Program Overview

Introduction to the MA Graphic Communication Program

The MA Graphic Communication course is designed to recognize exciting new directions in the ever-diversifying professional industry, offering students the chance to explore these through their own practice. Whether personal interests lie in typography, packaging, print, branding, digital, moving image, UX/UI, or speculative design, this course allows students to personalize their learning journey through a modular course structure.

About the Course

The MA Graphic Communication course provides inter-disciplinary and collaborative opportunities, along with specialist theory and practice workshops delivered by experienced practitioners. This helps students critically reflect upon and locate their own practice before engaging with their own bespoke area of investigation and innovation. The course also includes a unique Professional Futures: Graphic Communication module, designed to help focus and enhance future career ambitions, whether commercial, experimental, or academic.

Module Information

The course is structured around several core and optional modules:

• Core Modules:
  • Locating Your Practice: Develops understanding of the synergy between research, theory, and practice, exploring expanding practices within graphic communication.
  • Masters Personal Practice: Creates a personalized professional portfolio aligned to professional ambition and direction.
  • Culture and Collaboration: Develops an advanced level of understanding of the wider cultural context for current and future work, gaining skills in research, analysis, idea generation, critical thinking, communication, and presentation.
• Optional Modules:
  • Professional Futures: Explores and shares ideas about future professional opportunities in visual communications.
  • Advancing Research Design: Maximising Your Methods: Provides an explorative platform for further research-based study or extending knowledge of research methods and methodologies.

Entry Requirements

UK Students

• Academic Entry Requirements: 2.2 honors degree in a related subject.
• Other Requirements: A creative portfolio.

International Students

• Academic Entry Requirements: 2.2 honors degree in a related subject. Equivalent qualifications from all over the world are accepted.
• Other Requirements: A creative portfolio, English language requirements as specified by the university.

Fees and Funding

UK Students

• Tuition Fee: Ł10,300 for the first year.
• Scholarships: Available for excellent achievement, passion, and dedication to studies.
• Alumni Discount: 20% discount for most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni.
• Postgraduate Loans: Government loan scheme for Masters degrees.

International Students

• Tuition Fee: Ł18,300 for the first year.
• Scholarships: Available for international students demonstrating excellent achievement, passion, and dedication to studies.
• Alumni Discount: 20% discount for most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni.
• Living Costs: Advice on managing money and the cost of living in Nottingham.

Careers and Employability

The course is designed to equip students with strong creative and problem-solving skills, making them valuable members of professional teams working in collaborative and cross-disciplinary ways on a range of visual communication projects. Recent graduate roles include Graphic Designer, Assistant Designer, Environmental Visual Designer, and Senior Art Director. The university also offers support through its Employability Promise, including personalized support, one-on-one coaching, and industry-specific advice.

Campus and Facilities

The Nottingham School of Art & Design offers state-of-the-art facilities, including the Digital Print Hub, Design and Digital Arts building, and the Bonington Gallery. Students have access to a wide range of equipment and software, supporting their learning and creative projects.

Applying

Applications are made through the NTU Applicant Portal. UK and international students are required to submit examples of their practical work as part of their application. International students may be asked to upload a portfolio and attend an interview. The university advises preparing and applying as early as possible due to Student visa processing times.