
Through researching, analysing, designing, making and immersion in material processes, this course will challenge you to make your mark on the global design industry. This course offers three pathways: Ceramics, Furniture and Jewellery. It is part of the Product, Ceramic and Industrial Design programme.
Viaduct Scholarships for MA Design Course (furniture pathway only)
Grand Prix LVMH Scholarships (for 2nd year students)
Jane Rapley Scholarships
UAL EU Transitional Awards
UAL Home Postgraduate £5,000 Scholarships
UAL International Postgraduate £40,000 Scholarships
UAL International Postgraduate £5,000 Scholarships
Find out more on the Product, Ceramic and Industrial Design programme website
Depictions of the human body are a constant throughout art history. Here, we talk to the 2020 graduates who incorporate the body into their creative process – from performative drawing to explorations of illness.
From unwanted food to industrial byproducts, we are producing waste at an alarming rate. Many of our graduating students are rethinking waste as raw material and here, we speak to just a few of them.
Graduating from BA Graphic Communication Design, Jahnavi Inniss talks to us about her final project, a quilt and online directory highlighting the contributions of Black Britons to British history.
We're proud to announce the five winners of the Maison/0 Green Trail which shares the most innovative sustainable projects from this year's graduating work.
MA Design (Ceramics); MA Design (Furniture); MA Design (Jewellery) will develop your creative abilities, imagination and expertise. It offers three pathways: Ceramics, Furniture and Jewellery. These disciplines all have a rich tradition in material-led creativity. Framed within one course, we explore the evolving boundaries of these disciplines, embracing ideas of practice beyond traditional definitions. This allows a range of hybrid practices to emerge, disrupting assumptions around design, craft and manufacture.
The course focuses on design as a process and as a practice. We look at design as modes of thinking, as ways of communicating to audiences and systems of engagement with the materiality of the world. These factors will impact the way your ceramics, furniture or jewellery design work will be realised. It will influence how you design it, talk about it, debate it and how you write about it. We are interested in all forms of manufacturing – from master craftsmanship, artisan work and the hand-made to factory production and emerging technologies. Our students are interested in single artefacts, mass-market delivery and all stages in-between.
On MA Design (Ceramics); MA Design (Furniture); MA Design (Jewellery), you will work on your own personal project. This will be explored and developed according to your individual pathway choice. Your project will evolve through a structured process of research, exploration, development and evaluation. You will be encouraged to refocus your skills intellectually, contextually and practically. You will be expected to extend and exploit design strategies from both your own and other disciplines and to question and test your ideas through team work and group critiques.
The course is taught by team of skilled practitioners. Alongside teaching experience, staff have professional careers and strong links with commercial, artistic, craft and industrial bodies. This will help you locate mentors and foster a broad range of contacts. Meetings with peers, staff, practitioners and industry professionals will also help you develop your presentation skills, so you are able to communicate and discuss your project and your ideas.
On MA Design (Ceramics); MA Design (Furniture); MA Design (Jewellery), your programme of study is based on your project proposal. This will be negotiated on entry and then developed into your agreed plan of action for the course. The three units of the course support the development of this action agreement and your journey through the project.
Initially your task will be to research your project proposal. Research itself is taken to be a wide-ranging activity which includes visual, social, cultural and factual information gathering and most importantly: drawing, designing and modelling as you investigate the practical outcome of your project through design practice. You will be expected to develop strategic industry awareness, and to visit international trade events, seminars, production facilities, exhibitions and social and retail environments. This self-driven research is supported by seminars and tutorials.
Critical thinking will become the basis of your critical review. This examines your project intellectually and contextually and forms part of your Master’s submission. You will be encouraged to draw on the full range of your experience, resources and abilities. You will also be encouraged to think globally to realise your project outcome. This may include, for example, mobilising personal craft skills, devolved production across the globe and use of both traditional and new technologies.
Unit 1 introduces issues and topics relevant to ceramics, jewellery or furniture, including research methodologies and techniques. These will help you orientate your practice within the course, and to develop contextual, critical and research skills at the onset of MA learning. You will be designing out ideas from day one as you research. You will work collaboratively with students from other courses and examine some of the key cultural and theoretical ideas impacting design.
Throughout Unit 2 you are expected to develop a critical self-awareness of professional practice. You will focus on reflectivity, contextualisation and positioning practice in response to the action proposal developed in Unit 1. You are expected to actively engage with your peers, external practitioners and collaborators to produce a body of work which will map and articulate your position in your field. You will reflect on your understanding of design industry structures – in particular, contemporary practices in ceramics, furniture and jewellery. The unit incorporates personal and professional development, enterprise and contextualising activities.
Unit 3 brings your project to both a practical and critically reflective conclusion. You will produce practical outcomes, evaluating the project through a critical review. During the final stages of the course there will be further personal and professional development. This is devised to support your career development.
MA Design (Ceramics); MA Design (Furniture); MA Design (Jewellery) is offered in extended full-time mode which runs for 60 weeks over two academic years. You will be expected to commit 30 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.
The course has been designed in this way to enable you to pursue studies, while also undertaking part-time employment, internships or care responsibilities.
The course is credit-rated at 180 credits.
On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Master of Arts (MA degree).
Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, an MA is Level 7. All units must be passed in order to achieve the MA but the classification of the award is derived from the mark for the final unit only.
