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    Study graphic design abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying graphic design as an international student.

    Find graphic design programs

    Explore graphic design programs abroad

    See other programs in graphic design

    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
    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

    Types of graphic design degrees

    Best countries to study graphic design

    Best universities to study graphic design

    See all universities offering graphic design programs

    How to study graphic design abroad

    1. University & program search

      Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

    2. Application guidance

      We'll get you to the right place to start your application

    3. Visa & travel advice

      Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
    Our services are 100% free for students like you because we're funded by universities.

    Start your search Get free advice

    Graphic design study abroad programs

    Graphic design undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in graphic design

    • false

      Advertising/Graphic Design - BA Concord University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,185 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Advertising/Graphic Design
    • false

      Art & Design - Emphasis in Graphic Design - BFA Campbellsville University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      25,400 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, October, August
      Show program overview about Art & Design - Emphasis in Graphic Design
    • false

      Art (Graphic Design) - BFA University of Southern Mississippi, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      10,770 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Art (Graphic Design)
    • false

      Art - Art Graphic Design - BA University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,800 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Art - Art Graphic Design
    • false

      Art - Graphic Design - BFA Auburn University at Montgomery, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      20,336 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, June
      Show program overview about Art - Graphic Design
    See all bachelor's degrees in graphic design

    Associate in graphic design

    • false

      Applied Graphic Design/Digital Imaging - AA Laney College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      7,950 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, June, January
      Show program overview about Applied Graphic Design/Digital Imaging
    • false

      Art and Graphic Design - AA Hesston College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      28,992 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Art and Graphic Design
    • false

      Computer Technology: Technical Computer Graphics - AASc Southeast Missouri State University, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,155 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Computer Technology: Technical Computer Graphics
    • false

      Graphic Communication: Graphic Design - AASc Mohawk Valley Community College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      6,892 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Graphic Communication: Graphic Design
    • false

      Graphic Design - AASc Elgin Community College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      9,510 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      June, February, January, August, September
      Show program overview about Graphic Design
    See all associate degrees in graphic design

    Diploma in graphic design

    • false

      Advertising & Graphic Design - UGDip Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      15,412 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January
      Show program overview about Advertising & Graphic Design
    • false

      Graphic Design - OCADip Centennial College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,531 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Graphic Design
    • false

      Graphic Design with Co-op - UGDip Institute of Technology Development of Canada, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      22 months
      Annual tuition fee
      10,350 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      April, October, July, January
      Show program overview about Graphic Design with Co-op
    See all undergraduate diplomas in graphic design

    Certificate in graphic design

    • false

      Applied Graphic Design/Digital Imaging - Cert Laney College, USA

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      7,950 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August
      Show program overview about Applied Graphic Design/Digital Imaging
    See all undergraduate certificates in graphic design

    Pathway in graphic design

    • false

      Graphic Design (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      10,900 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Graphic Design (Foundation)
    See all undergraduate pathways in graphic design

    Graphic design graduate programs

    Master's in graphic design

    • false

      Computer Graphic Design - MCGD University of Waikato, New Zealand

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      18 months
      Annual tuition fee
      33,670 NZD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      February, July
      Show program overview about Computer Graphic Design
    • false

      Digital Art & Design: Graphic Design - MFA New York Institute of Technology, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      25,000 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Digital Art & Design: Graphic Design
    • false

      Digital Art and Design: Graphic Design - MA University of Nicosia, Cyprus

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      18 months
      Annual tuition fee
      6,930 EUR

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      February, September, June
      Show program overview about Digital Art and Design: Graphic Design
    • false

      Graphic Design - MDes University of Gloucestershire, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      14,250 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Graphic Design
    • false

      Graphic Design - MA Arts University Bournemouth, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      18,500 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      October, February
      Show program overview about Graphic Design
    See all master's degrees in graphic design

    Diploma in graphic design

    • false

      Graphic Design - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      20 months
      Annual tuition fee
      16,686 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Graphic Design
    See all postgraduate diplomas in graphic design

    Certificate in graphic design

    • false

      Graphic Design - GradCert Centennial College, Canada
      • Online

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,229 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Graphic Design
    See all postgraduate certificates in graphic design

    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.