Program Overview

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Design Management (MA)

About this course

Learn how to design for user needs and business success on this MA Design Management course. This course bridges the gap between design and business by combining creative thinking with management theories.

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree or equivalent international qualification in a relevant subject, such as:

• Advertising
• Architecture
• Business
• Fashion management
• Graphic design
• History of art
• Industrial or interior design
• Management
• Marketing
• Photography
• Politics
• Product design
• Psychology
• Sociology

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• Overall score: 6.5
• Reading: 6.0
• Writing: 6.0
• Speaking: 6.0
• Listening: 6.0

Course structure

This design management master’s runs for 1 year. Throughout your studies, you’ll build on each skill set and work towards a more progressive thinking approach to design and design management.

Semester 1 overview

In your first semester, you’ll be introduced to design and the process for making concepts a reality. This will cover subjects such as quality assurance, marketing tools, and financial strategic planning.

Your core modules in this semester are:

• Design and Project Management Methods
• Design Management Principles and Practices
• Strategic Design Management
• Contexts: Design Process and Innovation
• Leadership and Ethics

Semester 2 overview

Your second semester will explore the role and current thinking in design. Here you’ll look at developing sustainable design practice and use case studies to gain deeper insight into the sector. You’ll cover topics in human centred design, user experience, and inclusive practices.

In this semester your core module is your final year project. For your project you’ll complete independent research and explore how your project advances professional principles.

You’ll also choose one of the following optional modules:

• Visual Culture
• Professional/Collaborative Projects
• Experimental Publishing
• Exploring the Visual Language of Display

Learning and assessment

As well as lectures, seminars, and independent study you’ll learn through:

• Guest speakers
• Optional study visits to museums
• Peer group learning
• Problem-solving activities
• Class discussion, critiques, and presentations
• Personal feedback sheet after each marking period

Assessment

We'll assess you through a variety of methods, including:

• Presentations
• Peer assessment tasks
• Written assignments
• Project reports
• Portfolio (3,000 words)
• Dissertation (10,000 words)

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Fees, costs and funding

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Tuition fees

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• Accommodation costs
• Living costs
• Budgeting advice
• Fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

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.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

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. You will get either £1500, £2,500 or £3,000 depending on the grade you get for your undergraduate degree.

Learn more about the Winchester School of Art Progression Scholarship.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

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

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

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.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• Your knowledge of the subject area
• Why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• How you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [insert email] Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]