Graphic Design MA

Code

PGW207

Start

October 2020
September 2020 (EU/INT induction)

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Attendance

Full-time

Fees

£8,500 (UK/EU) *
£14,000 (INT) *

Course leader

Amanda Sleet

We’re planning to teach through a flexible combination of online and face to face learning for the first few months of the new academic year. If you’re thinking about starting with us in autumn 2020 or spring 2021, check back for more detail on arrangements for this course in July and August, and see our current plans for teaching and learning.

Overview

MA Graphic Design explores the ever-changing landscape of graphic design to build critical understanding, individual design thinking processes, practical experience and insightful design solutions. The course offers areas of specialism in typography, branding, editorial and book design, social enterprise and digital interactive experiences.

Why you should study MA Graphic Design at Middlesex University?

We take a problem-solving approach to graphic design to explore contemporary practice through design thinking, insight and co-design processes, prototyping ideas, and building expert collaborative networks with external partners.

We are a diverse collective, working across project areas of typography & information, brand identity & campaigns, new technology & digital experiences, design writing & insight analysis, sustainability & environmental issues, structural packaging and book design.

Based in the Grove, our £80 million Arts and Creative Industries building, and taught by some of the UK's leading practitioners from a range of disciplines, our course features world-class facilities and specialist workshops fitted with both new and traditional equipment. With opportunities to build industry contacts and exhibit your work off-site, you'll also gain the employability skills, exposure and experiences you need to navigate a successful career path in today's competitive creative industries.

Course highlights:

Fully equipped 3D workshops, laser cutting and 3D printing, printmaking and letterpress, digital printing, reprographics, bookbinding and fully equipped photography, animation and film studios, with expert technical support
Each self-initiated project is tailored to each individual’s specialism and ambitions in industry, research, design writing, PhD or education, with the aim to establish expert links and specialist networks for each project
You will exhibit your work in central London, creating networking opportunities and building industry contacts in a professional environment
You will have access to networking opportunities, world-leading design research and expertise through the Art & Design Research Institute (ADRI) on campus
As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

Find out more

Course content

What you will study on the MA Graphic Design?

The majority of the programme will be centred upon developing and fully completing a substantial body of graphic design work towards an external public exhibition. This will be supported by research reports and regular presentations on the progress of the project. You will also address postgraduate research and critical debates in graphic design, working with students and staff from across the art and design postgraduate community.

What you will gain?

You will gain the skills and experience to produce professional graphic design work in any industry. The course will also give you the skills to independently plan, design, implement and evaluate graphic design projects from start to finish.

Modules
- Developing Practice – Term 1 (30 credits)
  
  In this module you will explore a chosen area of graphic design in a contemporary context while enhancing your technical skills. You will employ a variety of reflective methods to develop your own creative research proposal with the advanced communication skills to present, discuss and evaluate your work effectively.
- Critical Debates – Term 1 (30 credits)
  
  In this module you’ll explore the key concepts, ideas, issues and research methodologies relating to the practice and theory of graphic design. With particular focus on the cultural and social contexts within your chosen discipline, you’ll produce a portfolio of critical responses to contemporary debates in research and professional practice.
- Vision and Authorship – Term 2 (30 credits)
  
  In this module you will develop a focused line of enquiry which demonstrates critical practice informed by current debates in graphic design. You will explore new insights that challenge preconceptions within the professional practice of graphic design while developing the skills, knowledge and research to advance your proposed design project.
- Advanced Research – Term 2 (30 credits)
  
  In this module you will examine a diverse range of advanced approaches to graphic design research using both historical and contemporary sources, and explore the work of practitioners and scholars in your chosen area of graphic design and the contemporary research problems they face.
- Major Project – Term 3 (60 credits)
  
  Using research methodologies, concepts and processes previously explored in the course you will evaluate interrelationships between theory and practice. You’ll produce a portfolio or public exhibition of a substantial body of practice work supported by critical and reflective written work that demonstrates your resolution and expertise.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are not offered on every course. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

Teaching

How is the MA Graphic Design taught?

This course is flexibly designed to put you at the centre of your learning by using a range of teaching and assessment approaches that take into account your individual interests, abilities and ambitions in graphic design.

As part of your learning, you'll be required to actively participate in activities and engage with your fellow students, both individually and collaboratively, working and learning as part of a small group at times.

Students are encouraged to ask questions; we promote curiosity and actively take risks to discover new opportunities, to meet the needs of tomorrow's ambitious designers and take a lead role in the creative industries.

Assessment

Your skills, knowledge and understanding will be entirely assessed by coursework including practical projects, oral presentations and supporting written work. There are no exams.

