Key details

Award title
MA Graphic Design (also available as PGDip)
Awarding Body
Falmouth University
Level
7
Duration
MA 2 years; PGDip 15 months
Mode of study
Online, part-time
Total MA fee
£12,150
3 start dates per year
January, May and September
Next welcome week
15 January 2024
Next start date
22 January 2024
Application deadline
8 January 2024
Upcoming Q&A
Join our virtual session with MA Course Leader on 13 December at 12:30 GMT: Book your place

Application process

Apply for MA

Apply for PGDip

Online masters in Graphic Design 

This online MA in Graphic Design offers a dynamic learning environment within which to develop a rigorous, distinctive, and critically engaged practice. You will be encouraged to unpack your ethos as a designer, orientating your work in relation to contemporary, social and cultural contexts.

The course is built around a range of both practice and research-led projects. Emphasis is placed on your individual learning experience through tutorials, crits, lectures, events, and detailed online resources. 

This online graphic design degree draws from Falmouth University’s rich history of design education, which is internationally recognised. Guiding you through the course, our tutors are active in industry and are shaping the future of academic design research.

This depth of experience provides a framework to support your individual ambitions as a designer. Whether those ambitions lie in a research environment, setting up your own practice, working in an existing studio, or the many spaces in-between is up to you.  

Why study with Falmouth?

Join our global design community

Responding to the complex socio-political and environmental issues that define our time requires a diversity in world views. This online MA in Graphic Design attracts students from a wide range of cultural and geographic contexts and we have alumni from over forty countries and counting. This international outlook is central to the course, informing the ways in which we learn together and share ideas. 

"The course pushed my creativity to explore my surroundings and produce work in my environment despite being a course purely online. It created opportunities for me to recognise the issues that resonated with me"

Quah Phaik Hoon, MA Graphic Design student

“With every module you get a new tutor, and every single one has brought something completely new. Just gaining that perspective is really, really helpful for your next stages.”

Sian Campbell, MA Graphic Design student

Explore the work of our recent graduates

Have a question? 

Our Course Advisors can help. Contact us to discuss any aspect of the course, funding options, or how you'll study online:

Discuss my options

Course details

Across a series of modules, you will position your practice in response to a range of contemporary cultural concerns and critical dialogues. Encouraged to take risks and push the boundaries of the medium, you will be prompted to form a design response to a set of specific and focussed briefs. As part of this process, you will engage with research as a fundamental aspect of the design process. You will develop a foundation of theoretical knowledge and textual awareness that will provide depth to your practice, allowing you to design and communicate with precision.  

MA structure

You will need to complete four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit project (180 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award.

PGDip structure

You will need to complete four 30-credit modules (120 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. A dissertation (major project) is not required.

Module one

Contemporary Practice (30 credits)

In this module, you are introduced to the development of graphic design today and the variety of contexts in which it is made and understood.

As with the central ethos of the course, you seek to examine local and global perspectives of the subject and the emergent skills required to address problems and deliver messages for both regional and global audiences.

Fundamentally, it is concerned with design and designing and the academic and research skills to enable effective and fully engaged participation in the course. It seeks to establish the fundamental essence of being a graphic designer today and the ability to use curiosity, risk, play and care in the delivery of a message.

Module two

History and Futures (30 credits)

In this module, you’re introduced to how graphic design interprets narrative, to distil, reform or remodel stories for a new purpose.

You will apply a more in-depth critical and contextual understanding to your practice. You will connect theory and practice (praxis), and examine key themes and issues facing the subject and those who collaborate within it today.

This module also begins to question the role that design and the designer have to play in society and the creative community and networks it is part of.

Module three

Studio and Entrepreneurship (30 credits)

Having already studied emergent fields of practice within the first module, you now examine some of the building blocks of studio practice from a business perspective.

You learn how to manage the day to day aspects of a studio’s life, but also reflect on innovative ways of working at distance and collaborating with other partners around the world.

You reflect on the subject through specific design studio case studies, structure and strategies for project work and intellectual property guidance required to develop a creative service or product today.

You will develop an actual artefact or entrepreneurial idea that will be personally or culturally inspired, but rooted firmly in a graphic design field.

Module four

Application and Interactions (30 credits)

In this module, you apply your own practice and knowledge to specific graphic design projects. The briefs allow a scoping of interests but also to question the role and ethics of working as a designer today; how ideas can be applied and how respective audiences can be understood and reached.

Throughout this module, you will engage with skills development pertinent to your areas of interest.

