Graphic Design at UCA

With an emphasis on research and problem-solving, our MA Graphic Design course at UCA Farnham 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.

Course entry options

Select from the options below to find out more about the different study options available for this course:

What you'll study

What you'll
study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

For our students coming from a non-UK educational background, UCA has launched an Integrated International Pre-Masters year. On this course you’ll prepare for postgraduate study with a mix of online and face-to-face learning that will give you the study skills required to complete a Master’s, and you’ll also improve your English for academic study.

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.

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.

Fees & funding

Fees & financial support

Tuition fees

  • 2024/25 entry: £10,500

Tuition fees

Tuition fees

  • 2024/25 entry (MA): £18,000 (£17,500 for May 2024 entry)
  • 2024/25 entry (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - 30 weeks): £17,500
  • 2024/25 entry (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - 15 weeks): £8,750

Please note: the fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only. For more detailed information about our course fees please see our fees and finance pages

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of financial support information available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

Current UCA students and alumni may be eligible for a tuition fee discount.

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources. Discover what support you might qualify for please see our scholarships and fee discounts.

Additional course costs

In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make. Please see the Additional Course Costs section of your Course Information for details of the costs you may incur.

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.

View 360 virtual tour

Graphics studios, UCA Farnham

Print studio, UCA Farnham

Digital media suite, UCA Farnham

Library, UCA Farnham

Explore our Gradshow

Each year, we’re privileged to be able to share our graduates’ incredible work with the world. And now’s your chance to take a look.

Visit the online showcase
Richard Nash

"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."

Richard Nash

Entry & portfolio requirements

Entry & portfolio
requirements

MA course

  • A good honours degree or equivalent qualification in 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.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. You can either submit a digital portfolio or request an in-person portfolio review with the course team. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

MA course

The entry requirements will depend on the country your qualifications are from, please check the equivalent qualifications for your country:

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

You will be required to submit a portfolio for review. Further information on specific portfolio requirements and how to submit your portfolio will be sent to you after we have reviewed your application.


MA course with Integrated International Pre-Masters course

  • A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject.

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

You will be required to submit a portfolio for review. Further information on specific portfolio requirements and how to submit your portfolio will be sent to you after we have reviewed your application.


English language requirements

To study at UCA, you'll need to have a certain level of English language skill. And so, to make sure you meet the requirements of your course, we ask for evidence of your English language ability, please check the level of English language required:

Don't meet the international entry requirements or English language requirements?

You may be able to enter the course through the following entry pathways:

Apply now

Please use the following fields to help select the right application link for you: