BA (Hons) Communication Design and Strategy

In the third and final year, you engage in two units during the first term: Professional Practice and Working Strategies, and Creative Strategy.

The Professional Practice and Working Strategies unit introduces you to real-world applications of your skills, involving you in national competition briefs and working strategies, such as design sprints and agile workflows across various projects. Concurrently, the Creative Strategy unit allows you to demonstrate your gained knowledge through writing a project proposal and a comprehensive report on an existing project brief. This exercise fosters deep research, analysis, and strategic planning to achieve the desired project outcomes.

The last two units, Design Practice and Preparing for Creative Industries 2, span across the second and third terms. The Design Practice unit essentially serves as a final major project, offering you the freedom to craft your own project brief and produce a substantial portfolio piece. This platform enables you to showcase your capabilities and align your work with your career aspirations post-graduation.

In tandem, Preparing for Creative Industries 2 builds on the self-branding exercises and networking opportunities introduced in the previous year. You'll understand the logistics of establishing a business, gaining insights into intellectual property and copyright considerations. This unit fosters awareness of contemporary trends, ensuring that you're well-prepared for a successful career in the fast-evolving creative industries.

All students are registered for the award of BA (Hons); however, exit awards are available if you leave the course early, having successfully completed one or two levels. If you successfully complete a level of the course, you'll automatically be entitled to progress to the next level.

For the award of a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 120 credits at Level 4. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the first year of your course.

For the award of a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 240 credits of which a minimum of 120 must be at Level 5. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the second year of your course.

For the award of a BA (Hons) you must have achieved a minimum of 360 credits of which a minimum of 240 must be at Level 5 or above, of which a minimum of 120 credits must be at Level 6. This qualification will be awarded upon successful completion of your course.

A BA without Honours may be awarded if you've achieved 300 credits, at least 180 of which are at Level 5 or above, and at least 60 of which are at Level 6.

Communication Design and Strategy is a unique course that's taught through a blend of theoretical instruction and practical application. It utilises a variety of methods, including lectures, workshops, and studio-based practice. Emphasis is placed initially on hands-on learning, developing concepts through to digital construction or strategic methodologies. Students will frequently engage in individual and group projects that reflect their ideas and concepts.

Industry-standard software and hardware are used extensively to provide students with valuable, up-to-date technical skills. Regular feedback from tutors ensures continuous improvement, while guest lectures from industry professionals provide unique insights. The course encourages self-directed study, fostering creativity and independent problem-solving skills.

Independent learning is integral to the Communication Design and Strategy course. It empowers you to explore their unique interests and styles within the creative industries. Assignments often involve self-guided research, creative concept development, and problem-solving, promoting critical thinking. You also engage in independent creative projects, from conception to execution, providing a platform to apply learned skills. Beyond studio-based learning, you're encouraged to stay updated with industry trends and software. This self-directed approach cultivates a sense of ownership, resilience, and adaptability, crucial traits for future careers in the ever-evolving creative industry. Ultimately, it supports the development of well-rounded independent designers and strategists.

Contact hours include all scheduled teaching sessions, but also supervised time in the workshop or studio. In line with national guidance, we include in our calculation of contact hours all the time that's scheduled in the studio for independent study, which is also supported by staff (either academic staff, or technicians).

Visiting tutors play a pivotal role in the Communication Design and Strategy course, as they bring diverse perspectives and unique skill sets, enriching the learning experience and fostering a deeper understanding of the standards and expectations of the creative industries. Industry professionals provide invaluable insights into the creative industry, sharing their expertise and experiences. They conduct workshops, lectures, and participate in critiquing student work, offering constructive feedback from both an education and industry perspective. Their presence can also offer you the opportunity to network and learn about potential career paths, industry trends, and professional practices.

You'll receive a final mark for each unit in the form of a percentage, which'll be recorded on your formal record of achievement (transcript). Each component of assessment is graded using a notched marking scale, whereby only certain marks are used within each grade. The only marks available within any 10-point band are *2, *5 and *8 (e.g. 62, 65, 68). These marks correspond to a low, mid, and high level of achievement within each grade band.

All learning outcomes must be passed to successfully complete the unit.

On successful completion of your Honours degree course, you'll be awarded a degree classification based on your unit marks. The final classification is determined using all unit marks at Levels 5 and 6 using two different algorithms, which are detailed in the HE Student Regulations. If the two algorithms produce different results, you will be awarded the higher class of degree.

If you've joined Level 6 through either the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route or having completed a Foundation Degree (FdA), the final classification is determined using only your unit marks at Level 6.

For further information on assessment, progression, awards and classifications, please visit viewpoint.aub.ac.uk.

Firstly, through regular review of coursework, you receive feedback on how your learning is developing towards the achievement of the learning outcomes – Formative assessment. This process is delivered through the tutorial and critique experience, and by engaging with this process you'll develop their knowledge and skills.

You can experience the assessment process from an increased personal perspective and make serious critical decisions in conjunction with the teaching staff with regard to your peers’ work.

Formative assessment is provided during tutorials where an action plan is formulated to develop your work. Viewings and critiques offer indications of the quality of work and how it relates to the assessment criteria. Formative assessment points will be outlined in the online unit information and within the scheme of work.

The second purpose is to provide a measure of your achievement, in the form of a mark or classification, at the end of a defined period of study, i.e. unit, level, or final award – Summative assessment.