COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA by Research Typography and Graphic Communication curriculum is centred on developing advanced independent research skills through a structured progression of research training and a major dissertation. The programme begins with Research Methods in Typography and Graphic Communication, where students develop essential academic and practical research skills needed for postgraduate study. This includes learning how to critically evaluate existing scholarship, understand research design principles, and select appropriate methodologies relevant to typography, visual communication and graphic design, including practice-based approaches. Students are then guided into a Self-directed Research Project, which introduces them to the process of defining a research question, planning a study and applying suitable methods within their chosen area of interest. This stage helps students build confidence in managing an independent research process while refining their analytical and methodological approach. The final and central component is the Dissertation, a substantial piece of scholarly work that demonstrates the ability to formulate a focused research question, conduct sustained critical investigation and apply appropriate research methods to produce original insights. The dissertation allows students to engage deeply with a specialised topic within typography and graphic communication, combining theoretical, historical or practice-based perspectives. Overall, the curriculum is designed to support progression from foundational research training to fully independent scholarly inquiry, preparing students for advanced academic study or professional research roles in design and communication fields.