Postgraduate course content

Our approach to postgraduate study is designed to facilitate collaboration across our programmes, so whether you’re studying full-time or part-time, you’ll learn to specialise and work with others on creative projects and research.

MA structure

Masters courses at NUA can be studied either full-time over 42 weeks or part-time over 84 weeks.

Teaching is broken down into three teaching blocks per year, each comprising 14 weeks.

All full-time and first year part-time students participate in the Research into Practice and Award Specific Unit 2 at the same time, with opportunities to collaborate and discuss ideas and approaches.

Second year part-time students will have similar opportunities in Award Specific Unit 1 and the Masters Project, and will take part in the final exhibition together.

While there is no dissertation, students write evaluations and extended reflective journals for every unit.

Your idea, your practice, your discipline

Research into Practice

Understand practice-based research methods and engage in critical research around your practice. This unit will help you combine your practice with academic research.

Award specific units

Each course features two units where subject specialist issues are explored, promoting the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

Self-negotiated study

Design and conduct an independent project within a given timescale. This unit will help prepare you for the Masters Project and encourages you to engage with creative industries and practitioners while you experiment and try new ways of working.

Masters Project

You’ll undertake a major independent project specific to your course and chosen specialism. The Masters degree culminates in a public exhibition of work in the final September of study.

NUA Masters courses – structure and delivery