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Course
Information

Level of Study

Postgraduate

Mode of Study

1 year Full Time

Department

Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries

Location

City Campus, Northumbria University

City

Newcastle

Start

September 2025

Fees

Modules

Overview

Communication Design is a multidisciplinary specialism which focuses on how messages and information are conveyed through different media and formats. It encompasses practices and techniques including branding, graphic design, typography, digital media, animation and UX/UI design. 

On our Communication Design Masters course, you will learn to integrate forward-thinking creativity with a 'Design for Good' ethos to shape a career that stands at the crossroads of innovation, design, and social impact. 

You will undertake a mix of set, live and personal design projects to demonstrate your creativity. You will gain the skills necessary to excel in the future of design, making communication sustainable, accessible, and engaging. 

And - like many of our successful graduates who work in leading design agencies, in-house teams and digital start-ups you will be ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market, using design as your tool for meaningful change.

Research Power - Art and Design at Northumbria is ranked 4th in the UK for research power (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 6 places compared to 2014.

Top 20 University - Art & Design at Northumbria is ranked 17th in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2024, rising 4 places since last year.

Northumbria University is the largest provider of postgraduate taught education in the North East and the 9th largest provider in the UK. *HEIDI PLUS Student FPE 2022/23

Course
Information

Level of Study

Postgraduate

Mode of Study

1 year Full Time

Location

City Campus, Northumbria University

City

Newcastle

Start

September 2025

Fees

Modules

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant design discipline such as graphic design, interaction design, product design, illustration, fine art, film, fashion communication, advertising, animation or similar creative disciplines..

Applicants with appropriate work experience and/or a relevant professional qualification will be considered.

Applicants are required to submit an online portfolio with their application.

International qualifications

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language requirements

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

Full UK Fee: £9,700

Full International Fee: £19,350



Scholarships and Discounts

Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

CD7010 -

Contextualise and Critique (Core,40 Credits)

This module is designed to help you develop an applied critical understanding of contemporary communication design practice through a process-led introduction to socially engaged design issues. These will be explored through a series of topical design briefs, supported by contextual lectures, groups discussions and practical workshops. For example, you may be asked to explore notions of cultural identity through the design of an exhibition or exploring how live data about climate change can be communicated to influence the public attitudes.

You will learn how to critically reflect and contextualise your own practice in relation to other design approaches as well as your own. This module allows your experiment with a range of processes that will help to situate your current design practice, in relation to research-enriched theoretical, social and critical understandings of design as a change making process.

More information

CD7011 -

Explore and Experiment (Core,40 Credits)

In this module, you will learn about new and emerging design practices and be introduced to advanced design approaches, methods and themes.

By taking experimental and explorative approaches to playing with new design and media practices, you will learn new skills and also evaluate them though a critical lens. This will be achieved by positioning your own experimentation and exploration within a context of emerging design themes and technological advancements, developing a critical approach to integrating and anticipating new technologies.

Through our practical classes and workshops that include short lectures and seminars, you will be challenged to explore and apply design techniques pertinent to the digital age, including artificial intelligence and immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality.

More information

CD7012 -

Collaborate & Challenge (Core,40 Credits)

This module provides you with the opportunity to enhance and advance your practice through a series of collaborative projects. You will apply your existing knowledge to current and emerging design challenges by working on live or simulated real-world projects.

These collaborative briefs involve external partners, giving you the chance to undertake more in-depth design projects that address both human and more-than-human needs and contexts.

Through these experiences, you will deepen your understanding and develop more advanced professional practices. This will enable you to expand your work into new areas such as design strategy, product innovation, and new technologies.

You will work cooperatively in teams, supporting each other in your learning journey.

More information

CD7013 -

Evolve and Expand (Core,60 Credits)

This module aims to evolve your practice and set new direction by consolidating your knowledge gained in earlier modules. It offers you the opportunity to engage in a self-initiated and self-directed research-led project that evidences a critical, creative and impactful approach to communication design.

You will learn to draw on skills, knowledge and experience developed in the previous modules to frame and contextualise a social, environmental, cultural or political issue that you are passionate about. You will use this to develop a creative brief that allows for compelling and thought-provoking explorations using communication design in response. You will learn how to articulate, frame, ethically evaluate and communicate your proposition in a clear, relevant and compelling way for the appropriate audience. You will learn to draw on your collaborative skills to engage with and work with your chosen stakeholders in close collaboration to realise your self-initiated project.

Alongside a fully realised communication design outcomes, you will also produce an annotated portfolio documenting your design process. These outputs will be supplemented with a project evaluation report that communicates the context of the investigation, the design criteria, the evaluation methods and learnings from the development and delivery of your final project.

