MA Visual Communication

at Birmingham City University

COURSE IN DEPTH

Modules
 

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 160 credits):

 

Analytical and Creative Practice
40 credits

 

This module develops analytical, reflective and evaluative design skills, which, through creative thinking, experimentation and iterative design processes, enables you to define your specialist area(s) of professional practice.

 

Contextual and Professional Practice
40 credits

 

This module develops deeper analytical and evaluative skills, promoting critical awareness within your specialism, and advancing your professional relationships through engagement with externally generated professional briefs (Competition or Live), OR self-directed negotiated proposals or brief(s).

 

Didactic Presentation in Specialism
20 credits

 

The process of constructing and delivering a lecture or other creative forms of presentation to a peer group is an immersive learning process. It requires advanced subject knowledge and a critical thinking approach. Peer learning is a fundamental component of this module.

 

Major Project
60 credits

 

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practical outcome with accompanying reflective, critical and contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be relevant to your programme and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

 

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.

 

Dissemination: Case Study in Specialism
20 credits

 

This module emphasises learning that is achieved through an integrated understanding of theory and practice, including the systematic exploration and analysis of current and historical media and practice. This will be achieved through advanced scholarship within, and beyond, your specialist practice, applying a rigorous critical perspective.

 

Collaborative Practice
20 credits

 

This module is an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of collaboration by enabling you to create a research-informed interdisciplinary project with students from complementary disciplines, or with academic staff.

 

Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

Essential Requirements 

 

An undergraduate degree (2:2 and above) in a closely related subject, equivalent qualifications or professional experience.

A digital portfolio that shows examples of creative visual work, including developmental work and final outcomes. Please include at least 15-20 pieces highlighting your area of practice.

As part of your application please include the following:   Highlight any competition entries and live projects, exhibitions, collaborations (if applicable). Highlight any evidence of industry experience (if applicable). Produce an essay or other written assignment, which demonstrates your ability to conduct research related to art and design and shows your knowledge of historical or contemporary creative practice.

IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MA Starting: Sep 2022
Full Time 1 year £16,300 in 2022/23

Enhancing Employability Skills

This course enables you to develop your practice within the field of visual communication. You will do so through a range of relective learning methods that will enhance advanced subject knowledge, developing your creative and innovative thinking, critical awareness and analytical practice. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to your own research and advanced scholarship.

 

You will establish a deep and clear understanding of how meaning is constructed with visual communication, across a range of media. You will acquire the skill and knowledge to produce meaningful and creative visual work within your own specialism.

 

The course will encourage you to challenge yourself, exceed your boundaries and produce work that is original, and significant. You will develop as a creative individual equipped not only for a career in your specialism, but with transferable skills which will benefit a whole range of professional contexts. Through research theory and practice, you will develop new knowledge that will pave the way for imaginative visual communication research. You will be able to engage directly with industry, with the possibility of collaborations, much like recent graduate Diane Maybey. Diane published work in partnership with Birmingham Children's Hospital. She also produced an environmental therapeutic illustration for CAMHS Leicester Partnership Trust and is currently studying her PhD, researching into Therapeutic Storytelling.

 

PLACEMENTS

 

While placements are not a compulsary aspect to this course we will encourage you and expect you to continuously engage with external associates such as practitioners, employers, clients and researchers. We feel that it is vital that you develop your own connections with the creative industries, expanding your network and providing opportunities for work.