MDes Graphic Design

UCAS code: W216

Start date: September

Course length: full time: four years, part time: this depends on how much time you have to study, but usually it would take about eight years

Campus: Markeaton Street site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

This four year course integrates undergraduate and postgraduate study, enabling you to be committed from the early stages as a deep thinker, risk taker and innovative practitioner in graphic design. You'll study the same modules as BA (Hons) Graphic Design students until January of your third year, when you will move on to study at masters level for the final 18 months.

You will explore exciting and rapidly evolving areas of graphic design, including the latest developments in design, publishing, branding, advertising, the internet, screen based and moving images and contemporary practice in graphic design. We will encourage you to consider the ethical impact of your practice and individuality as a designer, by questioning and challenging what the subject can be and pushing the boundaries. You will produce in depth, challenging and original creative ideas through your graphic design projects.

Stage one

You'll study modules such as:

• Visual Culture: History
• Visual Exploration
• Graphic Design Practice
• Visual Problem Solving

Stage two

You'll study modules such as:

• Visual Culture: Theory
• Directed Projects in Graphic Design
• Professional Practice
• Design Solutions
• Sequential Illustration
• Digital Moving Images

Stage three

You'll study modules such as:

• Visual Culture: Extended Essay
• Negotiated Study in Graphic Design

Stage four

You'll study modules such as:

• Visual Culture: Debates
• Personal Practice and Methodologies
• Visual Culture: Dissertation
• Final Project Phase One: Concept
• Final Project Phase Two: Realisation

Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application, your portfolio, and how you've done in your interview. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

Fees for 2013/14

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £8,250 (each year)
• £1,030 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total)

International students

• Full time: £10,225 (per year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

The course supports students in accessing placements with high profile agencies such as; Baseline, Forster Design and Brand Nation and also offers a programme of additional visits and conferences.

Find out more about placements

As a graduate you could work as a freelancer or in a design studio, art direction, editorial design, typography, branding, advertising, corporate identity, interactive media, signage or web design. You may also decide to progress on to alternative careers such as teaching or continue onto further postgraduate study.