MA Design

Program Overview

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Design MA

Overview

This Masters is built around your personal design interests and aspirations. It allows you to push the boundaries of creativity, within a framework of academic rigour and contextual research. You can choose to study any of the following areas: advertising, animation, design thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship, fashion and promotion, graphic communication, graphic design, illustration, interactive media, motion graphics, and typographic design. Other specialised design disciplines will also be considered.

You'll follow a chosen pathway for the duration of your MA study, with the option to be awarded with one of the following:

• MA Design: Animation
• MA Design: Fashion
• MA Design: Games Art
• MA Design: Graphics
• MA Design: Illustration

You'll graduate with MA Design if you do not wish to opt for a named pathway or if your chosen discipline does not apply to one of the pathways listed above (e.g. 3D Design).

By the end of the course, you'll have completed a major project that has evolved from your practice and research, and you'll have a portfolio of creative designs that will excite and impress potential employers.

Why us?

• This MA Design course is unique in that it facilitates the study of a wide range of diverse design disciplines through specialist staff and facilities
• We have excellent engagement with industry, locally, nationally and internationally and have several academic partners overseas including Greece, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Trinidad
• We host the International Research Centre for Calligraphy (IRCC) which promotes and supports the development of calligraphy both nationally and internationally

Our student work

• Join our creative community: @SunderlandCreative #WeAreCreative

Course structure

Compared to an undergraduate course, you'll find that this MA course requires a higher level of independent working. The course aims to stretch your creativity and maximise your sense of personal fulfilment.

You'll be taught via lectures and seminars, with regular weekly one-to-one or group feedback. There are also additional workshops, demonstrations and external speakers to fully enrich your learning.

On the MA Design course you can express your learnings in a multitude of ways. We use a range of assessment methods including critical essays, presentations, evaluation reports, research journals, and practical work via different forms of visual communication (depending on the pathway that you choose).

Core modules:

MA Design Stage 1 – Design Ideation (60 credits)

Choose a discipline and develop design ideas and questions that reflect the nature of your chosen topic. Learn how to use various research methods to gather information, and to develop design ideas that leads to a programme of study for your MA. Choose from advertising, animation, calligraphy, digital media, fashion, graphics, illustration, motion graphics, typography, etc. or any combination of these (other disciplines can also be considered). Focus upon shifting creative and design trends in response to major social, political, cultural and economic change in society. Begin to recognise where your developing practice sits within broader historical, theoretical and contemporary issues.

MA Design Stage 2 – Design development and Prototypes (60 credits)

Build upon and further develop the work you carried out in Stage 1 – Design Ideation, leading to a range of design development and prototypes. Improve your design skills and consolidate your design philosophy, approaches and design theories through further research and practical explorations. Support your design thinking with a written essay (with a limit of 1750 to 2250 words) which also explores further and strengthens the research methodology and context appropriate to your chosen programme of study from Stage 1.

MA Design Stage 3 – Design Realisation and Production (60 credits)

Reach the design realisation and final production stage of your MA. Build upon the experiences and work that you have gained through Stage 1 – Design Ideation, and Stage 2 – Design Development Prototypes, to conclude your MA work. Produce final outcomes that are the culmination of both your academic and practical work, embodied in a portfolio of design outcomes, supported by a written ‘Critical Evaluation Report’ (limited to 5750 to 6250 words).

Facilities

You'll be based in the School of Art and Design within the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries. There is a dedicated MA Design Studio based in the Priestman Building at City Campus, which is a five-minute walk from the city centre. In the same building, you'll find other facilities and resources, such as a dedicated printmaking studio, photography studio, wood and metal workshops, high-end computer suites (with Wacom Cintiqs, iMac Pros, and PowerMacs), finishing rooms, laser cutting machines, 3D printers, fabric printers, and various laser and inkjet printers (from A4 to large format printing).

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

• Qualification: a bachelor's degree (3 years)
• Minimum grade: 2:2 classification

If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at for further advice.

We usually require applicants to hold a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a design-related discipline such as graphics, illustration, animation, or digital media. We may also consider applicants who have relevant experience and who can demonstrate their suitability for the course.

