MDes Design

Our design projects and programme develops and creates adaptable graduates with a variety of industry skills, who are knowledgeable and professionally aligned to today's job opportunities. Our masters could lead to a career as a startup, a consultant or designer working in a design agency, urban and interior design, a service designer or bespoke maker, or many other roles in the industry. Your transferable creative and technology skills could also lead to employment as a designer, consultant or employee in other creative and tech industries. Career development, entrepreneurship and employability are integral to the course through partnerships with industry and public sector partners.

What can you do with a design degree?

• Year 1

• This programme offers a curriculum built to capitalise on the resources, expertise and cutting-edge skills training available in our Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs and research-informed pedagogies built around key global challenges and social innovation.

  As part of a school-wide integrated approach to core module delivery, the programme also includes modules shared across the School of Art, Design and Architecture.

  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.

  MDES7101
  Design Terrains

  Through a short series of fast-paced mini projects students will experience and complete a comprehensive design cycle, from inspiration to innovation. This will provide students with an understanding and appreciation of creative design processes that puts ‘users’ at the centre of design.

  MDES7201
  Design Catalysts

  This module provides the opportunity to develop a design project and a critically underpinned project report. The practice-based project encourages innovation in addition to refinement of practice and skills and will result in a body of work on a selected topic, which will be underpinned by relevant research, analysis, critical reflection and professional preparation.

  Optional modules

  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.

  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.

  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.

  ADA7104E
  Low Carbon Material Systems

  This Module will provide students with technical knowledge and understanding of the emerging low carbon agenda including concepts such as embodied carbon, sustainable supply chains, and circular economies, and will support students’ learning across a range of design, architecture, and built environment subjects.

MDes Design programme specification_7661

Through the selection of a focused elective module, the MDes Design allows you to create a personalised program of study that aligns with topics relevant and important to you.

A 2:2 degree in Design (or similar design-related discipline such as Product Design, Digital Design, Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Interior Design, among others).

Suitable references from previous academic institutions and/or employers.

Applications must include a portfolio of work . Ideally, the portfolio of work includes evidence of work experience in the design sector.

If your first language is not English then evidence of English proficiency is required. The minimum IELTS score for acceptable English proficiency for entry is normally 6.5 with a minimum 5.5 in all four components.

View our English language requirements .

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

For further advice on the appropriateness of overseas qualification and proficiency in the use of English, please contact our International Office at international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

If you would like an informal chat about MDes Master in Design please contact the programme leader at ada@plymouth.ac.uk.

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

Familiarise yourself with the information required to complete your application form. You will usually be required to supply:

If you require further information take a look at our application guidance.

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

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.

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).

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:

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.