Studying a graduate Art and Design course provides you with opportunities to refine the skills and knowledge of your existing discipline – or to apply your current expertise to the challenges of a new discipline. Whichever path you choose, you will find an art and design program that suits your skills, knowledge and career aspriations. The UK offers unparalled diversity and quality of postgraduate opportunies when it comes to art and design so read on to discover the right graduate course for you.

Graduate Art and Design Courses UK

For increasing numbers of students, master's-level study is an essential move towards PhD study. Again, the UK leads the world in terms of research opportunities in art and design. From Aberdeen to Falmouth, Belfast to Brighton – the UK offers distinctive and well-established doctoral programs that attract students the world over.

Master's Degree in Art and Design

Applicants for Master's courses in art or design will normally have attained an Honours degree in a visual discipline – although there are exceptions; universities and colleges are interested in applicants with a strong portfolio and motivation. Some may come directly from their undergraduate program whilst others will have spent a period of time in industry or professional creative practice.

Although there continues to be a core of artists and designers who wish to work wholly within their discipline, it is apparent that the boundaries between disciplines in art and design are being routinely crossed and the nature of creative practice is constantly shifting and evolving. While graduate students are more likely to wish to gain employment or self-employment directly within their art or design discipline, postgraduate courses also provide the transferable skills and flexible thinking that are sought by employers in a diverse range of fields.

Where to Study Your Graduate Art and Design Program

Increasingly Colleges of Art and Design are located within a University structure that brings benefits in terms of facilities, curricula and research opportunities which may not be so readily available in the traditional 'independent' College of Art. Subjects such as Design Management often benefit from cross-university input to the teaching programme. However, the key point is that different types of institutions offer different types of graduate courses, and it is incumbent upon applicants to carefully research the opportunities provided.

You should carefully consider why you wish to undertake graduate study and should select a master's degree that will address yourspecific interests and needs. Most universities and art colleges will have comprehensive websites that will provide information about the structure of the postgradaute course, staff research interests, accommodation, student support and funding.

Structure of Master's Degrees in Art and Design

The structure of Master's programs may differ, ranging from taught programs with a series of closely defined modules, to those where you focuses on your own areas of interest and take advantage of research opportunities in the department in which you are located.

In the UK there is a considerable amount of information available online, not just from the institutions themselves but – perhaps more importantly – from the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). RAE and QAA reports provide an objective assessment of the research and teaching provision across the whole art and design sector. The information takes some time to sift through, but given your investment in postgraduate study – this is time very well spent.

Funding Your Graduate Program

Whatever type of graduate course you choose, it is important to consider how your studies are going to be funded. Most countries will have government funding available to which applicants can apply, there are British Council awards, Fulbright Awards etc. Some institutions - offer scholarships to well qualified international students.

Jordonstone College of Art and Design

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, at the University of Dundee exemplifies many of the developments described so far. Its new Graduate Centre is designed around a strong research ethos and brings together all taught postgraduate programmes in a creative and flexible environment.

Programmes can be undertaken either as preparation for doctoral research, which we have an enviable track record in, or to focus on developing high level skills and competencies for professional practice.

It is one of the few art institutions in the UK that is part of a University renowned for world class pioneering research in Medicine, Life Sciences, Applied Computing and the Creative Disciplines. Research underpins all the visual disciplines and leads teaching and learning strategies.

Interdisciplinary research in the University is a growing asset and positions Dundee as a leader in the bio-tech and creative industries. New taught postgraduate programmes have emerged from this relationship, with the unique MSc Forensic Art and MSc Medical Art being delivered jointly with Life Sciences. The new MSc Media Arts and Imaging has five strands of study: Animation & Visualisation, Electronic Imaging, Screendance, Sound Art and 3D Computer Animation delivered jointly with the School of Computing. Students on the Master of Design programme are attached to one of the research communities of practice, such as Strategic Design, Design and Health, Natural Design or Future Design Practice. Master of Fine Art students are encouraged to pursue their own interests within the framework of the MFA and can take advantage of expertise and facilities throughout the College or the wider University.

PhD Art and Design

Currently there are over 20 PhD students in art and design supported by one of the UK's most experienced research supervision teams. Creating a vibrant challenging and supportive research culture has been a key objective at Dundee, and our success in achieving this is proven by the quality of the creative research produced, and the reputation that it has gained.

Gradaute Art and Design courses in the UK offer unrivalled choice in terms of disciplines, educational philosophies and vocational orientation. Make sure you choose a graduate art and design course that suits your needs and will give you the best possible start to a blossoming future career.