Design Innovation and Technology (MSc)

To apply for our MSc 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 MSc Design Innovation and Technology degree runs for 1 year and is spilt into 2 semesters. You'll study a combination of theoretical and practice-based modules where you'll engage with critical design debates, emerging technologies and societal shifts. Throughout the course, you'll be supported by leading academics and researchers working at the forefront of digital and physical production.

Semester 1 overview

In your first semester, you'll develop your knowledge of the complexity of real-world challenges, and build on your ability to respond to them through design and technology.

Through collaborative projects, you’ll map and reframe complex systems, prototype innovative solutions, and engage with scenario planning.

You'll cover a variety of modules that explore the following themes in detail:

• globalisation
• climate change
• systems of power and infrastructure
• digital inequality
• emerging technologies and ethics
• diversity and accessibility

From designing resilient healthcare services to driving responsible digital transformation, you’ll develop the skills needed to lead meaningful change.

Semester 2 overview

In your second semester, you'll develop in-depth expertise and knowledge of smart and emerging technology. You'll explore how these technologies and innovation can drive sustainable development, ethical decision-making, behavioural change, and social equity. You'll also look for ways to ensure that emerging technologies can contribute to sustainable futures.

Emerging technology you'll study includes:

• sensory processing
• the Internet of Things (IoT)
• augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence
• creative coding
• smart processing

Your modules in this semester will also aim to build your entrepreneurial skills, so that you can build on your experience of presenting and pitching concepts. Through these studies you'll further improve your collaborative, strategic, and professional communication skills.

During this semester, you'll have the opportunity to choose optional modules to either broaden your skillset or deepen your expertise in specific areas.

You'll also do your Final Project, which will demonstrate your ability to apply advanced design thinking and technical knowledge to a self-directed challenge. Through deep research, prototyping, and execution, you'll 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 MSc Design Innovation and Technology course brings together students from diverse creative and scientific backgrounds. You'll co-design in interdisciplinary teams to encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange, as you would in the professional world.

Learning and teaching methods include:

• global networking & cultural exchange
• independent research and practice
• lectures and keynote talks
• workshops and demonstrations
• seminars and discussions

Through industry partnerships, there will be opportunities to collaborate with businesses, communities, and public sector organisations. You'll have the chance to get involved with live briefs and projects to gain experience in real-world application. With this collaborative approach, you'll develop more inventive, comprehensive, and thoughtful solutions to complex design challenges.

Through workshops and keynote talks led by professionals, you'll expand your network and keep your learning aligned with the latest developments in this fast-evolving sector.

Assessment

Our assessment methods for MSc Design Innovation and Technology are designed to be authentic, accessible, and reflective of real-world practice.

Your assessments will be both formative and summative. Formative assessments are not graded, and will provide on-going feedback on the progress of your projects to support your development.

Formative assessment methods may include:

• written and illustrated reflective books or vlogs
• individual and group presentations
• seminars and tutorials
• critiques of ideas, prototypes and products

Summative assessments are graded, and used to evaluative your achievement of the modules and learning outcomes.

Summative assessments can include:

• design research and analysis
• evidence of technical or idea development
• low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototypes
• written and illustrated evaluations and reports
• group and individual projects
• portfolios and viva voces

Through this variety of methods, you'll build the technical capabilities required to explore, prototype and implement innovative solutions using technologies and immersive media.

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