Skip to content
Postgraduate research

Design MA by Research

University of Gloucestershire

What is Design MA by Research?

A design research degree offers you the opportunity and time to explore innovative research practice through original, critical works. You’ll have the choice to work on your own design, or with staff on international and external projects in collaborative research in our ongoing practice-based projects.

You’ll make research connections that allow you to explore new concepts and meanings in design. For doctoral study, there’s a key need for design to offer experimentation within environmental, social and sustainable futures in the subject and your discipline.

We understand your research may change as you make new connections and as relevant modes of thought and action become important to you through the course of your research. We’ll work with you as you find the appropriate practice for pursuing your research and related form for consolidating and disseminating your findings.

Research areas

You’ll be supported by staff whose specialisms include:

  • sustainable technology
  • the relationship between music and landscape
  • alternative methods of representation
  • augmented aurality and digital tools for sound representation
  • biophilic design for improving health and wellbeing
  • digital and traditional
  • the theory and practice of illustration in advertising and design
  • representational drawing and painting techniques
  • the atelier system
  • colour theory.

This research contributes to the research priority area Being Human: Past, Present and Future and Creative Practice as Research.

Get Design MA by Research course updates and hear more about studying with us.

Keep me updated

Entry requirements

    • At least a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area

    • A master’s degree or equivalent in a subject area relevant to the proposed research topic.

    • We actively encourage applications from students from a range of diverse backgrounds who demonstrate appropriate research experience and achievement.

    • Candidates who do not possess a master’s degree that includes research methods training at an advanced level are required to complete research methods training

    • All applicants will be interviewed to ascertain experience, aptitude and current level of innovation, creativity and critical thinking. The interview will also be an opportunity to identify an appropriate supervisory team

    • EU and international students need IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in any other component) or equivalent.

    • Please provide a copy of your research proposal. This should be 1,000 words (excluding references and appendices) following the structure outlined in this research proposal guide.

      Please note; we’re unable to process applications without a proposal for the School’s consideration. Not supplying one will delay the processing of applications.

Fees and costs

Start date Course code Fee (UK)
Fee per year
Fee (international)
Fee per year
October 2024 £3,400 £8,525
February 2025 £3,400 £8,525
October 2025 TBC TBC
February 2026 TBC TBC

Ready to apply?

Can't see your research area listed?

With research submitted in each of our research areas judged to be internationally excellent according to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), our research supervisors have a broad range of specialisms across a diverse range of subjects.

Get in touch to find out how we can support your research interests by emailing admissions@glos.ac.uk.

Develop your ideas

Challenge your own practice and ideas in a community of practitioners and academics – with a deep commitment to discourse and exchange around their subject and field(s) of knowledge.

Present your ideas

The School of Creatives can help you with opportunities to present conference papers and participate in seminars, public exhibitions and other forms of critical exchange – all as part of your research process.

Practice as research

We’re dedicated to PaR (Practice as Research) and Design Thinking principles that move the work of the designer from the 20th Century artisan who responds to stimulus into the 21st Century design creative where your actions are at the centre of cultural change.

"I feel completely supported and part of a community"

“My supervisors have provided invaluable leadership to carry me through my PhD, not with praise and cajoling remarks, but instead, through honest evaluation and their confidence that I have the wherewithal to carry out the work.”

Shelley Campbell, research student

Keep Me Updated

Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch with Design MA by Research updates, upcoming events and everything you need to know about university life.