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements provide a guide to the qualifications that you’ll need to study our courses. We understand that recent changes to exams and assessments mean you might be worried about your qualifications, so we’re taking a flexible approach to admissions this year. We’ll do our best to consider your application on an individual basis and look at more than your grades when we’re making a decision.
Qualifications
- We normally require a good honours degree 2:2 or above, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject
- We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications
- Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate three years' relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.
Eligibility
UK/EU and international students are eligible to apply for this course.
Academic credit for previous study or experience
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study. For further information please visit our Accreditation of Prior Learning page.
Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions
Entry onto this course requires an interview and a portfolio. Please view the how to apply tab for more information.
Our entry requirements provide a guide to the qualifications that you’ll need to study our courses. We understand that recent changes to exams and assessments mean you might be worried about your qualifications, so we’re taking a flexible approach to admissions this year. We’ll do our best to consider your application on an individual basis and look at more than your grades when we’re making a decision. You’ll still need to meet our English language requirements to be considered for your course.
Qualifications
We accept the equivalent of the below qualifications from a recognised overseas qualification. To find out more about the qualifications we accept from your country please visit the relevant Support in your country page.
- We normally require a good honours degree 2:2 or above, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject
- We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications
- Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate three years' relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.
If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest Regional office for support.
Visas and immigration
You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK. Please see our Visas and immigration page for further information.
English language requirements for international students
You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all components). We also normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. Visit our English language requirements page for a full list of accepted tests and qualifications.
If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive Pre-sessional English course.
Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions
Entry onto this course requires an interview and a portfolio. Please view the how to apply tab for more information.
Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. Please visit our Postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.
Portfolio review
The application is just the first step in our selection process. You are required to submit a portfolio of your art and design work. We may also invite you to an interview. We’ve put together some simple notes to help you prepare:
- Be selective about the work you show while continuing to show a range of skills and ability
- Show mostly recent work that you are most proud of
- Consider how to present your work and the impression the overall look of your portfolio will have on the viewer
- We like to see lots of work but don't overfill your portfolio - you should be able to carry it by yourself!
- You do not need to bring large pieces of 3D work, photographs are sufficient
Sketchbooks are extremely important. They should be a 'diary' of your thinking and include observational and speculative drawings/sketches communicating a visual sensitivity. We also look for evidence of how you develop and work through your ideas. Include photographs and collected images and importantly your reaction to them, but avoid letting your sketchbooks be merely scrapbooks.

Fees and funding

The fees below refer to the 2020/21 academic year unless otherwise stated.
UK/EU students*
Full-time students: £8,500
Part-time students: £57 per credit
Part-time students: £28 per dissertation credit
*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide.
For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.
The fees below refer to the 2020/21 academic year unless otherwise stated.
International students*
Full-time students: £14,000
Part-time students: £93 per credit
Part-time students: £47 per dissertation credit
*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide.
For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.
Course costs
The following course-related costs are included in the fees:
- A free electronic textbook for every module
- All printing and copying required for your study
- Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
- Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders
The following course-related costs are not included in the fees, and you may be required to purchase these to complete the course. The costs are approximate and may change due to changes in pricing at the retailer;
- Optional visits.
- Privately printed books.
- Excessive printing of dummy books etc.
- 3d materials for lasercutting or 3d printing
- Materials for fabric printing
As an undergraduate alumnus continuing postgraduate studies at Middlesex, you are eligible for an alumni bursary worth 20% off your fees.

Student work

Aurelia Bergs
Brittany Harold - textured cups
Risky Radian - Gut Reaction
Lucina Cunjamalay - Type I Found It
Dutch Design Week Exhibition
Work in Progress Magazines
Nothing in common publicity banner
Preeyaporn Suwannarat
Uroš Zupan
Uroš Zupan
Aurelia Bergs
Nicole Konstantinidou
Sulaimon James
Victor Kovalenko

Careers

How can the MA Graphic Design support your career?

This course will prepare you for a diverse range of design careers within the creative industries such as graphic designer, picture editor, packaging designer, web designer, freelance designer and illustrator, brand designer, retail designer, art director and similar managerial positions. This course is also well suited to those looking to pursue careers in further research and teaching about Graphic Design. With strong links to art and design employers across the UK and internationally we’ll assist you in finding and securing professional opportunities while you study with us and after your graduate.

Facilities

The art and design facilities, studios and workshops at our £80 million purpose-built building on campus in North London are recognised as among the best in country. With a wide range of specialist workshops, digital media, equipment, software and library facilities on-site you'll benefit from unique levels of access to both the latest forms of technology and traditional tools with expert support to help you develop your work.

These facilities include: