MA Design (Illustration)

Program Overview

---

MA Design (Illustration)

Course summary

Tackle local, global, societal and environmental issues creatively and ethically – advancing your specialist design and research practice in a collaborative environment.

How you learn

You'll join a dynamic and collaborative learning community based in our bespoke studios, workshops and digital spaces. With their support, you'll undertake creative adventures, explore possibilities and challenge conventions.

Our academic staff are design specialists, researchers and practitioners who help you to expand your practice and develop an independent, confident approach. You'll unfold your potential to contribute as a creative thinker and doer – applying your knowledge to industry, culture, society and life systems.

Learning on MA Design builds up through the year and across the course modules. You'll gain new research and practice skills and learn how to manage them appropriately within your professional design practice. We'll encourage you to position your practice within and across disciplinary boundaries, developing an individual design approach, collaborating in interdisciplinary settings, and communicating ideas and projects to relevant audiences.

You learn through

• studio practice
• workshops
• technical demonstrations
• group and individual tutorials
• review
• lectures
• guest lectures
• interdisciplinary collaboration
• external visits and field trips

Key themes

You'll expand your methods of research and practice – from design thinking and process to user and planet-centric approaches to design. This includes critical thinking, reflection, research development, communication and collaboration skills.

You'll then explore creative design and concept generation techniques while defining your professional positionality. You'll develop a wide range of skills – from identifying and communicating with diverse stakeholders and audiences to interpreting, planning and managing briefs and projects.

Finally, you'll advance your design development and testing across inter-related design contexts and disciplines. You'll apply high-level professional project communication skills while considering project and research ethics.

Course support

We take a holistic and person-centred approach to assessment – supporting your creative growth while respecting the diverse ways people learn. We're a dedicated, qualified, highly experienced team of experts with world-leading research and recognised professional creative reputations.

We strive to foster an inclusive and equitable studio environment, taking the time to get to know you to encourage divergent ideas, histories, and practices to help you thrive.

Applied learning

Work experience

Your course has been designed to embrace real-world challenges and provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to be successful. We do this by developing your expertise in collaboration with various industry, commercial and creative practitioners, clients and organisations. We aim to provide diverse work experience interactions embedded throughout your time studying with us.

Through a series of coursework experience opportunities, you'll understand, contextualise and reflect on your goals, aspirations and future careers. Through work experience, you'll become more confident, resilient and practised in professional interactions – better preparing you to succeed when you graduate.

You'll be able to apply your learning in a range of practical industry/professional engagement work experience settings, which may include:

Live projects

You'll be encouraged to work with external partners on your final project, using your work to respond to real-world challenges.

Previous students have worked on live projects around end-of-life with hospices and with research teams to create medical technology.

Networking opportunities

As part of the course, you'll be exposed to a diverse range of professional guest speakers.

The university hosts regular careers and employability events, including our annual degree show.

Competitions

You'll have chances to engage in national and international competitions. These have the potential to create a significant impact on your career advancement and professional reputation.

Modules

Compulsory modules

• Creative Design And Positionality (60 credits)
• Design Lab: Synthesis And Manifesto (Illustration) (60 credits)
• Methods For Research And Practice (60 credits)

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

• creative industry consultancy
• businesses within the creative industries
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and third-sector organisations
• government design departments
• scholarly research/PhD studies
• design teaching
• entrepreneurship

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to:

• undertake PhD studies
• engage in community projects
• work as entrepreneurs
• teaching in higher education
• work for organisations such as the NHS

Equipment and facilities

You'll have access to a wide variety of facilities across our campuses – a 24-hour learning centre, Students’ Union, cafes and eateries, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces and more.

You'll be based in a fully equipped and purpose-designed studio, with state-of-the-art facilities including:

• industry-standard computer hardware and software
• extensive workshops for soft modelling and prototyping
• plasma cutting, welding, casting, bending and forming
• a precision-metal workshop with milling machines and lathes
• print, wood, plastics, metal, mixed media, casting and ceramic workshops
• CNC equipment, including laser cutters, CNC routers (2D and 3D)
• an electronics and coding lab
• 3D printing (SLA, FDM, SLS, Polymer and metal 3DP)
• 3D digital tools (3D CAD, FEA) and 3D scanning (Artec Leo)
• an industry-grade spray painting and colour-matching facility
• industry-standard XYZ CNC mills, DMG mill-turn lathes and EDM
• structural-integrity laboratory/metrology for testing materials and components

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Entry requirements

• Normally you need a 2.2 degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject or significant relevant experience
• Appropriate study plans, including an indication of possible project topics and clear, appropriate and realistic learning aims
• A high level of creative ability, as evidenced by a portfolio of work
• Ability to discuss design issues critically and confidently

For information on applying, the interview process and your portfolio, download our MA Design application support.

Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.

If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £10,940 for the course.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £18,600 for the course.

Postgraduate student loans

Up to £12,858 is available in 2025/26 for home students on most masters courses.

Learn more

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 745.6KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.