Applications for 2019/20 entry for this course are now closed. Applications for 2020/21 entry will open in Autumn 2019.
Understand, translate and communicate brand stories graphically. MA Graphic Branding and Identity encourages students to challenge what is understood about the meaning of graphic branding.
This MA course focuses on the role of visual identity within branding, with the aim to produce versatile and creative practitioners who understand design within a business, social and cultural context.
Driven by intelligent enquiry and evaluation, you will explore the strategic thinking underlying brands and look at how that strategy can drive creative expression.
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A series of presentations, conversations, events that set out to enquire into the particularities of contemporary culture.
The Printing Charity – print design
Students from London College of Communication’s MA Interaction Design Communication course are preparing to collaborate with the Design Museum on an event exploring perceptions of home.
Discover our printing techniques, from Lithographic Printing to Print Finishing and Bookbinding.
This workshop offers a wide-range of expertise in everything from etching to lithography.
The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.
Driven by intelligent enquiry and evaluation, MA Graphic Branding and Identity encourages students to challenge what is understood about the meaning of graphic branding. It explores the strategic thinking underlying brands and focuses on how that strategy can drive the creative expression.
Look around you and you will see examples of the power of brands; on the high street, within organisations and in the media. From Coca Cola to Virgin, the most successful brands are worth billions. This MA course focuses on the role of visual identity within branding, with the aim to produce versatile and creative practitioners who understand design within a business, social and cultural context.
MA Graphic Branding and Identity addresses the subject from a broad perspective, covering individual, group, cultural, national, international, corporate and commercial identities. You will be encouraged to look critically at the graphic elements which make up a contemporary visual identity. The emphasis is on practical design, supported by theoretical components and the application of clear research methodologies.
As well as developing a deeper knowledge of branding and graphic design, you'll gain an understanding of how to develop brand strategies and propositions. An important part of the course involves developing an independent personal project that investigates these principles and their application.
Learning at this level will be about intellectual engagement, discovery, interaction and change. The final product, for us, is not in itself the goal - it is the research, evaluation and understanding of branding and identity that makes this MA distinctive.
This course is taught within the Design School.
Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves six units, totalling 180 credits.
Unit summary:
These two units involve a process of reflection, broad exploration and understanding of the brand and design process itself, through a practical project exploring the fundamental principles of brand and design literacy and visual grammar.
You will work on identifying your own practice in relation to common approaches and develop a deeper understanding of the techniques required to produce effective graphic, brand and design communication. A series of lectures, workshops and seminars will be available covering research methodologies in theory and practice and the wider contextual framework for contemporary graphic branding.
In addition, you’ll undertake a scoping and profiling project called the Field of Study Report, in order to establish a working rationale and focus for your Major Project Proposal. This will help you to develop an appreciation of current debates that are shaping the future of the subject and gain an informed view of your own practice.
The skills and knowledge developed during this unit will provide you with a firm foundation from which to undertake design research and are a platform for your personal graphic branding and identity practice.
Unit summary:
Unit summary:
The Major Project Proposal moves your Field of Study Report forwards through a series of practical and contextual stages to find a clearly defined and evaluated research question for the Major Project Proposal. This question will then be answered in the Final Major Project in the last unit of the course.
You'll write, design and produce a re-evaluation of the intentions and methods outlined in the Field of Study Report submitted in Unit One, in order to strategically plan the development of the Major Project towards its final resolution.
During this unit, you may choose to refocus or even change your project. At this point, it is also advised to consider the type of final project (Final Major Project: Practical and Report, or Final Major Project: Thesis). These decisions will need to be discussed and agreed with your tutor prior to the completion of the Major Project Proposal.
During this stage, you will also be able to undertake the Collaborative Unit, where you can work within the branding industry, collaborate with another course or organisation on a chosen branding project or brief. The Collaborative Unit allows you to be directly in touch with the realities of a professional branding practice, and to examine these techniques, approaches and theories in a professional context. (Examples of previous collaborative partnerships at LCC include: Pentagram, Wieden + Kennedy, SCOPE, Channel 4, One Show New York, Mother, Blue Marlin and Interbrand).
Unit summary:
The Final Major Project builds on the knowledge and skills acquired during the earlier units, together with the defined and tested rationale developed in the Major Project Proposal and definition stages of the course. These elements are then applied in the creation of an original brand design research project.