Interview/portfolio requirements

We’ll invite you to an informal interview where we'd like to see evidence of your creative potential. Please prepare a portfolio of creative work which shows what you have done so far and what interests you. We are not looking for perfection as we appreciate you are still developing work. Your portfolio should be a PowerPoint presentation, ZIP file, or links to websites or videos and can include:

• A variety of art and design work – we want to see a range of styles and techniques
• Work completed in or outside of your studies
• Ideas that didn’t work
• Research: for example sketchbooks, scrapbooks of things that inspire you, or design sheets
• Photographs of 3D, and large 2D, work are acceptable
• Uncompleted or work in progress is also useful to see
• We suggest between 10 and 20 slides/images would be sufficient.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Fees and finance

Full-time fees are:

• £9,000 if you are from the UK/Europe
• £17,000 if you are an international student

Part-time fees are £500 per 10 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

Career ready

On completing this course, you'll be equipped for roles throughout the creative industries. Potential roles include animator, graphic designer, illustrator, typographic designer, interactive designer, lecturer, or broad-based designer.

This creative degree can also open doors into many other careers, such as teaching, or further study at Doctorate level.

Career opportunities

Upon completion of the MA Design course you'll have a more consolidated portfolio ready for employment in the design industry. We have close contacts with the design industry and if appropriate could offer live projects, work placements and internships. During Semester one, we host an Employability Week, where you'll have the opportunity to see professional designers and design alumni for advice and portfolio surgery. We also have the Digital Incubator Unit which can offer assistance for you to start your own business or freelance practice, plus we are members of the Association of Illustrators (AoI) and Design and Art Direction (D&AD) who can provide further resources regarding competitions, professional practice and employment.

Our graduates

Our graduates have forged careers all over the globe in graphic design, editorial, infographics, motion graphics, advertising, web, packaging and interactive design. We have graduates working in Ordinance Survey, MTV, SEGA, and the creative industries of publishing, design consultancies and advertising design. Some graduates are now running their own thriving design business, both nationally and internationally, while others have gone onto academic professions such as further research (PhD) and teaching (PGCE, HE and FE).

Program Outline

MA Design: A Detailed Analysis

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Degree Overview:

• This program allows you to specialize in a chosen design discipline, including animation, fashion, games art, graphics, and illustration.
• You will create a portfolio of creative designs that impress potential employers.
• Join graduates who find exciting jobs throughout the design industry and around the world.
• Scholarships are available.

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Outline:

• Stage 1: Design Ideation (60 credits)
• Choose a discipline and develop design ideas.
• Learn research methods to gather information.
• Explore shifting creative and design trends in response to social, political, cultural, and economic change.
• Develop your design philosophy and theories.
• Stage 2: Design Development and Prototypes (60 credits)
• Build upon and develop work from Stage 1.
• Improve design skills and consolidate your design philosophy.
• Explore further research and practical applications.
• Submit a critical essay (1750-2250 words) showcasing your research methodology and context.
• Stage 3: Design Realisation and Production (60 credits)
• Reach the final production stage of your MA.
• Produce final outcomes based on your academic and practical work.
• Submit a "Critical Evaluation Report" (5750-6250 words) explaining your design choices and processes.

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Assessment:

• A variety of assessment methods are used, including critical essays, presentations, evaluation reports, research journals, and practical work.
• Assessment criteria are tailored to each module and are based on the learning outcomes of the program.

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Teaching:

• The program is taught via lectures, seminars, and one-to-one or group feedback sessions.
• Additional workshops, demonstrations, and guest speakers are available to enrich your learning experience.
• Teaching staff are specialists in their fields and offer guidance and support throughout your studies.

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Careers:

• Graduates are equipped for roles in the creative industries, including animator, graphic designer, illustrator, typographic designer, interactive designer, lecturer, or broad-based designer.
• The program has close industry contacts and offers opportunities for live projects, work placements, and internships.
• Career support includes an Employability Week, portfolio review sessions, and access to professional organizations like the Association of Illustrators and Design and Art Direction.

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Other:

• The program is built around your personal interests and aspirations.
• You can choose to focus on any design discipline or combine multiple areas of interest.
• The program is based at the City Campus in Sunderland, with easy access to studio spaces, workshops, and excellent facilities.
• The University is a member of the Design and Art Directors Association (D&AD), a prestigious design organization.
• Renowned guest speakers from the design world are regularly invited to share their expertise and insights.

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Please note:

This information is based on the context provided. Some details may vary depending on the year of entry and specific program offerings.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Full-time fees are: £8,000 if you are from the UK/Europe £16,500 if you are an international student Part-time fees are £445 per 10 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

• European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 24/25 admission you will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies.
The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.