MA Visual Communication

An interdisciplinary 18-month course of advanced study for furthering your research skills, fostering a strong visual communication language and specialising within your discipline.

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Programme Overview

Central elements of this 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.

This 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.

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.

Programme Fee

INTAKES:

Hamburg: February, October

2024 October: International students Price: €13,250 | EU students Price: €8,450

Special offers effective until 31 December 2024*: Up to 30% off for International Students | 10% off for EU Students

2025 February/October: International students Price: €13,250 | EU students Price: €8,450

Check our special offers.*

*Terms and conditions apply. Find out more here.

Term 1
Defining your practice
  • Explore creative practices to identify a creative project methodology
  • Cultivate your creative discipline
Term 2
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
Term 3
Realisation and Dissemination
  • Demonstrate and execute your final MA project
  • Write your MA dissertation

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.

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.

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.

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.


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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

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

Applications:

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Career Progression

BSBI’s industry focused environment provides the ideal support to our students in their personal and professional development. Upon successful completion of this 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

BSBI’s dedicated Careers Service helps visual communication 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.

Visit the Careers Service website.

Minimum age: 21

Academic qualifications

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.

English language requirements: 

Access the Proof of English Guide (UCA) here.

Documents

For this course, we’ll need to see your portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to attend an Applicant Day so you can have your portfolio review in person, meet the course team and learn more about your course. If you would prefer to upload a portfolio digitally, there is also the option to submit it online via our BSBI Submission Portal. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

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

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.

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

Learn all about what Hamburg has to offer as an international study destination by clicking here.

Hear from our students and alumni


Learn more about their BSBI journey
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The Virtual Student Lounge

BSBI offers you the opportunity to attend our Virtual Student Lounge to help you gain an insight into life at the school. Through a video call consultation, you’ll be able to get a virtual campus tour, learn more about our programmes, bursaries and scholarships, and get answers to any questions you might have regarding the admission procedure.

You’ll also be able to discover more about living and studying in Europe’s start-up capital, Berlin and find out more about the services on offer at BSBI.

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