Graphic Design MA
Course overview
With an emphasis on research and problem-solving, our MA Graphic Design course at UCA Epsom will give you, as a graphic designer, the tools and confidence to develop your practice as a skilled professional communicator.
Our priority on this course is to ensure that your work comes from a place of informed and independent research and that you master your own unique style and visual language within graphic design.
On this course, you'll explore different applications of visual language and how it relates to your area of specialism. In the process, you'll enhance your understanding of the aesthetic and commercial value of your work, and build professional experience that will make your practice more innovative.
Benefitting from our course staff's extensive industry links, you'll also have the chance to foster relationships with industry partners within your area of specialism. UCA is proud to boast connections with a range of organisations including the BBC, FutureBrand, GF Smith and Typocircle.
Through guest lectures, live briefs and opportunities to network with industry experts, you’ll gain current experience of the design industry, learning how to present both yourself and your design work in a professional arena.
Please note - this course will be moving to UCA Farnham for September 2022 entry.
| Length of study | 1 year full-time |
|---|---|
| Campus | Epsom |
| Entry requirements | Honours degree and/or relevant work experience |
| Course entry options | Sept 2021, Feb 2022, Sept 2022 |
Course details
You’ll begin your year examining your own practice and developing your research skills – these units will run throughout the year as you build towards your Major Project.
Practice and Process
During this unit, you'll examine the advanced specialist tools, methods, concepts and processes relevant to graphic design practice through a series of projects, workshops and advanced technical sessions that relate to your own research and aspirations.
Research Methods
This unit enables you to undertake a focused and rigorous investigation into the purpose and process of research at postgraduate level within the field of Graphic Design.
As you build upon the topics covered in Term one and continue honing your practice and research, you'll begin to develop your ideas for your Major Project.
Professional Practice
This unit will enable you to develop a framework within which to formulate your Major Project. You'll undertake a rigorous investigation into existing practice - researching, questioning, challenging, debating and addressing key debates relating to Graphic Design.
Major Project: Conceptualization and Development
The Major Project is the culmination of your studies and will form an exposition of the central ideas and concepts developed throughout your MA. It is an opportunity to resolve previous projects and demonstrate evidence of advanced conceptual, theoretical and technical capability over a period of self-directed study.
Major Project: Continuation and Realisation
With all three of the year’s units still continuing to support you and encourage you in your work, you’ll spend the final term producing and refining your Major Project.
The body of work you produce should draw upon your experience prior to this MA, the work you have developed in the other units and your aspiration for work or further study on graduation.
Tuition fees
The course fees per year for 2021 entry are:
- UK students full-time - £10,400
- EU students full-time - £10,400 (see fee discount information)
- International students full-time - £17,500 (standard fee)
- International students full-time - £16,800 (full early payment fee)
Additional course costs
In addition to the tuition fees please see the additional course costs for 2021 entry.
Further information
Find out more about our course fees and any financial support you may be entitled to:
These fees are correct for the stated academic year only. Costs may increase each year during a student’s period of continued registration on course in line with inflation (subject to any maximum regulated tuition fee limit). Any adjustment for continuing students will be at or below the RPI-X forecast rate.
To support our students and alumni to progress to the next level of study, we have developed a new range of fee discounts across a range of courses.
Course specifications
Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.
Facilities
We have dedicated graphics studios, as well as digital media suites equipped with Macs and PCs, which are programmed with specialist software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Dreamweaver, After Effects and Fontographer. There are also screen printing, Riso, letterpress, intaglio and book-binding workshop facilities, as well as an open access printmaking studio. Additionally, there are photographic studios with darkrooms and digital processing equipment.
Graphics studios, UCA Epsom
Graphics Print room, UCA Epsom
Graphics studio, UCA Epsom
Graphics studio, UCA Epsom
Course connections
You'll benefit from well-established industry links with corporate, media, cultural and creative organisations.
Our course has links with:
- Design Bridge
- Pearlfisher (design group)
- FutureBrand
- The Brewery
- The BBC
- Imagine
- Bloom
- Interbrand.
We also have regular guest lecturers and recent guests have included:
- Richard Williams - Founder of Williams Murray Hamm
- Tim Perkins - Group Director of Design Bridge
- Philip Carter - Founder of Carter Wong Tomlin
- Helen Healy - Picture Editor for the Guardian newspaper.
MA Graphic Design alumni go on to work in a diverse variety of exciting careers. Employment opportunities include:
- Graphic design
- Museum design
- Web or interactive design
- Picture editing
- Freelance design or illustration
- Brand design
- Packaging design
- Retail design
- Art direction
- Design management.
You may also wish to progress onto a PhD or MPhil research degree.
Visit our 2021 grad show site to see the incredible work created by our graduating students
Visit the 2021 Gradshow
"UCA offered the perfect environment to discover exciting new creative paths and the fantastic facilities allowed me to experiment with both traditional and pioneering technologies within my area of interest."
Entry requirements
- An honours degree or equivalent qualification in the subject or a related discipline
and/or
- Relevant work experience, demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.
Consideration will also be given to applicants who can make a strong case for admission in relation to a particular project and can demonstrate their potential to satisfactorily complete the course.
To view the equivalent entry requirements for your country please select it in the list below.
Don't meet the international entry requirements or English language requirements?
You may be able to enter the course through the following entry courses:
Pre-sessional English courses in the UK or China
For this course, you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via your UCA Applicant Portal. Further information on how to compile and upload your portfolio will be provided once you have applied. If you receive an offer, you’ll be invited to attend an Offer Holder Webinar where you can meet the course team and learn more about the course.
Apply now
UK applications
-
Apply for full-time study - starting September 2021:
-
Apply for full-time study - starting February 2022:
International & EU applications
-
Apply for full-time study - starting September 2021:
-
Apply for full-time study - starting February 2022:
When to apply:
You can apply throughout the year but we recommend you try and apply as early as possible so you have time to arrange accommodation and visas, if required.
For more information visit our how to apply pages
Get in touch
