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Postgraduate · September intake

Design MA

A twelve month MA at Leeds in user-centred design, with a specialist project in one of thirteen design areas and a final choice between a professional project and a dissertation.

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Tuition per year £33,700 as publishedThis fee is the one the university prints on its own page for this course, read off that page on the date shown. It is their figure and not an estimate of ours. Fees are set a year at a time and can change between the year you read this and the year you start, so ask us to confirm it before you rely on it.
IELTS
6.5 as publishedThis English requirement is the one the university prints on its own page for this course, read off that page on the date shown. It is their requirement and not a reading of ours. Departments raise and lower what they ask for during the year, and some ask for a minimum in each paper as well as overall, so ask us to confirm it before you book a test.
Duration
12 monthsFull time
Award
MA
Intake
September

Figures checked 9 November 2026 Ask us to confirm them for your course

Overview

This MA is built around user-centred design: understanding the people a design is for, and developing and testing design strategies against real situations. The first semester builds the research, conceptual and practical skills the rest of the year depends on.

In the second semester students take options on live industry or research briefs and a specialist project in one of thirteen areas, among them service design, behavioural design and digital and interactive design. The course ends with a choice between an applied project to a professional standard and a research dissertation.

Teaching is in studios and workshops, with online material and a programme of visiting lecturers. A two week online Global Industry Programme puts students to work on briefs from real clients.

Graduates work as designers, UX analysts, content and creative strategists and in graphic and digital design.

Curriculum

Entry requirements

Academic
A 2:1 bachelor degree, preferably in design or art. Graduates of other subjects with relevant experience are considered, and a portfolio may be requested.
English
IELTS 6.5 as publishedThis English requirement is the one the university prints on its own page for this course, read off that page on the date shown. It is their requirement and not a reading of ours. Departments raise and lower what they ask for during the year, and some ask for a minimum in each paper as well as overall, so ask us to confirm it before you book a test.

Careers opportunities

Hiring in this field is decided on a portfolio rather than on a transcript, and the degree's job is to build one. A large share of graduates work freelance or on contract for the first few years, often alongside a studio job.

Roles graduates go into

  • Designer or practitioner in your discipline
  • Studio assistant
  • Art director
  • Creative producer
  • Arts administrator
  • Freelance commissions

Where they work

  • Design studios and agencies
  • In-house brand and product teams
  • Galleries, museums and arts organisations
  • Publishing and print
  • Self-employment and commissions
After the course

There is no register to join. What replaces it is a body of work, and most graduates spend the first two years building it in paid assisting roles.

Fees and funding

Tuition, international students£33,700 as publishedThis fee is the one the university prints on its own page for this course, read off that page on the date shown. It is their figure and not an estimate of ours. Fees are set a year at a time and can change between the year you read this and the year you start, so ask us to confirm it before you rely on it.

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Where you will study

University of Leeds

We list 2 other universities in Leeds, so settling on the place still leaves a choice inside it.

The region
England
Universities we list in Leeds
3 this one among them
Courses there, all told
521 across every university we list in it
See the university Every university we list in Leeds
Leeds
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