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Undergraduate Graphic Design
BA (Hons)
Graphic Design
Develop your understanding of graphic design and visual communication, solve challenging design briefs and prepare for your future career.
1st
in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.
Source: Graduate Outcome Survey 2025
Push boundaries and challenge existing thinking by developing innovative design solutions alongside a keen understanding of professional practice.
You’ll experiment with print-based design as well as digital commercial practices including site-specific, interactive, motion graphics, mobile media, app design (UX/UI), web and multimedia work.
You’ll learn about information design, visual identities, packaging and promotion, cross-platform advertising and design for the web, as well as experience design systems.
Why ARU?
Learn about graphic design and visual communication and solve challenging design briefs
Showcase your work at our final-year Graduate Showcase, and local and national exhibitions
Benefit from our close connections with creative agencies, graphic design studios and publishers
Join an art school whose students and alumni have a rich history of winning national and international competitions
Graduate with a professional portfolio, showreel or website, ready to go out into industry
Take advantage of access to all our facilities, supported by expert technicians
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
Those with a background in graphic design play a key role across the creative industries.
Those with a background in graphic design play a key role across the creative industries.
As a student, you’ll challenge preconceptions and boundaries, work on a range of projects in different media, and produce a standout portfolio when you graduate.
You’ll work with industry through projects, placements and live briefs, growing your network, which could result in offers of work before you even graduate.
What can you do with a Graphic Design degree?
Our BA (Hons) Graphic Design will prepare you for a career as a graphic designer, as well as for design-related roles in creative agencies, social media, communications and marketing, publishing, and advertising.
Students may pursue careers in design studios or media and communication companies, producing advertising, corporate identities and promotions, packaging and branding, informational design, editorial and book design, web designs and interactive media.
How can ARU Cairo help with my employability and career development?
As students step into the world of higher education, many seek guidance on how to transition from the classroom to the workplace. Our Career Development Center serve as pivotal resources, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional ambitions. By offering specialized tools, resources, and personalized advising, we help students prepare for internships, jobs, and long-term career success.
Services
- One-to-one Career Coaching
- Internships
- Co-op
- Training Sessions
- Workshops
Our goal is to provide ARU students with the right tools for career planning and successful employment through; an array of career advising services and employability skills programs to support students’ personal and career development to meet employers’ hiring needs. In addition, we build corporate partnerships and liaise with companies to avail experiential and career opportunities and help employers reach and attract the right talent.
The support continues after you graduate, with lifelong access to our Alumni Office.
Teaching and Modules
You’ll start by getting to grips with the design process, creative problem-solving, typography, web design, and industry- standard applications and specialist software.
You’ll also look at design history, developing your research, analysis, and writing skills.
You’ll then build upon and test your new knowledge and skills by working on a range of projects that reflect the processes and practices of the workplace.
In your final year, you’ll also develop your professional portfolio website as part of your Major Project, and either complete an independent Research Project or go out on placement.
What will I study?
Foundation year
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
Year 1
- Foundation in Art and Design
Year 2
- Graphic Design: Histories and Ideas
- Introduction to Type Media
- Introduction to Web Design
- Graphic Design Ideation and Iteration
- Graphic Design Process and Application
- Into ARU
Year 3
- Conceptual Thinking and Practice
- Graphic Design: Media Specialisms 1
- Conceptual Progression and Development
- Graphic Design: Media Specialisms 2
- Professional Studies in the Creative Industries
- Ruskin Module (15 credits
Year 4
- Graphic Design: Final Project
- Working in the Creative Industries *
- Research Project *
What happens on a foundation year?
A foundation year prepares you for the rest of your course, and focuses on general skills such as researching and referencing, numeracy and ICT, and communication. We’ll also start to look at some more subject-specific topics.
Our students have gone on to work with design studios or media and communication companies, producing advertising, corporate identities and promotions, packaging and branding, informational design, editorial and book design, web designs and interactive media.
How is Graphic Design assessed?
This is a hands-on, practical course, and our assessment is based on the coursework you complete for each of your modules. This includes completed project work as well as accompanying material such as sketchbooks.
Assessment is ongoing and includes one-to-one feedback, group crits and class design presentations, so you can be sure you’re receiving structured, insightful feedback throughout your degree course.
Facilities
You’ll have use of facilities including:
Our campus is designed to provide students with everything they need to learn, grow, and thrive in an inspiring environment. From advanced learning resources to wellness and recreation spaces, every facility supports both academic excellence and personal development, creating a well-rounded university experience.
- Library: A modern and well-equipped space offering a wide range of academic resources, digital databases, and quiet study areas to support research and learning.
- Study Pods: Private and collaborative pods designed for group discussions, project work, and focused study sessions.
- Wellness Unit: A unit promoting students’ physical and mental well-being through counseling services, health awareness programs, and relaxation activities.
- Entrepreneurial Hub: Powered by DMZ Cairo, a creative environment that encourages innovation, networking, and startup development through mentorship and hands-on initiatives.
- Workshops & Labs: Dynamic, hands-on spaces where students can apply their knowledge, experiment, and develop practical skills across various disciplines.
- Gym & Sports Facilities: Fully equipped fitness and recreation areas that support a healthy, active lifestyle and team spirit on campus.
- Student Residences: Comfortable, secure, and modern housing options that provide a supportive community and a home away from home.
Entry requirements
Standard entry requirements
| Curriculum | Foundation Year |
|---|---|
|
IGCSE / A-Level |
5 O-levels (≥ C/4) including Math and English |
|
American Diploma |
GPA ≥ 2.0 |
|
IB Diploma |
22 points overall. Reviewed Case by case base. |
|
French Baccalaureate |
10+/20 Reviewed Case by case base. |
|
Thanaweya Amma |
Literary or Scientific Sections, Pass at. 60% |
English language requirements
- Academic IELTS 5.5 Overall.
- TOEFL iBT 72 Overall.
- Pearson PTE Academic 59 Overall.
- Duolingo 105 Overall.
- GCSE/IGCSE/Cambridge English min (C/4).
ARU Cairo, English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) (TBD).
Fees and funding
Egyptian students
| Tuition fees per Semester in EGP | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Faculty of Arts |
|||
|
Category (A) |
EGP 138,000 |
||
|
Category (B) |
EGP 145,000 |
||
|
Category (C) |
EGP 153,000 |
||
International students
| Tuition fees per Semester in GBP | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Faculty of Arts |
|||
|
Category (A) |
GBP 4,275 |
||
|
Category (B) |
GBP 4,500 |
||
|
Category (C) |
GBP 4,750 |
||
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