Art and Design

At the University of Northampton, you will get the hands-on experience you’d expect from a top art and design university. Whether studying full-time or part-time, you will learn from industry experts in art, design, photography and architecture. You will also have the opportunity to test yourself on live client projects, broaden your horizons on international study trips and benefit from our extensive range of facilities, including dedicated design studios, galleries and workshops.

If you choose one of our specialist design courses – Product Design or Interior Architecture & Spatial Design our industry standard design studio and technical workshops will provide the environment for you to be innovative in your production of multi-dimensional work.

We request that applicants ensure they meet the design and art degree entry requirements for their chosen course. As these requirements can vary by programme and level of study, we advise that you check out the specific course page for a full list of criteria.

You can find more information on the specific entry requirements on the course pages above.

With art and design degrees covering such a vast array of subjects, skills and disciplines, our graduates go on to pursue many different professional paths. These include roles as illustrators, photographers, professional artists, curators, printmakers, art teachers, and lecturers, as well as opportunities in graphic design, animation and architecture.

We have so much confidence in our art university courses, which is why we offer the Northampton Employment Promise. If you haven’t found paid experience within 12 months of completion of your studies with a 2:2 result or above and completion of one of our flagship awards, we will provide you with the support you need to secure a three-six month paid art or design internship to help you get on the right path.

Why study an arts and design degree?

You will gain a set of skills applicable to jobs across a range of industries, including those directly related to the arts and graphic design. The University of Northampton offers a range of different arts undergraduate degrees, so you can be assured to find one that aligns with your interests and aspirations. During the degree, various opportunities will be provided to expand upon your experiences of the industry and make use of resources to put your skills to practice and produce a strong portfolio of work.

Art and design degrees are a worthwhile investment for your future career. Instead of stopping at the basics, you can develop skills for specialised fields such as UX/UI design, product design, industrial design, fashion or photography. At the University of Northampton, for example, courses range from Fashion, Textiles & Footwear BA (Hons) to Photography BA (Hons) and Product Design BA (Hons).

There’s also support for your transition into work. The Northampton Employment Promise helps eligible graduates who haven’t secured paid employment within 12 months of completing their studies to find a three- to six-month paid internship.

Having a strong visual portfolio is important for many art and design careers, as it gives potential employers and clients a sense of your creative approach. That’s why our art university courses provide opportunities to develop your portfolio while you study. Graphic Design BA (Hons) students, for example, gain experience through live briefs and global competitions.

Yes, studying at an art and design university can be worth it, as it provides:

• Structured feedback from experienced lecturers
• Access to studios, equipment and software
• Industry projects
• Internships
• Networking opportunities
• Collaboration with other creatives

These experiences can be harder to replicate on your own. The University of Northampton’s art courses combine expert teaching with opportunities to put your skills into practice. You will learn from art, design, photography and architecture professionals, take on live client projects, explore new perspectives through international study trips, and access dedicated design studios, galleries and workshops.

And if you’re interested in product design, interior architecture and spatial design or architectural technology, our industry-standard design studios and technical workshops give you space to experiment.