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Southampton Solent University logo

MAVisual Communication

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Starting in: 2025
Entry requirements: 2:2
Or higher
Up to: 20% alumni discountFind out more
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps

Why study a visual communication master's degree at Solent University

Be part of the future of visual communication and influence the creative industry. This master's is ideal if you have a creative eye for design and are keen to refine your practice.

  • 0th
    UK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022)
  • £0m
    invested in our campus estate and facilities in the last five years
  • You'll get opportunities to pitch for freelance work with our in-house creative agency, Solent Creatives, working with businesses and organisations. Perfect for portfolio development, the course includes time to develop these essential creative skills.
  • With opportunities to work on live competition briefs, students can work on projects set out by organisations such as the Design & Art Directors Association (D&AD) and the Young Creative Network (YCN).
  • Students have access to a wide-range of industry standard facilities, including a comprehensive media loans scheme, professional creative software, digital printing facilities and traditional printing presses.
  • You can study this course part-time or via distance learning, ideal if you are working whilst studying.
  • Research is a core element of this course, and we encourage students to make an innovative contribution to visual communication practice and theory through research with critical research papers and final Master’s projects.
  • The course will also equip you with research and academic skills helping you to pursue a PhD or an academic career in the fields of media, culture and the arts.
  • Free creative career consultation is delivered by our careers advice service, Solent Futures, which is available to all Solent students and graduates for life, helping you to progress in your current career or discuss options for a change in career.
  • This course is eligible for a Postgraduate Master's student loan from Student Finance England and can be used to cover costs (ie, accommodation, tuition fees) associated with postgraduate studies (it was up to £12,167 for 2023 entry).
  • You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.

Course overview

This intensive master’s degree helps students to improve their creative skills and build a solid understanding of academic theories that shape visual communication practices. The curriculum covers the latest innovations in visual practice, examining the way technological and cultural changes contributed to contemporary academic thinking and vice versa.

The course provides opportunities to explore semiotics; digital culture; professional practice; interdisciplinary practice; collaboration; editorial design; interactive multimedia; information design; image creation; illustration; fine art; typographic design; print-making and photographic technique. Students may have workshop sessions with the letterpress, screen-printing, etching and relief printing facilities, as well as the wet darkroom and photo studio. Depending on their creative background, graduates will be well prepared for a range of careers in the creative industries.

Critical research papers and final master’s projects are supported by the University’s expanding research base, encouraging students to make an innovative contribution to visual communication practice and theory.

Any questions?

Contact UK admissions

Email: admissions@solent.ac.ukCall: 023 8201 5066

Contact international admissions

Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066

Speak to a tutor

Speak to a tutor

Course features

  • Specialist facilities

    This course has access to specialist facilities

  • Apply direct

    You can apply direct to Solent University for this course

  • Further studies

    After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent

  • Part-time option

    You can study this course part-time

  • Distance learning

    You can study this course anywhere in the world. The course will be delivered through online study

This course is for

Aimed at those with a relevant Honours Degree, this Master's degree is well-suited to those who are looking to refine their practice as part of an interdisciplinary group of creatives. The course encourages students to engage, critically and creatively, with concept of being a ‘visual communicator’, expanding discourses around visual communication to include art as well as design. The course aims to provide a career catalyst for artists, creative theorists and designers alike.

What this course leads to

This master’s degree delivers the skills you’ll need for a wide range of creative careers. Students on the course come from a range of disciplines including graphic design; make-up and hair design; fine art; photography; computer games design; film; marketing (to name a few). Students are supported in developing transferrable skills and practices that will bring them closer to their desired profession. The course includes time to develop hands-on creative skills. Students are encouraged to create work for their professional portfolio.

  • Design and Communications Executive
  • Freelance photographer
  • Graphic Communication Leader
  • Communications Officer
  • Arts Facilitator
  • Creative Artworker
  • Freelance Illustrator
  • Freelance Graphic Designer
  • Junior 3D Artist
  • Junior Marketing Specialist
  • Teaching Assistant

Meet the team

The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Facilities

To help with creative projects and portfolio documentation, Solent provides a comprehensive media loans scheme. This scheme gives students free access to high-end photographic equipment and accessories.

Students will have access to a range of specialist facilities throughout their studies. These include Mac computers, professional creative software, digital printing facilities and traditional printing presses. You’ll have access to a full range of print-making facilities including letterpress, screen-printing equipment, etching and relief printing, and digital resources.



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