Graphic Design MA

On our MA Graphic Design (with optional Professional Placement) course you’ll have the opportunity to develop your own choice of personal topic(s) within the wide arena of visual communication. This will be guided by your research and support from your supervisor.

The course is rooted in visual communication research, underpinned by theory, with an emphasis on enabling you to develop a very personal body of practical work. We’ll encourage you to generate a unique line of enquiry through developing new ideas and challenging traditional design boundaries. By the end of your programme, you should have generated a contemporary body of work that has advanced your skills to a professional level in preparation for your future in the creative industries.

The course modules challenge you to advance your critical and creative thinking skills in graphic design, across both traditional and digital media, whether that involves getting to grips with established graphics disciplines like typography, editorial, branding and packaging, or working with digital tools to create concepts for moving image, websites, apps and other new media.

Why study with us

• The opportunity for a structured work experience will be provided for every student who requests it.
• You’ll have access to an excellent library of traditional and digital books/magazines and computers loaded with the latest industry software (such as the Adobe Creative Suite).
• Study trips are an important part of the research activity that brings design to life. We’ve taken students on study trips to London, Berlin, Amsterdam and New York in recent years.

Future careers

Many of our graduates have gone on to secure high profile roles in leading graphic design and creative agencies, both nationally and internationally.

Graphic designers can work in many different areas, from traditional print for book design in the publishing industry and packaging design for the food and drink industry, to the digital arena of web design and new media. Often, the career path of an artist or designer does not take a particularly conventional route. Some graphic designers work on a freelance basis, while many work for design agencies or as part of in-house departments of larger companies. Life as a graphic designer can be exceedingly fast-paced, challenging and exciting.

A design related master’s degree can open doors to employment in a range of other exciting sectors, such as advertising, art and design, business and administration, hospitality and tourism, management consulting, marketing and PR, music and performing arts, retail and sales, recruitment and human resources, teaching and education, while a number of our graduates have gone on to set up and run their own independent businesses.

Applicants should hold a 2:2 degree or equivalent professional experience or learning in a related field. Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits. Professional experience in the field of graphic design or a related art and design area.