Design

The MA Design programme has four routes:

• Brand Development (Not running in 2013, next intake will be in October 2014)
• Ceramics
• Fashion and Textiles
• Investigating Fashion Design (Not running in 2013, next intake will be in October 2014)

Why study Design?

You will choose one of these specialist routes, but students from all courses will explore together common principles in the philosophy and approach to design. You will then focus on the diversity and individuality of your particular design specialism.

Course structure

The course is offered in both full and part-time modes. It is normally one calendar year (three trimesters) in duration in full-time mode, or six trimesters in part-time mode (this may be extended by negotiation).

The course is in three parts:

• The Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in trimester 1
• The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in trimester 2
• Master of Arts (MA) in trimester 3

During the first two trimesters full-time students are taught two days a week, with another two days work expected of them, while part-time students are taught one day a week with another day of self-study. All teaching is supported by e-mail and you will have a personal tutor and ready access to the course director.

For full-time students, trimesters 1 and 2 involve four modules leading to the PG Dip. All students take a common module, Research Methodologies, in the first trimester. At the same time you will undertake the first module of your chosen design discipline (see below) in Trimester 1, followed by two further specialist modules in Trimester 2. Finally an individually negotiated study forming a body of work, in Trimester 3, completes the MA.

Course assessment

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The MA Design programme has four routes:

• Brand Development- Aims to develop the analytical, strategic and creative thinking processes together with the skills related to brand creation, identity, positioning and marketing. Please note that this route is not running in 2013, the next intake will be in October 2014.
• Ceramics - Aims to develop individual abilities within the subject, whether through practice or historical or theoretical study. Approaches range from sculpture and installation through to studio ceramics and design for products.
• Fashion and Textiles - Aims to develop the creative process for designers in conjunction with valuable marketing and business skills.
• Investigating Fashion Design - Concerned with the study, analysis and written critique of historical and contemporary dress in a museum environment. Please note that this route is not running in 2013, the next intake will be in October 2014.

Teaching methods

Specialist facilities include computer studios with over 70 Macs, as well as flatbed and transparency scanners. Ceramics students have workspaces in well equipped workshops, including CAD facilities. There is an excellent glaze laboratory and a range of electric and gas-fired kilns, including outdoor firing facilities for salt and raku. There is also a dedicated space and kilns for large- scale work. Fashion and Textiles students benefit from specialist studio spaces for printing, knitting, weaving, and embroidery/stitch, using the latest digital technology for 3D design. Interaction Design students will benefit from a recently re-equipped digital media studio. All students have access to workshops in photography, sound and video, etching and litho, as well as the specialist Art and Design library.

Course enquiries

Please see course page for each design pathway

Entry requirements

Please see course page for each design pathway

Career opportunities

Please see course page for each design pathway

What students say...

Please see course page for each design pathway