- Location
- Cardonald Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HND
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 2 Years (August to June)
Applications open 15th January 2025
Study the HND Graphic Design course with us and learn what it takes to become a graphic designer. Whether you want to learn the skills to start your own creative agency, change careers, become a freelancer or work for some of the top design agencies, the HND in Graphic Design is a great place to build your foundation. Our fresh, innovative and effective approach to design education means that students achieve amazing (and award-winning) results through brief-lead projects, demonstrations and workshops, learning relevant and creative skills. You will be taught by a team of experienced and knowledgeable lecturing staff, who will mentor you to work as a professional designer to meet deadlines and follow briefs.
What will I learn?
The HND Graphic Design course contains a mix of units aimed to meet the expectations for progression to degree level study or employment. This is mainly a project-based and practical course. We put a strong emphasis on the design process, sketchbook ideation (the heart and soul of any design concept), typography, (a key skill to being a Graphic Designer) and digital skills and knowledge of industry software, this helps pull the design process into a final piece of Graphic Design.
Our dedicated computer studios (Macs) run the latest industry-standard software Adobe CC. In this digital environment, you will learn InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and After Effects.
We also have dedicated studio space allowing you the best of both worlds — giving you a place to sketch, paint or develop your digital skills.
In year one you will study:
- Graphic design
- Animation: An introduction
- Digital imaging
- Printmaking and producing print
- Typography
- Art and design context
- Art and design project
- Graded unit 1
- Mixed Media.
In year two you will study:
- Client-initiated design project
- Typography project
- DTP layout (Editorial)
- 2D Computer Animation
- Digital imaging project
- Graphic design project
- Preparing for a role in the field
- Creative project
- Graded unit 2.
Entry requirements (minimum)
Year 1
- Foundation in Graphic Design and Illustration - Level 6 or
- One Higher Art and Design or Higher Graphic Communication at grade C or above
- Applications will be considered from those that do not meet the academic requirements if they can demonstrate experience in the drawing, digital art or design aesthetic
- Relevant National Qualification.
Year 2 Direct Entry
- HNC Graphic Design (with suitable units achieved)
- A personal statement is key to supporting a successful application.
Entry requirement equivalency table
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
Studying graphic design at Glasgow Clyde College will enable you to work on fresh and interesting live projects, due to our strong links with industry. We work closely with partners and alumni to deliver in-house talks and workshops, giving you a chance to meet designers from within the industry.
Our links with employers are strong, with many returning to us time and time again to place students into full-time employment.
Some of our Alumni include:
Karl Bewick BA (Hons) - King Henry Studios London, Graphic Designer
Julia Doogan BA (Hons) - Skyscanner, Graphic Designer
Christopher Newton BA (Hons) - D8, Graphic Designer
Jade MacFarlane BA, Made Brave - Graphic Designer
Craig Grant - G1 Group, Graphics and Marketing Manager
Fiona Gauld - Caledonian Cowgirl Owner and Designer
Andrew Hankinson - Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Graphic Designer
Susan Fitzpatrick - NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Senior Designer for Corporate Communications
Articulation Routes
An articulation agreement is in place with BA (Hons) Graphic Design, Glasgow Clyde College, Gray’s School of Art at Robert Gordon University Aberdeen. Successful HND Graphic Design students can progress to year 3 of the BA (Hons) Communication Design degree programme. Entry will be dependent on each institution's entry requirements.
Glasgow Clyde College 2-year Programme: BA (Hons) Graphic Design
Glasgow Clyde College application requirements:
- Satisfactory completion of the above HND Graphic Design or HND Illustration
- Grade A or B in the Graded Unit (or relevant industrial experience or portfolio of Graphic Design or Illustration with Typography)
- Attendance at interview
- Portfolio PDF sent as per the BA (Hons) application process.
Jobs and further study
Most of our students progress on to the BA (Hons) Graphic Design
Alternative progression routes include:
- 3rd year entry to BA/BA (Hons) Graphic Design for Digital Media at Glasgow Caledonian University
- 2nd or 3rd year entry to BSc/BA Computer Animation at the University of the West of Scotland
- 2nd year entry to BA Visual Communication at Edinburgh College of Art
- BA Graphic Design at the University of Cumbria
- BA Communication Design at Glasgow School of Art
- BDes Graphic Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art
- BDes Graphic Design at Edinburgh Napier University
- BSc in Web Design and Development at Abertay University.
Take a look at the course progression map for graphic design and illustration courses.
Careers in Graphic Design and Digital Design
- Graphic Designer
- UX/UI
- Digital Animation
- Digital Designer
- Advertising Design
- Packaging Design
- Corporate Identity / Brand Specialist
- Web Design
- Exhibition Designer
- Artworker.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an interview session
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date.
