MA Design | The University of Sunderland

Overview

This Masters is built around your personal design interests and aspirations. It allows you to push the boundaries of creativity, within a framework of academic rigour and contextual research. You can choose to study any of the following areas: advertising, animation, design thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship, fashion and promotion, graphic communication, graphic design, illustration, interactive media, motion graphics, and typographic design. Other specialised design disciplines will also be considered.

You'll follow a chosen pathway for the duration of your MA study, with the option to be awarded with one of the following:

MA Design: Animation

MA Design: Fashion

MA Design: Games Art

MA Design: Graphics

MA Design: Illustration

You'll graduate with MA Design if you do not wish to opt for a named pathway or if your chosen discipline does not apply to one of the pathways listed above (e.g. 3D Design).

By the end of the course, you'll have completed a major project that has evolved from your practice and research, and you'll have a portfolio of creative designs that will excite and impress potential employers.

This MA Design course is unique in that it facilitates the study of a wide range of diverse design disciplines through specialist staff and facilities

We have excellent engagement with industry, locally, nationally and internationally and have several academic partners overseas including Greece, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Trinidad

We host the International Research Centre for Calligraphy (IRCC) which promotes and supports the development of calligraphy both nationally and internationally

Apply for the Robson Art & Design Masters award , a £1,000 cash scholarship designed to support students studying MA Visual Practice or MA Design

The University of Sunderland is a member of the highly respected Design and Art Directors Association (D&AD), an influential body that rewards creative excellence. The prestigious D&AD Award is well-regarded in the world of advertising and design and recognised globally as the ultimate creative accolade

Acclaimed guest speakers from every corner of the design world, such as Andrew Byrom, Ken Garland, Bruce McLean, Holly Sterling, Jill Calder and Fig Taylor

Course structure

Compared to an undergraduate course, you'll find that this MA course requires a higher level of independent working. The course aims to stretch your creativity and maximise your sense of personal fulfilment.

You'll be taught via lectures and seminars, with regular weekly one-to-one or group feedback. There are also additional workshops, demonstrations and external speakers to fully enrich your learning.

On the MA Design course you can express your learnings in a multitude of ways. We use a range of assessment methods including critical essays, presentations, evaluation reports, research journals, and practical work via different forms of visual communication (depending on the pathway that you choose).

Core modules:

MA Design Stage 1 – Design Ideation (60 credits)

Choose a discipline and develop design ideas and questions that reflect the nature of your chosen topic. Learn how to use various research methods to gather information, and to develop design ideas that leads to a programme of study for your MA. Choose from advertising, animation, calligraphy, digital media, fashion, graphics, illustration, motion graphics, typography, etc. or any combination of these (other disciplines can also be considered). Focus upon shifting creative and design trends in response to major social, political, cultural and economic change in society. Begin to recognise where your developing practice sits within broader historical, theoretical and contemporary issues.

MA Design Stage 2 – Design development and Prototypes (60 credits)

Build upon and further develop the work you carried out in Stage 1 – Design Ideation, leading to a range of design development and prototypes. Improve your design skills and consolidate your design philosophy, approaches and design theories through further research and practical explorations. Support your design thinking with a written essay (with a limit of 1750 to 2250 words) which also explores further and strengthens the research methodology and context appropriate to your chosen programme of study from Stage 1.

MA Design Stage 3 – Design Realisation and Production (60 credits)

Reach the design realisation and final production stage of your MA. Build upon the experiences and work that you have gained through Stage 1 – Design Ideation, and Stage 2 – Design Development Prototypes, to conclude your MA work. Produce final outcomes that are the culmination of both your academic and practical work, embodied in a portfolio of design outcomes, supported by a written ‘Critical Evaluation Report’ (limited to 5750 to 6250 words).

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article .

