MA Design (Graphics)

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
 

The initial modules are taught to all postgraduate design students. Here you'll gain a critical understanding of design thinking, theoretical studies, research methods and making practices. You’ll then follow your own personal practice with support from our specialist staff. You’ll consider social and cultural contexts when positioning your creative output – helping you develop accessible and marketable products, services, interventions and other forms or propositions.
 

You learn through
 

• immersive learning alongside peers in a studio environment

• practice-based research

• project work

• individual and group tutorials

• lectures

• seminars

• constructive critical debates
   

Take a look at the department's Instagram to see what innovations and creations our students have been working on. For more content from our MA and MFA Design programmes, please visit our official Instagram. 
 

Live projects

Through comprehensive interaction with the creative industries, we’ll help you explore the world of professional practice beyond the postgraduate studio. Live, real-world projects are embedded into specific modules – and you’ll be encouraged to seek industrial sponsors or collaborators for your projects. 
 

We also have a long-established link with the Art, Design & Media Research Centre (ADMRC). Our masters graduates often work as research assistants at the ADMRC while they continue their studies to PhD level – which means you’ll get their expert support throughout your projects.
 

Field trips

You’ll be able to take part in study trips and visits to design conferences and debates.
 

Networking opportunities

You’ll benefit from studying within a cross-disciplinary, vibrant, international, collaborative and supportive postgraduate environment. Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside our Design Futures consultancy and with researchers from the ADMRC. 
 

We’ll encourage you to collaborate with our exemplary network of design agencies, organisations, museums and practitioners. Your Graphics tutors also have connections and experience in diverse areas such as user-experience design, advertising, structural graphics, typography, branding and marketing.
 

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
 

Year 1

Final year
 

Normally you need
 

• a 2.2 degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline or significant relevant experience

• appropriate study plans, including an indication of possible project topics and clear, appropriate and realistic learning aims

• a high level of creative ability, as evidenced by a portfolio of work

• ability to discuss design issues critically and confidently
 

For information on applying, the interview process and your portfolio, download our MA and MFA Design application support.
 

Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.
 

If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam.
 

All applicants are required to gain a recognised English language qualification before entering any of our courses. For pre-sessional English programmes and courses below degree level, this must be one from a list of UK government recognised tests, most commonly IELTS. For degree level programmes (bachelors, masters and PhD), we consider a wide range of international qualifications. Please check the course entry qualification on our online prospectus and our English language page for full details.

You can find further information on all our undergraduate and postgraduate courses on our online prospectus.
 

International Foundation Programme
 

The following qualifications will be considered for entry on to our International Foundation Programme.

• IELTS certificate from an approved centre (IELTS score of 4.5 or above)

• Good high school graduation grades which include maths
   

Undergraduate programmes
 

The following qualifications will be considered for entry on to undergraduate programmes

• two GCE/VCE A level passes

• High School Leaving Certificate, which is recognised as equivalent to A level standard

• other international qualifications gained after 13 years of secondary/further education

• please contact our admissions office at admissions@shu.ac.uk for advice on equivalents
   

Sheffield Hallam welcomes applications from international school students taking the International Baccalaureate Diploma and those achieving 28 points or more will usually be successful in obtaining an offer of a place on our undergraduate programmes. For information about IB points equivalences against the UCAS tariff please visit the UCAS website.
 

Postgraduate taught programmes (masters)
 

The following qualifications will be considered for entry on to postgraduate taught programmes

• a first degree or professional qualification recognised as being equivalent to degree standard

• an HND or higher education diploma with substantial work experience in an appropriate field

• successful completion of a recognised pre-Masters course

• please consult our admissions office at directadmissions@shu.ac.uk for advice on equivalents
   

Postgraduate research programmes
 

The following qualifications will be considered for entry on to postgraduate research programmes (MPhil/PhD)

• masters degree from a recognised university

In most cases, students are required to submit a full application for PhD study, including a formal research proposal.

You can find further information on all our undergraduate and postgraduate courses on our online prospectus

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £9,620 for the course. If you study this course over 15 months the fee will be calculated pro-rata each year based on the number of credits studied.

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,895 for the course.
 

This course prepares you for a career in
 

• design

• design management

• making or manufacturing

• company-employed design

• independent design practice

• postgraduate study at PhD level

• education

• retail/marketing

• design research

• academia
   

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for international design companies and consultancies, as well as gaining PhD scholarships.