University of Leeds · Full-time
Design
Deepen your creative expertise with a Masters in Design, empowering you to be strategic, innovative, and adaptable across a range of industries. Looking to advance your career or acquire specialised knowledge in your field? This Masters course in design helps…
MA1 yearFull-time
Browse creative arts and design courses in UK
School of Design
Deepen your creative expertise with a Masters in Design, empowering you to be strategic, innovative, and adaptable across a range of industries. Looking to advance your career or acquire specialised knowledge in your field? This Masters course in design helps you meet the rigorous and ever-changing demands of industries everywhere. The programme focuses on user-centred design, helping you develop research and practice-based design solutions for today and beyond. Whether your background is in design or another discipline, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to develop, test and critically evaluate innovative design strategies and solutions for real-life scenarios. You’ll gain first-hand experience of the needs and trends in markets across a variety of sectors, before focusing on a large-scale design project within one of our core specialisms. You’ll learn from tutors with a wide range of design expertise and internationally recognised profiles in research and practice. Plus, you’ll draw from multiple perspectives and cutting-edge research to develop design solutions in stimulating environments. Upon graduation, you’ll have the technical and creative expertise to broaden or enhance your career potential. Why study at Leeds - Get industry experience: Get the chance to collaborate with clients and gain consultancy experience as part of our 2-week online Global Industry Programme. - Get hands on with live projects: Work on live projects from industry or research projects within the School of Design. - Your course, your choice: Apply your specialist design project in a real-life setting or produce an independent research dissertation based on a relevant field. - Learn in expert facilities: Test your skills with our creative spaces, like our 2D art studio, photography studio, digital printing studio, and laboratory for materials testing and characterisation. Rankings and awards - 6th in the UK for Art and Design, Complete University Guide 2026 - 53rd in the world for Arts and Humanities, QS World Rankings by Subject 2026 Where this degree could take you Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our design graduates have obtained: - Content Strategist at Alibaba Group - Visual Designer at Amazon - Editorial Designer at the American Planning Association - Associate Professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology - Designer at Brand42 - Designer at Central 23 - Test Leader at Decathlon - UX Design Analyst at Deloitte UK - Creative Strategist at DTG Limited Alumni profile: Lucy Clanfield “The most valuable takeaway from my industry experience has been the confidence I've developed in both me and my abilities as a designer.'' Lucy Clanfield, Pace Intern Career support 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.
Getting in
As the university states it
You’ll need a bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification, preferably in a design or art related degree specialising in one the following subjects: Graphic Design Communication Design Digital Design/Arts Interaction Design Interactive Media Design Web Design Game Design User Experience Design Information Design Instructional Design Editorial Design Service Design Social Design Typography Illustration Photography Advertising Branding Colour Design Sustainable Design Design Management We will also consider applicants with relevant experience and/or an interest in design and/or coming from an area of expertise to which design is complementary: Marketing Architecture Interior Design Product Design Engineering Healthcare Communications Healthcare Media Communications Media Computer Science Psychology Neurosciences Anthropology Sociology Social Sciences Innovation Management Business Management You’ll be required to submit a portfolio of recent practical work. You’ll also be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form, including details of the design specialism you wish to study as part of the MA Design. IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.
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