Introduction to the MA Design and Branding Program

The MA Design and Branding program at Loughborough University London is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the field of design and branding. This program focuses on the strategic use of design in the context of branding, providing students with a deep understanding of how organizations and businesses can use branding and design to innovate and connect with audiences.

Qualification(s) Available

The MA Design and Branding program offers a Master of Arts (MA) qualification.

Fees

The fees for the MA Design and Branding program are as follows:

• UK fee: £13,250 per annum (full-time) for the 2025 academic year
• International fee: £30,950 per annum (full-time) for the 2025 academic year
• UK fee: £13,700 per annum (full-time) for the 2026 academic year
• International fee: £31,900 per annum (full-time) for the 2026 academic year

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the MA Design and Branding program, applicants must have:

• A 2:2 honors degree (or equivalent international qualification) in design, innovation, business, media, technology, or a related subject
• Applicants from non-design backgrounds must have achieved 55% or above in their final year

Program Structure

The MA Design and Branding program is a full-time program that can be completed in one year, or part-time up to four years. The program is based at the Loughborough University London campus.

Start Date

The program starts in October 2025 or October 2026.

Department

The MA Design and Branding program is offered by the Institute for Creative Futures.

What You'll Study

The program covers a range of topics, including:

• Branding and identity
• Design innovation
• Grand challenges
• Strategy and market analysis
• Promotional practices and cultures
• Creative producing in the digital economy
• Design research
• Design for experiences
• Collaborative project
• Branding and strategy
• Dissertation

Modules

The program consists of the following modules:

Semester 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • Branding & Identity (15 credits)
  • Design Innovation (15 credits)
  • Grand Challenges (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Strategy and Market Analysis (15 credits)
  • Promotional Practices and Cultures (15 credits)
  • Creative Producing in the Digital Economy (15 credits)

Semester 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • Design Research (15 credits)
  • Design for Experiences (15 credits)
  • Collaborative Project (15 credits)
  • Branding and Strategy (15 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Summer

• Compulsory module:
  • Dissertation (60 credits)

How You'll Be Assessed

Assessment methods include essays, reports, presentations, projects, and exams.

How You'll Study

The program includes a range of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Independent study
• Group work
• Practical sessions

Where You'll Study

The program is based at the Loughborough University London campus.

Entry Requirements for International Students

The entry requirements for international students vary depending on the country of origin. A list of country-specific requirements is provided:

• Afghanistan: Masters, 95%
• Albania: Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare, 9.5
• Algeria: Licence, 16
• Argentina: Licenciatura, 8.5
• Armenia: Magistrosi Kochum, 90%
• Australia: Honours degree, First Class, 80%
• Austria: Degree, 1.5
• Azerbaijan: Bakalavr Diplomu, 4.5
• Bahamas: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Bahrain: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Bangladesh: 4 Year Bachelor of Science in Engineering, 1st, 70%
• Barbados: University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Belarus: Specialist Diploma, 9
• Belgium: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Belize: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Benin: Maitrise, 18
• Bermuda: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Bolivia: Licenciado, 8.5
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja, 10
• Botswana: Master's degree, A, 80%
• Brazil: Bacharel or Licenciado, 8.5
• Brunei: First, 80%
• Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie, 6
• Burundi: Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, 18
• Cambodia: Master's degree, 80%
• Cameroon: Bachelor degree, 1st, 14/20
• Canada: GPA 4.0/Percentage, 3.7/85%
• Chile: Grado de Licenciado, 6
• China: Bachelor degree, 83%
• Colombia: Licenciado, 4.5
• Costa Rica: Licenciado, 9
• Croatia: Baccalaureus, 4.5
• Cuba: Titulo de Licenciado, 5
• Cyprus: Bachelor degree, 8.5
• Czech Republic: Bakalár, 1.5
• Denmark: Bachelor degree, 12
• Dominican Republic: Licenciado, 3.8
• Ecuador: Titulo de Licenciado, 8.5
• Egypt: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• El Salvador: Licenciado, 8.5
• Estonia: Bakalaureusekraad, 5
• Ethiopia: Master's degree, A, 4.0
• Finland: Kandidaattii, 3
• France: Licence, 14
• Georgia: Bachelor degree, 5
• Germany: German Bachelor, 1.5
• Ghana: Bachelor degree, First, 70%
• Greece: Ptychio, 8.5
• Grenada: University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Guatemala: Licenciado, 90%
• Guyana: Master's degree, 4.0
• Honduras: Titulo de Licenciado, 4.5
• Hong Kong: Bachelor degree, 1st, 3.5
• Hungary: Alapfokozt, 4.5
• Iceland: Baccalaurreatus degree, 8.5
• India: Bachelor degree, 65%
• Indonesia: Sarjana I, 3.3
• Iran: Bachelor degree, 17
• Iraq: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Ireland: Bachelor degree, First Class, 70%
• Israel: Bachelor degree, 90%
• Italy: Diploma di Laurea, 109/110
• Ivory Coast: Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, 16
• Jamaica: University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Japan: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Jordan: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Kazakhstan: Bachelor degree, 4.5
• Kenya: Bachelor degree, First Class, 70%
• Kosovo: Bachelor degree, 10
• Kuwait: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Latvia: Bachelor degree, 9
• Lebanon: Bachelor degree, 18
• Liberia: Master's degree, 4.0
• Libya: Bachelor degree, 85%
• Lithuania: Bachelor degree, 9
• Luxembourg: Bachelor degree, 18
• Macau: Bachelor degree, 1st, 3.7
• Macedonia: Magistar, 10
• Malawi: Master's degree, 75%
• Malaysia: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Malta: Bachelor degree, 1st, 80%
• Mauritius: Bachelor degree, 1st, 70%
• Mexico: Licenciado, 8.5
• Moldova: Diploma de Licenţă, 9
• Mongolia: Diplom, 90%
• Montenegro: Diplom, 10
• Morocco: Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État, 16
• Mozambique: Mestrado, 16
• Myanmar (Burma): Master's degree, 5
• Namibia: Bachelor Honours, 1st, 75%
• Nepal: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Netherlands: Bachelor degree, 8
• New Zealand: Bachelor degree, 1st, 7.0
• Nicaragua: Licenciado, 90%
• Nigeria: Bachelor degree, 4.5
• Norway: Bachelor degree, A, 1.8
• Oman: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Pakistan: Bachelor degree, A-, 3.7
• Palestine: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Panama: Licenciado, 91
• Papua New Guinea: Bachelor Honours, 1st
• Paraguay: Licenciado, 4.5
• Peru: Licenciado, 14
• Philippines: Bachelor degree, Summa Cum Laude, 4.0
• Poland: Magister, 5
• Portugal: Licenciado, 18
• Qatar: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Romania: Diplomă de Licenţă, 9
• Russia: Bakalavr, 4.5
• Rwanda: Bachelor degree, 1st, 16/20
• Saudi Arabia: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Senegal: Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, 16
• Serbia: Diplomirani, 9
• Sierra Leone: Bachelor degree, 1st, 70%
• Singapore: Bachelor degree, 1st, 3.7
• Slovakia: Bakalár, 1.5
• Slovenia: Univerzitetni diplom, 9
• South Africa: Bachelor Honours, 1st, 75%
• South Korea: Bachelor degree, 3.8
• Spain: Licenciado, 8.5
• Sri Lanka: Bachelor Special, 90%
• Sudan: Bachelor degree, 1st, 70%
• Sweden: Kandidatexamen, Overall grade of VG
• Switzerland: Bachelor degree, 10
• Syria: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Taiwan: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Tajikistan: Diplom, 5
• Tanzania: Bachelor degree, 1st
• Thailand: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Trinidad and Tobago: University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Tunisia: Licence, 16
• Turkey: Lisans Diplomasi, 3.5
• Turkmenistan: Bakalavr, 5
• Uganda: Bachelor degree, 1st, 4.4
• Ukraine: Dyplom Magistra, 4.5
• United Arab Emirates: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• United States of America: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Uruguay: Licenciado, 9
• Uzbekistan: Magistr, 90%
• Venezuela: Licenciado, 18
• Vietnam: Bachelor degree, 8.0
• Zambia: Master's degree, A, 4.0
• Zimbabwe: Bachelor degree, 1st, 75%

English Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.

Your Development

The MA Design and Branding program is designed to provide students with a strong grounding in the principles and practices of design and branding. By the end of the program, students will have developed a range of skills, including:

• The ability to use a strategic design mindset to address problems and uncover wider strategic implications
• An understanding of how branding and identity are at the core of any organization's success
• The ability to develop design and branding concepts that address consumer and business needs
• The ability to rationalize design decisions to persuade colleagues and clients
• Effective communication skills through pitch presentations, report writing, and poster design
• The ability to collaborate with specialists from other disciplines, countries, and cultures

Our Academics

The program is taught by a team of experienced academics, including:

• Dr Ksenija Kuzmina, Programme Director, Institute for Creative Futures
• Dr Tao Zhang, Programme Director of MSc Managing Innovation in Creative Organisations; Reader for the Institute for Digital Technologies
• Dr Antonius van den Broek, Lecturer and Programme Director, Institute for Creative Futures
• Professor Mikko Koria, Professor of Design Innovation

Your Future Career

Graduates of the MA Design and Branding program have gone on to work in a range of roles, including:

• Brand strategist
• Brand consultant
• Brand manager
• Creative director
• Brand designer
• Strategist
• Art director
• Space branding marketer
• Campaign operations manager

Some of the employers that graduates have gone on to work for include:

• JKR
• Epsilon
• TikTok
• GFFG

Related Master's Degrees

Loughborough University London also offers a range of other master's degrees, including:

• Design Innovation MA, MSc
• Design Innovation Management MSc
• Service Design Innovation MSc

These programs are designed to provide students with a strong grounding in the principles and practices of design and innovation, and can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students.

Loughborough University

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Overview:

Loughborough University is a public research university located in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in sports science, engineering, and business. The university boasts a vibrant campus life and a strong focus on research and innovation.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Loughborough University offers a diverse and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, societies, and volunteering opportunities. The university has a strong sporting heritage and is home to world-class facilities. Students can also enjoy a vibrant social scene with numerous bars, restaurants, and events happening on campus.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class facilities:

Loughborough University boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated sports village, a modern library, and cutting-edge research labs.

Strong academic reputation:

The university is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK for its academic excellence.

Vibrant campus life:

Students can enjoy a lively and diverse campus community with numerous opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

Focus on research and innovation:

Loughborough University is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on tackling real-world challenges.

Excellent career prospects:

Graduates from Loughborough University are highly sought after by employers, with strong career prospects in various fields.

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Academic Programs:

Loughborough University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Engineering:

Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and more.

Business and Economics:

Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and more.

Sport Science:

Exercise Science, Sports Coaching, Sports Management, and more.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

Psychology, Sociology, History, and more.

Science and Technology:

Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and more.

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Other:

Loughborough University has a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The university is actively working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions and promoting inclusivity and diversity within its community.