Entry requirementsEntry Requirements You are welcome to apply if you hold a good honours degree in illustration, or a related discipline such as product or industrial design. You may also be considered if you are a practising professional with vocational, rather than academic, experience. All applicants are expected to present a portfolio of appropriate creative work at interview.
Academic titleMA Illustration and Design
Course descriptionThis programme gives you the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification in illustration and design based on your practical work and theoretical studies. It enables you to determine your own course of study according to your professional goals and interests, in consultation with the teaching staff. You will be able to explore the many possibilities within illustration, such as environmental, digital, three-dimensional and information illustration.
Course Content
Stage 1
Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) 60 credits
* Illustration and Design 1
The introductory practical element of this module will enable you to explore aspects of illustration and design that are relevant to your academic and vocational interests, based upon a 'statement of intent' or rationale arrived at by discussion with the teaching staff. The theoretical element places illustration, alongside other design media, into context within the broader field of visual communications.
Stage 2
Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) 60 credits
* Illustration and Design 2
You will produce a significant portfolio of innovative, creative work that has evolved from the visual and theoretical research fostered at Stages 1 and 2. You will support this by a dissertation or case study based either upon the practical and research outcomes or the historical or contemporary contexts from which the work has evolved.
Stage3
Masters (MA) 60 credits
* Illustration and Design 3
You will produce a significant portfolio of innovative, creative work that has evolved from the visual and theoretical research fostered at Stages 1 and 2. You will support this by a dissertation or case study based either upon the practical and research outcomes or the historical or contemporary contexts from which the work has evolved.
Teaching and Assessment
You will be taught by a wide range of teaching and learning methods, including formal lectures, student-led seminars, group critiques and practical demonstrations. These are supported by a range of guest speakers from a wide spectrum of academic and design backgrounds.
Assessment is through portfolio presentation or exhibition, seminar presentation, written essays and dissertation.
Career Opportunities
You can use your qualification to progress in a wide spectrum of industries and professions such as illustration, graphic design, information graphics and exhibition design.
Supplemental Information
Interview Selection Criteria
We interview all suitably qualified applicants or, in the case of overseas students, invite you to send slides, CD's web address or other evidence of you creative ability and experience.
You will have a guided tour of the facility and, of course, can ask any questions you want. You may like to bring your parents along for the tour part of the day. If they have not already been to one of our open days. We prefer to tell you decision, and how we regard your work, at the end of your interview.
Overseas students are welcomed and there is a specialised department to assist with applications, academic support, pastoral care and making your move to the United Kingdom and university education trouble-free and enjoyable.
Among the qualities sought at the interview, which is usually informal, are evidence of your creative ability, passion for design, a desire to work hard, an eagerness to learn and an attitude to push the boundaries of creativeness and invention.
World Class Web/Design Tools
The University of Sunderland provides access to the full Adobe/Microsoft suite of web/design applications on campus. Under our Education Partnership Agreement, Adobe/Microsoft tools are upgraded every time there is a new release, to ensure that our students have the very latest industry standard versions. Apply now for access to the latest versions of: Adobe/Microsoft (inc. Dream weaver, Flash, Fireworks, Freehand) Director (web content, DVD & CD Rom production tool) Also Authorware, Contribute, Breeze and others.
You will undertake a series of studio-based modules. You will study through a combination of self-directed learning and formal lectures, critiques and seminar presentations.
The programme operates in close collaboration with other postgraduate design programmes - MA Electronic Media and Design MA Model Making and Design and MA Design Studies. This ensures a highly flexible programme with the opportunity to combine specialist media disciplines if you wish to do so.
Contact Time
Tuesday and Thursday 5-9pm (8 hours per week).
Facilities
The programme has up to date modern studios with computer suites facilities which include the latest computers and software. The studios are modern and open plan in the centrally located 'Design Building' in the centre of the city.