COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Visual Communication with Advanced Practice programme offers an interdisciplinary and professionally focused learning experience designed to develop innovative designers, creative leaders, and strategic problem solvers for the global creative industries. The course encourages students to explore contemporary social, political, and environmental issues through visually informed and research-led design solutions that combine theory with practical application. Through personalised learning plans, workshops, and studio-based activities, students develop projects that contribute to wider discussions within the field of visual communication. The Design Direction module supports experimentation with digital and physical media, helping students establish distinctive creative approaches and refine their personal visual language through independent projects and competition briefs. Integrated Practice develops entrepreneurial thinking, teamwork, and value-driven design approaches by encouraging collaboration on projects that address real-world challenges using empathetic and inclusive methods. Students gain valuable experience presenting ideas, prototypes, products, and services to industry professionals and expert audiences. The Masters Project allows students to undertake a major independent study aligned with their career ambitions, resulting in exhibitions, campaigns, publications, artefacts, or digital works that demonstrate their creativity, research abilities, and professional identity. Specialist Approaches further enhances technical and conceptual skills through experimentation, analysis, and reflective practice while encouraging engagement with emerging technologies and future-focused methodologies that support long-term professional growth. The Advanced Practice module strengthens employability by enabling students to apply their knowledge and experience to real-world business challenges while developing critical thinking, reflective practice, and professional problem-solving skills. Graduates leave with advanced expertise in visual communication and are well prepared for careers in graphic design, branding, UX and UI design, motion graphics, creative direction, consultancy, entrepreneurship, and digital communication within the rapidly evolving global creative sector.