The module also examines the relationship between personal and highly strategic briefs. This is achieved by examining self-initiated projects, competitions and industry-set briefs; the latter being collated from annual opportunities from design studios or client set opportunities.

These client set briefs (as with the design studio) will be drawn from global organisations that enable you to respond to challenges beyond your normal experience and share learning and differing international perspectives.

Final major project (MA only)

Final Major Project (MA only) 60 credits)

Your final MA project is built on learning from previous modules and allows you to position yourself and your work for next steps following graduation. Project work therefore can develop from a number of perspectives; being research or theory led (for further research study at PhD level) or personally or professionally orientated (for independent or studio practice).         

Want to learn more about any of the modules?

Get in touch with our expert Course Adviser team. They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the programme, our application process, funding options, and more.

Contemporary Practice (30 credits)

In this module, you are introduced to the development of graphic design today and the variety of contexts in which it is made and understood.

As with the central ethos of the course, you seek to examine local and global perspectives of the subject and the emergent skills required to address problems and deliver messages for both regional and global audiences.

Fundamentally, it is concerned with design and designing and the academic and research skills to enable effective and fully engaged participation in the course. It seeks to establish the fundamental essence of being a graphic designer today and the ability to use curiosity, risk, play and care in the delivery of a message.

History and Futures (30 credits)

In this module, you’re introduced to how graphic design interprets narrative, to distil, reform or remodel stories for a new purpose.

You will apply a more in-depth critical and contextual understanding to your practice. You will connect theory and practice (praxis), and examine key themes and issues facing the subject and those who collaborate within it today.

This module also begins to question the role that design and the designer have to play in society and the creative community and networks it is part of.

Studio and Entrepreneurship (30 credits)

Having already studied emergent fields of practice within the first module, you now examine some of the building blocks of studio practice from a business perspective.

You learn how to manage the day to day aspects of a studio’s life, but also reflect on innovative ways of working at distance and collaborating with other partners around the world.

You reflect on the subject through specific design studio case studies, structure and strategies for project work and intellectual property guidance required to develop a creative service or product today.

You will develop an actual artefact or entrepreneurial idea that will be personally or culturally inspired, but rooted firmly in a graphic design field.

Application and Interactions (30 credits)

In this module, you apply your own practice and knowledge to specific graphic design projects. The briefs allow a scoping of interests but also to question the role and ethics of working as a designer today; how ideas can be applied and how respective audiences can be understood and reached.

Throughout this module, you will engage with skills development pertinent to your areas of interest.

The module also examines the relationship between personal and highly strategic briefs. This is achieved by examining self-initiated projects, competitions and industry-set briefs; the latter being collated from annual opportunities from design studios or client set opportunities.

These client set briefs (as with the design studio) will be drawn from global organisations that enable you to respond to challenges beyond your normal experience and share learning and differing international perspectives.

Final Major Project (MA only) 60 credits)

Your final MA project is built on learning from previous modules and allows you to position yourself and your work for next steps following graduation. Project work therefore can develop from a number of perspectives; being research or theory led (for further research study at PhD level) or personally or professionally orientated (for independent or studio practice).         

Want to learn more about any of the modules?

Get in touch with our expert Course Adviser team. They’ll be able to answer all your questions about the programme, our application process, funding options, and more.

Entry requirements

An honours degree at 2:2 level or equivalent in areas such as Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Illustration, Photography, Fashion, Textiles, Animation, Film or Fine Art. We also accept applicants with no undergraduate degree but a clear demonstration of subject related skills and knowledge whether self-taught or gained through industry experience.

You will need to submit a digital portfolio of your graphic design practice. This may include previous project work and your current work-in-progress. It can take the form of a link to your blog or website and/or be presented as an interactive PDF. This will help the admissions team assess your suitability for the MA Graphic Design.

If your first language is not English, you'll need to take one of the following tests to verify your proficiency:

  • IELTS - minimum overall score of IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
  • TOEFL iBT (online test) - minimum of 88 overall and at least 21 in all 4 components
  • LanguageCert (online test) - a High Pass from the ESOL B2 Communicator test in reading, writing, speaking and listening (2 parts)

We accept a number of additional English language qualifications as well.

Candidates without a degree or formal qualification are also encouraged to apply. If you have prior learning or experience with this subject, you may even be able to apply for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). You can learn more about this via our APL guide.

For more information on course requirements, including advice regarding your eligibility, please get in touch via the form at the end of this page.

Graphic design concept by MA student Yara Hindawi
Want to know if the course is right for you?

