Study graphic design abroad

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Find your perfect graphic design programs abroad

Find graphic design programs you love that match your needs and aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

Graphic Design degrees abroad

Graphic design is the study of how information is conveyed through visual content.

As a graphic design student, you’ll explore how different design mediums, such as illustration, typography, iconography, and photography, can be used to communicate messages. You’ll develop your design skills to create visual content that meets specific project briefs and optimizes user experience.

Studying graphic design abroad is a great way to combine your education with your desire to travel the world. In a field that’s ever-changing, with new concepts and trends always on the horizon, you’ll build an internationally-inspired portfolio. You’ll observe first-hand how cultural contexts shape the visual content produced by other countries, and your new surroundings will spark your own creativity.

Graphic Design program structure

There are plenty of ways to study graphic design. Some universities offer short, intensive graphic design courses that typically require around three months of full-time study. These don’t usually require any previous experience and will provide you with a basic understanding of the field.

The most popular way to study graphic design is to complete a BA over three or four years. If you’re interested in getting a postgraduate qualification, a master’s degree can be studied over one or two years, followed by a PhD which takes five years on average to finish.

Graphic design programs are heavily structured around your practical work. As such, you’ll likely have more workshops and seminars than lectures. This means you’ll have more opportunities to think and design creatively with the guidance and support of faculty. You’ll probably be assessed through a mixture of design portfolios, essays, reports, and presentations.

Graphic design is a flexible course with a wide range of elective modules to choose from. While the precise content of graphic design programs will vary between institutions, there are some core areas of study, including:

  • Typography
  • Illustration
  • Photography
  • Principles of visual communication
  • Design for online and print
  • Cultural, historical and contemporary influences on graphic design
  • Graphic design theory
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Types of graphic design degrees

Best universities to study graphic design

Graphic Design study abroad programs

What are the top graphic design undergraduate programs abroad?

See all undergraduate degrees in graphic design abroad

What are the top graphic design postgraduate programs abroad?

See all postgraduate degrees in graphic design abroad

Future graphic design careers

As a graphic design graduate, you’ll have a range of creative career paths open to you. Your ability to produce original and memorable visual content will help you succeed in any of the following roles:

  • Graphic designer
  • Brand designer
  • Illustrator
  • Animator
  • Concept artist
  • Printmaker
  • Creative director
  • VFX artist

One of the best ways to gather experience, network with professionals, and improve your employability is to complete an internship with a design agency. Speak to your university’s career service to see if they have any partnerships with companies who might be able to offer you a placement.

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