Art and design
Whether your interests lie in fine art, illustration, photography or graphic design, you'll be encouraged to experiment, challenge ideas and develop your own creative practice while refining your technical skills.
Through project-based learning, you'll take ownership of your work while learning from experienced academics and industry professionals. You'll explore a wide range of materials, techniques and creative processes, developing work that reflects your individual interests and ambitions.
As part of our School of Creative Arts, you'll have access to specialist studios, workshops and industry-standard facilities, with opportunities to respond to live briefs for organisations including Disney and Clintons. These experiences will help you build a professional portfolio and gain insight into creative practice beyond the studio.
Why choose Herts
Postgraduate study in art and design at the University of Hertfordshire will help you develop your creative practice and prepare for the next stage of your career. Learn from experienced academics, work in specialist studios and workshops, and benefit from strong links with the creative industries.
Herts postgraduate alumni have gone on to work across the creative sector for organisations including Prada, F&F, Braun, Sony, ASOS, BAFTA-winning studio Creative Assembly and Fiora.
1st in the UK
for the Best Creative School in the UK, two years running (Rookies, 2025).
1st in the UK
for Best Design Education Institution, four years in a row (World Brand Design Society, 2024-25).
Guardian Top 50 University
We've been ranked for teaching quality, student satisfaction and graduate success in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
7th in the UK
for overall postgraduate student satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Survey, 2026).
Explore our courses
On the MA Illustration degree you will: develop your professional skills as an illustrator work with design professionals of international standing have the opportunity to work in professional and...
On the MA Interior Architecture and Design degree you'll: develop your professional skills work with design professionals of international standing and in industrial contexts develop research skills...
On the MA Graphic Design and Branding degree you will: develop your professional skills as a graphic designer work with design professionals of international standing have the opportunity to work in...
This MA Concept Art course will enable you to: develop your concept art skills and knowledge, to a professional level produce a commercial-standard personal portfolio that reflects the forefront of...
Join a vocational course, comprising of campus and placement-based learning. We'll teach you through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops, to bring together theory and practice. We offer...
A University of Hertfordshire PhD degree is an internationally recognised research degree signifying very high levels of achievement in research, and an original contribution to knowledge in the...
The School of Creative Arts offers a Doctorate in Fine Art designed for practitioners in the field of contemporary arts looking for a structured research programme. The DFA is suitable for...
A University of Hertfordshire Masters research degree is an internationally recognised degree signifying achievement in research. Whereas an MA/MSc is a taught, modular programme, a Masters by...
The Professional Doctorate in Design (DDes) brings together expertise from a wide range of design disciplines, including architecture, the built environment, product design, interaction design, and...