School of Art, Design and Architecture

MA Communication Design

Programme code 7652
Duration

1 year
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location Plymouth
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This unique postgraduate degree enables the study of three connected and key creative industries: illustration, graphic design and publishing. Working in a mixed studio environment, supported by tutorials, lectures and workshops delivered by experienced staff and visiting professionals, you will enhance your practice, boosting your career prospects and employability.

Careers with this subject
Our graduates will develop the business skills and portfolio required to start their own businesses or enter the workforce with a wealth of experience. Graduates will also be prepared to move on to PhD study.

Key features
  • Personalise your masters. Choose an exit award to reflect your interest in a specific area of expertise.
  • Collaborate and grow your skills. Through multidisciplinary sessions and a shared studio space, the programme will nurture a more open and collaborative environment, reflecting current practices in graphic design, illustration and publishing, where traditional skill boundaries have become increasingly blurred.
  • Personal studio space. Project based learning and informal dialogue alongside colleagues in the studio is a central feature of the programme and an important part of the learning process.
  • Expand your professional network. Engage in knowledge exchange with a number of partners that span book, magazine and journal publishers to design studios and charities.
  • Learn by doing. Through a process of learning-by-doing, students develop the skills required to produce creative outputs and research-oriented studies, gain an understanding of the application of technical knowledge to creative situations, and explore how theory and action inform each other.
  • State-of-the-art facilities. Benefit from the use of our exciting Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Laboratories and work with a highly skilled team of technicians who deliver specific practical workshops (as available) in printmaking, letterpress, book binding, photography, ceramics, textiles, wood and metal as well as digital software.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Benefit from our cutting-edge Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs to grow your expertise in digital fabrication and making, immersive/spatial media and external engagement with the digital creative industries. The common research project module offers a series of alternatives for assessment aligned with your discipline, employment expectations and research interests. The module gives you the option of including a traditional text-based dissertation, an exhibition of creative practice, a start-up plan/placement report, and doctoral research proposals. The common knowledge exchange module will boost your employability prospects as you engage with partners across the city and expose yourself to real-world situated contexts of creative practice. Through a combination of practical coursework and lectures, you deliver your own project and develop an external engagement plan critically addressing the industrial, economic and social extensions of your own practice.

    Core modules

    ADA7200
    Situated Practice and Knowledge Exchange

    This module supports students’ employability and career prospects by engaging with local communities, industrial partners and their broader professional field. Students will be able to situate their ideas within real world contexts, develop entrepreneurial skills, and deliver an external engagement proposition outlining the broader social, environmental, or economic extensions and impacts of their work.

    ADA7300
    Research Project / Dissertation

    This module supports students’ delivery of their final research project / dissertation through combinations of group and individual work. It includes broader disciplinary research skills, methods and ethical practices, as well as subject-specific supervisory arrangements for each students’ research interests. This can include practice-based, text-based or entrepreneurial research outputs.

    MACD7101
    Communication Practice 1

    In this module students work on practical projects, that enable them to explore discipline-specific concerns, within a set of defined constraints. Students are supervised and guided by tutors, whilst developing their own path towards a set of agreed goals that align with module learning outcomes. This module also provides the opportunity to deliver live client or collaborative group projects, where circumstances permit.

    Optional modules

    ADA7102E
    Immersive Media and XR

    This module will provide students with the creative and technical skills to develop their projects based on experimentation with immersive media and extended reality (XR) technologies. Through a combination of technical inductions, workshops, lectures, and self-directed work in our Immersive Media Lab, students will be able to experiment with 360 Video, sonic environments, AR/VR, sensors, and game engines.

    ADA7103E
    Spatial Storytelling

    Students will explore using narrative space to create emotionally engaging audience experiences by experimenting with a range of spatial storytelling methods and technologies. The development of skills as narrative architects and storytellers in immersive, interactive, locative, game, sound, art, film and/or performance-based experiences and installations will result in the creation of a spatial storytelling project.

