Graphic Design MA

Postgraduate

Close up a printing press with paint smudges on a drum

Prepare for a career in graphic design and learn about modern practices, digital and analogue media, and global design with this course.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST006

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
July 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

This course enables you to take command of your own design practice and theory interests, establishing personal lines of enquiry that will be developed and refined during the course’s study journey.

Designed for graphic design graduates, professionals and applicants repositioning their creative practice seeking to enhance their professional portfolio.
Broaden and deepen your understanding of contemporary graphic design and its future.
Develop your practice and research skills relevant to industry or for future graphic design academia.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

This course aims to help you:

follow a focused line of enquiry, building on your skills and knowledge, and culminating in a final self-directed project
focus on digital and analogue media, with an emphasis on contemporary graphic design practices
focus on modern, relevant practices shaped by broader cultural debates within the graphic design field
get a practical, ideas-based curriculum encouraging you to develop a unique professional voice
get hands-on project-based learning that mirrors industry and professional creative team environments.

Collaborations

Endorsement: Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

Coventry University and the RSA have collaborated on a module concerning social and ethical responsibility. You will be entitled to a 12-month fellowship of the RSA so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Once you have successfully passed the Professional Practice and Innovation module, you will receive an RSA digital credential.

What you'll study

This course combines interconnected modules exploring graphic design principles, processes, and cultural relevance. Develop your own creative voice, culminating in a major final project showcasing your skills.

Modules

Design Communication: Crafting Impactful Messages - 30 credits

Focus on the importance of research in content-driven graphic design. Explore key design principles through visual communication and hands-on exercises to build your creativity and critical thinking skills. Develop strategies for your master's study and define a personal focus for your final project. By engaging with research and practical activities, shape your own creative approach and strengthen your ability to produce meaningful, well-informed design work.

Compulsory

Co-Create - 30 credits

Collaborate on a simulated or real-life project created by industry experts. Work with students from other postgraduate courses in the School of Arts and Creative Industries, applying your specialist discipline knowledge to form an essential part of a wider team. Explore design theory and practice, research methodologies, and build professional development skills like project management, delegation and problem-solving. Build strong relationships, foster a supportive community and develop a resilient skill set based on agility, flexibility and emotional intelligence.

Compulsory

Evolving Practice in Graphic Design - 30 credits

Engage with current debates in graphic design and develop a flexible, responsible approach that considers societal impact. Experiment with analogue, digital, and post-digital methods to develop and refine your ideas. Identify your personal focus for your final project to explore contemporary issues and creative techniques to shape your independent work.

Compulsory

Professional Practice and Innovation - 30 credits

Explore ecologies of the creative industries in independent, commercial and public sectors. The module is designed in collaboration with The Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) from which you’ll have a 12-month fellowship so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Receive an RSA digital credential once you have successfully passed the module.

Compulsory

Graphic Design Practice and Theoretical Inquiry - 60 credits

Create a significant, research-driven project, taking your work from concept to completion. Refine your ideas, conduct a critical investigation, and produce a 3,500-word report to support your final practical project. Emphasising personal exploration and contemporary graphic design methods, the module encourages you to combine theory and practice, resulting in a polished and professional body of work.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

The course uses a project-based approach that challenges you to debate and interrogate graphic design ideas and principles in the context of industry norms and your informed approach to your own practice.

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching and learning hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching and learning hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours will vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions, including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent learning

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent learning which will make up the required study hours per module. You will be undertaking a variety of activities, learning through guided background research, planning and preparation, studio activity, creative practice and making, reviewing what you have learned and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress towards the end of your studies, you will spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include:

reports
essays
practical coursework
assignments
presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline, or demonstrable and considerable experience at an appropriate professional level.

You should be familiar with and capable of using the Adobe Creative Suite.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Portfolio

You will need to submit a portfolio containing a range of projects, including (if applicable) a selection of your professional work. Your portfolio should evidence creative problem-solving related to graphic design/communications disciplines, design process, and digital/practical making skills, and demonstrate your understanding of design theory in written annotations.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline, or demonstrable and considerable experience at an appropriate professional level.

You should be familiar with and capable of using the Adobe Creative Suite.

Portfolio

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200	Not available
EU	£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Comprehensive taught sessions are delivered in our collaborative-focused graphic design studios in the newly designed Delia Derbyshire Building. You may have access to facilities ranging from photography studios to immersive labs, printmaking workshops to 3D spaces. Our modern technical studios enable you to bring your graphic design visions to life.

Unleash your creativity with our Media Loan Service. Borrow a wide range of audio-visual technologies to support your time-based productions. Experiment with professional equipment to elevate your graphic design projects. 

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Successful graduates may seek positions as a:

Graphic Designer
Art Director
Creative Director
Advertising Designer
UX/UI Designer
Front-end Web Developer
Brand Identity Designer
Packaging Designer
Illustrator
Motion Graphics / Animation Designer
Digital/Print Designer
Editorial Designer (magazine, book, newspaper)
Typography Designer
User Experience Researcher
Design Consultant
Artworker
Freelance Designer
Set Designer (film, TV, theatre).

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

show a clear understanding and use of key ideas and themes within your chosen area to develop advanced skills in graphic design
use advanced skills, techniques and new technologies creatively to bring fresh ideas and innovation to graphic design
create complex and ambitious graphic design projects or artefacts tailored for different audiences and contexts
actively contribute to the shaping of a global contemporary discourse by engaging with experimental, creative and hybrid approaches to graphic design practice
use advanced tools and methods to apply creative solutions in various professional, social and collaborative settings, driving social change
demonstrate a clear understanding of how creative teams contribute to the success of design projects
create innovative solutions in graphic design that address global challenges, market needs, and the specific contexts of clients and users
tackle complex problems with critical thinking, while upholding ethical standards in graphic design and considering broader societal impacts.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies including:

DCA Design International, Warwick, UK
Dafy.agencia, Madrid, Spain
SOAP! Presentation, Lisbon, Portugal
ME+EM, Lincolnshire, UK
Deeply Digital, Leamington, UK
PwC, The Middle East.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.