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MA COMMUNICATION DESIGN: TYPEFACE DESIGN PATHWAY

  • Year of entry
    2021/22
    See 2022/23 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months
    Part Time: 24 months
  • Year of entry
    2021/22
    See 2022/23 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months
    Part Time: 24 months
View all

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Start date: September 2021

The MA Communication Design: Typeface Design Pathway combines the development of practical skills with the study of historical and theoretical issues, in a world-class research-intensive environment.

This course integrates shared elements of study and pathway-specific elements. This Typeface Design pathway allows for specialisation and a deeper engagement with Communication Design.

The Typeface Design pathway focuses on the development of multiscript typefaces for text-intensive applications. Students work on defining, planning, and designing a multiscript typeface family, exploring issues of character complements, the development of family styles across scripts, and the relationship of convention and modernity in typeface design.

Why study MA Communication Design: Typeface Design Pathway at Reading?

  • The global reference programme in the field
  • First university-based pathway in this subject
  • Highly international student body, with a wide range of backgrounds
  • Pathway combines practical and academic elements into a signature model for design education
  • Design and research areas are global in perspective, with a wide variety of typographic scripts covered

For more information, please visit the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication website.

Overview

The MA Communication Design: Typeface Design Pathway combines the development of practical skills with the study of historical and theoretical issues, in a world-class research-intensive environment.

This course integrates shared elements of study and pathway-specific elements. This Typeface Design pathway allows for specialisation and a deeper engagement with Communication Design.

The Typeface Design pathway focuses on the development of multiscript typefaces for text-intensive applications. Students work on defining, planning, and designing a multiscript typeface family, exploring issues of character complements, the development of family styles across scripts, and the relationship of convention and modernity in typeface design.

Why study MA Communication Design: Typeface Design Pathway at Reading?

  • The global reference programme in the field
  • First university-based pathway in this subject
  • Highly international student body, with a wide range of backgrounds
  • Pathway combines practical and academic elements into a signature model for design education
  • Design and research areas are global in perspective, with a wide variety of typographic scripts covered

For more information, please visit the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication website.

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 6.0 (or equivalent)

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2.1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK, in a design-related subject. For exceptional candidates without such a degree, you will need convincing evidence of relevant professional experience. In most cases, a relevant practice portfolio and an example of academic writing are also required.

Structure

Students on the Typeface Design pathway work on three modules. The first involves a series of seminars that cover key areas in typography and typeface design, and build a foundation in critical reading and research methods. These seminars are shared with other master’s students, and include reading and discussion of key texts, and preparation of a presentation to peers.

The practical module for the Typeface Design pathway focuses on the development of multiscript typefaces for text-intensive applications. Students work on defining, planning, and designing a multiscript typeface family. They explore issues of character complements, the development of family styles across scripts, and the relationship of convention and modernity in typeface design. Students are encouraged to consider both mainstream scripts and scripts that are marginally supported by current standards.

The third module comprises preparation and work for a substantial dissertation, on an area that may be connected to the work in the other modules of the programme.

 

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £8,100 per year

New international students: £17,100 per year

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated, and relate to courses starting in September 2021. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government's guidance for EU students.

Additional Costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Our graduates have an excellent employment record. Many take up positions in type design studios, with publishers and general design studios, and wayfinding and information design studios. Others develop their own businesses, or take up managerial roles in creative firms. Previous employers have included Apple, Financial Times, Microsoft Typography, Monotype, Nokia, Oxford University Press and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

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2021/22
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Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
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  • Climate Science
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Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
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Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
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  • Management
  • Medieval History
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  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
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Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
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  • Teaching
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  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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