This involves the completion of an independent Final Major Project on the basis of extensive research and a firm methodological approach. You will develop a programme of investigation and analysis that supports you in the further development of your personal research project.
As you move towards the submission of your Final Major Project, you'll be required to qualify and evidence your design development; exploring the context of your project as well as identifying key issues in the work such as appropriate discourses, your strategic thinking, branding ‘touch points’, materials and media through which you can effectively communicate your branding ideas.
If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards. A Postgraduate Certificate may be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma may be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.
The courses outcomes are taught using the following learning and teaching methods:
The course outcomes are assessed using the following assessment methods:
The information outlined is an indicative structure of the course. Whilst we will aim to deliver the course as described on this page, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, for example because of regulatory requirements or operational efficiencies, before or after enrolment. If this occurs, we will communicate all major changes to all applicants and students who have either applied or enrolled on the course.
Please note that due to staff research agreements or availability, not all of the optional modules listed may be available every year.
In addition, the provision of course options which depend upon the availability of specialist teaching, or on a placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed. Please check this element of the course with the course team before making a decision to apply.
We will update this webpage from time to time with new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact a member of the course team.
Course Leader, MA Graphic Branding and Identity
Associate Lecturer, MA Graphic Branding and Identity
Associate Lecturer, MA Graphic Branding and Identity
Lecturer, MA Graphic Branding and Identity
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 course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, from all over the world. MA Graphic Branding and Identity attracts students who apply direct from an Honours degree course in a field relevant to graphic design, product design or architecture, or those with other, equivalent qualifications.
The course team also welcomes students with relevant experience or those who may have previously worked in industry.
Educational level may be demonstrated by:
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.
For further details regarding international admissions and advice please visit the International Applications page.
Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:
Applications for 2019/20 entry for this course are now closed. Applications for 2020/21 entry will open in Autumn 2019.
All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:
Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.
You will be asked to complete a personal statement (approximately 200 words)describing why you want to study on MA Graphic Branding & Identity.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course. The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in Graphic Branding & Identity and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.
Ensure that your personal statement it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future.
This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.
Applications for 2019/20 entry for this course are now closed. Applications for 2020/21 entry will open in Autumn 2019.
All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:
Please note: we will ask you for copies of certain documents (for example, English language qualification/certificate and copies of any previous UK study visas).
For further advice on how to apply please visit the UAL International Application page.
Whether you are applying through a UAL representative or direct application you will need to complete an Immigration History check. If you do not complete the Immigration History Check we will not be able to proceed with your application.
Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.
You will be asked to complete a personal statement (approximately 200 words)describing why you want to study on MA Graphic Branding & Identity.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course. The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in Graphic Branding & Identity and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.
Ensure that your personal statement it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future.
This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.
After you have successfully submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming your application and providing your login details for the UAL Applicant Portal. Please log into the portal, as this is where we will send you important updates and requests, and you can contact us with any questions you may have about your application.
In the project proposal a description of the area of interest, field of study and the particular focus of the intended project. This should include an overview of how you intend to go about producing the project and the methodology.
It is important to recognise that these ideas will inevitably develop and change across the year of study on the course and only serve to inform your application at this stage.
All applicants will be expected to submit an electronic portfolio as part of their application, to include personal work and commercial work if appropriate, supported by a short description of the project and your involvement if commercial.
The portfolio should be conceptual and research-based, must show your thinking and making process and demonstrate a curious nature to explore, test and experiment. If you have links to web projects or media assets, please note these in your CV.
Applicants are usually interviewed by the course team before a place can be offered. Interviews will take place at LCC, or via Skype/telephone.
You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Applicant Portal.
If you are offered a place for 2019/20 but wish to defer to 2020/21, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter. Additionally, International applicants will have to pay a pre-payment in order to defer. In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.
Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.
£10,890 (2019/20).
UAL alumni receive a £1,000 discount
Course fees may be paid in instalments
£19,930 (2019/20).
UAL alumni receive a £1,000 discount
Course fees may be paid in instalments
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. We strongly suggest you read the information on our Additional Costs page
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
A range of scholarships, bursaries and awards are available to postgraduate students at UAL.
Postgraduate loans of up to £10,000 are now available for eligible UK and EU students. A full list of eligibility criteria and information on applying can be found on the postgraduate loans webpage.
Funding opportunities available for this course:
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