Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication
About This Programme
A studio degree in visual communication grounded in 2D design, drawing, computer graphics and typography with a senior project, specialising in Advertising, Digital Media, Graphic Design or Studio Art.
Course Highlights
- Studio degree with NASAD substantial equivalency
- Taught at AUD, ranked #620 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- US-accredited (SACSCOC) American credit degree taught in English
- AUD reports around 92% graduate employment
What You'll Study
Taught full time, in person, on an American credit-hour system, in English.
Summary of degree requirements
120 credit hours in total.
- Foundation18 credits
- Core21 credits
- Major Option Core27 credits
- Electives12 credits
- Arts and Sciences Core36 credits
- General Electives6 credits
AUD publishes 4 variants of this degree in one table; each column reaches the same 120 credit hours, so they are alternatives, not additions. The credits shown are the first variant.
Foundation
18 credit hours required.
- ARTS 200 History of Art I3 credits
- VCCC 100 Introduction to Visual Communication3 credits
- VCCC 101 Basic Principles of 2D Design3 credits
- VCCC 102 Basic Principles of 3D Design3 credits
- VCCC 104 Freehand Drawing I3 credits
- VCCC 105 Computer Graphics I3 credits
Core
21 credit hours required.
- ARTS 201 History of Art II3 credits
- ARTS 202 History of Art III3 credits
- VCCC 204 Freehand Drawing II3 credits
- VCCC 205 Computer Graphics II3 credits
- VCCC 480 Senior Project3 credits
- VCCC 485 Business Practices and Final Portfolio3 credits
- VCCC 490 Visual Communication Internship3 credits
Advertising Core
27 credit hours required.
- AIMC 201 Principles of Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications3 credits
- AIMC 421 Strategic Planning and Measurement for Advertising and IMC3 credits
- AIMC 431 Campaign Development and Evaluation3 credits
- MKTG 201 Principles of Marketing3 credits
- VCAD 202 Historical and Business Context for Advertising3 credits
- VCAD 250 Campaign 1: Big Ideas & Key Visuals in Advertising3 credits
- VCAD 305 Campaign 2: The Ad Components3 credits
- VCAD 355 Campaign 3: Integrated Marketing Communications3 credits
- VCAD 455 Campaign 4: Ad Production & Finalization3 credits
Advertising Electives
- VCAD 215 Social Media and Content Creation3 credits
- VCAD 315 Arabic Copywriting3 credits
- VCAD 340 Technology and AI in Advertising3 credits
- VCAD 341 Branding Through Advertising3 credits
- VCAD 342 Making Meaning: Semiotics in Advertising3 credits
- VCAD 343 The Craft of Copywriting3 credits
- VCDM 201 Fundamentals of Web Design3 credits
- VCDM 250 Motion Graphics I3 credits
- MKTG 401 Consumer Behavior3 credits
Digital Media Core
15 credit hours required.
- VCDM 201 Fundamentals of Web Design3 credits
- VCDM 210 Computer Animation I3 credits
- VCDM 221 Introduction to Video Production3 credits
- VCDM 222 Introduction to Sound3 credits
- VCDM 230 Introduction to Interactive Media3 credits
Digital Media Electives
- CABR 275 Course Abroad3 credits
- DDFT 372 Virtual Art3 credits
- DDFT 373 Virtual Designs3 credits
- VCCC 350 Community Service Workshop3 credits
- VCCC 399 Special Topics in Visual Communication3 credits
- VCCC 499 Special Topics in Visual Communication3 credits
- VCDM 202 Online Media Production3 credits
- VCDM 250 Motion Graphics I3 credits
- VCDM 301 Design Concepts for the Web3 credits
- VCDM 310 Computer Animation II3 credits
- VCDM 321 Intermediate Projects in Video3 credits
- VCDM 322 Advanced Sound Design Studio3 credits
- VCDM 330 Advanced Projects in Interactive Media3 credits
- VCDM 350 Motion Graphics II3 credits
- VCDM 410 Computer Animation III3 credits
- VCDM 421 Advanced Video Production3 credits
- VCST 320 Performance and Installation Studio3 credits
Graphic Design Core
27 credit hours required.
- VCDM 201 Fundamentals of Web Design3 credits
- VCGD 251 Typography I3 credits
- VCGD 256 Graphic Design I3 credits
- VCGD 300 History of Graphic Design3 credits
- VCGD 351 Typography II3 credits
- VCGD 353 Production Design3 credits
- VCGD 356 Graphic Design II3 credits
- VCGD 451 Typography III3 credits
- VCGD 456 Graphic Design III3 credits
Graphic Design Electives
- CABR 275 Course Abroad3 credits
- DDFT 372 Virtual Art3 credits
- DDFT 373 Virtual Designs3 credits
- VCCC 350 Community Service Workshop3 credits
- VCCC 399 Special Topics in Visual Communication3 credits
- VCCC 499 Special Topics in Visual Communication3 credits
- VCGD 360 Arabic Typography3 credits
- VCGD 361 Book Design3 credits
- VCGD 362 Package Design3 credits
- VCGD 363 Poster Design3 credits
- VCGD 364 Typeface Design3 credits
- VCGD 365 Information Graphics3 credits
- VCDM 250 Motion Graphics I3 credits
- VCDM 350 Motion Graphics II3 credits
- VCST 201 Printmaking I3 credits
Studio Art Core
18 credit hours required.
- VCST 201 Printmaking I3 credits
- VCST 211 Sculpture I3 credits
- VCST 221 Painting I3 credits
- VCST 401 Studio Art Seminar3 credits
- VCST 402 Advanced Studio I3 credits
- VCST 451 Studio Art Thesis3 credits
Studio Art Electives
- CABR 275 Course Abroad3 credits
- DDFT 372 Virtual Art3 credits
- DDFT 373 Virtual Designs3 credits
- VCCC 350 Community Service Workshop3 credits
- VCCC 399 Special Topics in Visual Communication3 credits
- VCCC 499 Special Topics in Visual Communication3 credits
- VCPH 201 Photography I3 credits
- VCPH 261 Photography II3 credits
- VCST 231 Ceramics3 credits
- VCST 251 Illustration Basics3 credits
- VCST 301 Printmaking II3 credits
- VCST 311 Sculpture II3 credits
- VCST 320 Performance and Installation Studio3 credits
- VCST 321 Painting II3 credits
- VCST 410 Printmaking III3 credits
- VCST 411 Sculpture III3 credits
- VCST 421 Painting III3 credits
Entry Requirements
US-style credit system; non-UAE curricula require Ministry of Education equivalency. Architecture requires a portfolio.
Careers
Graduates pursue careers in graphic design, advertising, branding, digital media and studio art.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
The B.F.A. holds NASAD substantial equivalency; AUD holds SACSCOC (US) and UAE MoHESR accreditation.
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Start Date
September (Fall intake)
Typical Offer
An official attested high-school transcript covering the last three years in good academic standing, with UAE Ministry of Education equivalency for non-UAE curricula. SAT Mathematics 560 or a pass in the AUD mathematics placement test.
Duration
4 years
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Visual Communication
Campus
Dubai
Course Type
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 106,050/yr
Undergraduate applicants apply online at aud.edu, submit attested transcripts with a UAE Ministry of Education Certificate of Equivalency for non-UAE curricula, and provide an English score (IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79 or TOEFL ITP 550) and an SAT Mathematics score, or sit AUD's English and mathematics placement tests. A non-refundable AED 420 application fee applies, with an AED 5,000 reservation deposit on acceptance that is credited to tuition.