Visual communicators have a pivotal role to play in an increasingly complex environment, working across the boundaries between languages and cultures as analysts, interpreters and shapers of knowledge. This programme offers versatile, interdisciplinary study, with supporting cultural, social, and commercial partners. BSU has specialist design teachers/practitioners and theorists/historians to support your research and practice.

The programme is based in the UNESCO world heritage city of Bath at the School of Art and Design Sion Hill campus and Elizabethan Corsham Court, home to the University's Research and Postgraduate Centre. The facilities are well equipped and BSU hosts frequent visits from leading practitioners and theorists. The programme will develop your ability and inclination to assess real world situations and effect positive change through communication design.

• Admission is normally based on a good undergraduate degree in a design or media discipline together with an interview. Applicants with a good honours degree in a related discipline and/or with relevant work experience will also be considered. Applicants will also be asked to write a 500 word statement about what they wish to achieve on the course. Overseas applicants with a design background should send a digital portfolio.
• To help applicants - especially those from overseas - to decide if this course is appropriate for them, it is advisable to contact the Course Leader prior to application. The University offers a Pre-Master's programme for international students who are non-native English speakers. This is intended to raise your level of English and to prepare you for postgraduate study in an English university.

The course is offered in both full and part-time modes. It is normally one year duration (3 trimesters) full-time or 6 trimesters part-time. The first two trimesters comprise taught sessions and assessed projects, while the Master's Project in the final part of the course is by negotiated project. Completion of the first 2 modules leads to the award of the Postgraduate Certificate, and of the first 4 modules to Postgraduate Diploma. Subsequent completion of the MA double module leads to the award of MA Design: Communication Design.

The course combines theory and practice through assignments, case studies, and the application of analysis and research to communication design themes and projects. Sustainable, ethical and inclusive design practice underpin our approach.

The modules available are:

• Research Methodologies: A common programme for all MA Design students introducing generic principles and methods of research relevant to the study and practice of art and design, including theoretical frameworks appropriate to specific design disciplines
• Discover: You will explore communication design methods, histories, theories and technologies. Contextual debates concerning ethics, inclusive design and sustainability are investigated and used to review and synthesize personal experience with research methodologies. You will explore themes through studio practice, supported by workshops and master classes. Opportunities for interdisciplinary and collaborative practice provide a framework for discovering new approaches to practice, shaping your individual direction.
• Define: The focus is on defining and formulating a communication design research question, through independent, collaborative or interdisciplinary studio work and research as appropriate. Guided teaching with staff and discussions with relevant external organisations will lead to a practitioner statement made by oral, visual and written presentation that defines a research question and locates your work in relation to contemporary practice.
• Develop: You will develop a response to your defined research question through studio practice and debate, supported by the external and internal expertise of academics, designers, industry, government and cultural entities (such as museums, galleries). External placements, embedded working or live projects may be included to test and evaluate concepts and practice. You will work with external partners across social, commercial or cultural sectors to build your understanding of collaborative working and professional engagement, and produce a body of work to prepare and support your proposal for the MA project.
• MA Project (double module) Deliver: A major, self-initiated project enables you to demonstrate a balance of critical design practice and theoretical content. Written work will provide a context and evaluation of your work, and encourage you to reflect on your personal and professional aims.