Overview

The BA in Graphic Design and Visual Communication is a three-year programme offered in English at NABA’s Milan and Rome campuses. It combines creative practice, research and strategic thinking to help students design effective communication across different media. Students explore the field through:

Design disciplines: Graphic design, advertising, publishing, motion graphics, 3D modelling, web design and UX/UI.
Creative and digital tools: Generative AI, photography, illustration and digital content strategy.
Practical projects: Creative workshops built around real briefs developed with national and international partners.
Specialisations: After the first year, students choose Brand Design, focused on brand systems and experiences; Creative Direction, focused on integrated campaigns; or Visual Design, focused on experimental visual languages.

The programme awards 180 CFA and leads to a First Level Academic Degree in Graphic Design and Art Direction. Graduates may pursue roles including:

Art director,
Graphic designer,
Brand designer,
Copywriter,
Web or UX/UI designer,
Motion designer,
Editorial designer,
Packaging designer,
Illustrator,
Visual designer,
AI specialist.

Accreditation

NABA’s Bachelor of Arts qualifications are recognised by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), have full legal status and are equivalent to the corresponding university degrees. The academic credits awarded can support progression to further study at academies and universities in Italy and abroad, subject to each institution’s admission requirements.

Programme Structure

The BA in Comics and Visual Storytelling develops drawing, design and scriptwriting skills alongside the cultural knowledge and critical thinking needed to create visual narratives.

First year: Learn drawing and computer graphics; study art and comics history and American comics. Scriptwriting begins a three-year path towards an authorial voice.
Second year: Explore manga and anime, followed by European comics, especially Italian and French traditions. Study publishing, printing and materials for print and digital media. Projects combine hand and digital drawing, motion graphics and AI with theory.
Third year: Produce an independent graphic novel and multimedia design projects, using self-publishing to promote your work. Advanced scriptwriting develops the authorial approach, while Fundamentals of Cultural Marketing and Kids Development provide professional context. The programme concludes with preparation for the final examination.

Audience

This course is aimed at students who want to create visual communication for brands, publications and digital media. It suits those interested in combining creativity with research, strategy and hands-on design work.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-02-01 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English, Italian

TOEFL^® IBT

OR

45

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

36

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

5

Prepare for Your English Test

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Credits

180 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Milano, Italy
Roma, Italy

Disciplines

Design Communication Studies Graphic Design View 14 other Bachelors in Communication Studies in Italy

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

OR

45

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

36

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

International applicants to a NABA Bachelor of Arts programme must meet these requirements and pass the admission test:

Academic qualification: Applicants must hold a secondary or high school diploma awarded after at least 12 years of schooling. The diploma must be legalised by the Italian embassy in the country whose education system issued it, translated and notarised by the Italian embassy or consulate in the country of issue, regardless of the school’s location. The diplomatic authority will also issue a Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di valore in loco).
English-language proficiency: For a BA taught in English, applicants must submit one of the English-language certificates accepted by NABA. It must be submitted within the month before the programme begins and must be no more than two years old. Native speakers and graduates of English-taught high schools may be exempt, subject to verification by the NABA Admission Office.

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Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at NABA, New Academy of Fine Arts and/or in Italy, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

22750 EUR / year

≈ 22750 EUR / year
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

8500 EUR / year

≈ 8500 EUR / year

Additional Details

EU/EFTA students with 3+ yrs residency may get reduced fees based on income.

Living costs

Milano

Italy

850 - 1450 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Graphic Design and Visual Communication.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Accreditation

Programme Structure

Audience

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

EU/EEA Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Milano

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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