Design your future

Design Degrees

Do you have a passion for creating compelling and eye-catching concepts? From digital adverts to mobile apps, we are continuously surrounded by the creativity of design professionals.

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Our design courses are created with industry in mind, and we aim to prepare you for the workplace by the time you graduate.


Why study design at USW?

Work on live projects

Supported by expert teaching, our design students have worked on professional briefs from real clients, including Nike, British Airways and Cardiff Blues.

Award-winning alumni

Design students from the University have an established record of awards success, and have worked on blockbuster films and games that have been nominated for BAFTAS and Oscars.

Creative learning

Our design studios are designed to emulate commercial design studios, from creative collaborative spaces to our industry pitching room.

Gain valuable experience

working on a wide variety of professional briefs, which are built into many of our design courses.

Design students

from the University have collected prizes at the D&AD New Blood Designer Award, Young Creative Network Awards, and the Caramelite Prize.

Design Courses

Advertising - BA (Hons)

Release your creativity and your strategic and business ideas, and learn to craft powerful messages that make people listen and engage. In this course, you'll develop original ideas, master content creation and campaign production, and work on real world client briefs, all while honing your skills to appeal to consumer audiences and thinking through advertising platforms.


Design Innovation - MA

The course provides a platform for graduates and professionals from all disciplines to collaborate across boundaries, to imagine future worlds and propose alternative solutions to complex global challenges. Through immersion in the latest design thinking and innovation practices, you will show how design is a tool for change.


Graphic Communication - BA (Hons)

Be inspired by the world of graphic design and learn to think and practice like a creative designer with this industry-facing degree course.  


Graphic Communication - MA

The practical element of this graphic design masters is strengthened by an enhanced critical understanding of contemporary professional design debates, issues, and trends, plus a greater understanding of research and how to apply them effectively.


Illustration - BA (Hons)

Illustration is an essential part of our language Learn how to use your artistic skills to communicate, connect, inform and educate across a variety of media. 


Interior Design - BA (Hons)

Through our holistically designed modules, carefully planned assessment and live briefs, and involvement with our industry partners, our students are equipped with a wide range of discipline-specific and transferable skills to prepare them for industry.


TV and Film Set Design - BA (Hons)

The course has had sixteen years of graduates, and we are very proud to see them working in art departments for every conceivable film and tv production. Travelling through time and space on shows like Doctor Who, The Crown and The Witcher, to films like Doctor Strange, Black Widow and Ant Man.


Why USW?

100%

of BA (Hons) Advertising Design students at USW were satisfied with their course. (National Student Survey 2024).

  • 92% of BA (Hons) Illustration students at USW were satisfied with their course. (National Student Survey 2024)

Why USW?

Top in Wales

Graphic Design at USW is top for Teaching Quality in Wales. (Guardian University Guide 2025)

  • 92% of BA (Hons) Illustration students at USW were satisfied with their course. (National Student Survey 2024)


Study in the heart of Cardiff

Cardiff is one of the most affordable cities in the UK too, so it’s perfect for cash-strapped students. There’s always something happening or new places to discover.


Abstract view of the University's Cardiff Campus.

A view of Atrium building in Cardiff

A view of a Cardiff Campus building featuring the University logo.

Exterior view of the University's Cardiff Campus.

A view of the spiral stairwell set in the main foyer of Cardiff Campus.

Upcoming Open Days

Communal sofas at the Cardiff Campus.

Come and meet us on campus and see what make us special. Discover our facilities, explore the campus and meet academics from your course.


Connect with us

@unisouthwales