Design Management (MA)

You'll need a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject such as:

• advertising
• architecture
• business
• fashion management 
• graphic design
• histort of art
• industrial or interior design
• management
• marketing
• photography
• politics
• product design
• psychology
• sociology

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Subject areas that are not suitable are:

• animation
• broadcasting and hosting
• business English
• commerce
• communication
• computer science
• digital media art
• drama
• engineering
• finance
• hospitality
• HR
• interactive design
• international economy and trade
• journalism
• languages or linguistics
• law
• mathematics
• media
• music
• performance art
• public relations (PR) 
• sciences
• statistics
• theatre
• trade
• TV and film

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Pre-masters

If you don't have the qualifications or English language skills to meet the entry requirements of a master's degree at Southampton, studying one of our pre-master's programmes can help you. Learn more about what they are and which courses are currently available.

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

This master’s is for a full 12 months from October to the following October, divided across three 3 semesters. 

The first 8 months in semester one 1and 2 will be taught modules, and the final four 4 months in the third semester will be your final project (dissertation). 

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

Learning

As well as lectures, seminars, and independent study you’ll learn through: 

• guest speakers 
• optional study visits to museums 
• peer group learning  
• problem-solving activities 
• class discussion, critiques, and presentations 
• personal feedback sheet after each marking period 

You’ll also be encouraged to attend relevant conferences, such as the Design Management Institute conference. 

Assessment

We'll assess you through a variety of methods, including:

• presentations 
• peer assessment tasks 
• written assignments  
• project reports 
• portfolio (3,000 words) 
• dissertation (10,000 words) 

Dissertation

Your dissertation is your final project. You will need to write a critical paper which should be 10,000 words.  

Focusing on a contemporary design management issue, you will investigate this thoroughly. Collating, critically analysing and commenting on the ideas and viewpoints of others, with those of your own. 

Academic Support

We have a close-knit learning community at Winchester School of Art. Our friendly and approachable academic team are dedicated to supporting you to achieve your full potential.

You’ll be allocated a personal academic tutor who will be the first point of contact for anything you need to help with, academic or other. In addition, the University offers a wide range of learning, welfare and support services if you need them.

Our graduates often go on to managerial and executive roles in creative and business industries. They work with design teams at major companies such as Apple, Evian, Tank Innovation, iFLY TEK. Others have become university lecturers, are undertaking PhDs, or are self-employed.  

From this course you could develop a career in: 

• design, service, product management 
• business strategy 
• marketing or brand management 
• account handling and management 
• consultancy 
• market research

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £26,500.

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 you 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.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice

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.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Winchester School of Art Postgraduate Global Talent Scholarship

Twenty scholarships of £5,000 each are available to international students joining our postgraduate master’s courses at the Winchester School of Art in September 2023.

Find out more about the Winchester School of Art PGT Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

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 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

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

Application deadlines

There are different deadlines for this course. Depending on which country you permanently reside in, applications are expected to close:

• Applicants permanently resident in China: Closed on Wednesday 29 November 2023
• Applicants permanently resident in other countries: Wednesday 29 May 2024 - midday UK time
• Applicants permanently resident in the UK: Wednesday 3 July 2024 - midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Our admissions process for this course means that we look at batches of applications together. We send offers to applicants on a continuous basis. Due to the high number of applications, we may not be able to make you an offer, even if you meet the course criteria.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

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

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

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