London College of Communication Courses: A Comprehensive Overview

London College of Communication (LCC), a constituent college of the University of the Arts London (UAL), stands as a global hub for media and communication studies. With roots in education for the printing and retail industries, LCC has evolved into a specialist institution offering a diverse range of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These courses span media-related subjects, including advertising, animation, film, graphic design, photography, and sound arts.

Introduction to London College of Communication

Located in the heart of London, a global media capital, LCC provides students with an immersive learning environment. The college is structured into three schools: Design, Media, and Screen. Each school offers a unique perspective on the world of communication, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills. LCC's location in London provides students with access to some of the world's finest museums and galleries, enriching their educational experience.

Academic Programs and Course Structure

LCC offers approximately sixty courses across its three schools. These courses are designed to be industry-focused, taught by experienced academics, technical experts, and leading specialist practitioners. The college prides itself on the variety and quality of its facilities, which include state-of-the-art design suites, traditional print studios, photographic and television studios, darkrooms, gallery spaces, broadcast and printing studios, and newsrooms.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate programs at LCC provide students with a solid foundation in their chosen field. These programs emphasize hands-on learning, allowing students to develop their creative skills in outstanding technical spaces. Examples of undergraduate courses include:

BA (Hons) Advertising: This course helps students develop a solid understanding of advertising and marketing communications industries, and digital media practices in advertising, with a particular focus on creativity, critical analysis, research techniques, and the future of advertising. Students develop strategic, innovative, ethical, and sustainable advertising practices, learning consumer behavior from both behavioral and psychological perspectives. They acquire creative skills such as copywriting, video editing, and the application of digital technology, as well as knowledge of the theoretical and practical application of professional persuasive communication. A strong employability strand runs through the course.
BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design: This course encourages students to develop an innovative approach to design works and its presentation, preserving history and art in an innovative way.
BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development: This course focuses on creative subjects such as art, music, and fashion.
BA (Hons) Costume for Performance: This course prepares students for careers in opera and ballet, focusing on historical costuming.
BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Production: This course prepares students for careers as fashion stylists.
BA (Hons) Fine Art: Painting: This course focuses on identity, places, form, and light, with opportunities to create resin and pebble jewelry and decorations.
BA (Hons) Public Relations: This course is for students passionate about creative storytelling and making an impact through strategic marketing.
BA (Hons) Bespoke Tailoring: This course prepares students for careers in haute couture, opening their own ateliers and showing their work at Paris fashion week.

Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate programs at LCC offer students the opportunity to specialize in their chosen field and develop advanced skills. These programs are designed to be challenging and rewarding, preparing students for leadership roles in the creative industries.

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Integrated and Study Abroad Semester Programs

LCC also offers integrated and study abroad semester programs for international students. These programs allow students to study alongside degree-seeking UAL students, working both independently and collaboratively. Participants enroll in 12-18 credits per semester. These programs are a good fit for students majoring in art, design, and fashion, as well as liberal arts students looking to gain experience in these fields. AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program.

Students who want to gain professional experience can add an internship and related Internship course with Arcadia for academic credit. This program is for students majoring or minoring in art, design, fashion, communications, or theater design and performance. Applicants need a strong background in their chosen area. On the Integrated program, students study alongside degree-seeking UAL students and work both independently and collaboratively, following a set curriculum of study. Arcadia submits courses to the UAL college of choice when they have a completed application, including an Academic Preferences Form.

UAL has a tailored pathway for study abroad students, so, for the most part, lessons are alongside other international students. A full-time semester credit load at LCC consists of 60 UK credits.

Schools at London College of Communication

LCC is structured into three schools: Design, Media, and Screen. Each school offers a unique perspective on the world of communication, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills.

The Design School

The Design School originated from the Department of Design, assembled by William Stobbs during the college’s time as the London School of Printing and Graphic Arts. This department established the first undergraduate course in graphic design to exist in Britain. Staff of the original department included renowned poster designer Tom Eckersley, who later became the head of the department for 20 years, and the designer of the London Underground map, Harry Beck. Today, the Design School has grown into one of the largest departments of the current College.