If you are unable to continue on the course, a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) will normally be offered following the successful completion of 60 credits, or a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) following the successful completion of 120 credits.
During your course you will engage with learning and teaching that includes both online and face-to-face modes. Typically, this will include:
Course Leader and Subject Leader Jewellery, MA Design: Ceramics, Furniture and Jewellery.
Simon Fraser
Course Tutor, MA Industrial Design; Subject Leader Furniture, MA Design (Ceramics); MA Design (Furniture); MA Design (Jewellery)
Ralph Ball
Course Co-ordinator, MA Design (Ceramics); MA Design (Furniture); MA Design (Jewellery)
Ulrike Oberlack
Contextual Studies Leader, BA Ceramic Design, MA Design (Ceramics); MA Design (Furniture); MA Design (Jewellery)
Elizabeth Wright
Lecturer: Professor Rob Kesseler
Lecturer: Anthony Quinn
Associate Lecturer: Melanie Eddy
Associate Lecturer: Kathryn Hearn
Associate Lecturer: Alice Cicolini
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
Or a combination of these factors.
Each application will be considered on its own merit but cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
IELTS level 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements webpage).
The application, indicative project proposal and the portfolio will be assessed in relation to:
The resource implications of the project proposal and the ability of the course and the applicant to support the practical realisation of the project.
You should apply by clicking on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current postgraduate curse and wish to continue your studies at Central Saint Martins, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.
Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.
You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:
Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
Current English language level
Current and/or previous education and qualification details
Employment history
Your personal statement should give us information about yourself and why you want to join the course. (Write between 300 and 500 words)
We expect a project proposal to be 500 to 800 words long in total. The sections ‘Resources’, ‘Bibliography’ and ‘Appendix’ are in addition to this word count.
Your Background
Outline Proposal
Development
Research
Evaluation
Resources
Bibliography
Appendix (optional)
We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all the information above.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
Please add csm.ukeu@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL. Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.
15 March 2021
Please be aware that your application may not be reviewed until the published application deadline has passed. This means that there may be a delay before you hear from us, but we will contact you with the outcome of your application as soon as possible.
We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.
This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them all after the application deadline date. This means you won’t hear from us about any next steps until after this date. Find out more about what happens after you apply.
There are two ways international students can apply:
If you are applying directly you click on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Central Saint Martins, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.
Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.
You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:
Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
Current English language level
Current and/or previous education and qualification details
Employment history
Your personal statement should give us information about yourself and why you want to join the course. (Write between 300 and 500 words)
We expect a project proposal to be 500 to 800 words long in total. The sections ‘Resources’, ‘Bibliography’ and ‘Appendix’ are in addition to this word count.
Your Background
Outline Proposal
Development
Research
Evaluation
Resources
Bibliography
Appendix (optional)
Whether you are applying online or through a UAL representative you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check we will not be able to proceed with your application.
We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all the information above.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
Please add csm.international@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.
15 March 2021
We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.
This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them all after the application deadline date. This means you won’t hear from us about any next steps until after this date. Find out more about what happens after you apply.
We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a portfolio through your UAL Portal.
The full portfolio should be no more than 30 pages comprising your work and/or relevant documentary material, and evidence your current creative practice.
Your digital portfolio should demonstrate:
Your portfolio should contain at least one fully documented design process showing:
The only files that can be uploaded as part of the portfolio are:
Your portfolio should demonstrate creative development, whether for a college project or in your personal work. By creative development, we mean ideas that have originated through your own experience and research and progressed towards potential visual proposals. Ideas, visual research and experimentation are more important than finished design solutions and can be shown in 2D work, or through photos of 3D objects and maquettes.
It is important that the creative work you include reflects and demonstrates your thinking, initiative and personal commitment to a particular project, theme or idea. We are interested in you as an individual, your personal interests, your creativity and initiative in finding out about your proposed area of study. We would also like to know about your favourite designers and artists, where you have seen their work at first hand and how you have acquired more information about the work that interests you.
For more portfolio advice please visit the Portfolio advice page.
Following the review of your application, indicative project proposal and portfolio, we select a small number of applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to an interview either in person or by skype.
The interviews are used to evaluate the extent to which a candidate demonstrates:
You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Portal.
£6,455 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.
Home fees are currently charged to UK resident nationals. However, the rules are complex and you can find out more on our tuition fees pages.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage
£16,450 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.
International fees are currently charged to students from countries outside of the UK. However, the rules are complex and more information can be found on our tuition fees pages.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage
Through the professional experience of the teaching team there are strong links with commercial, artistic, craft and industrial bodies in London, nationally and internationally. Over the duration of the MA, meetings with practitioners, industry professionals, and participants in the wider design community will enable you to learn to communicate effectively across a range of different environments.
Future careers and graduate prospects
Many MA Design: Ceramics, Furniture or Jewellery graduates move speedily into self-employment, developing businesses at the highest levels finding opportunities to progress their independent practice at both a national and international level. These includes students showing work at the Victoria Miro Gallery and Sotheby’s and collection designs for Swarovksi, MADE, Top shop and the House of Fraser.
Other MA Design: Ceramics, Furniture or Jewellery graduates work for design teams in Europe and Internationally either in their country of origin or increasingly in a country of their choice. A significant minority enter educational work at Masters level.