Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To develop knowledge and understanding of Graphic Design and Visualisation to an advanced (Masters) degree level.
• To cultivate a process of conceiving, planning and making work using a range of visualisation skills.
• To enable and support research through a synthesis of understanding and application.
• To exploit key transferable skills in the areas of information technology, problem-solving, communication, management and team-work.
• To promote an understanding of, and examine the opportunities for, professional practice.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• Art and Design Benchmark Statement
• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

K1  interpret current theoretical and methodological approaches for academic and professional needs within a specialised field of study;

K2  demonstrate interrelationship between personal visual language and relevant cultural, social and economic contexts.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

C1  convey a broad and comparative awareness of personal practice related to problem-solving;

C2  initiate, manage, reflect, critique and evaluate their practice appropriate to specific project briefings and self-directed enquiry;

C3  identify with, respond to, and critically reflect upon the opportunities and dynamics for learning with peers and other external contexts;

C4  develop ideas, concepts, theories, and arguments for different audiences through a range of cognitive methods and methodologies;

C5  identify the opportunities in visual experimentation, innovation and further research.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1  develop a broad ability and innovative implementation of appropriate techniques through a range of practical methods and outcomes including visual, tactile, written and oral;

P2  autonomously investigate and integrate sectorial best practice for creative work;

P3  evidence practice appropriate to negotiated project briefs aligned to industrial and academic aspirations;

P4  incorporate critical ethical awareness and application to creative practice;

P5  demonstrate team working and organisational ability to realise goals.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

T1  use reflection and analysis to connect and improve known and unknown situations;

T2  maintain and refine effective visual, verbal and written communication - including clarification of questions, consideration of alternative solutions and evaluation of outcomes;

T3  exploit relevant research literature and other sources of primary and secondary information;

T4  evidence self-learning through project and time management;

T5  use teamwork for sharing responsibilities, the agreement of common goals and methods, and co-ordination of resources;

T6  act professionally in accordance with ethical propriety, and the observation of safe working practices;

T7  communicate ideas, concepts, theories, and arguments with different audiences.

4. Programme structure

4.1.  To be eligible for consideration of an awards, students must obtain appropriate credit from the following compulsory modules. 

Compulsory modules account for a total of 60 credits in Semester 1 and 120 credits in Semester 2, which includes the Final Project during the summer, making a total of the required weighting of 180 credits overall.

  4.2.  All modules listed above are offered on a full time and part-time basis.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1   In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the minimum requirements set out in Regulation XXI

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification