MA Digital Design and Communication (online) (No longer recruiting from 2024/25)

Programme overview

Entry requirements

• Standard and non standard
• Standard entry will require an honours degree equivalent to a UK first / upper second class degree in any subject. Graduates who hold an honours degree equivalent to a UK lower second class may also be eligible, providing they can demonstrate sufficient experience in a professional environment. Professionally qualified candidates who do not meet the formal qualifications will also be considered.
• English language
• The English language requirement will match the University's current policy for Master's level study, specifically:
  - IELTS (International English Language Testing System) an overall band of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each component skill.
  - TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) of 92 with no less than 21 in listening, 21 in reading, 23 in speaking and 22 in writing. Please note the University of Leeds does not accept TOEFL MyBest scores and expects candidates to have met the relevant requirements from a single TOEFL test.
  - PTE Academic of 64 overall with no less than 60 in any component.
  - Cambridge Advanced English (CAE), or C1 Advanced, of 176 overall with no less than 169 in any component.
  - Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English of a Pass in ISE II or above (if taken in the UK).
  - GCSE English Language or Cambridge IGCSE English as a First or Second Language at grade C. GCSE English Literature may be considered in certain circumstances for some courses. Please contact the school admissions team for further advice if you do not meet the requirements via an English language qualification.
• Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Master's course prior to taking a test, but can only be accepted onto the programme once they have successfully completed the test.

Programme specification

Due to the massive shift from print media to online platforms, digital designers are in high demand. With this transformation almost every brand and business requires more innovative digital products to reach audiences and customers. Digital designers need to communicate information through text, imagery and other design elements. They also need to use data and analytical skills to inform design decisions and measure digital product performance. They practice in various subject-fields and employ a broad skillset. Therefore, digital designers need to be multi-talented and interdisciplinary in their mindset and approach.

This MA programme offers a unique opportunity to study digital design and communication at a world-leading university. The programme is studied 100% online. High quality materials coupled with the online format will enable students to manage their studies alongside other commitments, studying at a time, place and pace to suit their own needs. We welcome everyone with or without a design-related degree.

The programme draws on expertise from a diverse staff team based in the School of Design with internationally recognised design research and practice expertise. The programme will cover subjects across multiple design disciplines such as information design, user-centred design, user experience, interaction design, and participatory design. It will also cover a wide range of digital products including motion graphics, interactive infographics, websites, user experience, user interface, virtual reality and data-driven designs . In addition, the programme will equip students with research, practical design and communication competencies, as well as all-around design skills (including but not limited to ideation, prototyping, user testing, storytelling and analytical and strategic thinking). All this will shape highly employable postgraduates to embody interdisciplinary expertise in the design industry, and to be open-minded to quick changes in society and business, and to new movements, media, tools, and concepts.

Students will study in a dynamic and stimulating environment. They will collaborate with people from different cultural and career backgrounds and at the same time learn the new virtual working ethic and presence. Through multiple teaching and learning methods, modules in the programme are built around weekly units where students can manage their own time to complete the tasks. With the knowledge and skillsets learnt from this programme, our graduates can choose from a range of career choices. Depending on previous experience and personal interests, students can consider positions in digital design, in app and web design, and in UX/ UI design; they can work as freelancers, in-house designers, or at design agencies; they can switch to the digital design world; and they can upskill and progress to a more senior level. With the superior academic skills we offer in this Russell Group university, this programme is also a good pathway to pursue a PhD and follow a career as an academic.

Students will normally study one module at a time.

Year 1

(online) (No longer recruiting from 2024/25)

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

In your first year you will typically study three Foundation modules, shown below as Compulsory. You will typically study three out of the six Development modules, shown below as Optional.

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
ODES5110M	Design and Research	15	Not running in 202526	PFP
ODES5112M	Design in a Digital World	15	Not running in 202526	PFP
ODES5113M	Creative Design Practice	15	Not running in 202526	PFP

Optional Modules

You will typically study three out of six Developmental modules as Optional in your first year.

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
ODES5210M	Digital Design Practice and Communication	15	1 Sep to 31 Oct, 1 Sep to 31 Oct (adv yr)
ODES5211M	Data, Analytics and Design	15	1 Nov to 31 Dec, 1 Nov to 31 Dec (2mth)(adv yr)
ODES5212M	Human Centred Design	15	1 Jan to 28 Feb, 1 Jan to 28 Feb (adv year)
ODES5213M	Design in a Dynamic Team	15	1 Mar to 30 Apr, 1 Mar to 30 Apr (2mth)(adv yr)
ODES5214M	Digital Design Trends	15	1 May to 30 Jun (2mth)(adv yr), 1 May to 30 June
ODES5215M	Applied Design, Communication and Case Studies	15	1 Jul to 31 Aug

Year 2

(online) (No longer recruiting from 2024/25)

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

In your second year you will typically study the remaining three out of six Development modules, shown below as Optional. You will typically study the Project module, shown as Compulsory.

Compulsory Modules

The Project module is compulsory for the second year of the programme.

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
ODES5310M	Design Project	45	1 Jan to 30 Jun, 1 Jan to 30 Jun (6mth)(adv yr), 1 Jul to 31 Dec, 1 Mar to 31 Aug, 1 Mar to 31 Aug (6mth)(adv yr), 1 May to 31 Oct, 1 May to 31 Oct (6mth)(adv yr), 1 Nov to 30 Apr, 1 Nov to 30 Apr (6mth)(adv yr), 1 Sep to 28 Feb, 1 Sep to 28 Feb (6mth)(adv yr)	PFP

Optional Modules

You will study the remaining three Development modules as Optional modules.

Candidates will be required to study 45 credits from the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
ODES5210M	Digital Design Practice and Communication	15	1 Sep to 31 Oct, 1 Sep to 31 Oct (adv yr)
ODES5211M	Data, Analytics and Design	15	1 Nov to 31 Dec, 1 Nov to 31 Dec (2mth)(adv yr)
ODES5212M	Human Centred Design	15	1 Jan to 28 Feb, 1 Jan to 28 Feb (adv year)
ODES5213M	Design in a Dynamic Team	15	1 Mar to 30 Apr, 1 Mar to 30 Apr (2mth)(adv yr)
ODES5214M	Digital Design Trends	15	1 May to 30 Jun (2mth)(adv yr), 1 May to 30 June
ODES5215M	Applied Design, Communication and Case Studies	15	1 Jul to 31 Aug

Last updated: 30/04/2025 16:13:19

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