ma visual communication
iN hamburg
Our graduates have found employment with
ACADEMIC PARTNER
University for the Creative Arts is a specialist creative institution dedicated to art, design, fashion, media, and creative business disciplines. With campuses across the south of England, it is highly industry-focused and known for producing graduates in the creative industries.
Overall ranking: placed 100th in the Guardian University Guide 2026, with strong performance in student satisfaction (80.1%), feedback quality (78.8%), and solid graduate outcomes in creative sectors. UCA is one of the UK’s leading specialist creative universities, particularly recognised for fashion, animation, and design-related programmes
KEY FACTS
LOCATIONS
Hamburg, Germany
DURATION
18 Months
PRICE**
€13,920 (International and EU)
FORMAT
On-campus
CERTIFIED BY
University of Creative Arts
MODE OF STUDY
Full-time
LANGUAGE
English
INTAKES*
February, October
*Intakes are subject to change
** Discounts upto 50% available, see all pricing and fees
The School’s admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.
SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS PROGRAMME BY APPLYING TODAY.
FIND OUT HOW TO APPLY HERE >>
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The MA Visual Communication course is an innovative programme addressing the emerging trends and challenges for visual communication. The course has been designed to develop graduates capable of meeting the demands of today’s global industries. Students will be taught to implement effective techniques to respond to defined and uncertain problems.
MA Visual Communication is designed to help you develop your identity as an author and thought leader, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to identify and solve design problems within complex cross-media environments, including digital printmaking, still and moving image productions – both digital and virtual.
WHO IS THIS PROGRAMME FOR
As one of the highest ranked creative education institutions, we aim to attract the most creative and proficient individuals who will be equipped and facilitated with an educational foundation to develop a focused and structured framework. We are looking for individuals aiming to thrive as leaders in the professional environment of a generic creative pathway, relating to our three specialisations in Illustration, Graphic Design and Animation.
WHAT WILL THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE?
Central elements of the Master’s in Visual Communication course include the appropriate environment for evaluation and testing of a compelling proposal development practice. Interdisciplinary key discussion embedding theory, text and design case studies are core elements of this programme. Exploration and pushing the boundaries of contemporary visual solutions in the culmination of methods and strategies for independent research and practice, will enable you to show a cohesive and innovative final body of work.
WHO SHOULD TAKE MA VISUAL COMMUNICATION PROGRAMME?
The MA in Visual Communication programme pushes students to investigate and further their knowledge of the possibilities of the fast-evolving creative industry, while refining their mindset with the dedicated support from our expert faculty who have a wealth of industry experience.
Your learning will be enhanced through a well-informed magnitude of contextual and contemporary engagement in order to develop convincing proposals and solutions in the field of Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation and Visual Communication in general.
REASONS TO STUDY THIS PROGRAMME
01
Defining Your Practice
You’ll explore creative practices in order to inform the detailed development of your project proposal later in the course. The unit aims to provide a structured framework to allow you to investigate the potential of methods, ideas and themes in your discipline as well as helping inform and locate your practice.
02
Context and Method
Through a series of lectures and seminars, you’ll actively engage in a range of current debates which provide cultural and intellectual context for the consideration of ideas in visual communication. The programme addresses interdisciplinary issues through the discussion of theory and the consideration of specific design-led work and texts.
03
Project Development
In this unit, you will develop the themes and focus of your final project in the fields of illustration, graphic design, animation or visual communication. This will allow you to evaluate and test out the aims of your proposal over a sustained period of self-directed study. At this stage, the development of your project will be guided and questioned through tutorials, group critiques and presentations, which will support the progress of your work and provide rigorous critical appraisal from staff, peers and professional practitioners. While encouraging the continued exploration and questioning of your ideas, you will continue the process of developing appropriate methods and strategies for your project’s realisation as you begin to work more independently as a researcher and practitioner, refining your research questions and the research methods you are using.
04
Realisation and Dissemination
You’ll apply knowledge and experience gained in previous units to the realisation of your final MA project – the culmination and consolidation of your studies in the form of a resolved piece, or body of work. It should show coherence and innovation at a professional level of resolution. You’ll also be required to prepare a critical paper intended to reflect upon the specific practical outcome of the MA project, its interpretation and its success as a demonstration of your approach to creative practice through research.
programme structure
This 18-month (Level 7) MA Visual Communication programme consists of three terms of study and six months dedicated to your dissertation.
Defining your practice
Explore creative practices to identify a creative project methodology
Cultivate your creative discipline
Context and Method Project Development
Learn theory, context, method, and engage in cultural and intellectual debates in your discipline
Plan and develop your final MA project
Realisation and Dissemination
Demonstrate and execute your final MA project
Write your MA dissertation
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Academic Profile
- Min age: 21
- Strong undergraduate degree from a recognised university or equivalent qualification in the subject or a related discipline.
