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Postgraduate

MA Communicating Complexity

Black and white graphic rendering of diverse objects and concepts arranged in a loose grid
Dominic Kesterton for Central Saint Martins, Graphics designed by Dominic Kesterton
College
Central Saint Martins
Start date
September 2024
Course length
Two years (60 weeks) low residency

In a world of increasing information, MA Communicating Complexity will develop your understanding and skills as a communicator to address our most pressing challenges. This is a low residency course delivered mostly online.

Applying for more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3. Find out more in the Apply Now section.

The urge to simplify communication conflicts with the complexity of real issues facing the world. This course brings together students from design and non-design backgrounds to experiment with the role of communicators in responding to social and global challenges. It is part of the Graphic Communication Design programme.

Why choose this course at Central Saint Martins

Addressing contemporary challenges: You will learn how to harness communication design to improve individual, institutional and public engagement with our most pressing, complex issues.

Communication as creative and critical practice: Combining a communication design studio with media research and analysis, this course equips you to bring clarity, context and criticality to communicating complexity.

Flexible course structure: Delivered mostly online with one intensive residential week each year, the course is designed to fit around your professional and other responsibilities.

Drawing on your experience: This course is open to students from a range of design and non-design backgrounds. You are encouraged to bring your prior experience, local context and positioning to define your direction.

Embedded collaborations: Develop your communication practice through hands-on experimentation in relation to sectors and industries such as media, journalism, government, non-profits, technology and science.

Open days

There are currently no open days scheduled for this course, please check back at a later date.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Course overview

The proliferation of information and data available today provides both challenges and opportunities for how we understand, navigate and communicate our complex world. It also places communication designers in a potentially influential role as interpreters, facilitators and activators of knowledge, truth and insight. 

Communication is at the heart of how we construct and convey power, how we motivate and mobilise, and how we shape our societies, communities and identities. This course understands communication as deeply intertwined with complexity. It is an increasingly vital skill in empowering responses to our most pressing and complex challenges – without resorting to simplification.

MA Communicating Complexity is a creatively led communication design course in a world-leading graphic design programme. On this course you will be encouraged to advance experimental approaches to communication. Project briefs set in collaboration with a range of industries and sectors, as well as by your student cohort provide a springboard for creative and future-facing approaches. Course Learning Outcomes are referenced to UNESCO’s Learning objectives for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Innovation in communication design is critical to even the most ambitious ideas and technologies as well as organisations seeking to make an impact at scale. By foregrounding complexity, this course encourages more inclusive, accessible, and culturally resonant inroads into the world’s challenges with the ambition to equip you with the ability to bring clarity, context, and criticality to engaging with and communicating complexity.

What to expect:

Collaborative projects: The course is comprised of design challenges drawn from external organisations in different sectors, for example from government and media to healthcare and technology. 

Prioritising inclusive and accessible approaches: By welcoming complexity, the course welcomes multiple voices and methods simultaneously.

We are committed to developing ethical communication design practices. To achieve this, we are working to embed UAL's Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course. 

Course units

Unit 1: Communication & Complexity

This unit develops a shared foundation for the study and practice of communication design in the context of global and local challenges. It unpacks a range of terminology, contexts and methods associated with both contemporary communication practice and notions of complexity. 

The first dictionary definition of complexity is “having many parts and being difficult to understand or find an answer to” (Cambridge Dictionary). The starting point for this course is to prioritise the design of more inclusive and accessible discourses around complex matters, beginning with what may be difficult to understand – and therefore to communicate – while questioning the impulse to simplify for the sake of communication. 

Unit 2: Collaborative Practices for Common Good

This unit addresses the theme of collaboration through co-operation with other postgraduate courses in the College. By working co-operatively with fellow students from other courses, you will experience at first hand the value of diverse cross-disciplinary thinking and problem-solving that is central to communicating complexity. 

Unit 3: Knowledges, Publics & Innovations

This unit features a sequence of context-specific and collaborative projects which experiment creatively and purposefully with contemporary local and global challenges. The ambition to challenge Eurocentric defaults and approaches to communication, information and data runs through all projects in this unit.

