COURSE CURRICULUM

In the first year of the BA (Hons) Advertising and Brand Design course, students are introduced to the core principles of advertising and brand strategy. The curriculum focuses on developing foundational skills and understanding key concepts within the discipline. Students explore the historical and theoretical context of advertising, while also engaging with creative design processes. The year culminates in the production of a fully developed strategic advertising campaign, providing an opportunity to apply newly acquired skills in a practical, industry-relevant project. Modules include Creative Principles, Key Concepts and Thinking Frameworks, Process and Skills 1 and 2, and two Professional Life Practice modules that support professional and creative growth.In the second year, students are encouraged to take a more exploratory and experimental approach. This includes examining and challenging existing industry conventions, participating in interdisciplinary collaborations with other design students, and exploring emerging practices such as content creation for social media, interactive audience engagement, and experience design. The curriculum promotes innovation and cross-disciplinary learning. A key feature of this year is the opportunity for work-based learning with industry partners. Past collaborations have included well-known organisations like Sky, Barclays, Kin + Carta, Kairos Media, and others. Modules include Digital Storytelling 1 and 2, Process and Skills 3, Professional Life Practice - Applying Your Practice, and Work-Based Learning.By the third year, students are expected to refine and personalise their professional practice. The focus shifts to audience engagement, individual creative expression, and career preparation. Students work on self-directed projects, collaborate on industry briefs, and develop a professional portfolio. This final stage supports their transition into the creative industry, preparing them to present their work confidently and professionally. Modules include Competition Briefs, Self-Directed Major Projects, Professional Life Practice - Situating Your Practice, and Professional Trajectories.