MA Experience Design

Graduates will have the skills and experience to work in a range of industries, including; culture and the arts, the political, public and third sectors, business and education.

You can work in roles such as experience designers, writers, directors, producers, researchers, academics, artists, teachers, audience analysts, strategists, community managers and entrepreneurs in interactive and immersive storytelling, games, performance, XR, immersive filmmaking, interactive cinema and documentary, advertising, digital art and installation, immersive events, journalism and marketing.

• Expert-led. Our course is taught by a range of nationally and internationally recognised academics, artists and creative practitioners, active in diverse and impactful areas of research, scholarship, and professional networks that enrich your learning.
  
  
• Future-focused. You will develop a portfolio of Experience Design projects to demonstrate your experience and ability in the field and help with securing future work, commissions and employment.
  
  
• State-of-the-art facilities. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and technical support in areas such as Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media.
  
  
• Flexible. You will have the ability to choose a final format of research project, including standard text-based dissertations as well as a business/IP proposal, a doctoral research proposal, or a body of exhibited creative work.
  
  
• A holistic approach. You will gain understanding of how all roles in a production fit together, including design, writing, art, sound, direction and programming, and get to experiment with these different roles to develop a range of in-demand skills, as well as expanding and honing your own preferences and specialisms.
  
  
• Develop a well-rounded skillset. Gain autonomy as an individual practitioner, fluency in collaborative teamwork and literacy in the entire process of experiential making to develop a well-rounded skillset that will enable you to adapt swiftly to changing industry landscapes and produce experiences relevant to a diverse range of career pathways.  
  
  
• Exciting industry connections. We hold partnerships with local, regional, national and international organisations, such as Nudge, Real Ideas, Theatre Royal Plymouth,, NHS Trusts, Dartmoor National Park, Tate, IBM, EPIC, enabling you to work directly with creative, cultural, community and civic organisations to develop projects.

• Year 1

• This programme offers a curriculum built to capitalise on the resources, expertise and cutting-edge skills training available in our Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs and research-informed pedagogies built around key global challenges and emerging areas of digital art.

  You will complete the course with a piece of masters-level creative research. You will be able to chose the topic and format of your submission, following your career interests and boosting your employability prospects.
  
  As part of a school-wide integrated approach to core module delivery, the programme also includes modules shared across the School of Art, Design and Architecture.

  Core modules

  • Situated Practice and Knowledge Exchange (ADA7200)

    This module supports students’ employability and career prospects by engaging with local communities, industrial partners and their broader professional field. Students will be able to situate their ideas within real world contexts, develop entrepreneurial skills, and deliver an external engagement proposition outlining the broader social, environmental, or economic extensions and impacts of their work.

  • Research Project / Dissertation (ADA7300)

    This module supports students’ delivery of their final research project / dissertation through combinations of group and individual work. It includes broader disciplinary research skills, methods and ethical practices, as well as subject-specific supervisory arrangements for each students’ research interests. This can include practice-based, text-based or entrepreneurial research outputs.

  • Design Lab 1 (MAEXD7101)

    Design Lab I is a creative space to devise and develop experiences for a variety of audiences and contexts. Students explore core experience design concepts of immersion, storytelling and interaction, and work with a range of approaches and technologies to prototype solutions that address real-world opportunities and challenges. Design Lab has a co-design methodology where students work with partners from the creative/cultural industries and community on live briefs and shared outcomes.

  • Design Lab 2 (MAEXD7201)

    Design Lab 2 is a creative space to prototype and test experience design projects for a variety of audiences and contexts. Students will deepen their creative approaches to immersion, storytelling and interaction and work with a range of technologies to design solutions that address real-world issues, opportunities and challenges. Design Lab has a co-design methodology where students work with partners from the creative/cultural industries and community groups on live briefs and shared outcomes.

  Optional modules

  • Immersive Media and XR (ADA7102E)

    This module will provide students with the creative and technical skills to develop their projects based on experimentation with immersive media and extended reality (XR) technologies. Through a combination of technical inductions, workshops, lectures, and self-directed work in our Immersive Media Lab, students will be able to experiment with 360 Video, sonic environments, AR/VR, sensors, and game engines.

  • Spatial Storytelling (ADA7103E)

    Students will explore using narrative space to create emotionally engaging audience experiences by experimenting with a range of spatial storytelling methods and technologies. The development of skills as narrative architects and storytellers in immersive, interactive, locative, game, sound, art, film and/or performance-based experiences and installations will result in the creation of a spatial storytelling project.

  • Interaction Design (ADA7106E)

    This module will provide students with the creative and technical skills to apply interaction design strategies to develop and support their practice across a range of disciplines. Drawing from the technologies, techniques and tools typical of the Smart City, ubiquitous, mobile and wearable computing and Internet of Things (IoT), students will design and develop prototype systems that allow them to explore key issues relating to our lived environment.

When to apply

Most of our taught programmes begin in September. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full. 

Before you apply

• evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  
• evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  
• a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
  
• your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  
• proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
  

Disability services

If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services website. 

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply now' icon on this page).

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail.

If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:

Telephone: +44 (0)1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced by downloading our Student Admissions Policy Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.