Knowledges explores the accessibility, interpretation, and dissemination of knowledge. It asks you to engage with the relationship between the form and circulation of knowledge. Publics explores how collaborative and participatory approaches to complex communication problems can achieve positive social, environmental, and economic change. Innovations focuses on how techniques, methods and approaches to communicating complexity can be applied to understand and re-imagine existing practices, technologies, networks and institutions.

At the end of the unit, students are supported to reflect on their practice and begin to define and scope their final major projects leading into Unit 4.

Unit 4: Major Project

The course culminates in a self-directed design project which significantly elaborates on your learning in prior units and supports your future ambitions. You will demonstrate how communication design can be harnessed to positively impact individual, institutional and public understanding of and engagement in pressing complex issues. You are encouraged to bring your own prior experience, local context and positioning to defining and developing this project. You will also be asked to project the legacy of your project beyond the end of the course in a way that demonstrates you have considered its long-term impact.

Important note concerning academic progression through your course:

If you are required to retake a unit you will need to cease further study on the course until you have passed the unit concerned. Once you have successfully passed this unit, you will be able to proceed onto the next unit. Retaking a unit might require you to take time out of study, which could affect other things such as student loans or the visa status for international students.

Mode of study

The course is delivered extended full-time over 60 weeks across two years. MA Communicating Complexity is designed to allow students to study while also undertaking employment, independent creative and professional practice or caring responsibilities.

Credit and award requirements

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.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Formal teaching mainly delivered in online workshops, briefings, seminars, group critiques and lectures. 
  • A 2-week in-person intensive near the end of Term 1 each academic year: the course community will gather and work together at Central Saint Martins campus in London.
  • Learning is designed so that taught content and self-directed independent study can be balanced alongside existing commitments. Carefully structured synchronous and asynchronous taught activities are provided.
  • An applied and practical environment supported by workshop-based learning around communication methods, production and research.
  • Students are encouraged to respond to complexity in specific contexts and will locate the research and self-directed study in a local context for some projects. 
  • Emphasis on collaboration and community: we will use a range of digital methods and tools to support and sustain continuous online learning and community building.

As learning will be mostly remote, students will need access to a computer, high-speed internet, and other basic supplies and equipment. Before the course start, minimum specifications will be provided as well as recommendations, academic discounts, free and low-cost software options and other suggestions to help keep costs down.

Find us on social media

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Teaching staff

Associate Lecturer: Sib Trigg
Associate Lecturer: Antonia Huber
Associate Lecturer: Sanne Visser
Associate Lecturer: Michela Zoppi

Fees and funding

Home fee

£6,665 per year

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 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 nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£16,130 per year

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 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.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows: 

  • An honours degree in any relevant field of design, humanities, or science
  • Or an equivalent EU/international qualification

AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

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:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • Or a combination of these factors.

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

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).

Selection criteria

We select applicants according to potential and current ability in the following areas:

  • Personal and professional aspirations are compatible with the aims and objectives of MA Communicating Complexity (interview, personal statement)
  • Awareness of and/or prior engagement with creative possibilities and critical dimensions of communication practice (video, interview, personal statement)
  • Creative and technical skills, with the potential to develop to an advanced level through coursework (video, interview)
  • Independence and the capacity to carry out self-directed Master’s level projects (interview, personal statement, video)
  • The ability to engage in critical discussion about your work and the wider contexts of your practice (interview, personal statement)
  • A commitment to experiment and explore new creative avenues, new schools of thoughts and the ability to engage with a range of learning materials and methods, including online (interview, personal statement)

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Video task deadline

Round 1:

7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request

Round 2:

7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Video task deadline
7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request
7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Video task deadline

Round 1:

7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request

Round 2:

7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Video task deadline
7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request
7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

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How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement and CV.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

Step 2: Video task

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a video task.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Video task advice

We’d like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you. When recording your task, please face the camera and speak in English.

What to include in your video task

  • Please provide a short video essay which presents your approach to communication practice.

Read our guidance for how to submit your video task and which file types we accept.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Applying to more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3 courses. You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 equal consideration deadlines to ensure fairness for all our applicants. If you apply ahead of either of these deadlines, your application will be considered on an equal basis with all other applications in that round. If there are places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.