Graphic Design Level 3 Applied
Course Overview
Do you love everything graphic design, typography and illustration? Are you looking to develop your digital skills and get to grips with the fundamentals of graphic design, such as composition, type layout and image-based work? Over the course of two years, you will explore all these aspects of graphic design and more. The regular application of these skills to real world scenarios will prepare you for apprenticeships, employment, or university.
This course is available to study as an Extended Certificate (60-credit course, equivalent to 1 A Level)
In our dedicated studio, you will be using the latest Adobe Creative Suite software on Apple iMacs with drawing tablets, scanners, and a printer available to all students.
The course consists of three projects in the first year and three projects in the second year. Each project will differ in its graphic design context, such as book cover design, magazine design, album artwork, and branding and logo design. We are also very proud to be able to offer live projects set up with local companies which run alongside the course and offer you excellent real-world experience; whether it’s creating brochures for medical professionals, artwork for Arbury Carnival or t-shirts for Strawberry Fair. We set up the course to be as practical course to get you on the right track to follow your vocation.
Throughout your two years of study, your teachers will encourage and support you to produce highly creative and personal responses to each project. Continuous assessment, with grades given at the end of each project, will help you to develop your visual art and design-based skills. During your second year, your teacher will also guide you in creating a personal portfolio for your application to university or apprenticeships.
Year 1 Modules
- Using Digital Technology In Graphic Design
- Planning, Researching and Developing ideas for a Specialist Art or Design brief
- Branding and Corporate Design
Year 2 Modules
- Art and Design In Context
- Design For Advertising
- Art and Design Illustration
Key Info
Minimum Entry Requirements
- Five GCSEs at Grade 4 including:
- Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or GCSE English Literature
- Grade 4 or a Merit in one of the below subjects:
- GCSE Art
- GCSE DT
- GCSE Media
- GCSE Photography
- Level 2 Art
- Level 2 Media
- If one of the above subjects has not been studied, a portfolio may be accepted for consideration by the Course Team, if submitted by Monday 8th June 2026. Please click here to download the portfolio instructions.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework
- Exam Board: OCR
Why choose this course?
You will enjoy this course if you love everything Graphic Design, Typography, and Illustration; especially if you want to develop your digital skills and get to grips with the fundamentals of Graphic Design, such as Composition, Type Layout and Image-based work.
We set up the course to be a practical course to get you on the right track to follow your vocation. You will be working on up-to-date project briefs within high-tech digital Mac suites, with industry-experienced staff members.
We have visiting local companies that set briefs for our students, so they can get a taste of working in the real world. Whether it is creating brochures for medical professionals, artwork for Arbury Carnival or Strawberry Fair, or working with companies that offer a work placement.
Skills you'll gain
By working in our high-tech digital Mac suites, you will learn how to use the Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, in conjunction with drawing tablets and scanning software. There will be opportunities to work with real clients, creating presentations and working successfully to a client brief.
After Long Road
After Long Road, many students go on to study Graphic Design at University. Universities that our students have recently gone on to study at include:
- Norwich University of the Arts
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Cambridge School of Art
- Central St Martins
- Camberwell
- London College of Communication
- Loughborough
- Falmouth
- Bournemouth.
- Nottingham Trent
Others have gone on to apprenticeships or have gone straight into employment as junior graphic designers and some students have stayed at Long Road to complete a Level 4 Foundation Art and Design Diploma before going on to complete their degree.
The graphic design course has given me so much confidence in myself as a designer! The interesting units, advice and support from this course have allowed me to explore my creative ability to produce designs of a professional standard. I have also been given many opportunities for my work to be displayed across highly recognised organisations. I am now excited to go on to study Graphic Design at Falmouth School of Art. I would highly recommend this course!