</p></div><a class="cintiq_suite_360">Cintiq Suite 360</a></li><li tabindex="0"><div class="hidden_content design_facilities"><p>The University provides generous studio spaces, well-equipped workshops and excellent facilities for design students</p> <p><strong> Digital suites:</strong> our digital design suites are equipped with Apple Macs, PCs, HTC VIVE VR and Wacom Cintiqs with Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium.</p> <p><strong>Software:</strong> ZBrush, Unity 3D, Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D, Dreamweaver and Adobe Creative Suites. Our specialist technical staff, including qualified Adobe and Maya Certified Instructors, offer back-up and help in making the most of the software.</p> <p><strong>Extensive pre-production, process, finishing equipment:</strong> from 3D design and printing, bookbinding, vinyl and large format printing, animation and VR, as well as laser-cutting and wood and metal workshops.</p> <p><strong>Technical support:</strong> Along with our software specialist, we have a team of experienced technicians - specialists in their fields who are on hand to support you to realise your vision.</p></div><a class="design_facilities">Design facilities</a></li><li tabindex="0"><div class="hidden_content fashion_workroom_360"><p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden; height: 450px; min-width: 100%; width: 1px; *width: 100%;" title="Fashion workroom" src="https://virtualtours.sunderland.ac.uk/360s/index.html?360=5" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen=""/></p></div><a class="fashion_workroom_360">Fashion Workroom 360</a></li><li tabindex="0"><div class="hidden_content finishing_room_360"><p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden; height: 450px; min-width: 100%; width: 1px; *width: 100%;" title="Graphic Design studio" src="https://virtualtours.sunderland.ac.uk/360s/index.html?360=4" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen=""/></p></div><a class="finishing_room_360">Finishing room 360</a></li><li tabindex="0"><div class="hidden_content library_art_design"><p>The <a title="University Library" href="https://library.sunderland.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University Library</a> is your gateway to information resources and services both on and off campus. We’ve got thousands of print books, e-books, exhibition catalogues and journals, giving you reliable and up-to-date academic and industry articles. A single search box enables searching across print and digital resources, and you’ll have tailored digital resources and support for students in Art and Design.</p> <p>Access to many study places, including quiet and silent zones, PCs and Macs, group work hubs, online module reading lists and study skills support, all in our quality learning environments. You’ll have full use of two libraries, both with extensive opening hours, and ‘Live Chat’ enables you to access library support and help from anywhere 24/7.</p> <p>We’re much more than a library; the University Library and Study Skills team are on hand to guide you throughout your studies on and off campus from embedded skills sessions, digital skills support to 1-2-1 and drop-in advice on research and academic skills.</p></div><a class="library_art_design">Library Services - arts and design</a></li><li tabindex="0"><div class="hidden_content printmaking_workshop_360"><p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden; height: 450px; min-width: 100%; width: 1px; *width: 100%;" title="Printmaking workshop" src="https://virtualtours.sunderland.ac.uk/360s/index.html?360=7" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen=""/></p></div><a class="printmaking_workshop_360">Printmaking Workshop 360</a></li>&#13; <li tabindex="0"><div class="hidden_content map_directions_content"/><a class="map_directions">Map and directions</a></li> &#13; <h2>Facilities</h2>&#13; <p>You'll be based in the School of Art and Design within the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries. There is a dedicated MA Design Studio based in the Priestman Building at City Campus, which is a five-minute walk from the city centre. In the same building, you'll find other facilities and resources, such as a dedicated printmaking studio, photography studio, wood and metal workshops, high-end computer suites (with Wacom Cintiqs, iMac Pros, and PowerMacs), finishing rooms, laser cutting machines, 3D printers, fabric printers, and various laser and inkjet printers (from A4 to large format printing).</p>&#13; <tbody><tr><td> a Canadian bachelor's degree </td><td>GPA 2.40 </td></tr><tr><td> a USA bachelor's degree</td><td> GPA 2.5 </td></tr></tbody>&#13; </table><p>If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our <a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/help/international/your-application-and-offer/additional-postgraduate-degrees/">Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article</a>.</p><p>If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our <a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/international/oncampus/">ONCAMPUS page</a>.</p><p>If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at <a href="mailto:studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk">studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk</a> for further advice.</p>&#13; <p>We usually require applicants to hold a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a design-related discipline such as graphics, illustration, animation, or digital media. We may also consider applicants who have relevant experience and who can demonstrate their suitability for the course. </p><p><strong>Interview/portfolio requirements</strong> </p><p>We’ll invite you to an informal interview where we'd like to see evidence of your creative potential. Please prepare a portfolio of creative work which shows what you have done so far and what interests you. We are not looking for perfection as we appreciate you are still developing work. Your portfolio should be a PowerPoint presentation, ZIP file, or links to websites or videos and can include: <li>A variety of art and design work – we want to see a range of styles and techniques</li> <li>Work completed in or outside of your studies</li> <li>Ideas that didn’t work</li> <li>Research: for example sketchbooks, scrapbooks of things that inspire you, or design sheets</li> <li>Photographs of 3D, and large 2D, work are acceptable</li> <li>Uncompleted or work in progress is also useful to see</li> <li>We suggest between 10 and 20 slides/images would be sufficient.