MA
Graphic Design
Professionalise your approach to graphic design
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Take your design and visual communication skills further by producing your own research-driven project.
Explore a range of different design methodologies such as typography or publication design, and apply them to ‘real-world’ situations and scenarios. Your aim will be to channel design engagement while creating links with industry and the professional design community.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Extend the view of accepted practice by producing cutting-edge and intellectually and stimulating graphic design using the latest software and equipment
- Develop your understanding of graphic design through in-depth research based study
- Develop a strong critical discourse in relation to your work
- Visit out course blog to find out more
What opportunities might it lead to?
You are encouraged to firmly ground your developments within a professional context by testing and applying your work in real world settings. This will often open future possibilities for employment and entrepreneurship on graduating from the course.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- graphic design
- typographic design
- type design
- website design
- new media design
- magazine design publishing
- work in the television and film industries
- art direction
- design management
- research
The tutor and technician support at the University is fantastic and there was always someone available to assist me.
Joy Moore, art and design student 2012
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time, 2 years part time
- Entry
An upper second-class honours degree in graphic design or a related subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. All applications should be supported by a portfolio of original recent work, showing 10 to 20 items of graphic design. Evidence of one sketchbook/research folder is also required. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £5,000, part-time students: £1,670 in year 1 and £3,330 plus inflation in year 2.
International full-time students: £10,500, part-time students: £3,500 in year 1 and £7,000 plus inflation in year 2.
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- create.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2421 - Department
- School of Art, Design and Media
Structure & Teaching
This course aims to help you learn independently through research-based study. You will cover four units:
- The first unit will introduce you to the theme of the research question as a basis of enquiry.
- The second unit relates to the first in that you will develop your own research questions and propose your major area of research.
- The third and fourth will involve you undertaking research and developing an artefact from this in answer to your proposal. A critically reflective report will document the iterative development of your research, whilst outlining the various relationships to theory and historical and contemporary contexts for your chosen research area. You will also position your work in relation to what is happening at the forefront of the subject area.
Teaching and Assessment
You will receive guidance and supervision throughout the programme that encourages independent learning. There will be regular contact teaching time but we also aim for you to engage in the wider studio culture that develops within the subject area alongside the undergraduate students in graphic design.
How are you assessed?
You will be assessed after the submission of your work for each unit. We also present structured feedback to ensure your research is on the right track.
Facilities & Features
Specialist Workshops
Take advantage of our many workshops
Design Studios
We also have a variety of digital print studios
Guest Speakers
We organise a lively programme of visiting speakers
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Specialist Workshops
Take advantage of our many workshops, which include excellent facilities with specific areas for – screen printing, letterpress, laser cutting, dye sublimation printing and digital fabric printing.
We also have a variety of digital studios with Macs and PCs running industry-standard software, our design facilities can cater to whatever project you are working on. In addition you will have access to our range of digital printing facilities, including large format, photographic and sheet fed printers.
Design Studios
As well as offering a dynamic and creative studio space with excellent access to the Eldon campus facilities, we foster a friendly and welcoming environment where you are encouraged to interact with both tutors and your peers.
Guest Speakers
We organise a lively programme of visiting speakers from the design world and encourage a vibrant culture of debate and industry contact. Many of our successful alumni also return on a regular basis to teach as guest lecturers on the course.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
We anticipate that once you have completed this degree the scope of your opportunities within the graphic design profession will have widened. You will have a deeper knowledge and the skills to set up your own design studio or step into a more senior role in a graphic design agency. Alternatively, for those who wish to continue studying, there is always the option of progressing to doctoral level in your specialised area of graphic design.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- graphic designer
- digital marketing executive
- web designer
- production manager
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.