Why choose the School of Computing, Engineering and Creative Industries
Learn from specialist tutors able to take your existing skills to the next level within fine art, photography, graphic design, animation, fashion, illustration, interior architecture, motion graphics and interactive design.
Work in a vibrant, creative studio space with industry-standard facilities, equipment and software.
In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2025, the 91ºÚÁÏÍø ranks in the UK top 10 for skills development; we rank UK 29th overall.
About the course
This MA Art and Design helps you build a strong, thoughtful and sustainable creative practice. You develop and deepen your current work, try new ideas, learn new skills and create ambitious, innovative projects. The course gives you access to a range of bespoke facilities and expert tutors across specialist fields including fine art, photography, graphic design, animation, fashion, illustration, interior architecture, motion graphics and interactive design. You work in your own studio space alongside other students, taking part in group critiques and one‑to‑one tutorials that help you reflect on and improve your practice.
For further course information, contact Dr Nicoló Giudice at [email protected] and Rebecca Meanley at [email protected]
Facilities and specialist equipment
You develop your skills to a professional level in a lively studio space with access to industry-standard facilities, equipment and software including:
- a 3D workshop with a laser cutter, vacuum former, a variety of drills, saws and other tools
- a print studio offering large-format fine art printing (up to A0); textile printing; risograph printing; and extensive screen-printing equipment
- a digital suite equipped with Apple computers; industry-standard, calibrated Eizo monitors; Adobe Creative suite and other image-processing and moving-image software; scanners; and a range of Inkjet printers which print up to A0
- a storeroom with access to industry-standard photographic and filmmaking equipment
- vinyl cutter
- bookbinding equipment
- access to a 3D printer and CNC machine
- a photographic studio equipped with Profoto lighting systems and a range of light shapers (umbrellas, lightboxes, reflectors, polyboards, and neutral and colour backgrounds)
- an analogue photographic darkroom to process and print black and white analogue film in almost any formats (35mm, 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9, 4x5); equipped with Durst Pictochrom bench enlargers; individual booths; and communal space with a sink to process film and prints
Career-Powered links
You meet, interact and engage with local institutions and companies including Luton Culture Trust (The Hat Factory Art Centre, Wardown House Museum and Gallery, Stockwood Discovery Centre); Bedford Creative Arts; London Luton Airport; Lightsource bp; Luton Town FC; and MK Gallery.
Student experience
Develop your practice while collaborating with students from a range of disciplines in a studio environment.
Work on live briefs and self-initiated research projects, producing high-quality research and a practice portfolio ready for submission to national and international competitions as well as job applications.
Build a strong understanding of current issues in art and design; explore critical and theoretical ideas; and learn how to connect them to your own work and place them in a wider context.
Take part in visits to artist studios; attend external lectures and exhibitions, either locally or farther afield; and expand your professional knowledge and networking skills by attending talks and workshops delivered by visiting speakers.
Attend our weekly ‘World of Work’ guest talks series where a wide range of creative-industry professionals share their insight into paths to employment and establishing yourself as an independent creative.
Take up the opportunity for freelance commissions and work experiences with the support and advice of the 91ºÚÁÏÍø’s Careers and Employability Service.
Benefit from our proximity to London with industry-relevant field trips to the Tate Modern, Royal Academy and Gagosian as well as local arts and culture venues such as The Culture Trust, The Hat Factory Art Centre, Wardown House Museum and Gallery, and Stockwood Discovery Centre.
Postgraduate support includes one-on-one tutorials with your personal tutor as well as professional and academic support.
Course Leader - Dr Nicoló Giudice
Dr Nicoló Giudice is an academic, a writer and a photographer. After studying modern and comparative literature at the 91ºÚÁÏÍø of Provence (France), he received his PhD from Goldsmiths, 91ºÚÁÏÍø of London. Between 2004 and 2009, he worked for Magnum Photos and Jim Goldberg on projects such as Open See (2009), Access to Life (2009) and Documenting Disposable People (2008). His own photographic work consists of long-term projects about contemporary forms of alienation and the process of imprinting from social, psychological and environmental points of view. A selection of his work has been exhibited and published in England, Italy and France. His writing on photography have been published in Contact Sheet Magazine (Light Work), the Journal of American Studies (Cambridge 91ºÚÁÏÍø Press) and Photography and Culture (Taylor & Francis). His research interests focus on the history of photography and its relationships with literature, cinema and the fine arts, in particular in the context of photobooks.
Course Leader - Dr Nicoló Giudice
Dr Nicoló Giudice is an academic, a writer and a photographer. After studying modern and comparative literature at the 91ºÚÁÏÍø of Provence (France), he received his PhD from Goldsmiths, 91ºÚÁÏÍø of London. Between 2004 and 2009, he worked for Magnum Photos and Jim Goldberg on projects such as Open See (2009), Access to Life (2009) and Documenting Disposable People (2008). His own photographic work consists of long-term projects about contemporary forms of alienation and the process of imprinting from social, psychological and environmental points of view. A selection of his work has been exhibited and published in England, Italy and France. His writing on photography have been published in Contact Sheet Magazine (Light Work), the Journal of American Studies (Cambridge 91ºÚÁÏÍø Press) and Photography and Culture (Taylor & Francis). His research interests focus on the history of photography and its relationships with literature, cinema and the fine arts, in particular in the context of photobooks.
The course features two studio-based units:
Studio and professional practice – How to establish yourself within the studio with an effective working practice specific to your field.
Studio practice and research – Using advanced production techniques and coherent research enquiry, propose and create a body of work in your field of study.
Other units include:
Historical contexts: art and design – Examine the interaction between art and design and its cultural context, applying your knowledge to your chosen field of research.
Contemporary issues: art and design – Explore a specific theme or issue by gathering, analysing and synthesising a wide range of material to build a confident expertise in your chosen field.
MA Art and Design major project – Develop and complete a creative independent project that draws on your experience while bringing together research and production.
For an at-a-glance list of modules for this course, download the course specification.
A range of appropriate assessments will enable you to grow in confidence and demonstrate your acquisition. You should - provided you have engaged in the course - be able to take the demands of formal summative assessment in your stride. The requirements for assessment range through the types listed below.
Since self-directed practical projects are at the heart of learning activities, they will logically be the subject of assessment. Formative and summative assessments of practical assignments are seen as an important method of ensuring your understanding developing relevant cognitive and practical skills and of ensuring personal creative development and progress.
Continuous appraisal by both peer review and your tutors is a feature of the course and, although there are no end-point examinations, summative assessment is carried out in relation to the work that you produce as part of the course. This will predominantly be based on an accumulation of the work that is done as a result of a research enquiry, initiated and developed by you engaging in a range of activities as part of its production.
The following are examples of the various assessment methods used.
- Coursework to include examples of creative practice in an appropriate medium associated research material notebooks research reports essays contextual writing.
- Assessments based on individual presentations.
- Portfolio reviews are a key means of assessing but they are also important for collating work for presentation in a professional context such as an interview.
- Essays and reports feature in developing your writing skills; helping you to express ideas in a variety of ways and styles; and developing academic writing skills that are of particular benefit in producing a contextual rationale for your major project.
Careers
The course will prepare you to exhibit and/or work in a number of professional settings including galleries, museums, public, community and commercial settings or in industry; it will also set you up to work as a freelance artist and/or designer.
Alternatively, you have the option to further develop your academic studies at PhD or professional doctorate level.
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Entry Requirements
2.2 honours degree or equivalent in related area
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email [email protected]
