School of Art, Design and Architecture

MDes Design

Programme code 7661
Duration

1 year
Course type

Full-time
Study location Â鶹´«Ã½
Register for open evening
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This programme aligns with contemporary trends stressing the role of designers for global prosperity, driving innovation, and speculating with new, sustainable, and material futures. Using both traditional processes and emerging technological innovations the MDes allows you to develop as an Interior Designer (spaces), Designer Maker (materials) or Industrial Designer (product) with opportunities to collaborate with design practices such as Creative Media, Architecture or Games Design.

Careers with this subject
Our design projects and programme develops and creates adaptable graduates with a variety of industry skills, who are knowledgeable and professionally aligned to today's job opportunities. Our masters could lead to a career as a startup, a consultant or designer working in a design agency, urban and interior design, a service designer or bespoke maker, or many other roles in the industry. Your transferable creative and technology skills could also lead to employment as a designer, consultant or employee in other creative and tech industries. Career development, entrepreneurship and employability are integral to the course through partnerships with industry and public sector partners.

Key features
  • Personalise your masters. Choose an exit award to reflect your interest in a specific area of expertise.
  • Explore modern specalisations. You will develop design projects aligned with contemporary and emerging specialisations in the design sector such as interiors, products and new materials.
  • Choose your format. You can choose the final format of your research project, options include standard text-based dissertations, a design business proposal or a body of exhibited creative work.
  • Live projects. Gain valuable experience working on live projects with partners across Â鶹´«Ã½ and abroad, respondng to real contexts and ethical issues.
  • Collaborate. Engage with students from areas such as experience design, architecture, creative media and games design.
  • Learn by doing. Through a process of learning-by-doing, students develop the skills required to produce creative outputs and research-oriented studies, gain an understanding of the application of technical knowledge to creative situations, and explore how theory and action inform each other.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • This programme offers a curriculum built to capitalise on the resources, expertise and cutting-edge skills training available in our Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs and research-informed pedagogies built around key global challenges and social innovation.
    As part of a school-wide integrated approach to core module delivery, the programme also includes modules shared across the School of Art, Design and Architecture.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MDes Design programme specification_7661

Design your degree
Through the selection of a focused elective module, the MDes Design allows you to create a personalised program of study that aligns with topics relevant and important to you. 

Entry requirements
A 2:2 degree in Design (or similar design-related discipline such as Product Design, Digital Design, Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Interior Design, among others).
Suitable references from previous academic institutions and/or employers.
Applications must include a portfolio of work . Ideally, the portfolio of work includes evidence of work experience in the design sector.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English then evidence of English proficiency is required. The minimum IELTS score for acceptable English proficiency for entry is normally 6.5 with a minimum 5.5 in all four components.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.  
For further advice on the appropriateness of overseas qualification and proficiency in the use of English, please contact our International Office at international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
If you would like an informal chat about MDes Master in Design please contact the programme leader at ada@plymouth.ac.uk.

Fees, costs and funding
2025-2026 2026-2027
Home £9,700 £10,000
International £18,150 £18,700
Part time (Home) £540 £560
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits.

Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

PLEASE NOTE:

The UK Government has announced that a levy on tuition fee income in the region of 6% of an international student’s tuition fees may be introduced. If implemented, the University reserves the right to increase your tuition fees accordingly. The Government has made it clear that it has not officially decided on its stance and it is possible that the eventual levy amount or arrangements may differ from the initial proposal. Therefore, the University reserves the right to adjust tuition fees in accordance with the Government’s final position on this levy.

We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies. Therefore, please note that the tuition fee shown on this page may change as a result of the introduction of a levy. We advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.

Postgraduate scholarships for international students

We offer several scholarships for international students wishing to study on this programme, including the International Postgraduate Welcome to Â鶹´«Ã½ Scholarship , worth £4,000 off your tuition fees.
 

