Design Innovation and Technology (MA)

To apply for our MA Design Innovation and Technology course, you'll need:

• a 2.2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in any subject
• to submit a personal statement and PDF portfolio to support your application

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds and experiences, including international applicants with an interest in design innovation and technology within their sector.

Non-standard entry will be considered and encouraged, with the academic team weighing applications on their merit (in relation to things such as work and life experience, and mitigating factors).

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet direct entry requirements, you can apply to complete a Pre-Master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.

You'll progress to your chosen course after successfully completing the programme. Find out more about Pre-Master's programmes for international students.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Our MA Design Innovation and Technology course runs for 1 year and is spilt into 2 semesters. You'll study core modules and have the opportunity to choose from optional modules in your second semester. 

Semester 1 overview

In your first semester, you'll expand your understanding of design principles, including human-centred and inclusive design approaches. You'll also learn how to use this understanding to drive strategic innovation and creative problem-solving.

The modules you'll cover will examine the economic, socio-political, technological, and environmental ecosystems that shape our world. They'll also encourage critical analysis, contextual awareness, and the ability to apply your knowledge to complex global systems.

Through workshops and collaborative project briefs, you'll be aware of both industry and global design practices. This will ensure your work is impactful at both regional and international scales. Through idea generation, prototyping, and iterative testing, you'll start to refine your work to a professional level.

The critical and analytical methods you learn during this semester will be essential for addressing complex challenges and identifying opportunities for systemic change.

Semester 2 overview

In Semester 2, you'll creatively explore the role of immersive technologies, such as virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. Throughout this exploration, you'll consider how these technologies shape future products, services and systems. You'll also develop your expertise in a range of visual communication and production methods, including analogue sketching and advanced digital techniques.

Your studies will be practiced within cultural, societal, business, and market contexts. Through exploring business models and entrepreneurship, you'll refine your communication skills to effectively present and pitch innovative ideas.

Co-design practices, knowledge exchange and industry insights will be integral to this semester, which will keep your knowledge at the forefront of the sector. During this semester you'll also have the opportunity to take optional modules to tailor your studies to your individual interests.

Your final design project will be an independent research project that demonstrates your design innovation abilities. You'll apply the experience you've gained to develop an original product or service that anticipates future societal and market needs.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

This MA design innovation course ensures that co-creative learning is embedded across teaching and assessment activities to create a strong collaborative practice. You'll work alongside industry partners and students from diverse backgrounds, which is similar to what you can expect from a professional setting within this sector.

Your learning will be informed by world-leading research in areas such as immersive and hybrid media, communication design, and generative design. You'll learn from leading practitioners as they share their insights and knowledge through keynote lectures. Through workshops and live briefs, you'll have direct exposure to the latest thinking and techniques of this design field.

Learning and teaching methods include:

• collaborations, co-design and co-creation
• lectures, seminars and keynote talks
• live client projects and design challenges
• global networking and knowledge exchange
• independent research and practice
• workshops and demonstrations

This course blends the creative approaches of an art and design school with those of a research-intensive university. For an inclusive and accessible learning experience, you'll have diverse teaching methods that support your progression. 

Assessment

Throughout this course you'll have formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments are not marked, but they're a good opportunity for you to receive feedback aimed at improving assignment work. You'll receive this feedback through verbal and written comments, advice from peers and tutors, as well as your own self-evaluation.

Summative assessments are graded and involve a range of projects and assignments. Through these assessments, you'll demonstrate your knowledge and critical understanding of your subjects.

Formative and summative assessments methods include:

• design research and development
• evidence of process and technical skill development
• high-fidelity and low-fidelity prototypes
• individual and team presentations
• portfolios
• reflective journals
• written articles and essays

Academic Support

You'll have support from your Personal Academic Tutor, as well as student support services such as The Student Hub.

They'll be able to help with any questions or concerns you may have relating to:

• wellbeing and disability support
• exams and assessments
• course queries
• accommodation
• fees and finance

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £11,500.
• EU and international students pay £28,700.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

There is no application assessment fee for postgraduate courses starting in 2026.

Supporting information

When you apply you'll need to submit a portfolio, and a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

Your portfolio should:

• contain 4 sets of work with each set between 3 to 5 pages long
• have file size no larger than 20MB
• be a PDF document clearly labelled with your name

We encourage portfolio submissions with examples of work but recognise this may not always be possible.

If you're unable to include examples of work, the following suggestions are alternatives you could include instead:

• projects or a series of prototypes (digital images) that demonstrate development of a product, service or system
• evidence of innovation in design or technology - this could be demonstrated through practical examples of products, services, technologies, or user experiences
• examples of products, services, or systems that demonstrate your technical expertise and problem-solving, including an explanation of your most innovative work
• collaborative projects where you clearly indicate your individual contribution
• an example of an innovative product, service or systems that has inspired you, including visuals and a 500 word text about the work and why you believe it's important

Include any preparatory materials in your submission, including sketchbooks, mood boards, creative or technical drawings.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000