</li> <p>If English is not your first language, please see our <a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/help/applying/entry-requirements/what-english-language-qualification-do-you-accept/">English language requirements</a>.&#13; </p><p class="flag-icon flag-icon-us"/><p class="country-text"><a href="/study/country-select/?location=/study/art-design/postgraduate-design/">Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course. </a></p>&#13; <h2>Fees and finance</h2><p>Full-time fees are:</p> <li>£9,000 if you are from the UK/Europe</li> <li>£17,000 if you are an international student</li> <p>Part-time fees are £500 per 10 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.</p> <p>Take a look at the <a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/scholarships-discounts-and-specialised-grants/">scholarships and bursaries</a> that may be available to you.</p><p>This information was correct at the time of publication.</p>&#13; <h2>Career ready</h2>&#13; <p>On completing this course, you'll be equipped for roles throughout the creative industries. Potential roles include animator, graphic designer, illustrator, typographic designer, interactive designer, lecturer, or broad-based designer.</p> <p>This creative degree can also open doors into many other careers, such as teaching, or further study at Doctorate level.</p>&#13; <h3>Career opportunities</h3> <p>Upon completion of the MA Design course you'll have a more consolidated portfolio ready for employment in the design industry. We have close contacts with the design industry and if appropriate could offer live projects, work placements and internships. During Semester one, we host an Employability Week, where you'll have the opportunity to see professional designers and design alumni for advice and portfolio surgery. We also have the Digital Incubator Unit which can offer assistance for you to start your own business or freelance practice, plus we are members of the Association of Illustrators (AoI) and Design and Art Direction (D&amp;AD) who can provide further resources regarding competitions, professional practice and employment.</p>&#13; <h3>Our graduates</h3> <p>Our graduates have forged careers all over the globe in graphic design, editorial, infographics, motion graphics, advertising, web, packaging and interactive design. We have graduates working in Ordinance Survey, MTV, SEGA, and the creative industries of publishing, design consultancies and advertising design. Some graduates are now running their own thriving design business, both nationally and internationally, while others have gone onto academic professions such as further research (PhD) and teaching (PGCE, HE and FE).</p>&#13; <h3>Sunderland Culture</h3> <p><a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/student-experience/explore/arts-creative-industries/sunderland-culture/">Sunderland Culture</a> is a collaboration between the University, council and the city’s key cultures organisations. This partnership brings big-name creatives in contemporary visual arts, glass, ceramics and performance to the city; showcases exciting local talent; and gives our students unique experiences including exceptional career-enhancing opportunities.</p>&#13; <h2 id="register-interest"><span>Contact</span></h2>&#13; <p>Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:</p> <p>0191 515 3000</p> <p><a href="mailto:student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk">student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk</a></p> <p><a title="View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries. " href="https://services.sunderland.ac.uk/academicregistry/programmespecifications/facultyofartsandcreativeindustries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries. </a></p>&#13; <p class="courseUpdatedDate">Page last updated: 20 March 2025</p>&#13; <p class="courseDisclaimer">We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.</p>&#13; <li><a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/about/about-the-university/how-university-managed/" target="null">How is the University managed?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/more/news/">News and Media Resources</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/more/celt/" target="null">Centre for Enhancement of Learning and Teaching</a></li> <li><a title="Staff and Students Portal" href="https://my.sunderland.ac.uk/">Staff and Students</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/help/corporate-legal/publication-scheme/policies-and-procedures/" target="null">Legal Statements</a></li> <p class="h4">Useful links</p>&#13; <li><a title="Pay online" href="https://services.sunderland.ac.uk/payportal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pay online (Payportal)</a></li> <li><a title="Manage your Application" href="https://evision.sunderland.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_lgn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">myApplication</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/open-days/virtual-open-day/" target="null">Virtual Experience</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/integrated-foundation-year/">Integrated Foundation Year courses</a></li> <li><a title="Visit the Online Masters website" href="https://online.sunderland.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Online Masters degrees</a></li> <li><a title="Visit the Human Resources website" href="https://services.sunderland.ac.uk/hr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Human Resources</a></li>