Overview
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.
Enquiries
Contact our Enquiries team.
Course Enquiries: +44 (0)1895 265599 (before you submit an application)
Admissions Office: +44 (0)1895 265265 (after you submit an application)
Course content
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.
Compulsory modules
- Strategic Design Management
- Branding Strategy Studies
- Innovation Strategy and Management
- Design Research
- Design and Innovation Futures: Seminar and Workshop Programme
- Design Innovation Research Project 1
- Design Innovation Research Project 2
- Dissertation
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
and what you will learn on the course.
Employability
Careers and your future
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.
At Brunel we provide many opportunities and experiences within your degree programme and beyond – work-based learning, professional support services, volunteering, mentoring, sports, arts, clubs, societies, and much, much more – and we encourage you to make the most of them, so that you can make the most of yourself.
» More about EmployabilityEntry criteria 2019/20
- 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.
Entry criteria are subject to review and change each academic year.
International and EU entry requirements
If your country or institution is not listed or if you are not sure whether your institution is eligible, please contact Admissions
This information is for guidance only by Brunel University London and by meeting the academic requirements does not guarantee entry for our courses as applications are assessed on case-by-case basis.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 65% (min 60% in all areas)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason.
We offer our own BrunELT English Test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options at the Brunel Language Centre.
Teaching and learning
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.
Assessment and feedback
Your work will be assessed through essays, analytical reports, research assignments, presentations, individual and group projects and your dissertation.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
Fees and funding
Fees for 2019/20 entry
UK/EU students:
£9,100 full-time; £4,550 part-time
International students:
£18,720 full-time; £9,360 part-time
Some courses incur additional course related costs. You can also check our on-campus accommodation costs for more information on living expenses.
Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students
UK/EU students can opt to pay in six equal monthly instalments: the first instalment is payable on enrolment and the remaining five by Direct Debit or credit/debit card.
Overseas students can opt to pay in two instalments: 60% on enrolment, and 40% in January for students who commence their course in September (or the remaining 40% in March for selected courses that start in January).