More information

YB7000 -

Academic Language Skills for Design & Fashion (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Effective reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

CD7010 -

Contextualise and Critique (Core,40 Credits)

This module is designed to help you develop an applied critical understanding of contemporary communication design practice through a process-led introduction to socially engaged design issues. These will be explored through a series of topical design briefs, supported by contextual lectures, groups discussions and practical workshops. For example, you may be asked to explore notions of cultural identity through the design of an exhibition or exploring how live data about climate change can be communicated to influence the public attitudes.

You will learn how to critically reflect and contextualise your own practice in relation to other design approaches as well as your own. This module allows your experiment with a range of processes that will help to situate your current design practice, in relation to research-enriched theoretical, social and critical understandings of design as a change making process.

More information

CD7011 -

Explore and Experiment (Core,40 Credits)

In this module, you will learn about new and emerging design practices and be introduced to advanced design approaches, methods and themes.

By taking experimental and explorative approaches to playing with new design and media practices, you will learn new skills and also evaluate them though a critical lens. This will be achieved by positioning your own experimentation and exploration within a context of emerging design themes and technological advancements, developing a critical approach to integrating and anticipating new technologies.

Through our practical classes and workshops that include short lectures and seminars, you will be challenged to explore and apply design techniques pertinent to the digital age, including artificial intelligence and immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality.

More information

CD7012 -

Collaborate & Challenge (Core,40 Credits)

This module provides you with the opportunity to enhance and advance your practice through a series of collaborative projects. You will apply your existing knowledge to current and emerging design challenges by working on live or simulated real-world projects.

These collaborative briefs involve external partners, giving you the chance to undertake more in-depth design projects that address both human and more-than-human needs and contexts.

Through these experiences, you will deepen your understanding and develop more advanced professional practices. This will enable you to expand your work into new areas such as design strategy, product innovation, and new technologies.

You will work cooperatively in teams, supporting each other in your learning journey.

More information

CD7013 -

Evolve and Expand (Core,60 Credits)

This module aims to evolve your practice and set new direction by consolidating your knowledge gained in earlier modules. It offers you the opportunity to engage in a self-initiated and self-directed research-led project that evidences a critical, creative and impactful approach to communication design.

You will learn to draw on skills, knowledge and experience developed in the previous modules to frame and contextualise a social, environmental, cultural or political issue that you are passionate about. You will use this to develop a creative brief that allows for compelling and thought-provoking explorations using communication design in response. You will learn how to articulate, frame, ethically evaluate and communicate your proposition in a clear, relevant and compelling way for the appropriate audience. You will learn to draw on your collaborative skills to engage with and work with your chosen stakeholders in close collaboration to realise your self-initiated project.

Alongside a fully realised communication design outcomes, you will also produce an annotated portfolio documenting your design process. These outputs will be supplemented with a project evaluation report that communicates the context of the investigation, the design criteria, the evaluation methods and learnings from the development and delivery of your final project.

More information

YB7000 -

Academic Language Skills for Design & Fashion (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Effective reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information
northumbria school of Design Arts and Creative Industries

The School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries is a leading centre for supporting and energising creative practice and academic study. Our inter-disciplinary research and experiential education is committed to the betterment of people, place, cultures, and societies. Our programmes are defined by the way we collaborate with communities, industry, and external partners to inform curriculum, your learning and contribute to wider society.


Your Career

The practical nature and future-facing focus of MA Communication Design, means that upon graduation you will be ready for employment, entrepreneurship or doctoral research within many areas, such as Graphic Design, Branding, Publishing, Digital & Interaction Design, UX Design, Service Design or Product Innovation. 

Our graduates work in many different jobs and environments, including design consultancies, digital agencies, in-house design teams, business start-ups, public sector organisations or work freelance.

Student Work

To build your Masters portfolio, you will undertake numerous set briefs and live projects before working on your own self-initiated and collaborative work. Click on any of these images to see a range of different final major project work. Each has a ‘design for good’ theme. 

Teaching Staff

You will be taught by a breadth of internationally leading design practitioners, researchers and educators. Their expertise includes visual communication, UX/UI design, data visualisation, digital arts, publishing and social innovation. By sharing their design expertise, they will help you shape your own design future through the Masters course.

Facilities

As an MA Communication Design student, you will have shared use of a dedicated design studio. The Masters studio includes state-of-the art computers and industry standard software. You will also have access to a range of workshops including letterpress, screen printing, photography studio, virtual reality suite and prototyping lab. 

If you have not used specialist equipment and workshops before, you will have the opportunity to be inducted by our expert technical staff. You will also have free access to online tutorials to familiarise yourself with new software.   

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints



If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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