    ADA7106E
    Interaction Design

    This module will provide students with the creative and technical skills to apply interaction design strategies to develop and support their practice across a range of disciplines. Drawing from the technologies, techniques and tools typical of the Smart City, ubiquitous, mobile and wearable computing and Internet of Things (IoT), students will design and develop prototype systems that allow them to explore key issues relating to our lived environment.

    MACD7102
    Innovations in Printmaking

    Through a negotiated selective process, you will be able to explore and develop responses using the printmaking facilities available to you within the School of Art, Design & Architecture, including screenprinting, letterpress, relief printing, intaglio, risograph and digital printing methods.You critically evaluate and reflect upon the success or failure of various approaches as appropriate to your practice and ambitions, forming a positive plan of action for the future.

    MACD7201
    Communication Practice 2

    Building upon prior experiences, students work on practical projects, that enable them to further explore specific concerns in the field of Communication Design and within a set of student-led constraints. Students are supervised and guided by tutors, whilst developing their own path towards a set of agreed goals that align with module learning outcomes. This module also provides the opportunity to deliver live client or collaborative group projects, where circumstances permit.

    MACD7202
    Graphic Design Practice

    Building upon prior experiences, students work on practical projects, that enable them to further develop their Graphic Design practice within a set of student-led constraints. Students are supervised and guided by tutors, whilst developing their own path towards a set of agreed goals that align with module learning outcomes. This module also provides the opportunity to deliver live client or collaborative group projects, where circumstances permit.

    MACD7203
    Illustration Practice

    Building upon prior experiences, students work on practical projects, that enable them to further develop illustration-specific concerns, within a set of student-led constraints. Students are supervised and guided by tutors, whilst developing their own path towards a set of agreed goals that align with module learning outcomes and their own professional ambitions. This module also provides the opportunity to deliver live client or collaborative group projects, where circumstances permit.

    MACD7204
    Publishing Practice

    Building upon prior experiences, students work on practical projects, that enable them to further explore specific concerns in Publishing and within a set of student-led constraints. Students are supervised and guided by tutors, whilst developing their own path towards a set of agreed goals that align with module learning outcomes. This module also provides the opportunity to deliver live client or collaborative group projects, where circumstances permit.

    ADA7101E
    Digital Fabrication

    This Module provides students with the advanced technical knowledge to develop their skills based on experimentation with novel materials, and cutting edge digital fabrication processes. Through a combination of technical inductions, lectures, and self-directed work in our Digital Fabrication Laboratory, students will be able to experiment with technologies such as advanced 3D printing and industrial CNC milling.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MA Communication Design programme specification 7652

Design your degree
MA Communication Design allows you to create a personalised program of study that focuses on topics that are relevant and important to you.
Tailor your degree to suit your career goals and interests by graduating with one of the exit awards below.
  • MA Communication Design (Illustration)
  • MA Communication Design (Graphic Design)
  • MA Communication Design (Publishing)

Entry requirements
An upper second degree in a related discipline such as Illustration, Publishing or Graphic Design (or similar design-related discipline such as Art, Creative Writing, Digital Media, among others), or a lower second, combined with evidence of the potential to achieve at Level 7, through the presentation of a strong portfolio of creative work.
Suitable references from previous academic institutions and/or employers.
English Language Requirement equivalent to 6.5 IELTS with a minimum 5.5 in all four components. Please check the University of Plymouth English language requirements webpage for additional information and equivalent recognised qualifications.
It is recommended, but not essential, that applicants can demonstrate work experience in a related professional sector
For applicants with previous postgraduate studies in related subjects, the Programme Lead will assess the applicability of the Recognition of Prior Learning policy on a case-by-case basis.

Fees, costs and funding
New student 2024-2025 2025-2026
Home £9,500 £9,700
International £17,600 £18,150
Part time (Home) £530 £540
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Postgraduate scholarships for international students

We offer several scholarships for international students wishing to study on this programme, including the Postgraduate Taught International Student Scholarship , worth £2000 off your tuition fees.

