MA Graphic Communication
01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2028
| Course Leader | Ryan Preece |
|---|---|
| Course Team | Emma Marshman, Sarah Down, Stephen Leadbetter, Rachel Grainger |
| Awarding Body | University of South Wales |
| Teaching Institutions | University of South Wales |
| Modes of Study | Full Time, Part Time |
Document Version
| Version | 5 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2026 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2028 |
QAA Benchmarks
Educational Aim
To produce highly informed, flexible, reflective and skilled practitioners who can with confidence and autonomy make a significant contribution to their chosen specialism, the economy and body of knowledge in their discipline. To facilitate the acquisition of creativity and innovative practice and the critical skills with which to interrogate and evaluate it. To enable students to undertake complex problem solving and to achieve practical and advanced understanding of their role as a Graphic Communicator working within context. To develop students’ interpersonal skills and personal attributes enabling them to act in a professional capacity and in the expectation of best practice within Graphic Communication areas. To increase critical awareness and analysis of current practice, issues, developments, scholarship and research within the field of Graphic Communication. To develop student abilities to apply appropriate and effective research methods to situations both theoretically and practically.
Learning Outcomes
| A1 | Develop a higher level of knowledge and understanding of current graphic communication practices, scholarship and research, effectively utilising this to undertake complex problem solving and to develop innovative practice. |
| A2 | Initiate, apply, consolidate and extend their learning and creative experiences in different contextual frameworks and situations. |
| A3 | Apply advanced knowledge and critical understanding showing a reflection of the research and research methodologies relating to practice/scholarship within their chosen disciplines. |
| A4 | Develop to a professional standard their subject specific and generic knowledge and understanding, creativity, confidence, attributes and skills. |
| B1 | Analyse skills based on identifying those factors informing practice or research. Employing critical awareness to evaluate and synthesise information and ideas to create and effectively communicate successful solutions, informed by the forefront of their specialism. |
| B2 | Identify and present the key elements of an argument or a demonstration and apply independent, referenced and effective critical judgement and where appropriate to propose new hypotheses. |
| B3 | Successfully interpret/propose project briefs using technical, aesthetic and critically analytical skills to determine outcomes. |
| B4 | Formulate and use appropriate methodologies in research and practice demonstrating advanced critical and practical understanding of how established techniques are used to create and interpret knowledge within their specialism. |
| C1 | Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non- specialist audiences through practical and theoretical means. |
| C2 | Utilise effective time management, self-motivation, personal initiative, organisational skills, planning, strategising and prioritising graphic communication issues. |
| C3 | Continue to advance professional/vocational skills in Graphic Communication that include detailed knowledge and experience of complex processes, the nature and behaviour of materials, media and technology, the organisation and planning of events, processes and use of resources. |
| C4 | Negotiate, manage and complete research and practice and engage in critical debate with understanding and appreciation of requirements and legislation relating to chosen areas of practice. |
Course Structure
Level 7 Modules
| Module Code | Module Id | Module Title | Module Status | Credit Value | Module Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DG4D04 | MOD010563 | Graphic Communication Masters Projects | Running | 40 | specified |
| DG4S26 | MOD010552 | Graphic Communication Principles | Running | 20 | specified |
| DG4S27 | MOD010557 | Graphic Communication Applications | Running | 20 | specified |
| DG4S28 | MOD010560 | Professional Design Practice | Running | 20 | specified |
| DG4S29 | MOD010576 | Research and Practice in the Creative and Cultural Industries | Running | 20 | specified |
| DG4T03 | MOD010575 | Graphic Communication Final Major Project | Running | 60 | core |
Teaching and Assessment
Learning and Teaching Methods
Active/simulation based Lectures Tutorials Group work Project Supervision Demonstration Directed Study (including Online Learning)Independent Study Formative assessment-scheduled
Employer Engagement
Visiting Speakers
Visiting speakers are regularly arranged to supplement student lectures with industry specialists from areas such as UX (user Experience and UI (User Interface) now being added to a list of existing established areas.
Volunteering
Students are encouraged to volunteer their skills for charitable based work and are constantly occupied with projects that offer their skills to organisations that may benefit. Examples of this can be seen in work in collaboration with Public Health Wales and organisations that have close links with the homeless, drug misuse, health and wellbeing.
Fieldwork
Students are encouraged to undertake fieldwork where necessary and manage their time both “on site” and in studio.
Fieldtrips
Students are encouraged to undertake fieldtrips where necessary and manage their time both “on site” and in studio.
Work Placements
These are informal and occur on an unscheduled calendar basis. The course tries to work with students on these periods and attempts to integrate their coursework into the placement wherever possible.
Means of Assessment
Visual Journal Portfolio Case Study Oral Assessment Written Assignment
Learning Support
Induction
Students have an annual induction period where they are encouraged to explore other subject areas through collaboration and project work. This is usually a 1 week period at the start of the course where all students are pooled into groups and given the opportunity to explore current trends and world events and produce relationships that will mature throughout their course.
Personal tutor
Students have a personal tutor to monitor they progression through their study.
Office hours
These are flexible and allow students to access tutors at most times throughout the week via office appointments or via internet contact.
Tutorials
Studio-based tutorials are given to students weekly at the start of each project to front-load all modules with information that may be required to complete their work.
Seminars
Seminars are generated by students with both lecturer and student contact throughout projects.
Formative Assessment
There is a formative assessment period half way through each project that allows students to act on all advice and feedback on their project at that time.
Progress meetings
During the year students have progress meetings to monitor their development.
Research Supervision
Students generate regular progress events on their project work that allows their peers to critique all work undertake at that period in their work schedule. This tends to give them far more control of their project and helps set the bar regarding time management and achievable outcomes.
Online Resources
Online software learning is becoming more available for students allowing them resources outside of the studio environment to improve their technical skills allowing them more time in studio to concentrate on conceptualisation and development of ideas.
Course Exit Points
| Award | Criteria | Final |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts | 180 credits of which at least 150 must be at Level 7 and no more than 30 at Level 6 | Final |
| Postgraduate Certificate | 60 credits with at least 40 at Level 7 and no more than 20 at Level 6 | Exit |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 120 credits of which at least 90 must be at Level 7 and no more than 30 at Level 6 | Exit |
Progression Route
There is natural progression from the BA Graphic Communication. Students could continue their study after studying post graduate into areas such as MPhil and or PhD.
Entry Requirements
Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:
A good Honours degree in a relevant discipline or appropriate professional qualification; or an HND/HNC and relevant experience; or equivalent international qualifications. Undergraduate Degree: 2:2/2:1 or above Those without such qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, where prior experience will be taken into account. All applicants will be invited to a portfolio-based interview, which should include a show reel/demo of recent work.Professional Practice: 3 years professional practice International Entry Requirements: We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details. English requirements In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
Inclusive Curriculum Statement
The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/
Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution
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Methods Of Quality Standards
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Quality Of Standards Indicators
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