A piece of graphic design. A dark blue background has various illustrations on, including an ice lolly with a cowboy hat, a tube of paint, and a naughts and crosses game

Image courtesy of Yi Qu

Illustration by Yi Qu, MA Graphic Design 2016

Graphic Design - MA

1 year

Full-time

Outline

Graphic design is about challenging assumptions, listening and observing. Being able to ask the right questions and make informed decisions to reach a conclusion.

We encourage research and understanding, and provide a platform for communication, conversations and dialogues for creating and promoting good design.

You'll participate in a unique learning experience as well as working in traditional and contemporary design projects.

Our programme is designed to provide you with new directions and insights. We will help you navigate this rapidly changing industry, foster social responsibility, build and construct new connections to shape your future career.

The MA Graphic Design is suitable for those who wish to expand and strengthen their design knowledge and enhance their graphic design portfolio. We equally encourage people who have actively chosen to pursue a new profession.

To find out more about this course, visit our Degree Finder: Graphic Design.

Careers

Our graduates work in a wide range of creative career paths. The variety of projects, approaches and opportunities we offer enable you to apply your knowledge and experience of the design process and your considerable skills to many disciplines. Typically, our graduates leave to become members of a graphic design agency.

Our extensive links with industry, built through industry-led projects and staff research, and our range of visiting speakers, ensure you will be aware of the full range of career possibilities and have a strong footing from which to develop your career.

Previous career paths have included:

experiential design
packaging
advertising
digital design
interaction design
exhibition design
design research
marketing
retail design
multimedia
design management
education.

Why you should choose this programme

1

Our programme attracts highly talented students from around the world bringing exciting new ways of thinking to the studio.

2

You will be supported by a dynamic team of experienced tutors, all of whom are industry practitioners or researchers.

3

You’ll collaborate with students across ECA, engage with the creative industries and work on live projects for external clients.

4

If you choose to study our MA programme, you’ll explore and create a new research methodology which will support your new practice.

5

You’ll follow in the footsteps of graduates who are highly accomplished, many of whom hold influential roles within the creative industries internationally.

How to apply and entry requirements

If you'd like to study on a postgraduate programme at Edinburgh College of Art, you must apply through EUCLID, our online application system. You can find out how to do this on the University of Edinburgh website, where you'll also be able to:

see detailed entrance requirements for each programme on the Degree Finder
get information on what to expect after you apply
find out about study modes, start dates and fees
find out if, and how, you need to submit a portfolio, showreel or research proposal
find out where to go for further advice and guidance.

Apply now

Get in touch

Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Admissions

futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
+44 (0)131 650 4086

View the work of our latest graduates

MA Graphic Design on the Graduate Show website

Lauriston campus redevelopment

ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027.

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project at the below link:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston campus | Edinburgh College of Art

Scholarships and bursaries

Andrew Grant Bequest

Andrew Grant Postgraduate Scholarships

Value £13,000 for one year

Deadline 17 April 2025

ECA

Edinburgh College of Art EU Scholarship Scheme (PGT)

Value £17,500

Deadline N/A

See all Scholarships and bursaries

Students looking at journals in a library

Libraries

Stacks of different coloured paper on card on a shelf

Reprographics

A student pours thick printing ink onto a printing screen.

Printmaking suite

View all our Facilities

Anke Dietrich

Graphic Design - MFA 2020

Since graduating Anke's final design project has been shortlisted in the Global Design Graduate Show 2020 by Arthsthread and i-D magazine, and she has been nominated as a newcomer for the German Design Awards 2022.

Walaa Fadul

Graphic Design - MA 2019

After graduating, Graphic Design - MA alumna Walaa, decided to pursue a career in teaching but soon realised that this was not the profession for them. With thanks to their acclaimed degree from ECA Walaa was able to secure a job in graphic design amid a global pandemic.

View all our Alumni