University of Hertfordshire ranked the country’s Best Design Education institution

The University of Hertfordshire has been ranked as the best place in the UK to study design – and seventh in the world.

Herts ranked the highest of any institution in the UK in the World Brand Design Society’s Best Education Ranking’s 2023/24, which recognises world-leading institutions and students in the fields of corporate and consumer brand design.

Four BA Graphic Design students who from the University last year also won top prizes, including for work on products intended to be sold in aid of those affected by the 2017 earthquakes in central Italy.

Becca Lee won a Gold Award and a £500 cash prize for her design concept for “San Lucio” cheese. The brand celebrates the sense of togetherness which can follow tragic events and takes inspiration from local history and food culture. This includes the titular reference to San Lucio Uguzon, the patron saint of cheeses who shared with those in need despite living in poverty himself.

Working to the same brief, fellow student Oliver Scorey won a Silver Award for his  design for “Dolce Libertà,” a luxury liqueur brand made from fruit grown in the four central Italian regions. Both students worked alongside professional design agency Studio Minerva on the brief.

Additionally, Catherine Gazy won an award for “Learning Not to Be Afraid of Yourself” – an exhibition aiming to destigmatise Dissociative Identity Disorder – while Nathan Percival won an award for his work titled “Point to Point”; an exhibition celebrating the visual identity of the World Rally Championship.

Nick Lovegrove, Programme Leader for BA(Hons) Graphic Design at the University of Hertfordshire, said:

“Our success at this year’s World Brand Design Society Awards shows that not only is the University of Hertfordshire genuinely world leading in the field of design, but that our students are too. We’re very proud of all our students and it’s a joy to see some of their hard work reflected in such a prestigious manner. Congratulations to all the award-winners this year.”

You can find out more information about the BA Graphic Design course at the University of Hertfordshire by visiting our website.