Course summary
The MA Visual Communication Design course at Cardiff Met responds to the increasing urgency to overhaul social structures and systems to address the complex issues of our time. This Masters degree in Visual Communication Design encourages you to critically position yourself in relation to human-centred and post-human-centred approaches to design research and practice. You will explore both speculative and solutionist approaches to design, working collaboratively and in an interdisciplinary context. Alongside your own research projects, you will have opportunities to take part in shorter design challenges that approach ways to shape sustainable and collective futures. Our Visual Communication Design Master’s Degree promotes material-oriented approaches to design. You will develop tools, methods and processes that enable new ways of envisioning, inhabiting, communicating, and disrupting complex issues, places, and futures. You will be supported to focus in on a particular context, understand the correct methodological approach and apply the necessary tools to explore the complexities within your area of research. You will develop your awareness of how and where your project and approaches might be applied, looking beyond existing euro-centric models. You will take part in a range of workshops, lectures, testbeds, short projects, and exhibitions, and challenge the distinctions between theory and practice. As well as taking traditional approaches to research dissemination, you will explore varied types of academic knowledge production, such as experimental, open-source and multi-modal research publication practices. Possible exit points:
- On completing 60 credits in total students may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate.
- On completing 120 credits in total students may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.
- On completing 180 credits in total students will be awarded a Master's Degree
Modules
In Semester 1 you will undertake two integrated parallel modules: ART7776 Vision (40 credits) ART7771 Context and Methodologies Part 1 (20 credits) Tailored to the MA Visual Communication Design programme, these modules are designed to cultivate your ability to position your ideas within a critical framework that highlights issues arising within contemporary Visual Communication Design and beyond, whilst advancing your scholarship in your chosen area of research. In Semester 2 you will undertake two integrated parallel common modules: Idea and Contexts. ART7773 Idea (40 credits) ART7772 Context and Methodologies Part 2 (20 credits) These modules are designed to support continued advanced scholarship to contextualise and put into action the research proposal you developed in Semester 1 in relation to global, ethical, social and political concerns. Ideas and speculative prototyping achieved in semester one are explored further in semester two, with an emphasis on incorporating specific specialisms such as material futures or digital concepts. These will support the development of your Masters project, cultivating advanced skills in the utilisation of relevant technologies and materials. In Semester 3 you will undertake one module: ART7774 Output (60 credits) This module is comprised of two integrated activities equivalent to 60 credits. The Output module consolidates the research findings through the realisation of your major project to form an exhibition (June/July) and a written paper or article (September).
Assessment method
The learning outcomes are assessed within the modules through a variety of methods including written essays, verbal presentations and project work etc, as outlined in individual module descriptors. Assessment takes place at strategic points in the academic year to enable and support your continued development. Group critiques and tutorials offer continuous feedback opportunities. Peer and self-assessment is used extensively.
Entry requirements
You will normally have achieved a first class or second class upper division first degree (1st or 2.1 degree classification) in an appropriate subject, and/or equivalent professional standing or experience in a design, design crafts, or creative industries discipline, based upon assessed Accredited Prior Learning (RPL) or assessed Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL), or a discipline associated with their programme of study. - International Applicants Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on our website. Before making an application, EU/International students are asked to contact Dr Fiaz Hussain [email protected] to discuss the necessary procedures in relation to studying with us.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £1225 | Module |
England | £1225 | Module |
Northern Ireland | £1225 | Module |
Scotland | £1225 | Module |
Wales | £1225 | Module |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Western Avenue
Cardiff
CF5 2YB