Entry requirementsStandard Entry Applicants will normally be expected to have a good honours degree in a design discipline and a minimum of three years professional experience. Applicants with substantial relevant experience alone will be considered on their individual merit. Applicants will be expected to be employed in an area of design practice or education for the duration of their course. Applicants will be expected to be computer literate and should be familiar with the use of internet applications. Additional Notes Candidates whose first language is not English must pass an English proficiency test, eg TOEFL with a score of 575 (paper based), 230 (computer-based) or IELTS score of 6.5
Academic titleDesign (Professional Practice) (MA)
Course descriptionOURSE INFORMATION MA Design Professional Practice offers professional designers or educators the opportunity to develop and hone their skills without taking a career break. Delivered online, it provides a flexible, client centred route to postgraduate learning.
Modules are delivered over the internet via web pages or live conferencing. Online discussion groups and use of bulletin boards are actively encouraged, so while this is a distance learning course it still delivers a real sense of community.
MA Design Professional Practice is an ideal course for experienced designers or design educators who want to develop their skills, knowledge and specialist experience while still in employment. This is an extremely flexible option which allows individuals to tailor the course to suit their needs. So, students can use 'live' projects or issues within their workplace as a start point for their MA and use this opportunity to reflect on current work practises with a view to improving or re-engineering them.
There are a total of 180 credits in this degree. 80 of these are theory based and cover essential elements such as;
- Creative Thinking and Intellectual Property (20 credits)
- Cross Cultural Communications (10 credits)
- Research Principles (10 credits)
- Reflective Practice (10 credits)
- Contemporary Influences (10 credits) - Commercialisation (including brand/marketing communications) (20 credits)
These contextual modules provide the perfect foundation for the remainder of your degree which can be tailored to your needs. This part of your degree will focus on a work-related project identified by you and will be completed in your workspace. This equates to 100 credits and includes;
- Project Proposal (20 credits)
- Project research and development (20 credits)
- Final Project (60 credits)
COURSEWORK AND ASSESSMENT
Students are required to;
# Demonstrate their capabilities on an ongoing basis. This is representative of their professional and academic character and personal foundation for the objectives defined in the students' learning contract.
# Formulate a proposal for independent study focusing on a learning contract with specific objectives
Monitoring and review processes ensure that all proposals offer and deliver demanding programmes to the level and complexity appropriate for postgraduate study.
OTHER INFO
It is essential that students studying this course have access to the use of the following facilities;
* A scanner or means of digitising image and design work
* A computer with access to the internet, running the following software;
o An internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator
o Acrobat Writer and Reader
o Imaging processing software such as Adobe Photoshop
As this course commences in September, applications must be received by the end of July at the latest.
Once your application has been received and registered you will receive automatic confirmation from the university and your referees will be contacted. You will then be contacted by our admissions team to request any additional information such as your C.V. and portfolio.