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MA Graphic Design and Branding
Why choose Herts?
- Excellent reputation: Named the best graphic design course in the UK and 5th in the world (Design Week, 2025).
- Employment Prospects: Graduates work in art, digital, and design jobs with organisations including Fiora and creative agency Emperor. Many are also practicing as freelancers, supplying independent design services to clients.
- Teaching Excellence: During this project-based course you will practice contemporary graphic design and be taught by tutors with extensive high-level commercial experience.
About the course
- MA Graphic Design and Branding degree will develop your professional skills as a graphic designer.
- You will work with design professionals of international standing.
- This Master's degree gives you the opportunity to work in professional and industrial contexts.
Why choose this course?
MA Graphic Design and Branding sits within the postgraduate design programme at the School of Creative Arts. There is strong emphasis on professional practice and the real-world applications of art and design, where you will develop key research skills and gain a good understanding of the work of other practitioners in your field.
The aim of the postgraduate programme is to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and understanding required to practice at an advanced level, to foster your creativity and enhance your employment opportunities. You will work alongside artists and designers who are involved with a wide variety of media and forms. Induction, seminars, and social events for students and staff mean that you will be part of a friendly and supportive postgraduate community, which also includes film makers, musicians, and professionals working in new media. Senior research staff and internationally renowned artists work with postgraduate students, helping you to develop original and challenging work.
Visual communication and the graphic image are increasingly important in the global information economy. On this master's degree, you will be encouraged to adopt a creative, enquiring, and critical approach to the graphic image and its uses in contemporary practice.
From traditional craft processes to digital image making, exploring the graphic image and its uses, in both web based and print formats. We focus on professional practice and enterprise, helping you acquire the skills required to practice in the creative and cultural industries, and equipping you with the skills necessary to work as a freelance practitioner. Key aspects of the course also include social, political, environmental, and commercial contexts of graphic design, branding, and the processes by which graphic signs operate to convey meanings in various environments.
Our staff are experienced in research and professional practice, and you will also benefit from contributions from visiting designers and design professionals, as well as from involvement with our international exhibitions programme and our close links with industry partners.
What will I study?
This course is designed to help you develop your practice and give you the skills recovery to further your career in industry both in the UK and abroad. The course includes practice based modules where you will explore and develop your work as a graphic designer. It also contains course or research skills, entrepreneurialism, and professional practice. The final part of the course enables you to complete a major project.
Key staff
Giuseppina Giuffrida
Programme Leader PG Design
Find out more about Giuseppina Giuffrida
Further course information
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| MA Graphic Design and Branding - Full Time, Sem A | Download |
| MA Graphic Design and Branding - Part Time, Sem A | Download |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
Sandwich placement or study abroad year |
n/a |
Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |
Student experience
At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.
Student Blogs
Tyffane - MA Design Student Letter
Welcome to the MA Design Programme at University of Hertfordshire
Hi, new student!
Congratulations on being accepted into this programme! My name is Tyffane, I am a MA Graphic Design and Branding student, and I will be sharing my experience on the course so far. When I started this course, I was unsure of my career path within the creative industries, but I planned on working towards becoming a creative director. Now, midway through the year, I have encountered so many new areas of interest, from emotional design to branding to neuroarchitecture. That’s what is great about this course, that you might not know what you want to do, but no matter what, you start to find your place soon enough.
So, what is it like to be a postgraduate design student?
First of all, your classes. Most of your classes will occur in the same room. Students from all three courses, MA Interior Architecture and Design, MA Graphic Design and Branding, and Ma Illustration, will be working together for most of the first and second semesters. I found this very inspiring because everyone comes from different backgrounds and experiences to navigate this journey together. You will see each other grow and become the determined creatives you aspire to be.
The classroom offers you the opportunity to be very experimentative. Being practical and curious will help you achieve the most out of your course. You can learn new skills and develop a better picture of which skills to apply to your future aspirations, from storytelling and brand analysis to rendering and site analysis techniques. Not only will you be more practical, but you will also be more critical, meticulous, and receptive to the industry skills, methodologies, and current trends to apply to your career.
Design is about storytelling, visual communication, problem-solving, and knowing what your audience wants. An interdisciplinary collaboration with interior architects, graphic designers, illustrators, and possibly, non-creatives can provide a more open-minded approach to your studies. And, did you know, you could achieve all of this in our multi-award-winning course? From the internationally renowned Design and Art Direction Awards, also known as the D&AD Awards to the National Lighting Student Designer of the Year, this programme provides a rich environment to inspire students. We students at the School of Design and Creative Arts are so proud to uphold a strong reputation that recognises student success and dedication, and we hope to celebrate your achievements someday!
With that said, I’d like to give you a few tips on how to successfully learn more on this programme:
1. Analyse your briefs thoroughly
Ensuring you understand your assignment briefs and deliverables can help you get ahead. This means annotating the documents, sketching rough ideas, and brainstorming your next steps.
2. Ask questions
Design is very subjective. Sometimes, you might need another perspective to ensure you’re on the right track - and that’s okay. Make sure you engage with your tutors; try to write down several questions at the end of each lecture or tutorial so you can grasp your tasks and next steps. Get your advice, support, and guidance from your tutors, peers, and non-creatives, e.g. target audiences. It is also helpful to know who to ask for what. For example, knowing when to ask tutors about something you didn’t understand during the lecture or when to chat with peers for a second opinion. Asking the right questions will help to bring the right people to you.
3. Apply your studies to real life
Immersing your studies in your interests and daily life is an insightful way to stay on top of your work and achieve a better understanding of your tasks. You can use online tools, visit the Learning Resources Centre (the LRC) for physical resources, and book a workshop session for hands-on experimentation to bring your ideas and concepts to life. One good tip is to take weekly summaries and see how your ideas start to connect and iterate into fruition. Don’t be afraid to learn more. Your work will provide you with extensive practical, teamwork, and analytical skills to hone and apply to your career beyond university.
4. Time management
Start as soon as possible. Sometimes, things will not go as planned, and you will need to find a way to work around inconveniences accordingly. It is best to work bit by bit and learn what times of the day you are most productive, gradually building up your work schedule. Get the rough and early sketches out sooner so it is easier to filter out and execute your better and more thought-out ideas properly. You do not want to rush your iteration development process. Another helpful tip is to hold yourself accountable by regularly working with someone to brainstorm your ideas and next steps.
5. Socialise
Take time for yourself. Enjoy what the campus has to provide: from the weekly bakery stall treats to the vast variety of sports and societies to join! You’re not just here to study; the university offers you a lifestyle to prioritise your health and wellbeing when needed. With such a stimulating course, it is crucial to understand how to rest effectively. Sometimes, stepping away from the work can give you a new perspective! Why not take a stroll across the beautiful campus or indulge in the free Active student sessions provided by the sports village that offer various activities from beginner to advanced levels?
I encourage you to reach out whenever you need. The great thing about the University of Hertfordshire is that you are part of a community, where you don’t have to go through anything alone. Communicate with your tutors, your teammates and your peers; they will be willing to help! Within your cohort will be student representatives, who work with the Student Union to pass on course feedback to enhance your academic experiences and your personal tutors, who assist you with your personal and professional development. You can also access further support from a multitude of departments, whether you would like to focus on time management, academic skills, wellbeing, or disability support.
But most of all, enjoy your time here. I’m so excited for your journey! The work and effort will be worth it. I hope this helps you for a great year ahead!
Tyffane Aladeoni-Jimoh