Program Overview

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Communication Design (MA)

Award: Master of Arts

Duration: 1 year

Course Type: Full-time

Campus: Winchester

About this course

MA Communication Design is the study of information and interface design. This course is research driven and combines creativity, critical analysis of contemporary media, with knowledge of the latest methodologies and tools.

A focus on digital media practice and theory sets this course apart from traditional communication design courses, preparing you for an exciting career in a range of design roles. We’ll encourage you to explore systems for the making and communication of text and image while you redefine your own practice through various media formats of experimental publishing and interaction design.

This course is for recent graduates or those with professional experience who wish to extend their creative skills and design knowledge into hybrid publishing, user experience design, and design research.

The core curriculum is practice based, supported by workshops, lectures and both individual and group tutorials. In our modern, well-equipped studios you’ll learn how to develop effective concepts and prototypes for current and emergent platforms, informed by graphic design and user experience design principles.

Throughout this master’s you’ll have opportunities to:

• build your own tools through creative coding and modular design experimentation
• take field trips to London and across Europe
• use excellent facilities like the Interaction and Prototyping Laboratory, 3D printing and laser cutting as well as traditional design and print equipment
• learn from academics with industry experience in graphic design, interaction design and design for experimental media
• create a portfolio of high-quality design work

Towards the end of the course you'll carry out a practice-led research project, which is an exciting opportunity for you to engage with key debates shaping the communication design field.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected.

Course lead

The course lead for our Communication Design master’s course is Danny Aldred. Danny is a visual artist and experienced commercial graphic designer. His current practice centres on publishing as creative practice with a focus on the artist book. His own publishing projects have been chosen for numerous international exhibitions, events and collections including the V&A Museum, Whitechapel Gallery, Freies Museum in Berlin and Printed Matter in New York. He is a passionate educator who believes in the transformative ability of education.

Facilities

• Creative services centre
• Course location: Winchester
• Awarding body: University of Southampton

Entry requirements

• 2:2 degree or equivalent international qualification in art, design, media or a communication subject
• Portfolio demonstrating engagement with contemporary communication design

English language requirements

• IELTS score requirements:
  • overall score: 6.5
  • reading: 6.0
  • writing: 6.0
  • speaking: 6.0
  • listening: 6.0

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Course structure

This is a 1-year master’s degree running from September to the following September. Modules are taught in semesters 1 and 2, and you’ll complete the course with a supervised independent final project over the summer.

In semester 1, you’ll study modules that everyone on the course studies. This includes a Professional and Academic Skills module, giving you the chance to develop your professional competencies through activities such as CV workshops, portfolio feedback and sessions with our industry-experienced academics on how to position yourself as a practitioner.

In semester 2, you’ll use your learning to apply your skills and prepare for your final project. You’ll also be able to choose a module from different options, that complements your communication design studies.

Modules

• Collect, Discover, Understand
• Define, Consolidate, Connect
• Experiment
• Explore, Analyse, Interpret
• Input (Contexts)
• Output (Making)
• Experimental Publishing
• Exploring the Visual Language of Display
• Professional / Collaborative Projects
• Visual Culture

Learning and assessment

• Learning: studio-based, lectures, seminars, guest lectures, studio visits, problem-solving exercises, reflective writing and blogging, critically assessing your own work
• Assessment: design process and outcomes, individual written assignments, dissertation

Careers and employability

• Employability and enterprise skills: reflected in the Southampton skills model
• Work experience opportunities: choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential
• Careers services and support: we are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)

Fees, costs and funding

• Tuition fees:
  • UK students: £9,250
  • EU and international students: £27,800
• Deposit: £2,000 (for international students on a full-time course)
• What your fees pay for: tuition, exams, essential transferable skills for the workplace
• 10% alumni discount: if you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton
• Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only): this can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course
• Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship: 40 scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities
• Winchester School of Art Progression Scholarship: this scholarship is available to all eligible UK and international Winchester School of Art graduates who go directly from an undergraduate to a master's degree within the school

How to apply

• Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system
• Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal
• Search for the course you want to apply for
• Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents
• Pay the £50 application assessment fee (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions)
• Submit your application

Application deadlines

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

Application assessment fee

• We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course
• This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application
• It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application
• You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid

Supporting information

• Portfolio guidance: your portfolio is one of the most important parts of your application
• Personal statement: when you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course
• References: not required for this programme
• Additional paperwork: you may also be asked to provide a degree transcript, degree certificate, English language qualification, and evidence of professional qualifications

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