MA Visual Communication Degree

Program Overview

This intensive master's program in Visual Communication enhances creative skills and provides a comprehensive understanding of theories shaping visual communication practices. It explores the latest innovations in visual practice, examining the impact of technological and cultural changes on contemporary thinking. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in the creative industries, with opportunities to develop hands-on skills and create a professional portfolio.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This intensive master's degree helps students improve their creative skills and build a solid understanding of academic theories that shape visual communication practices. The curriculum covers the latest innovations in visual practice, examining the way technological and cultural changes contributed to contemporary academic thinking and vice versa. The course provides opportunities to explore semiotics; digital culture; professional practice; interdisciplinary practice; collaboration; editorial design; interactive multimedia; information design; image creation; illustration; fine art; typographic design; print-making and photographic technique. Students may have workshop sessions with the letterpress, screen-printing, etching and relief printing facilities, as well as the wet darkroom and photo studio. Depending on their creative background, graduates will be well prepared for a range of careers in the creative industries. Critical research papers and final master’s projects are supported by the University’s expanding research base, encouraging students to make an innovative contribution to visual communication practice and theory.

Outline:

Year One

Core Modules

• Visual Communication Practice: Workshops will be offered to students to expand their range of practical skills and enable experimentation with a variety of illustration, printmaking and photographic activities.
• Digital Media: This module will introduce students to the concept of conveying information through digital media, and that which is delivered via digital devices; it will confront them with the advantages and limitations of design within a digital based environment.
• Professional Practice: This module will explore and critically analyse the creative industries in the UK and around the world.
• Master's Project: In this module students will design, execute and present an individually demanding piece of work that deploys a systematic and in-depth understanding of the skills and debates relevant to their particular discipline of study.

Careers:

This master’s degree delivers the skills you’ll need for a wide range of creative careers. Students on the course come from a range of disciplines including graphic design; make-up and hair design; fine art; photography; computer games design; film; marketing (to name a few). Students are supported in developing transferrable skills and practices that will bring them closer to their desired profession. The course includes time to develop hands-on creative skills.

• Students will develop transferable skills in decision-making under pressure; visual, written and verbal communication; critical thinking; and presentation to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

• UK and Channel Island full-time fees: £8,495 per year
• International full-time fees: £16,540 per year