For more information on course requirements, including advice regarding your eligibility, please discuss your options with a Course Advisor.

Discuss my options

How you'll learn

With Falmouth Flexible, you access your course content, interactions with other students and tutors, and learning resources, through Canvas, an easy-to-use online platform. You can access the course wherever you are in the world, and you can stop, pause and rewind lectures whenever you want.

Each module will utilise a variety of learning approaches, for example:

  • Online presentations to introduce key concepts
  • Lectures
  • Challenges
  • Briefs
  • Case studies
  • Regular webinar discussions
  • Keeping a reflective journal on your ongoing development
  • Personal and group reflection
  • Own project/business launch (MA project).

All assessments are taken and submitted online.  

Assessment methods for the masters degree in Graphic Design can typically include: 

  • Practical assignments, for example designing a digital tool or process to aid collaboration
  • Written assignments, for example writing a business plan for your own business
  • Work-based assignments that are grounded in your existing practice, where you apply tools such as storytelling or market research. 

As one of our students, you’ll have access to a range of services designed to support your studies and make your time with us as enjoyable as possible.

  • Falmouth’s comprehensive online library of books, journals, and resources
  • A Student Advisor team to answer non-academic queries
  • Online software tutorials via LinkedIn Learning
  • The Students' Union community
  • Career advice, CV creation, practice interviews, and more via our careers platform

Learn more about the online learning experience with Falmouth

As a Falmouth Flexible student, you can expect an online learning experience that’s engaging, challenging, rewarding, and characterised by meaningful interactions with your peers and tutors. 

How you'll learn

Fees, costs & funding

Fees

Total course fee

£12,150 (including £250 acceptance fee)

Payment options  

  • One-off payment 
  • Six equal instalments spread over a two-year period. 

 

Payment methods  

Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer. 

Please visit our fees and funding page for more information.

Typical course costs

In order to participate fully in the course, you will need to purchase the Adobe Creative Cloud and have a laptop/desktop capable of running these applications.

Creative Cloud

There is an annual subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud available through Falmouth University for £48, which can be purchased through the software registration portal. You may also be eligible for discounted licenses through Adobe's education pricing. For more information please visit: https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/plans.html

Laptop / Desktop computer requirements

When considering your purchase of a laptop, the most important things to look out for is the CPU/RAM/graphics card, as we use software that needs a large amount of power. We recommend one with as fast a processor as you can afford (8GB of RAM minimum) and a reasonably sized screen (13" minimum, 15" is optimum), plus the following absolute bare minimum computer specifications:

Windows:

  • Windows 10
  • At least an i7 processor
  • No less than 8-16GB Ram
  • Graphics Card (nVidia 1080 minimum, not Intel Iris integrated graphics) with at least 2GB
  • 256GB hard drive space minimum
  • 1920 x 1080 display resolution or higher (most displays offer a higher resolution than this)
  • Mouse with a scroll wheel and two buttons

Apple Macbook Pro:

  • Mac OS 10.15 or newer
  • At least an i7 processor
  • No less than 8-16GB Ram
  • Graphics Card
  • 256GB hard drive space minimum
  • 1920 x 1080 display resolution or higher (most displays offer a higher resolution than this)
  • Mouse with a scroll wheel and two buttons
  • A dongle to plug things into the laptop is also required for all modern apple laptops

Equipment

  • 16 -32 GB memory stick so you can back up your work regularly (approx. £10-20)
  • Wireless or Bluetooth mouse (approx. £15)

Materials/resources

The exact equipment requirements may differ according to your practice and preferred ways of working. The costs of these materials will need to be covered by you. You will need to maintain your own practice, you may need a designated area in your home, access to a studio, maker- space, materials and tools alongside hardware and software to produce digital work.

Face to face events

Travel/accommodation to face to face events (optional)

Funding options

Application offers

We offer a range of bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.

Loans

You may be eligible for funding from the UK Government.

Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44(0) 1326 332 125 to speak to a course advisor.

Total course fee

£12,150 (including £250 acceptance fee)

Payment options  

  • One-off payment 
  • Six equal instalments spread over a two-year period. 

 

Payment methods  

Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer. 

Please visit our fees and funding page for more information.

In order to participate fully in the course, you will need to purchase the Adobe Creative Cloud and have a laptop/desktop capable of running these applications.

