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Graphic Design and Branding Level 3

Graphic Design and Branding Level 3 | UAL Diploma / Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication
The Graphic Design and Branding Level 3 Diploma is a broad based programme designed to help you understand fundamental design practices and develop skills in various areas of Digital Graphics including logo design and branding, editorial layout and photography, advertising, gaming and multi-media platform design.

Course Info
Do I have to pay a fee?
Other courses in this area
Graphic Design and Branding Level 3
Qualification: One Year: UAL Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design | Two Years: UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design
LevelLevel 3
LocationColchester
DurationOne or Two Years: Year 1: Diploma | Year 2: Extended Diploma | Two Years: Extended Diploma
Study ModeFull-Time
Campus / Adult Skills CentreColchester Campus
Start DateSeptember 2025
Fee(s)16-18 year olds: Free
19+: £8,583 (This fee covers the full two-year course)
What Will I Learn?

You will explore visual language and develop a basic knowledge of Adobe packages including Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign.  The programme will introduce design contexts and vocational situations, pushing research methods and critical thinking, enabling you to start to make connections with the work of other digital artists and designers.

Throughout the programme projects are varied and wide ranging enabling you to identify and develop personal interests whether they be in typography and logotypes, app and interactive media design, editorial layout design, packaging and photography for advertising. You will produce a variety of work suitable for branding, multi-media platforms, moving image, advertising, print and publishing, gaming and smart technologies.

The Graphic Design and Branding programme supports learners to develop presentation and communications skills through group discussion tasks and exhibition opportunities. Learners are also given the opportunity to develop employability skills and industry knowledge through ‘live’ projects with community groups and organisations.

Course Content

The Graphic Design and Branding UAL Awarding Body Diploma / Extended Diploma Level 3 programme units include:

  • The Creative Process
  • Developing Creative Practice
  • Responding to a set Brief
  • Researching a Specialist Industry Practice
  • Specialist Technical Skills Development
  • Specialist Creative Outcome

As part of your main study programme you will also engage in activities to develop your English, maths and employability skills.

Entry Requirements
  • 5 GCSEs (9-4), including English and Maths, or Level 2 Functional Skills equivalent, or satisfactory results (Merit/Distinction) in a relevant Level 2 qualification
  • An interview with a portfolio of artwork (this could be a digital portfolio)

Please note that unlike other Art & Design programmes this course does not require you to have achieved an Art and Design GCSE.

Career Opportunities

The programme supports students to develop careers in design and communication, branding, interactive design, app design, advertising, printing and publishing.

Course Progression

On successful completion of the one-year programme you can continue your study of Graphic Design and Branding for a second towards an Extended Diploma qualification. Alternatively, students can choose to study for the Art and Design Foundation Diploma, or Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeship.

After completing the Extended Diploma programme many of our graduate progress on to Higher Education and can choose to study on a wide range of graphic related programmes including animation, graphic design, animation, typography, illustration, advertising and games design.

What do our students say?
I cannot think of a better way I could’ve spent my last year in education, The tutors on this course are admirable for taking on a class of twenty something teenagers and managing to do so in a way that made myself, and others think of them more as friends than teachers.
I can honestly say I enjoyed waking up for college and getting excited about the new possibilities each day had. The materials and support you receive here outshines any class I have taken before.
I cannot recommend this course any more highly, and I am extremely sad to be leaving, if I could stay another few years then I would!Joshua Edwards – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
As well as this course helping me to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge, I have also made brilliant, long lasting friends!
The tutors are down to earth, supportive of all of their students and very passionate about the subject. This has made it easy to ask for help, when needed.
This has truly been one of the greatest periods of my life so far! I would 100% recommend this course to anybody who has a creative sparkBen Scales – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
This course successfully helped me to develop a wide range of skills needed to succeed within the design industry. Giving you the opportunity to develop knowledge in areas which will boost your; analog, digital and communication skills-sets. This course covers it all!
The tutors are; caring, supportive and most importantly informative, always helping you to develop and push yourself further every step of the way. I couldn’t recommend this course enough! The course leader also loves Wu-tang, so what’s not to love…Cobi Brady – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
This course was the best course I have ever taken. You never stop learning new things. The way the course is made, makes everyday new and exciting. The tutors motivate you to achieve your own goals and help you as much as they can in every single way. I would recommended this course to anyone, Best course ever!Max Toogood – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
I don’t know where I would be without this course. A huge thank you to the brilliant tutors who keep each day exciting and new and the massive help they are! This has been by far the best course I’ve taken and would take it again if I could!Sabrina Luckman – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
Fantastic, educational and productive course with inspirational, motivational tutors who know what they’re talking about. After 2 years I’ve refined my skills in a multitude of craft and have tried new techniques outside of my comfort zone.
Would wholeheartedly recommend this course. Thank you so much.Lewis Collen – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
Couldn’t recommend this course enough, I’ve learnt so many skills within in graphic arts and even in communication and writing. The tutor and student communication and support on this course is brilliant. The skills we’ve learnt are applicable to the work place and has allowed me to move on with great connections.Chloe Moore – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
There was such a great connection between the tutors and student. We were really put into a professional environment which faced us with real life challenges. This course has opened up so many opportunities for myself and other students and helped us to progress onto higher things next year.Georgia Pizzala – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
A great course with great tutors. Ive learned so much and became much more confident in my self and in the work I produce. I have learnt many new skills which will be useful for the course I am going on to next year. Covers a wide variety over the two years which I have really enjoyed.Emma Nind – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
I owe it to this course for the amount of confidence I’ve gained the past 2 years, not only in myself but also in my work, the encouraging tutors and the supportive environment this course provides has played a huge part in this and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of joining it!Jess Aldridge – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
An amazing course run by amazing people, haven’t stopped smiling all year, highly recommend it. Thank you so much!
Ellena Louise Kite – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3
An amazing course that I would recomend to anyone. Have been the best two years of my life so far. Emily Norman – Extended Diploma in Graphic Arts Level 3

Fees and Finance

Students’ college education is funded for three academic years after leaving secondary school in year 11. Please click the button below which will apply to your age on the 31st August 2025 in order to find out more information about fees and finance relating to your course.

I will be under 19 on the 31st August 2025
I will be 19 or over on the 31st August 2025

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2024-25 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.

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