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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 17,000
Per year
Start Date
2025-09-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
12 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Digital Media | Graphic Design | Visual Communications
Area of study
Arts
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 17,000
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


MA Visual Communication

Overview

The MA Visual Communication degree is designed to equip you with the skills you need for a professional career in the creative industries or digital marketing sector. This master’s in visual communication is focused on industry experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, and self-initiated research.


Course Details

All about the course

This MA Visual Communication degree is designed to give you the support and inspiration you need to develop your creative ideas in a safe space. You’ll collaborate with talented creatives across a variety of arts organisations and subject areas, tackling issues that are central to contemporary design practice, whether they relate to design authorship, social engagement or visual language.


Modules

  • Creative Research Methods: This module focuses on the understanding of and the application of a range of practice-based research methods.
  • Exploring Theory and Practice: This module deals with the theoretical and practical issues faced by practitioners in the context of art and the creative and cultural industries.
  • Real World Context: Through the Real World Context module, you will undertake a placement in a relevant workplace to gain new experiences and test out developing ideas and activities.
  • Applied Practice: Within the module, you will examine how your design work can be applied to external contexts such as live projects, commissions, and external sites.
  • Definitive Practice: The aims of the major project are to offer you the opportunity to critically engage in a major project in which the emphasis will be on defining and analysing through action research, and developing a constructive practical response to a line of enquiry or research question while formulating your own resolutions or conclusions from your body of work.

Teaching

You’ll experience a range of teaching and learning settings including lectures, seminars/workshops, tutorials, situated learning (e.g. ‘live’ projects) and independent learning. The combination of these teaching methods aims to develop an environment that allows you to progressively take ownership and direction of your learning so that you may develop as independent, life-long learners.


Assessment

The process of master's level study, relating to an individual and independent arts practice, is one of dense critical self-reflection; this is achieved by including self-directed projects where you have the opportunity to negotiate your learning and assessment requirements.


Requirements

Applicant Profile

To gain a place on this MA Visual Communication course, you’ll have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements when you apply.


Standard Entry Requirements

To join this MA you should have a second-class honours degree, 2:2 or above, and a supporting portfolio of practice.


International Students

If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0, with no element below 5.5.


Alternative Entry Requirements

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.


Employment and Stats

Employment

As a postgraduate student at Salford, you’ll be studying one of the only visual communication masters in the UK that focuses on equipping you with the hands-on experience you need to take your career to the next level. Throughout your course, you’ll have established professional links with art and design networks across the region, meaning you’ll already have a place in the creative community.


Further Study

Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further academic research path through our doctoral (PhD) programmes on a full-time or part-time basis subject to a satisfactory proposal.


Fees

Type of Study

  • Full-time home: £9,100 per year
  • Full-time international: £17,000 per year

Additional Costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding, and general subsistence on trips and visits.


Scholarships for International Students

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.


Program Outline


Degree Overview:

  • Designed for: Individuals with a passion for conveying complex concepts visually and creating/applying their own graphic language in diverse fields like type design, illustration, print/web design, service design, and design for social impact.
  • Focus: Equipping students with industry-level skills, interdisciplinary collaboration experiences, and self-initiated research capabilities.
  • Live projects: Collaborative opportunities with cultural organizations in Salford and Greater Manchester like Hotbed Press, Islington Mill, Salford Museum & Art Gallery, Textbook Studios & Salford Art Collection, Dr Me, and Magma Books.
  • Cross-disciplinary approach: Encourages collaboration with students from MA Art and Design programs like Socially Engaged Art, Photography, Fine Art, and Creative Technology, mirroring real-world industry practices.

Outline:


#Full-time:


Semester 1:

  • Creative Research Methods: Understanding and applying research methods in practice.
  • Development of an individual line of inquiry supported through lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Assessment: Two submissions (weeks 7 & 12), project-based (70%), with a written component (30%).
  • Exploring Theory and Practice: Examining theoretical and practical issues faced by practitioners in art and the creative/cultural industries.
  • Development of new ideas through research and practice, focusing on international contexts and contemporary debates around creativity.

Semester 2:

  • Real-World Context: Placement in a relevant workplace to gain real-world experience and test out evolving ideas.
  • Exploration of professional subjects and skill development within the creative and cultural industries.
  • Applied Practice: Examining the application of design work to external contexts like live projects, commissions, and external sites.
  • Establishing a mature design practice and demonstrating research focus through a critical and practical framework.

Semester 3:

  • Definitive Practice: Major project focusing on critically engaging with a research question or line of inquiry.
  • Development of a constructive practical response and formulation of conclusions based on the created body of work. Culminates in an exhibition or other public exposition.
  • #Part-time:

Year 1, Semesters 1 and 2:

  • Creative Research Methods (as above).
  • Applied Practice (as above).
  • Real-World Context (as above).

Year 2, Semesters 1, 2, and 3:

  • Exploring Theory and Practice (as above).

Assessment:

  • Body of work and contextual research: Action research, publications, exhibitions, etc.
  • Reflective journals: Logs, sketchbooks, statements, critical writing, seminar presentations.
  • All submissions: Body of practice, contextual research portfolio, reflective logs/journals, and case studies.
  • Submission format negotiation: Adaptable to individual needs and contemporary professional practices.

Teaching:

  • Timetable: Provided before the program starts, allowing time for independent research.
  • Location: New Adelphi building, offering a variety of teaching/learning spaces.
  • Methods: Lectures, seminars/workshops, tutorials, situated learning (live projects), independent learning, exercises, team and peer-based learning, studio practice, critical seminar-events, site visits, visiting professionals, work placements, online activities, and critical debates.
  • Delivery: One day per week for full-time students, concentrated morning delivery for part-time students alongside full-time students.

Careers:

  • Preparation: Equips students with the hands-on experience needed to excel in the creative industries.
  • Existing professional links: Strong network of art and design contacts across the region.
  • Graduate outcomes: Animating, graphic design, advertising, teaching, art directing, web programming, photography, and more.
  • Cost: £8,820 per year for UK students, £16,380 per year for international students.

| Type of study | Year | Fees | |---|---|---| | Full-time home | 2024/25 | £8,820.00 per year | | Full-time international | 2024/25 | £16,380.00 per year | | Part-time | 2024/25 | Part time costs are calculated on a pro rata basis | | Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100.00 per year | | Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,000.00 per year |

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