit module) | £15,870 | £2,645 (per 20 credit module) |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award, including where students are following a recognised ‘top-up’ degree structure where the first and second years are made up of an HNC/D award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
Students are expected to fund the materials required for the production of projects, they should allow a starting budget of £150 per year for this.
Optional Course trips are available in some campuses at a fee of between £300 – £600, dependent upon selected destination.
What can I do on completion of my course?
The BA (Hons) Visual Communication and Design will prepare you for, but is not limited to, a career in digital media, design, broadcast, graphics, illustration or marketing.
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress to the MA Art and Social Practice
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
-Visual-Communication-and-Design.png "Robyn Paterson")
I chose UHI as I don’t like larger cities and here felt more relaxed. This course had a good variety of projects which allowed for us to explore different types of visual communications, learning about what ones we liked best and as we move through the years, we are given the opportunity to choose briefs that we feel best suit our personal preferences.
We work with clients during course, and I was lucky enough to have one of my designs chosen to be used by them. I have used software that is employers look for designers to have experience with as well as teaching me how to balance and prioritise large workloads. I made a lot of friends living in the halls of residence, I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere here and the lecturing staff are great! For me, the best thing about living here is the outdoors. You never need to go too far away to take a break from everything.
Robyn studied the BA (Hons) Visual Communication and Design at UHI Inverness.
I wanted to do something art related but was unsure what course to do after school. I didn’t want to leave home for a university course in a big city when I wasn’t sure if that was the course for me. Visual Communications offered the study of a range of techniques which allowed me to try different creative practices and see what appealed to me.
I currently work as a Graphic Designer at a university where I deliver graphic, digital and print services to all faculty and support staff. Since graduating, I also work as a freelance designer/illustrator creating artwork for a variety of clients, including children’s book illustration. I was shortlisted for the Kelpies Design and Illustration Prize and last summer was a commissioned artist for Oor Wullie’s Big Bucket Trail. My aim is to become an illustrator of children’s books and continue working on exciting design projects.
Charlie studied the BA (Hons) Visual Communication at UHI Perth. (Photo credit: Kalyan Veera).
Apply for Visual Communication and Design BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.