Tuition fee discount for University of Plymouth graduates

If you studied your undergraduate degree at Plymouth, you may be eligible for a fee discount if you complete your postgraduate studies here as well.
  • 10% or 20% discount on tuition fees for home students
  • For 2024/2025 entry, a 20% discount on tuition fees for international students (International alumni who have applied to the University through an agent are not eligible to receive the discount)

How to apply

Apply online

When to apply

Most of our taught programmes begin in September. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full.

Before you apply

Familiarise yourself with the information required to complete your application form. You will usually be required to supply:
  • evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  • evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  • a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
  • your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  • proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
If you require further information take a look at our application guidance.

Disability Inclusion Services

If you have an impairment, health condition or disability, learn about the additional support the University provides .

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office. Take a look at our how to apply information or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply' icon on this page).

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.
We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail.
If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:
Telephone: +44 1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our admissions policy which can be found on the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.

Design your degree

Our programme allows students to specialise in a number of different pathways. Tailor your degree to suit your career goals and interests.

Emma Beavis, BA (Hons) Illustration graduate
Illustration
We focus on the development of your career as an illustrator and help you consolidate your chosen direction.
Graphic communication and typography
Graphic Design
Develop innovative projects using our extensive facilities and draw upon staff expertise in branding, editorial, motion and UX.
Publishing course hero image
Publishing
Develop vital editorial, production and marketing skills, while working with industry-relevant digital technologies.

The best thing about this programme is that it has three pathways; graphic design, illustration and publishing. It gives me a holistic view of all three but at the end of the course I can focus on a pathway that I choose.

Hear from Fatin, one of our international students, about their experience of study and life at Plymouth.

Studio life

The School of Art, Design and Architecture prides itself on its working spaces, with most students having individual desk spaces to work in studios. working alongside colleagues from other disciplines in the studio is a central feature of education in art, design and architecture; it allows for a good deal of informal dialogue which can support your work and is an important part of the learning process.
Through multidisciplinary sessions and a shared studio environment, the programme will nurture a more open and collaborative environment, reflecting current practices in graphic design, illustration and publishing, where traditional skill boundaries have become increasingly blurred.
BA (Hons) Illustration.  illustration. desk image

Experiment with our state-of-the-art facilities

From printing workshops to dedicated photography darkrooms, you’ll have access to all the professional tools you need.

LetterpressThe University has one of the few remaining movable-type printing workshops in the UK.workshop run by Paul Collier2nd year graphic coms students at work in the Letterpress studio

Printing and press studios
Access a wide variety of screen, traditional print and letterpress studios.

Immersive media lab

Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Laboratories
Experiment with cutting-edge technology such as, 3D printing, motion-capture, augmented and extended reality.

Media Hub

Media Hub
Take advantage of multimedia equipment that can be loaned and facilities that can be booked in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business.

Live scribing opportunities

The Bridge's collaboration with students sees the recruitment of creative talent to undertake unique paid work experience. Attending internal and external events, the students document the event, live, through illustration.
The project provides a unique and engaging addition to events, as well as a personalised visual output for the client. The students gain paid work experience whilst developing skills in visual synthesis, working under pressure, confidence and networking.
Female illustration student draws on wall with marker pen. 

Boost your employability by engaging with our partners

  • 8Book, magazine and journal publishers

  • 8Design studios and agencies

  • 8Charities, academic groups, not-for-profit organisations

  • 8The Diversity Business Incubator

  • 8Association of Illustrators

  • 8The Publishers Association

  • 8The Independent Publishers Guild

  • 8International Society of Typographic Designers

Learn from experienced professionals

  • Associate Head of School - Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions
    Graphic and digital designer who has exhibited in London, Bilbao and Copenhagen
  • Lecturer in Illustration
    Research focuses the importance and potential of illustration in communication

International applicants

Postgraduate scholarships for international students
We offer several scholarships for international students wishing to study on this programme, including the International Academic Excellence Scholarship worth 50% off your tuition fees and the Postgraduate Taught International Student Scholarship worth £2000 off tuition fees.
Study with us
At the University of Plymouth, we have a thriving international community made up of 2,000 students from over 100 different countries.
International students at a welecome event at the University of Plymouth