Creative Cloud

There is an annual subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud available through Falmouth University for £48, which can be purchased through the software registration portal. You may also be eligible for discounted licenses through Adobe's education pricing. For more information please visit: https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/plans.html

Laptop / Desktop computer requirements

When considering your purchase of a laptop, the most important things to look out for is the CPU/RAM/graphics card, as we use software that needs a large amount of power. We recommend one with as fast a processor as you can afford (8GB of RAM minimum) and a reasonably sized screen (13" minimum, 15" is optimum), plus the following absolute bare minimum computer specifications:

Windows:

  • Windows 10
  • At least an i7 processor
  • No less than 8-16GB Ram
  • Graphics Card (nVidia 1080 minimum, not Intel Iris integrated graphics) with at least 2GB
  • 256GB hard drive space minimum
  • 1920 x 1080 display resolution or higher (most displays offer a higher resolution than this)
  • Mouse with a scroll wheel and two buttons

Apple Macbook Pro:

  • Mac OS 10.15 or newer
  • At least an i7 processor
  • No less than 8-16GB Ram
  • Graphics Card
  • 256GB hard drive space minimum
  • 1920 x 1080 display resolution or higher (most displays offer a higher resolution than this)
  • Mouse with a scroll wheel and two buttons
  • A dongle to plug things into the laptop is also required for all modern apple laptops

Equipment

  • 16 -32 GB memory stick so you can back up your work regularly (approx. £10-20)
  • Wireless or Bluetooth mouse (approx. £15)

Materials/resources

The exact equipment requirements may differ according to your practice and preferred ways of working. The costs of these materials will need to be covered by you. You will need to maintain your own practice, you may need a designated area in your home, access to a studio, maker- space, materials and tools alongside hardware and software to produce digital work.

Face to face events

Travel/accommodation to face to face events (optional)

Application offers

We offer a range of bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.

Loans

You may be eligible for funding from the UK Government.

Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44(0) 1326 332 125 to speak to a course advisor.

In-person events and experiences

During your studies you will have the opportunity to attend face-to-face events where you can meet with your peers and lecturers in person. 

In 2022, students took up residency in Berlin working under renowned designer Patrick Thomas on his Open Collab project. 

In 2023, students met in Eindhoven to attend workshops, talks and exhibitions as part of Dutch Design Week, one of the largest design events in Europe.     

MA Graphic Design students at face-to-face residency in Berlin, 2022

"It's completely turned everything I've known about graphic design upside down and made me approach design in a different way. I feel confident enough to go for mid or senior level roles now."

Max Bloom, MA Graphic Design

"The connection and conversations with industry professionals is something that I believe Falmouth do really well and here online is no exception." 

Jamie Baldwin, MA Graphic Design

Careers

This world-leading graphic design course will push you to assert yourself as an adaptable and highly knowledgeable designer. You will gain with the capability to respond to creative challenges at a very high level. You will emerge from your MA in Graphic Design (Online) as a skilled and thoughtful individual, with the confidence to take on the next ambitious steps in your design career.  

Careers and employability service

In addition to the guidance offered by our tutors, you can also access our RealWORKS, our careers and employability service throughout your studies, and for up to 5 years following graduation.

Our expert team will help you identify potential opportunities in the UK or internationally, prepare for job interviews, advise you on starting up your own business, and more.

Learn more about the opportunities available to you as a Graphic Design graduate:

Explore Graphic Design careers

Falmouth Flexible Graphic Design on Instagram

See what current and former MA Graphic Design students are up to in our latest @graphicdesign.online posts.

Teaching team

Designed with employer-focused learning at the core, the MA Graphic Design team work with global organisations, staff and alumni to provide you with the breadth of experience and networks needed to accelerate your career.

The course also includes a wide range of contributors, interviewees, and guest lecturers, such as:

How to apply

To apply, you'll need to submit the following:

An online application form
A copy of your first degree certificate or Level 6 equivalent qualification
Your IELTS certificate if English is not your first language
A digital portfolio of your graphic design practice. This may include previous project work and your current work-in-progress. It can take the form of a link to your blog or website and/or be presented as an interactive PDF. This will help the admissions team assess your suitability.

 

Late applications may be considered if places are available. Find out more about applying:

Application process

Design work by MA student Kim McNeil
Ready to start learning on your terms?

Join our creative community of learners. Start your application today.

Apply now

Take your first step to success.

Latest Graphic Design resources

Graphic Design students featured in The Science Museum's Digital Lab
Graphic Design students featured in The Science Museum's Digital Lab

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MA Graphic Design students visit the Patrick Thomas studio in Berlin

Find out more about our MA Graphic Design students' visit to the Patrick Thomas studio. 

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