This Master’s in Design will build on your skills and knowledge to the point that you can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of design theory and techniques. Thus prepared, you will be able to conduct research intended for use within a professional context.
The programme provides an opportunity for independent and collaborative work, creating a space for creativity and experimentation.
Through the careful structuring of modules, it provides you with the opportunity to understand complex theoretical and philosophical ideas while building independent academic research.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Bilingual
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
The master’s Contemporary Dialogues portfolio at Swansea College of Art offers a unique postgraduate experience.
Graduates and professionals from a wide range of specialities benefit from multidisciplinary learning together with expert lecturers and a broad range of facilities.
You will have the opportunity to draw upon experiences and knowledge from across the different pathways and reflect on this in your own personal study.
The research environment benefits greatly from the input of our teaching staff and visiting lecturers, most of whom are research-active artists, designers, and theoreticians of national and international significance.
In the first part of the programme, you will complete a series of taught modules. You will participate in multidisciplinary exchanges, through seminars and lectures involving students from all programmes within the Contemporary Dialogues portfolio, to stimulate new perspectives and challenge directions. The cross-fertilisation of ideas through such dialogues is expected to promote a rethinking of the perceptions and production techniques appropriate to your discipline.
Throughout the taught part of the programme, you will be expected to undertake material investigations and research into contemporary themes, with consideration given to environmental, economic, social, and cultural issues.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(40 credits)
(60 credits)
Disclaimer
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We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals.
For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for assessments and feedback (NSS 2023) meaning the comments you get back from your work will help you learn. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as Top 10 in the UK for Lecturers and Teaching Quality. Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Accommodation
Swansea Accommodation
Swansea has a huge student population, and the variety of accommodation available will leave you feeling spoilt for choice. Various purpose-built student accommodation providers provide accommodation in Swansea, and the accommodation team can guide you through your options. It will offer ongoing support throughout your time as a UWTSD student.
Further information
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We normally require an undergraduate 2.1. However, we also consider candidates with relevant experience and aim to interview all applicants. Where possible, we invite prospective students to experience a day of teaching to see if it suits their expectations.
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Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written practical and presented.
There is a 4,000-word theoretical essay with a poster presentation in Semester 1, and a 5,000-word report in Semester 3, which accompanies the practical work.
There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module. Summative assessment takes place at the end of a module, which includes a presentation of the work to the assessment team.
A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course, which includes, among others:
Tutorials
These tutorials are held on a regular basis.In Semester 1, full-time/Year 1, part-time, each student sees and discusses his/her work with a member of staff as part of each module. In Semesters 2 and 3, full-time/Years 2 and 3, part-time, students work more independently and sign up for tutorials within, or across, their discipline, in addition to those scheduled when their work requires support.
As a team, we ensure that every student in the final semester/year of the course is seen by at least one member of the academic staff each week.
Group Tutorials/Seminars
These are held on a regular basis, across all stages of the course, with one member of staff. They provide an excellent opportunity for students to share and exchange ideas with their peers in a structured manner, in addition to valuable input from staff.Informal & Formal presentations
Some of the modules have a presentation of ideas as part of the module outcome and are an essential way of sharing ideas across the course. Presenting work informally to peers is also part of seminar teaching and a way of getting valuable feedback on the progress of the work.Exhibiting work
At the end of the course, there is an opportunity, if appropriate, to show outcomes from the course in a curated exhibition. Students are also supported to create their own exhibitions during the middle part of the course if they wish to do so. -
Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources which, in most cases, is sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs in the extension of their personal practice. Examples include purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining optional study trips, and paying for printing.
Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately £10 to visit local galleries and exhibitions, to £200 plus for overseas or longer UK study visits. These costs cover things such things as transport, entry to venues and accommodation, and are normally at reduced rates for our students.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Interiors
- Designer maker
- Editorial – magazines, blogging, websites, illustration
- Freelance for interior brands and clients
- In-house roles for interior brands
- Interior stylist
- Lifestyle product designer
- Pattern designer
- Screen printer
- Textile designer
- Trend prediction and interior forecasting
- Wallpaper designer
Fashion
- Design assistant
- Design studio roles
- Designer maker
- Digital textile designer
- Editorial - magazines, blogging, websites, illustration
- Fashion stylist
- Freelance for brands
- Graduate trainee positions
- In-house roles for brands
- Lifestyle and accessory designer
- Pattern designer
- Screen printer
- Textile designer
- Trend prediction and fashion forecasting
Stationery
- Giftware design – wraps, and associated accessories and ranges
- Illustrator
- Stationery design – cards, books, lifestyle ranges
Arts Bodies
- Artists in Residence
- Community projects
- Exhibiting maker
- Gallery management
- Project management
- Stocking and selling through curated gallery shops
- Volunteering
- Workshops
Retail
- Buying
- Personal stylist
- Selling through retail outlets
- Styling
- Visual Merchandising – design and installation
Teaching
- Community Workshops and Arts groups
- PGCE – Secondary, Primary, FE
- University lecturer
- Visiting lecturer
- Workshop, freelance
Work modes
- Employment
- Enterprise
- Freelance
- Self-Employment
- Voluntary