MA Design

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Leeds

Program Overview

The MA Design at the University of Leeds is perfect if you want to take your creative ideas further and learn how design can genuinely shape real-world experiences. It’s a great fit for students from design or non-design backgrounds who want to blend hands-on creative work with strong research skills while exploring areas like digital design, social impact, or material innovation.

Curriculum Structure

Semester 1

In your first semester, you’ll build a solid foundation in both creative practice and design research. Through modules like Design Explorations and Practice, Design Research and Integration, and Creative Research Skills, you’ll experiment with different design approaches, learn how to analyse problems deeply, and start developing your own visual language. This stage helps you understand how designers think, plan, and test ideas — all while working on small but meaningful design challenges.

Semester 2

As you grow more confident, you’ll shape the course around your interests. In your second semester, you’ll select optional modules such as Colour Design, AI and Design, Service and Social Design, or Information, Digital and Interactive Design. Alongside these, you’ll start your specialist project, which could become a polished professional portfolio piece or a research-focused dissertation. This is where you really carve out your direction — whether you’re drawn to digital interaction, human-centred design, social innovation, or experimental material work.

Focus Areas

"user-centred design, interdisciplinary practice, digital innovation, sustainable and social design"

Learning Outcomes

"graduates who can connect design research with practical solutions, communicate ideas clearly, develop refined prototypes, and complete a specialist project that aligns with their career goals"

Professional Alignment

Although the MA isn’t tied to a specific licensure body, everything you do mirrors current industry expectations. You’ll build a research-driven, practice-ready portfolio that prepares you for design studios, digital agencies, service design teams, social innovation labs, or creative strategy roles.

Reputation & Employability

The School of Design offers excellent facilities — including studios, digital print labs, 3D and laser-cutting workshops, and immersive technology spaces — so you can prototype and experiment as much as you need.
Leeds also gives you access to six-month internships through the PACE Creative Team, providing real professional experience while you study.
You’ll participate in the Global Industry Programme, working on a consultancy-style brief with an actual company, which is a standout addition to your CV.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Leeds, the MA Design is all about learning by doing. You won’t be limited to sketching ideas on paper — you’ll spend your time working with real materials, testing out concepts, and developing projects that feel genuinely industry-ready. The School of Design gives you access to a huge range of specialist spaces and digital tools, and there’s always a knowledgeable technician nearby to help you try something new or refine a technique. Along the way, you’ll also get chances to work on live briefs and gain professional experience, helping you build confidence — and your portfolio — long before graduation.

Here’s how your practical learning comes to life:

Specialist Workshops & Studios: You’ll work in dedicated creative spaces, including a 2D art studio, sculpture studio, fashion design studio, and printmaking workshop.
Digital Fabrication Lab: Bring your ideas off the page using laser cutting and 3D printing to build models and prototypes.
Immersive Technology & 3D Workshop (XLab): Explore VR, AR, and interactive design tools that help you experiment with new digital experiences.
Technical & Software Support: You’ll have access to industry-standard software, guided inductions, and ongoing support from expert technicians.
Internships: After your course, you can apply for a six-month internship with the university’s PACE Creative Team to gain real-world creative experience.
Global Industry Programme: Take part in a two-week virtual consultancy project where you collaborate with a business on a live brief.
Study & Research Spaces: Across the School of Design, you’ll find studios, labs, and exhibition areas designed to support both experimentation and professional presentation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

When you finish the MA Design at Leeds, you won’t just walk away with a degree — you’ll have a portfolio shaped by real projects, industry collaboration, and hands-on experimentation. Graduates from this programme often move into exciting roles like UX or product designer, service designer, design researcher, or creative strategist, because the course blends creative exploration with practical, employer-focused skills. It’s a great fit if you want to step confidently into the design world with a clear professional direction.

And to help you get there, Leeds offers strong career support and industry-facing opportunities:

Career Support That’s Actually Useful:
- The Careers Centre helps you build a polished CV and portfolio, prepares you for interviews, and guides you through job or internship applications — all tailored to creative careers.
- The School of Design’s own career resources connect you with live opportunities and offer personalised advice as you work through your MA.
Internships & Industry Links:
- You can apply for a 6-month internship with the University’s PACE Creative Team once you finish the course — it’s a fantastic chance to gain real workplace experience and add substantial projects to your portfolio.
- The Global Industry Programme gives you the chance to work on a real consultancy brief during a two-week virtual industry challenge, helping you build confidence and industry connections.
Long-Term Value of the Degree:
- The MA is built around strong design research and problem-solving, which means the skills you gain stay relevant no matter how the design industry evolves.
- Your final specialist project becomes a standout portfolio piece that showcases both your creativity and your ability to think strategically.
Where Graduates Go:
- Alumni step into roles across UX, digital design, service design, consultancy, and creative strategy — or use the flexibility of the degree to freelance or build their own design practice.

Further Academic Progression:
If you discover a passion for research, you can continue on to a PhD or MPhil in Design or related fields like human–computer interaction, digital innovation, or sustainability. You can also pursue specialist postgraduate pathways in areas such as design leadership or interaction design, which can open doors to senior design and research roles in industry or academia.