
Dr Jim Shorthose - Programme Leader
Jim completed his PhD at Warwick University Business School in 1997, and has since managed various research units and creative business support programmes, combined with teaching in the university sector - since 2014 in the School of Design at the University of Lincoln. He has written Understanding Creative Business: Values, Networks and Innovation (2011); Where is Creativity?: A Multidisciplinary Approach (2014); several 'pop-up' books and numerous articles dealing with creativity, the creative industries and professional development. Find out more at https://jshorthose.wixsite.com/jim-shorthose
Academic Staff List Make an EnquiryWelcome to MA Design
MA Design at the University of Lincoln is a studio practice based, multi-disciplinary programme that puts your self-initiated creative project at its heart.
The taught elements are geared towards consolidating and expanding your creative thinking, planning, and design execution. It aims to strengthen your reflective creative practice via explorations of the creative process itself, related to future-facing practical design applications in your chosen specialism.
By asking you to reflect on the bridge between design theory and practice, MA Design aims to enhance your professional development via improved skills in research, devising, and managing particular projects, thinking about end users, and building design communication skills.
MA Design is centred around the belief that the future of the design professions lies in working across traditional design specialisms, being more effective in the 'gig economy', and building a career relevant to the concrete realities of the new cultural economy.
The programme offers insights into a broad range of conceptual debates to help contextualise your creative project and these debates are integrated with practical inquiries to help with the actual making needed in the studio and workshop.
Students have access to a wide range of creative technologies and dedicated workspaces, a wide network of creative practitioners from across the Lincoln School of Design, staff working in other disciplines within the University, and creative industry contacts - all of which can help you develop your particular creative project.
If you have any questions about the programme, please contact the MA Design Programme Leader, Dr Jim Shorthose at jshorthose@lincoln.ac.uk.
How You Study
Modes of study within the course include lectures by staff and visiting practitioners, student-led seminars, student presentations and 'crit' sessions', industry visits, and one-to-one tutorials.
There is scope to work on live projects and collaborations with industry when appropriate. You will also be asked to contribute to the MA Final Show in our dedicated exhibition space.
Please contact the College of Arts for further details at: unilincolnarts@lincoln.ac.uk.
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How you are assessed
The different modules which make up the programme have different forms of assessment. These include keeping a reflective journal, a portfolio of practical design work in progress, student presentations, written reports, a critical review of practice, and a final show.
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Programme-Specific Additional Costs
Students may need to acquire specialist equipment in order to complete their proposed negotiated projects. These materials are dependent on the nature of the design practice. These are in addition to the Universitys own equipment and specialised facilities, such as computer labs, the maker lab, the print workshop, and the machine workshop, which are available for students to use.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
A minimum 2:2 honours degree or equivalent professional experience.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/
These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Sebastian Cox, MA Design, 2011
Award-winning furniture designer, Sebastian Cox, developed his unique style at the University of Lincoln. He has showcased work specially commissioned by Sir Terence Conran, and has created pieces for Burberry. He was asked to create a bespoke item of furniture to exhibit as part of the The Wish List installation, held at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum in September 2014. Sebastian is recognised as a pioneer of sustainable design in Britain.
Sebastian took part in a live interview discussing his work as part of the 2020 Virtual Design Festival.

Interviews
We interview all applicants where appropriate.
Features
The MA Design programme maintains regular links with current practising designers and these individuals form part of a vibrant and regular visiting lecturer series.
Career Opportunities
The MA Design programme maintains regular links with current practising designers and these individuals form part of a vibrant and regular visiting lecturer series.
Postgraduate Events
Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.
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