Tuition fee discount for Â鶹´«Ã½ graduates

If you studied your undergraduate degree at Â鶹´«Ã½, you may be eligible for a fee discount if you complete your postgraduate studies here as well.
  • 10% or 20% discount on tuition fees for home students 

How to apply

Apply online

When to apply

Most of our taught programmes begin in September. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full.

Before you apply

Familiarise yourself with the information required to complete your application form. You will usually be required to supply:
  • evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  • evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  • a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
  • your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  • proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
If you require further information take a look at our application guidance.  

Disability Inclusion Services

If you have an impairment, health condition or disability, learn about the additional support the University provides .

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office. Take a look at our how to apply information or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply' icon on this page). 

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.
We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail. 
If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:
Telephone: +44 1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our admissions policy which can be found on the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.

Design your degree

Our programme fosters hopeful design, emphasizing diversity and relational interdependence. Students develop specialist interests while tailoring their degrees to their career aspirations. Integrating traditional processes with emerging technologies, the programme engages students in Interior Design, Designer Maker, and Industrial Design, equipping them with hands-on and digital skills to explore identity, place-making, and materiality.

Lucinda Matthews student work for Interior Design
Spaces

We explore the spaces between objects and architecture questioning identity and place making and how these experiences can enhance and enrich the lives of the people who use them.
plastic products being placed in a row
Products

Though the hands-on understanding of manufacturing processes and developing design philosophies and we learn to reinsert communication and humanity into the objects we design, make and use.
Image showing paper materials that have been made from banana and orange peel
Materials

Focusing on designer maker practices and developing sustainable processes we encourage individuals to challenge design thinking concepts in order to produce joyful objects and artefacts.
The MDES Design explores connections with external organisations, breaking from historical practices to develop new methods of design communication. Responding to rapid social and environmental change, our work ensures that communities, health, and the environment are central to design practice. Students learn to map human behaviour and create ethical, sustainable outcomes for 21st-century living.

View our student projects
Our work in MDes Design explores the connections with external organisations stepping outside inherited forms of historical practice and develops new methods of design communication in response to, a rapidly changing, social and environmental world, where our communities, our health, our environment are equal partners in our design practice.
Some examples of our student projects are below:

Information about our recent graduates

Press release:

Graduates:

Inês Munday:

Matt Holmes:

Sarah Boot:

Studio life

The School of Art, Design and Architecture prides itself on its open working spaces, with a clear designated MDes area within the 3D Design studio of BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design and BA (Hons) Interior Design .
Whether you are interested in spaces, products, materials or all three, through multidisciplinary sessions, this shared studio environment allows for lively discussions, collaborations and exciting creative cross disciplinary learning. 
This open atmosphere is here to support you and your design aspirations.
Studio life

Experiment with our state-of-the-art facilities

From printing workshops to dedicated photography darkrooms, you’ll have access to all the professional tools you need.

new test ceramics

Ceramics, casting and mould making workshops
Offering specialist ceramics, casting and mould making workshops for our arts students.

3D printer, digital fabrication laboratory

Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Laboratories
Experiment with cutting-edge technology such as, 3D printing, motion-capture, augmented and extended reality.

Letterpress studio, Scott building

Printing and press studios
Students have access to a screen print studio, a letterpress studio and a traditional print studio

Metal Fabrication in the state-of-the-art Babbage Building

Our specialist open-access Metal Fabrication facility enables students to be exploratory and experimental, placing making at the core of their practice. Here they can discover hot and cold working and understand how metal as a material is applied and performs.

Learn from experienced professionals

  • Associate Head of School
    Design practice interests - craft, digital, material culture and sustainability
  • Lecturer in Industrial Design
    Furniture designer and a maker of objects interested in the notion of use
  • Associate Head of School (Marketing and Recruitment)
    Interested in impact of future focussed speculative spatial design on behaviour
  • Lecturer in 3D Design - Design Maker
    Exploring the interrelations between digital fabrication and craft
International students in cafe on campus