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MA COMMUNICATION DESIGN: GRAPHIC DESIGN PATHWAY

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

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Find out how we're adapting during COVID-19.

Start date: September 2022

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

Working closely with global experts and established industry contributors, students develop their design skills within a framework of informed originality and excellence in practice. This approach brings together problem-solving for contemporary applications, contextual knowledge, sound professional judgement, and a reflective attitude to design exploration.

MA Communication Design integrates shared elements of study and pathway-specific elements. These pathways allow for specialisation and a deeper engagement with Communication Design.

Shared lectures, seminars and practical workshops enable students to develop fundamental knowledge of typography and specific areas of communication design. Additional taught sessions on reflective practice and research methods give students unique access to internationally significant collections and archives held by the University and the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication. These sessions equip students with the skills to interrogate original material for research, and provide insight into how practice connects with changing means of production, the wider historical context, and critical design discourse.

MA Communication Design combines elements of publication and editorial design with user-centred design, supported by advanced typography. Students work on projects that engage with text-intensive print and digital applications in each of these areas.

Overview

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

Working closely with global experts and established industry contributors, students develop their design skills within a framework of informed originality and excellence in practice. This approach brings together problem-solving for contemporary applications, contextual knowledge, sound professional judgement, and a reflective attitude to design exploration.

MA Communication Design integrates shared elements of study and pathway-specific elements. These pathways allow for specialisation and a deeper engagement with Communication Design.

Shared lectures, seminars and practical workshops enable students to develop fundamental knowledge of typography and specific areas of communication design. Additional taught sessions on reflective practice and research methods give students unique access to internationally significant collections and archives held by the University and the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication. These sessions equip students with the skills to interrogate original material for research, and provide insight into how practice connects with changing means of production, the wider historical context, and critical design discourse.

MA Communication Design combines elements of publication and editorial design with user-centred design, supported by advanced typography. Students work on projects that engage with text-intensive print and digital applications in each of these areas.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for 2022 entry have not yet been confirmed. Entry requirements for 2021 entry were:

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 Communication Design pathway work on three modules. The first involves a series of seminars that cover key areas in typography with options to take seminars from other pathways, 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 Communication Design pathway combines elements of publications and editorial design, including on digital content platforms, with user-centred design, and a solid background in typography. Students work on projects that span text-intensive applications such as editorial design, wide-platform applications such as branding projects, and user-centred design such as application design. The module situates practical work within the context of a rapidly evolving technological environment in communication design, and with sensitivity to the patterns of development in the field in different geographic areas. Students are encouraged to develop an awareness of the impact of technology, and changes in social conditions globally, and integrate an awareness of evolving issues of inclusion and diversity in their work.
 
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: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

New international students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. 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

The Communication Design pathway equips graduates with the practical skills, intellectual attitude and lifelong learning abilities that are essential for a successful career in a rapidly evolving field. Graduates can expect to take up positions in branding and design studios, with publishers, and information design studios. Many of our graduates 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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Related Courses

  • MA Communication Design: Book Design Pathway
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MA Communication Design: Information Design Pathway
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MA Communication Design: Typeface Design Pathway
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MA Research Typography and Graphic Communication
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
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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
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
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  • 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
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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
  • Linguistics
  • 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
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  • 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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