Design Strategy and Innovation MA

Our Design Strategy and Innovation MA degree concentrates on how design might be a catalyst for innovation at all levels. This includes new products and services, new processes, new ways of working, managing creative teams and collaborating with stakeholders, new businesses and new practices. It aims to give designers and other creatives the skills and knowledge to utilise design thinking and to leverage design in the pursuit of strategic organisational change and improvement in both the private and public sectors.

You’ll have access to modern teaching and learning facilities, including a dedicated master’s design studio. Here you can discuss and exchange ideas with other students passionate about becoming design managers and leaders as catalysts for strategic innovation and change.

Our popular, annual Design Master’s: Industry Student Review Evening is a great opportunity for you to connect with experts from design, brand and business. Their professional and practical perspective will help you to build a strong and clear direction for your research projects and dissertation.

And there’s Made in Brunel - a unique, student-led initiative that showcases our design talent at its finest. Each year our students run a series of industry and community events leading up to the Made in Brunel exhibition. This annual showcase is a highlight of the London design calendar and promotes the incredible work our students produce to the creative community, and is your chance to network with key design professionals.

The course is delivered in three phases. Term one is the taught element. In term two, the seminar and workshop programme exploring future trends is delivered, and you’ll also work on your two research projects. Then you move on to your dissertation and undertake an advanced piece of research relevant to design strategy and innovation. This will be assessed through a final 20,000 word submission.

This course can be studied 1 year full-time or 2.5 years part-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 1 year full-time or 2.5 years part-time, starting in September.

Our graduates are employed by the likes of Procter & Gamble, Samsung, SK, LG Electronics, Asus, Plan and Seymourpowell in positions that include innovation consultant, design strategist, design manager and business developer.

• A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification in a design or closely related creative subject. Other subjects with relevant work experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

Please note that we do not require a Design portfolio as part of the application for this programme. In the unlikely event that we do need this we will contact you.

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 65% (min 60% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 92 (min 20 in all)

Our design master’s degrees are delivered by a passionate cross-disciplinary lecturing team, and enhanced by design consultants who are part of our extensive network of industry collaborative partners.

Study will combine lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshop sessions, independent research, and individual and group project work. There will also be guest lectures from design professionals who offer their views on the future of design and its role in meeting global challenges. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a Rich Design series of optional intensive workshops on specialist topics based on the interests of you and your peers and staff expertise.

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

Your work will be assessed through essays, analytical reports, research assignments, presentations, individual and group projects and your dissertation.