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An open magazine spread with colourful block letters spelling "LISBON" shows the creativity akin to a Design for Publishing degree. The right page features a photo of a tall statue and a city skyline against a blue sky, with text on "RULES" and columns about what to see and do in Lisbon.
A collage of website screenshots displays tennis-themed designs alongside quotes like "Tennis teaches you there's no such thing as perfect" and "The Dragon." Featuring tennis players and a bold "Wimbledon 1992" text, it epitomizes the creativity one might explore in a Design for Publishing degree.

Design for Publishing BA (Hons)

Explore how words and images can come to life on the page and screen to tell stories and deliver information.

Key information

How to Apply
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This one-of-a-kind course provides students with a specialist education in typography, page design, layout, spatial graphics, image creation and art direction for print and digital applications. BA (Hons) Design for Publishing has a great reputation for producing much sought after graphic designers with a focus on inspiring audiences through story-telling and developing skills to work in the publishing sector and beyond. Idea generation, research methods, content creation, materials and physical making are integral to your projects.

Why study with us

Course details

Integrated Foundation Year (optional)

Integrated Foundation Year

Our Integrated Foundation Year is designed to equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in their chosen degree subject. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to various disciplines, blending critical thinking and creative problem-solving with practical hands-on experience. This year serves as a bridge to undergraduate studies, allowing students to explore their interests within a supportive and inspiring environment, while familiarising themselves with the campus, workshops, and tutors.

Find out more about our Integrated Foundation Year.

Learning and teaching

This course is taught through a mixture of learning and teaching methods including:

Assessment

Assessment for this course is entirely coursework-based, meaning there are no exams. Your progress will be evaluated through the projects and assignments you complete for each unit. Throughout the year, you’ll receive ongoing feedback to help you refine your work and develop your skills. To support your learning and ensure you achieve the course outcomes, we use a variety of assessment methods, including:

  • Finished pieces of work
  • Presentations
  • Written work
  • Your research
  • A reflective journal

Find out more about Assessment at Norwich

Some of the people you’ll be working with

Our facilities

Look around our city-centre campus, and you will find studios, media labs, and creative spaces in 13 buildings that sit among the cafés, bars, independent galleries and shops of Norwich’s cultural quarter.

Here to help you succeed

The UK’s creative sector is thriving, contributing £111.7 billion annually to the economy and offering over 2 million jobs.

Employability and career development are integral to every unit of our courses, ensuring students are well-prepared for the industry. Our students go on to secure exciting roles, launch successful businesses, and make a lasting impact in many sectors worldwide.

From day one, you’ll also get specialist career advice from our Business and Employability Team to help support you as you plan your career.

In the busy graphics studio, students are sat and stood around tables working together, cutting up vibrant sheets of paper with typography on

Typical career paths

Employability and careers are a constant theme through all the units on each year of the course – the most important of which is the creation and on-going development of your portfolio.

Students have been incredibly successful, receiving multiple awards from D&AD New Blood, the International Society of Typographic Designers, Penguin Cover Design Award, the Society of Publication Designers (international editorial design award) and Creative Conscience. Many have secured graduate placements and full-time employment at international publishers such as Penguin Random House, Little, Brown and a range of design studios, advertising agencies and broadcasters such as the BBC.

  • Magazine Designer
  • Book Jacket Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Editorial Designer
  • Newspaper Designer
  • Publishing Designer
  • Digital Publisher
  • Creative Director
  • Interface Designer
  • Copywriter
  • Printmaker/Printer
  • Teacher
  • University Lecturer
  • Art Assistant
  • Social media creator
  • Small business owner
  • Digital entrepreneur
  • Art director
  • Content creator
  • Type designer

92% of our graduates are in employment or further education within six months of graduating”

Graduate Outcomes 2021

Entry requirements

Norwich University of the Arts welcomes applicants of all ages from all backgrounds.

If the qualification that you are studying is not shown, do not worry as we are able to accept other pre-entry qualifications as well as combinations of different qualifications.

Please do contact our Student Recruitment Team if you have any queries.

A/AS Levels (GCE)

GCE A/AS Levels 3 A-level qualifications at grades BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points) or above. Where candidates are not taking 3 A-levels, Norwich University of the Arts will consider combinations of A-level/AS-level and other Level 3 qualifications.

BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF)

Distinction, Merit, Merit in an art, design or media related subject

BTEC Diploma (QCF or RQF)

Distinction*, Distinction* in an art, design or media related subject

T Levels

A T Level in any subject with overall grade A* to C (Pass)

UAL Extended Diploma

Merit

UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Pass

UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Pass

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Pass

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design)

Pass

International Baccalaureate Diploma

A minimum of 26 points

Portfolio Advice and Guidance

Portfolios should show examples of your work — both finished and work in progress — that demonstrate your interests and skills. Your portfolio should be made up of work that reflects your creativity, personal interests and influences, as well as demonstrating your technical skills and ability. It doesn’t have to be perfect as we can assess your potential from your work in progress.

Your portfolio should be relevant to this course, but you can include a wide range of work that shows your creativity, technical competence and understanding of storytelling.

Get more advice on presentation formats, layouts and when to submit your portfolio in the application process.

A photograph of a lecturer sat with a student in the graphics studio space, talking over a project on a laptop

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year

  • BA course (three year): £9,535 per year
  • Integrated Foundation Year (optional): £9,535 per year
  • Level 5 Diploma Year (optional): £9,535 year

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used is expected to be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX). We would confirm this in advance to you of each academic year. 

Find our more about fees and funding

Funding your study

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert employability team, access to workshops and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses will need to be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You’ll need our university UCAS code (N39) as well as your course code which you’ll find on your course page.

When you register with UCAS you will need include your previous and current qualifications information, personal statement, and reference.

Once we receive your application form through UCAS, we will email confirmation that we have received it and will give you access and instructions for logging into the applicant portal. Our decision will be communicated via UCAS.

Applying for an undergraduate degree

Student work

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