Graphic Design - Contemporary Dialogues (Full-time) (MA)
MA Graphic Design – Contemporary Dialogues at Swansea College of Art is designed for recent graduates and individuals with professional experience in the industry who want to deepen their understanding of graphic design at a postgraduate level. This exciting course offers the opportunity to refine your creative ideas and improve your design practice, equipping you with the skills to thrive in the fast-paced creative industry.
Throughout the programme, you will explore the use of visual language to address complex, real-world design problems. Graphic design plays a vital role in tackling challenges within contemporary society, and you will learn how to use design as a tool for effective problem-solving. The course encourages you to think critically and creatively, providing you with the tools to engage in both practical and theoretical aspects of design.
As part of the Contemporary Dialogues portfolio, you will develop new ways of thinking and approach your own design practice from fresh perspectives. You will examine how communication can be enhanced through design, using techniques such as metaphor, and explore how design can act as a trigger for thinking and feeling. By working at a cognitive level, you will develop the ability to create designs that not only look great but also resonate with diverse audiences.
The course places a strong emphasis on self-initiated research and experimentation, allowing you to pursue your own areas of interest within graphic design. You will be encouraged to push the boundaries of your practice and explore new design insights that can drive positive action in the industry.
By the end of the course, you will have gained valuable professional experience, learning how to respond to varied client needs and handle diverse briefs. This pathway will help you build a strong portfolio, refine your design thinking, and prepare you for a wide range of roles within the creative industry. It is ideal for those eager to advance their careers and develop as innovative, forward-thinking graphic designers.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Bilingual
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our MA Graphic Design – Contemporary Dialogues course encourages critical thinking, experimentation, and real-world application of design skills. Our philosophy emphasises independent research, creative problem-solving, and professional growth, helping students to push boundaries and refine their design practice.
The master’s Contemporary Dialogues portfolio at Swansea College of Art offers a unique postgraduate experience. Graduates and professionals from a wide range of specialities benefit from multidisciplinary learning together with expert lecturers and a broad range of facilities. You will have the opportunity to draw upon experiences and knowledge from across the different pathways and reflect this in your own personal study.
The research environment benefits greatly from the input of our teaching staff and visiting lecturers, most of whom are research-active artists, designers, and theoreticians of national and international significance. In the first part of the programme, you will complete a series of taught modules. You will participate in multidisciplinary exchanges, through seminars and lectures involving students from all programmes within the Contemporary Dialogues portfolio, to stimulate new perspectives and challenge directions. The cross-fertilisation of ideas through such dialogues is expected to promote a rethinking of the perceptions and production techniques appropriate to your discipline. Throughout the taught part of the programme, you will be expected to undertake material investigations and research into contemporary themes, with consideration given to environmental, economic, social, and cultural issues.
Throughout the course, you will explore how visual language can solve complex real-world design problems and respond to the needs of contemporary society. Through self-initiated research and hands-on projects, you will experiment with new techniques and develop a unique creative voice, while refining your design skills and critical thinking.
In the latter part of the year, you will apply your skills to professional contexts, working on live briefs and client projects. You will gain valuable professional experience, learning how to communicate effectively with clients and address their needs through innovative design solutions. This experience will help you to build a strong portfolio and prepare for roles within the creative industry.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(60 credits)
(60 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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2:2 honours degree 
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or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Please note, this master’s programme does require practical and theoretical research as well as some academic writing.
We arrange interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. Your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work.
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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Interview
All applicants to Swansea College of Art are required to have an interview.
We really enjoy the interview process, getting to know you and your work, and we feel that this is the best way to find the right students for our programmes. We understand at master’s level that there may be different reasons for studying MA. You may wish to keep your current momentum of study, a change in direction of study or career, to deepen your knowledge, an opportunity to fast track your career or simply to just give you more time to develop ideas and refine your skills. Discussing these options ensures that our applicants have all the information they need to make the right choice for them too.
If you have any queries before your interview, please contact us at artanddesign@uwtsd.ac.uk.
Portfolio
We ask that you bring a portfolio of some past and current work. Your portfolio is a collection of your most exciting and representative work, showcasing your creative abilities, technical skills, and artistic vision. It tells the story of your creative journey, highlighting your unique style, interests, and ideas as they develop. We interpret the term ‘portfolio’ broadly and are happy for you to do the same - this can include finished pieces, work in progress, sketchbooks, drawings, and projects that are still unfolding, as these give us insight into your thinking and creative process. This portfolio might also include professional practice or experience and attributes you have that could be applied to your master’s study. Whether in physical or digital format, your portfolio is an opportunity to showcase your creative journey in a way that feels authentic to you, with each piece highlighting your creative potential and enthusiasm for the programme you are applying for.
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Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written practical and presented.
There is a 4,000-word theoretical essay with poster presentation in Semester 1, and a 5,000-word report in Semester 3, which accompanies the practical work.
There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module. Summative assessment takes place at the end of a module, which includes presentation of the work to the assessment team.
A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course, which include, among others:
Tutorials
These tutorials are held on a regular basis.In Semester 1, full-time/Year 1, part-time, each student sees and discusses his/her work with a member of staff as part of each module. In Semesters 2 and 3, full-time/Years 2 and 3, part-time, students work more independently and sign up for tutorials within, or across, their discipline, in addition to those scheduled when their work requires support.
As a team, we ensure that every student in the final semester/year of the course is seen by at least one member of the academic staff each week.
Group Tutorials/Seminars
These are held on a regular basis, across all stages of the course, with one member of staff. They provide an excellent opportunity for students to share and exchange ideas with their peers in a structured manner, in addition to valuable input from staff.Informal & Formal presentations
Some of the modules have a presentation of ideas as part of the module outcome and are an essential way of sharing ideas across the course. Presenting work informally to peers is also part of the seminar teaching and a way of getting valuable feedback on the progress of the work.Exhibiting work
At the end of the course there is an opportunity, if appropriate, to show outcomes from the course in a curated exhibition. Students are also supported to create their own exhibitions during the middle part of the course, if they wish to do so. -
Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources which, in most cases, is sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs in the extension of their personal practice. Examples include purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining optional study trips, and paying for printing.
Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately £10 to visit local galleries and exhibitions, to £200 plus for overseas or longer UK study visits. These costs cover such things as transport and entry to venues and accommodation. There are normally reduced rates for our students.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Graduates become active members of our creative culture, developing careers in a variety of professional roles, such as:
- Cultural entrepreneur
- Curator
- Educator – university lecturer
- Funded research degree student
- Practising artist/designer