The Media School

The Media School moved from Back Hill to the current building in 2003. The first UAL research center was under the Media School: the Photography and the Archive Research Centre (PARC). Since 2015, the official UAL student publication, Artefact Magazine, has been produced out of the Media School.

The Screen School

The Screen School is the most recent school at London College of Communication, and includes a combination of both traditional and emerging disciplines in film, television, animation, games design, virtual reality, and sound arts. The school is home to Creative Research into Sound Arts Practice (CRiSAP), one of University of the Arts London’s research centers. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the Screen School come under the following streams: Film and Television, Moving Image and Digital Arts, and Sound and Music.

Facilities and Resources

LCC is equipped with industry-standard facilities, providing students with the tools and resources they need to succeed. These facilities include:

Photographic and television studios
Darkrooms
Gallery spaces
Broadcast and printing studios
Newsrooms
Digital facilities, including a photography digital studio, digital reprographics, physical computing, and The Kit Room
Workshops and studios for typography techniques, bookbinding, and darkroom work

The college also houses a selection of famous archives, including the Stanley Kubrick archive and the Tom Eckersley archive. These archives are invaluable tools for teaching, learning, and research.

LCC provides library services to all enrolled students.

Student Life and Activities

LCC offers a vibrant student life, with a range of activities and events to enhance the student experience. These activities include:

Social and cultural events arranged by the university and SAF to help students meet other study abroad and local students
Trips to historical sites and cultural landmarks, such as Stonehenge, Salisbury, Oxford, and Cambridge
AIFS Abroad staff arrange a rich variety of activities to introduce students to life in the United Kingdom.
A termly publication, Artefact Magazine, produced by students on the BA and MA Journalism Courses, covering topical issues in the fields of politics, art, creativity and social affairs.
The secondary publication based at the College is 23 Magazine, which covers cultural issues in Southwark and is localised to the College only.

Industry Connections and Career Opportunities

LCC has strong connections to the creative industries, providing students with opportunities to work on live briefs for major companies. LCC students are often commissioned to work on live briefs for major companies such as Nike, The National Trust and Nokia. Graduates go on to inform the future of the creative field, with alumni including award-winning filmmakers, journalists, broadcasters, designers, and photographers. The Talent Works initiative runs at both the London College of Communication and Camberwell College of Arts.

Applying to London College of Communication

To apply to LCC, prospective students should visit the UAL website and follow the application process. Applicants may need a strong background in their chosen area. Applicants would need a strong background in their chosen area. The application process may include submitting an Academic Preferences Form.

Entry Requirements

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

Location and Facilities

Since 1962, London College of Communication has been located in the centre of Elephant and Castle. A new building is currently underway, with the current building due to be closed in 2027 and the new campus opening its doors in September of the same year. Approved by Southwark Council as part of urban development in Elephant & Castle, the building will be part of 3 lots replacing the 1960s shopping mall. The first two floors of the new building will be open to the public, with a community space for events and student showcases, and will sit alongside new shops, restaurants, rental homes, and the new Elephant & Castle London Underground station entrance.

Student Support

Your Student Counselor is your study abroad ambassador and supporter. They join your application journey when you’ve confirmed you’re interested in studying abroad. Many SAF staff are alumni and have walked this path. They have real-life experience to draw on as they advise and support you through every step of our comprehensive services.

University of the Arts London (UAL)

London College of Communication is a part University of the Arts London, a diverse body of 18,000 students from 130 countries. University of the Arts London (UAL) is top 2 in the world for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings 2022). UAL has global influence and reach across international creative industries. UAL’s six colleges include Central Saint Martins, London College of Communications, London College of Fashion, Chelsea College of Arts, Camberwell College of Arts, and Wimbledon College of Arts.

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