Master of Art Graphic Design

Graphic Design involves developing your individual skills as a professional designer from the moment you arrive at our purpose-built studios.

You’ll leave with a professional portfolio based on your own interests, an in-depth knowledge of graphic design software (Adobe Creative Cloud), tools (risograph printing, laser cutting and etching, screen printing) and interpersonal skills equipping you to succeed in a competitive industry.

Throughout the course you’ll put your skills to use working with practising designers completing live briefs and entering national competitions. To capitalise on your design work, you’ll learn business and entrepreneurial aspects of the industry through working with a professional design agency.

The course is taught in specialist graphic design studio spaces in the new Daphne Oram building where you will have access to industry-standard software and a range of art and design technologies. We encourage, and support you, to take on freelance commissions throughout the course.

Dr Kate McLean, an internationally renowned creative smellmap designer, leads a team of graphic design industry specialists who care about your passions, your interests and your work.

During Year 1, you'll develop the skills essential to graphic design, including a rapid introduction to coding and scripting, and games design software.

The academic year is split into two semesters. Semester 1 focuses on introducing the design process and a range of software and practical skills. In this first semester you'll be introduced to practical design skills required for print and for web design, learn the fundamentals of meaningful research, how to critique and the basics of coding.

Semester 2 focuses on broadening your experience into the printmaking studio through screen printing and other physical techniques to produce your designs for awareness-raising T-shirt designs. You'll also discover how animation works in both 3D and 2D, modelling your ideas and making design come to life. In this semester you also look at the History of Design and understand the context in which designs have been produced across cultures and ages.

Your tutors will encourage you to consider other designers, great designs and the wider world around you as you work.

Applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate their suitability for the chosen programme through the presentation of a portfolio of relevant practical work.

For more information on the IELTS (International English language Testing System) requirements for this course

The University has general minimum entry requirements which all students must meet before they register with us.

At the point of registration onto the first year of a degree, we require you to have achieved:

• a minimum of two A Levels or
• a BTEC National Diploma or
• a combination of BTEC and A Level qualifications equivalent to two A Levels, such as a BTEC subsidiary certificate and one A Level or
• an Access to Higher Education Diploma or
• an International or Welsh Baccalaureate or
• a Higher National Diploma/Higher National Certificate or
• a minimum of two Advanced Highers from Scotland or
• the Irish Leaving Certificate or
• the European Baccalaureate Diploma or
• an equivalent overseas qualification.