MA Graphic Communication Design

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or equivalent. We may also offer you a place based on relevant experience or training, normally from within the work environment. All applications are considered individually.

Applicants with a degree in a non-creative subject may be considered on the basis of their portfolio if they can demonstrate critical knowledge of the subject area and the potential to develop their practical and critical abilities through academic study.

Months of entry

September

Course content

MA Graphic Communication Design is an enterprising and research-oriented creative practice course for both graphic designers wishing to expand their current practice and those who would like to enter the discipline from other creative fields.

This graphic design masters course will equip you with a combination of studio practice, technological advancement, design theory, research, and entrepreneurial skills relevant to graphic design contexts.

Through a set of practice modules focused on typographic communication, collaborative practice for social change and design strategy, you'll explore visual and multisensory forms of communication to convey social, political and societal messages in imaginative and professional ways.

With open-ended assignments and a specialist module option, you can tailor the course to your needs and build a portfolio that reflects your personal development prospects.

Course content will further prepare you to plan towards a range of design leadership or senior roles in the creative industries.

MA Graphic Communication Design has been developed in consultation with industry and academic experts from both national and international design backgrounds. The course offers in-depth knowledge and a systematic understanding of practical, technical and conceptual industry-relevant skills needed to work towards advanced careers within the field of graphic design. The course content brings design strategy and collaborative practice for social change into the core of the graphic design discipline through specialist modules and practice-based research projects.

The graphic design masters course is taught over three semesters through five compulsory modules and one optional module (180 credits in total). In semester one, you will have the opportunity to select one of two optional modules: Branding or Typographic Communication. These will be advised through a tutorial and are subject to availability depending on student numbers.

On this course, you will be encouraged to develop your creative voice, recognise your strengths and identify intellectual objectives. By developing independent design thinking and exploring creative investigation methods you will be able to examine the graphic designer’s role in reaching diverse audiences in the rapidly changing global markets. Incorporation of diverse teaching methods from problem-based workshops to live projects with industry partners will guide you to engage in current critical debates and creative reflection to approach complex design challenges.

As an active postgraduate member of the department, you will be linked to industry and a rich research community, talking directly to key figures, taking part in live projects, attending designer-makers studios and going on industry-relevant field trips. Through enterprising course activities, you will also gain the confidence and courage to take steps towards entrepreneurial venture-making in the creative industries.

MA Graphic Communication Design can be studied in full-time and part-time modes to meet professional and personal needs. The course is supported by a highly-skilled staff team with strong academic backgrounds and extensive industry connections.

As a postgraduate student at the London School of Film Media and Design, you will have access to creative learning environments such as a printmaking room, photography studio, film and video-making facilities, and computer labs.

You will study all the compulsory modules plus one optional module.

Please note: optional modules will be advised via tutorial and are dependent on student numbers.

Compulsory modules:

• Research for the Creative Industries
• Contexts of Graphic Communication
• Collaborative Design Practice for Social Change
• Design Strategy
• Creative Entrepreneurship through Venture Making
• Masters Project or Dissertation

Optional modules:

• Branding
• Typographic Communication

Information for international students

You need to meet our English language requirement of 6.5 overall score for IELTS, with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements. Find out more about our English Language courses.

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships.

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

Fees and funding

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for students of film, media and design are also on offer.