Philosophy

The distinctive characteristic of the MA course is that students from a range of subject disciplines study together creating the potential for innovation and collaboration; it encourages a high level of creative thinking and original output. The course challenges students with the task of engaging with their ideas in order to redefine their individual approach to their practice. It is the opportunity for students to build on their achievements and to study at an advanced level. Students deepen their knowledge and their ability to focus on their chosen field in relation to the key aspects that inform it.

Structure

The MA course is structured in a way that builds systematically and in a logical sequence. The course consists of three phases, with each phase building in complexity and demand. Each phase operates over a period of 15 weeks full-time (30 weeks part-time). There is one unit in each phase and each unit has its own Aims, Learning Outcomes, Assessment Requirements and Assessment Criteria.

All students (whether undertaking the fulltime one-year mode of study or the part-time two-year mode of study) will study the same course leading to the same award. Each student will require the successful completion of 180 credits (equivalent to a total of 1800 study hours) at Level 7 in order to achieve the award of MA. The full time course duration is 45 weeks (a notional total of 40 study hours per week) and the part-time course duration is 90 weeks (a notional total of 20 study hours per week). The part-time and full-time overlap offers several opportunities. Part-time students will have the valuable and informative experience of attending the critiques, group and individual presentations scheduled for full-time students, providing them with relevant skills, knowledge and a real understanding of what is expected of them. Full-time students will gain from part-time students’ assistance in the preparation of their MA show. All new full-time and part-time cohorts will be welcomed by existing part-time students in their second year of study and will be able to learn from their experiences of the course and of the University College. Part-time students in their second year will be able to act as mentors to the new students. An ability to study independently is the underlying principle of postgraduate courses and students selecting the part-time option may find this allows them the further ‘space’ in which to develop their practice and thinking.

Research

A flourishing research and scholarship culture exists at the University College which celebrates and enables original investigation in order to extend existing knowledge and new understanding across the range of art, design, media and performance. We promote the pursuit of innovation and creativity, encourage opportunities for establishing and sharing best practice in research, foster the development of critical perspectives, and provide possibilities for self-reflective practicesin teaching and learning in an interactive relationship with research.

The Learning Experience

Students develop their individual practice which, in turn, informs and directs their research interests. Practice is regarded as a way of exploring and defining research and forms the basis from which the contextualisation of practice takes shape. The study is self-initiated and developed through the Study Plan, building upon the study proposal set out at interview. As students explore and interrogate their practice they are required to develop a body of work and to present their ideas, outcomes and related research in seminars. Each student is required to develop and maintain a Professional Development Portfolio.

Prime supervisory staff

Ronnie Inglis – Course Leader

Stephanie James – Associate Dean,

Faculty of Art and Design

Sean Aita – Contemporary Performance

Phil Beards – Interactive Media

Anthony Bednall – Fashion

Mike Griffiths – Fine Art

David Hazel – Photography

Phil Jones – Graphic Design

Rebecca Pride – Costume

Lisa Richardson – Illustration

Dr Thomas Walsh – Animation

POSTGRADUATE SHOWCASE

More student work, together with a look at our studios, recent projects and exhibitions can all be viewed in the ‘Showcase’.