MA Product & Furniture Design (with professional placement)

Postgraduate Entry Requirements:

• Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.
• English language proficiency is required, and applicants must provide evidence of their English language skills through an approved language test.
  • IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no individual component below 6.0.
  • TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 88, with at least 21 in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and  Writing.
  • PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 59 with no individual score below 59.

Students must provide:

• academic marksheets & transcripts
• letters of recommendation
• a personal statement - SOP
• passport
• other supporting documents as required by the university.

Work experience: Some postgraduate courses may require relevant work experience in the field.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.

Kingston University is dedicated towards supporting talented and deserving students from around the world through a range of scholarships and financial aid programs. These scholarships aim to provide opportunities for academic excellence and promote diversity within the student community. 

1. International Scholarship: Kingston University offers the International Scholarship for undergraduate and postgraduate students. This scholarship provides a tuition fee reduction of up to £4,000 for the first year of study. The scholarship is merit-based and available to international students with outstanding academic achievements.
2. Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships: The Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships are prestigious awards offered to exceptional international students. These scholarships provide a full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the undergraduate or postgraduate degree program. The selection criteria are based on academic excellence, personal achievements, and a strong commitment to making a positive impact on society.
3. Postgraduate Scholarships: Kingston University offers a range of scholarships specifically for postgraduate students. These scholarships include the Postgraduate International Scholarship, which provides a tuition fee reduction of £2,000 for international students. Additionally, subject-specific scholarships are available for students pursuing certain disciplines, such as business, engineering, and health.
4. International Foundation Year Scholarships: For international students entering the International Foundation Year program, Kingston University offers scholarships to support their transition into undergraduate studies. These scholarships provide a tuition fee reduction of £4,000 for the International Foundation Year program.
5. External Scholarships and Funding: Kingston University encourages students to explore external scholarships and funding opportunities. The university provides guidance and support in accessing external scholarships from various organizations and governments to supplement the financial assistance available.

The MA Product & Furniture Design (with Professional Placement) course at Kingston University equips graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful careers in the design industry. The combination of practical design skills, industry experience, and a strong theoretical foundation prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities.  

1. Product and Furniture Designer: Graduates can pursue careers as product and furniture designers, creating innovative and functional designs for various industries. They can work for design consultancies, furniture manufacturers, architectural firms, or start their own design studios. Graduates can contribute to the development of new products, from concept development to final production.

2. Design Researcher: With their strong research skills, graduates can work as design researchers, exploring emerging trends, user needs, and market demands. They can conduct design research for companies, helping them identify opportunities and develop design strategies. Design researchers play a crucial role in understanding user preferences and driving innovation in the industry.

3. Design Manager: Graduates can pursue managerial roles in design departments or design-led organizations. They can oversee design projects, manage design teams, and ensure the successful execution of design strategies. Design managers play a critical role in bridging the gap between design and business objectives, ensuring that design projects align with organizational goals.

4. Design Consultant: Graduates can work as design consultants, providing expert advice and guidance to companies seeking to improve their design processes and outcomes. They can offer insights into design strategy, user-centered design, and sustainable design practices. Design consultants help organizations enhance their competitive advantage through effective design solutions.

5. Design Entrepreneur: Graduates with an entrepreneurial spirit can start their own design businesses or design-driven startups. They can develop their own product and furniture lines, catering to specific market niches or addressing unmet user needs. Entrepreneurial graduates have the opportunity to bring their design visions to life and create their own success stories in the industry.

6. Exhibition and Set Designer: Graduates can work as exhibition and set designers, creating immersive and engaging environments for events, museums, retail spaces, and trade shows. They can design exhibition displays, interactive installations, and spatial experiences that captivate audiences and effectively convey messages or brand identities.

7. Design Educator: Graduates with a passion for teaching and sharing their design knowledge can pursue careers as design educators. They can become lecturers, tutors, or instructors in design schools, universities, or vocational training institutions. Design educators play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of designers and inspiring future innovation.

8. Design Industry Specialist: Graduates can work in specialized roles within the design industry, focusing on specific areas such as sustainable design, user experience (UX) design, or design for social impact. They can contribute their expertise to organizations committed to environmental sustainability, user-centered design, or social responsibility.

9. Design Project Manager: Graduates can take on roles as design project managers, overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of design projects. They ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards. Design project managers collaborate with cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, and marketing professionals, to bring design projects to fruition.

10. Design-Related Industries: Graduates of the MA Product & Furniture Design (with Professional Placement) course can explore career opportunities in related industries such as interior design, exhibition design, furniture manufacturing, and design journalism. They can apply their design skills and knowledge to various sectors that value creativity and innovation.

The MA Product & Furniture Design (with Professional Placement) course at Kingston University prepares graduates for diverse and rewarding careers in the design industry. Through practical design skills, industry experience, and a strong theoretical foundation, graduates are well-equipped to make significant contributions to the field of product and furniture design. The combination of creativity, technical proficiency, and professional experience gained from this course opens up a wide range of career prospects for graduates.