MSc Public Health and Social Care in Practice
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), United Kingdom, offers an MSc Publ...
MA Design – Contemporary Dialogues
Swansea
INTAKE: October
Program Overview
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), situated in the United Kingdom, offers an MA Design – Contemporary Dialogues program. This Master's degree is specifically crafted to foster creative and critical thinkers who are equipped to explore and challenge the boundaries of contemporary design practice. As part of the "Contemporary Dialogues" portfolio at Swansea College of Art, the program provides a unique interdisciplinary learning environment. It enables students to engage with diverse workshops, draw upon experiences and knowledge from across different pathways (such as fine art, photography, textiles, and visual communication), and reflect this in their personal study. The program aims to deepen students' understanding of design theory and techniques, preparing them to conduct research and create innovative design solutions within a professional context, addressing contemporary themes with consideration for environmental, economic, social, and cultural issues.
Curriculum: The MA Design – Contemporary Dialogues curriculum at UWTSD is structured to encourage both independent academic research and collaborative creative experimentation. The program typically begins with a series of taught modules that facilitate multidisciplinary exchanges through seminars and lectures involving students from all programs within the "Contemporary Dialogues" portfolio. While specific module names may vary, common themes include "Coexistent Perspectives," "The Thought Experiment," "Collaborative Dialogues," "Explorative Research & Praxis," and "Confirmative Praxis." These modules provide the opportunity to understand complex theoretical and philosophical ideas while building independent academic research skills. The latter part of the program focuses on a significant "Major Design Project," allowing students to conduct in-depth material investigations and research into contemporary design themes, culminating in a substantial body of practical work and a supporting written component.
Research Focus: The research focus within the MA Design – Contemporary Dialogues program at UWTSD is deeply rooted in challenging established design conventions and exploring new possibilities within various design disciplines. Swansea College of Art is recognized as a center of excellence for art and design-based learning and research, with a significant portion of its research categorized as world-renowned. The program encourages students to engage with research into contemporary themes, providing a platform for critical assessment, analysis, and inventiveness in design. The research environment is enriched by teaching staff and visiting lecturers who are research-active artists, designers, and theoreticians of national and international significance. Students are expected to undertake material investigations and research with consideration given to environmental, economic, social, and cultural issues, ultimately contributing to sustainable and innovative design solutions.
Industry Engagement: UWTSD places a strong emphasis on forging meaningful connections between its academic programs and the creative industries, which is highly beneficial for students of the MA Design – Contemporary Dialogues. The university aims to ensure that its graduates possess the skills needed to market their work and communicate their ideas effectively to clients and business colleagues. While direct mandatory placements for this specific MA program are not consistently detailed, the university's broader approach includes offering students opportunities to participate in exhibitions, workshops, and industry collaborations. Furthermore, the "Contemporary Dialogues" framework itself fosters an environment that mirrors real-world design practice through multidisciplinary exchanges and the development of a strong portfolio of studio production work, preparing graduates for professional roles as designer-makers, illustrators, graphic designers, or in other design-related fields.
Global Perspective: The MA Design – Contemporary Dialogues program at UWTSD inherently incorporates a strong global perspective by encouraging students to engage with diverse design theories, practices, and cultural contexts. The multidisciplinary nature of the "Contemporary Dialogues" portfolio exposes students to a broad range of artistic and design influences from around the world. The program's focus on addressing environmental, economic, social, and cultural issues within design practice acknowledges the global interconnectedness of these challenges. By fostering an inquisitive stance and encouraging the rethinking of perceptions and production techniques, the program prepares graduates to work in an international design landscape, collaborate with diverse teams, and contribute to design solutions that have global relevance and impact.
Location
Swansea
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 15000
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: 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:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 72.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 59.
- Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and financial aid options to help reduce the cost of tuition fees and make studying in the UK more accessible. UWTSD offers various scholarships based on academic merit, country of origin, and specific program requirements.
International Postgraduate Scholarships: UWTSD offers International Postgraduate Scholarships to support international students enrolling in postgraduate taught programs. These scholarships are awarded to high-achieving students and can provide substantial financial assistance. International students from countries outside the EU are eligible to apply, and the scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and the strength of their application.
Country-Specific Scholarships: UWTSD offers Country-Specific Scholarships for students from particular regions or countries. These scholarships are tailored to students from countries with strong links to the university or who are studying specific courses. The scholarships can range from partial fee waivers to more substantial financial support and are typically awarded based on academic merit and the applicant’s background.
Alumni Loyalty Scholarship: UWTSD offers an Alumni Loyalty Scholarship for international students who are returning to study at the university for a second degree or postgraduate qualification. The scholarship is a way of recognizing the continued alumni to the university, with a discount on tuition fees as a gesture of appreciation.
Early Payment Discounts: Students who pay their tuition fees early can benefit from an early payment discount. This discount is available to international students who pay their tuition fees in full before the specified deadline. The early payment discount typically depending on the program and level of study.
An MA in Design – Contemporary Dialogues from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) empowers graduates with a sophisticated and adaptable skill set, preparing them for impactful roles across a diverse spectrum of creative industries. This postgraduate program fosters critical thinking and innovative practice, encouraging students to explore and challenge established design conventions across various disciplines, including fine art, photography, textiles, and visual communication.
Senior Designer/Creative Lead: Taking on leadership roles in design studios, agencies, or in-house design departments, overseeing projects, guiding teams, and ensuring the execution of high-quality design solutions across various media (e.g., graphic design, digital design, product design).
Design Researcher/Strategist: Working for design consultancies, research institutions, or innovation hubs to conduct in-depth research into user needs, market trends, and emerging technologies, translating insights into actionable design strategies for new products, services, or experiences.
UX/UI Designer (User Experience/User Interface Designer): Specializing in creating intuitive, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing digital interfaces for websites, mobile applications, and software, often with a focus on human-centered design principles.
Illustrator/Visual Communicator: Creating original visual content for publications, advertising, digital media, or product branding, communicating complex ideas or narratives through compelling imagery.
Design Educator/Academic: Pursuing a career in academia, teaching design principles and practices at universities or art colleges, or engaging in further research (e.g., PhD) to contribute to the theoretical and practical advancement of design.
Exhibition Designer/Experiential Designer: Designing immersive environments and interactive experiences for museums, galleries, trade shows, and public spaces, blending physical and digital elements to create engaging visitor journeys.
Brand Identity Designer/Strategist: Developing comprehensive brand identities for companies and organizations, including logos, visual guidelines, messaging, and brand narratives that resonate with target audiences.
Sustainable Design Consultant: Advising businesses and individuals on integrating sustainable practices into their design processes, material selection, and product lifecycles to minimize environmental impact.
Textile Designer/Fashion Designer (with specific focus): Specializing in creating patterns, prints, and fabric designs for textiles, or designing clothing and accessories, often with an emphasis on innovative materials and sustainable production methods.
Independent Designer/Freelancer/Entrepreneur: Establishing their own design studio or working as a freelance designer, offering specialized design services to a diverse range of clients across various industries.