- If you do not meet the academic requirements, you may be assessed based on 3 years of relevant work experience (illustration, animation, graphic design or general visual communication), demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.
- Computer Equipment: In recent developments of hybrid learning, we require each student to arrive equipped with a laptop. We, therefore, recommend the purchase of a design-friendly mobile laptop. Please click below to read more about the technical requirement Technical Entry Requirement
English Proficiency
- IELTS: 6.0 overall TOEFL IBT: 80 (Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17). Pearson Test of English (PTE): 56 (with min 51 in each component). Duolingo English Test: 105+.
Technical Entry Requirement
Computer Equipment
- In recent developments of hybrid learning, we require each student to arrive equipped with a laptop. We, therefore, recommend the purchase of a design-friendly mobile laptop. Please click below to read more about the technical requirement.
- Technical Entry Requirement
Portfolio Submission
Your Portfolio Submission
You are required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal. Before submitting your artwork, please have a look through the Portfolio Cookbook
What is a Portfolio?
- Your portfolio is a collection of your best work. We want to see what inspires you, how you develop your work, your creative thinking processes, how and what you create and what makes you a unique creative individual.
What Should My Portfolio Contain?
- Your portfolio might contain sketches and paintings, digital art and design. It might also contain sound work, short films.
- Upload up to 12 pieces of work which can include audio or video files.
How do I Submit My Portfolio?
- We’ll only be accepting portfolios digitally. You can do this once you’ve applied via our online submission system within the Applicant Portal.
- You can also link to external websites such as Vimeo and YouTube.
Further information on how to compile and upload your portfolio will be provided by our admissions team via our admissions portal once you have applied.
Online Application
- You can apply now to study with BSBI! It’s quick and easy, here’s how it works:
- Create an account here
- Select the programme and intake you want to apply for
- Complete all sections of the online application
- Submit online application
- Our Admissions Team will liaise with you with regards to next steps
Edge Student Hub
Finding the perfect place to live while you study is crucial. BSBI has partnered with Edge Student Hub, to provide an accommodation package that ensures you have a comfortable from day one in Germany. Located just 45 minutes from central Berlin, the accommodation provides convenience and ease. Shared rooms start at €599 per month, with single rooms and shared apartments also available. Secure your ideal living arrangement and focus on your studies without any worries.
Bring a Friend and save €500!
If you have a friend who is also planning to study in Berlin, let your Accommodation Advisor know. You can receive a €500 discount on your final month’s rent for a shared room*. Please note that your friend must be enrolled at Gisma, BSBI, UE Germany, or Arden Berlin to qualify for this offer.
CAREER PROGRESSION
BSBI’s industry focused environment provides the ideal support to our students in their personal and professional development. Upon successful completion of the Masters in Visual Communication course, you’ll be able to pursue the following careers:
- course, you’ll be able to pursue the following careers:
- Graphic Designer
- Branding/Corporate Designer
- Web and App Designer
- UI/UX Designer
- Art Director Digital
- Creative Director Digital
- Video Director
- Motion Designer / VFX Artist
- AR/VR/MR Designer
- Visualiser/Visual Creative
Dedicated Career Support
BSBI’s dedicated Careers Service helps visual communication master’s students and alumni reach their career goals and realise their potential. The Service offers specialised support and aims to build long-lasting relationships with local and national employers.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Research and Knowledge Development
Upon successful completion of the MA in Visual Communication, students will be able to identify, investigate, and evaluate a wide range of sources using appropriate research methods to generate innovative concepts and insights. They will develop the ability to critically analyse existing knowledge, challenge established ideas, and formulate new perspectives that contribute to contemporary visual communication practice.
Industry and Professional Understanding
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the creative industries and the broader business environment in which visual communication operates. They will explore current professional trends, emerging technologies, and industry developments, enabling them to understand how creative practice evolves within a global and commercially driven context.
Advanced Creative Practice
The programme equips students with advanced skills and methodologies across visual communication disciplines, including graphic design, illustration, and animation. They will learn to produce high-quality work that meets contemporary industry standards while demonstrating strong project management, organisation, time management, and self-directed learning capabilities.
Critical Thinking and Professional Skills
Graduates will develop a broad and critical understanding of visual communication and its related disciplines. Through experimentation, risk-taking, problem-solving, and creative reasoning, they will learn to respond effectively to evolving industry demands and confidently apply innovative approaches to professional creative practice.
OUR NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
Built from more than 2,800 student responses across BSBI campuses, the results reflect strong student satisfaction, support, and career-focused learning.
87%
overall student satisfaction
88%
feel BSBI provides a diverse and inclusive environment
90%+
satisfaction with career services
84%
would recommend BSBI
96%
satisfaction with enrolment support
400+
students secured jobs or internships in 2025
HOW TO APPLY
Apply for your enrolment today and secure your place at BSBI.
Speak with an expert and plan your academic future at BSBI.
STUDENT VOICES
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TESTIMONIALS
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