Graphic Design
Graphic Design
MA Graphic Design is designed to progressively develop your expertise as a creative practitioner. The course will advance your knowledge, skills and specialism within the field of visual communication. The curriculum builds your knowledge and skills in a structured and cumulative way. Early modules lay the foundation with core design principles and essential research methods.
As you progress, intermediate modules expand your skills in analysis, critical dialogue, and interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging you to question traditional design practices. In advanced stages, you will integrate theory, practice, research, entrepreneurship and innovation. This will culminate in a practice-led investigation which challenges you to apply your learning to real-world design challenges.
Each stage of the programme builds on the last, ensuring a coherent development of your conceptual, technical and strategic skills while. fuelling your personal passion for exploring the possibilities within the visual realm of text and image.
Course Content
Year 1 (MA Full-Time)
MA in Graphic Design is composed of five modules, totalling 180 credits.
Design Thinking
This module introduces an applied understanding of how design can be used as an iterative process for creative problem solving. It will enable you to understand how to apply design thinking processes to your specialist area through understanding users, challenging assumptions, redefining problems and creating innovative solutions to prototype and test. The module will also provide a broad introduction to research methodologies, strategic research planning and research design. A range of design thinking tools will be introduced and explored before you undertake an in-depth project that provides opportunities for experimentation leading to innovative solutions.
Design Behaviours
This module has been designed to acclimatise you to the challenges of MA level research and practice, enabling you to identify a clear direction for your postgraduate design study. In the second part, you will develop your individual design proposals. Through project work, you will examine a range of graphic attitudes related to a defined ‘host’ project. Practice-led research will focus on analysis, experimentation and the delivery of project solutions, underpinned with ongoing self-evaluation.
Message, Audience, Context
In this module, you will learn how to develop and produce a body of work realising your individual creative ambition within the fields of Graphic Design and Illustration. The work will expand on the research and development undertaken in other modules. You will be encouraged to collaborate with peers, external partners and virtual communities, exposing your work to critical appraisal. You will prototype, finesse and resolve projects which deliver strategic messages to defined audiences.
MA Future X
This module empowers you to expand your creative practice by engaging with contemporary themes and emerging discourses around technology and society. Through iterative development, speculative experimentation and critical reflection, you will refine your ideas, pushing conceptual and material boundaries. Emphasising adaptive thinking and transdisciplinary approaches, the module prepares you for the evolving creative industries by fostering innovation, resilience and sustainable design strategies. You will develop a personal design philosophy, explore new methodologies and build a professional portfolio that aligns with your aspirations, ensuring you are equipped to navigate and shape the future of design practice.
Synthesis Project: Graphic Design
The final Synthesis module will support you to develop, resolve and present a self-initiated body of work within the field of Graphic Design. The module offers the option to engage in self-negotiated collaborative, industry-based or international learning experiences. You will have the opportunity to present your work in progress and engage in interdisciplinary critiques to test ideas and gain feedback, supporting the development of your final body of work. You will discuss the content of your practice with specialist staff and manage your learning through the development of a synthesis project proposal. The module has been designed to be responsive and appropriate to your individual future ambitions, be they industry professional or academically focussed.
Resources
We have developed a dedicated postgraduate area occupying an entire floor of the main School of Art building, offering an exciting space to be, both intellectually and practically. The centre is located in the Chatham Tower with studios, design laboratories, seminar rooms and extensive workshops that form the nucleus of this vibrant, cross-disciplinary learning environment.
Find out more about Manchester School of Art's facilities.
Student Work
Visit our online MA Show galleries to see examples of recent work by our postgraduate students.
Graduates
We cultivate highly motivated, independent and creative thinkers who can transfer their skills into the creative marketplace, as entrepreneurial innovators, freelance practitioners and innovative team players. Past graduates predominantly achieve graduate-level positions or practise as sole traders, design studio artists, exhibiting artists, museum curators, archivists, researchers, academics, community practitioners, specialist technicians and filmmakers at national and international levels.
Making an Application
Entry Requirements
You will normally have a minimum 2:2 UK undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in Graphic Design or Illustration or a related subject and you may need to submit a portfolio.
Equivalent international qualifications are also accepted.
Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 and no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.
How to Apply
Please apply online using the link below. In your personal statement please include a web address to an online portfolio containing a selection of images or videos of your past work. You should also explain how you would like to develop your practice during the course.
Fees 2026 Entry
UK and Channel Island students
Full-time fee: £12,400 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide with our scholarships for UK students.
EU and non-EU international students
Full-time fee: £22,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Many of our international students are eligible for a discount on their tuition fees. Visit our scholarships and funding pages to find out what's available for you.
Additional information
A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Eligible alumni receive a 20% discount on their postgraduate tuition fees. Find out more about our Alumni Loyalty Discount.