MA Art & Design

Delivered in partnership with Hearst Magazines UK (publishers of Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Esquire magazines and more) , we offer an exciting and industry-connected Master’s course to support and enhance the skills of art and design practitioners who want to develop their ambitions within the cultural and creative industries.

Course Details

• Length 1 year (3 semesters)
• Course Start September
• Progression Fine artist, curator, Art lecturer, design lecturer, art history lecturer, Art technician, Art valuer, Illustrator.
• Tutor Support Specialist tutor support available 5 days a week.
• Studio Access Students have access to our studios 7 days a week, from 8am to 8.30pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm at weekends.
• How Your Work Is Assessed Visual and written assignments and projects.
• Guest Lecturers Visiting Lecturers, drawn from a variety of relevant industry contexts, will deliver a series of presentations which help you to situate your own hopes and ambitions for the future.

What to Expect

1st Semester

In your first semester you will be set a series of briefs designed to stimulate your creativity and help you develop the ingenuity and resilience that professional creative practice requires. You will begin to outline a self-directed project proposal, which will ultimately develop into your Independent Major Project.

2nd Semester

You will continue to develop your own creative practice, whilst addressing how artists and designers need to be engaged in forging the future of their respective fields. You will be given a chance to explore your ideas with students on other MA courses, and will also have the opportunity of a work placement.

3rd Semester

During this semester, all your attentions turn to the research, development and production of your Independent Major Project. The year ends with an exhibition showcase of your projects, celebrating the end of an intensive period of creative, conceptual, critical and professional development

Entry Requirements

Age

20 years +

Educational Level

Successful completion of an Undergraduate Degree in an art & design or related subject or professional relevant experience.

Students who do not meet these entry requirements will still be considered on their own individual potential to succeed.

English Level for International Students

IELTS 6.5+ (no element under 5.5)

Portfolio

Portfolio and personal statement required.

Work Placements

Through our exclusive partnership with Hearst Magazines, UK, this course offers our students the opportunity to apply for a 4-6 week work placement at one on of the Hearst UK publications, including, Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, Elle, Cosmopolitan and more. Previous students who have partaken in this opportunity have gone on to work for Hearst Magazines, UK.

How We Teach

Throughout this course students will be taught through specialist workshops, guest lecturers, regular one-to-ones and group tutorials.

Subjects Taught

Conceptual development; critical skills; Art & Design specialisms, research skills; curatorial practice; photography; materials experimentation; creative project management; project delivery

Careers

Previous students have gone on to work in such places as Esquire Magazine, Vivienne Westwood and Fashion Crossover.

About us

Cambridge school of visual & performing arts (csvpa) is a dedicated arts and performance school in the centre of cambridge. We offer diploma, foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses across art & design, fashion, music and performing arts.

Our class sizes are small, our school is diverse and our staff have excellent experience in industry. With an average class size of 15 students to one lecturer, we give one-on-one support as well as personalised tuition, so you can become the artist you want to be. All of our students are part of the CSVPA family, a vibrant, multicultural community of highly creative people who share common dreams and ambitions. At CSVPA, you will make friends across courses and years, sharing ideas and experiences that elevate your work and inspires you to explore your own creativity

Your career

The creative arts industry in the UK is booming, contributing £286 billion to the wider UK economy.

With employment in the arts industries growing four times faster than other sectors, studying a creative arts course is a gateway for some of the most exciting, innovative and well-paid careers

Your creative space

As a student at csvpa you will have your own space to design, create, rehearse or practice . All of our studios are designed to look, feel and operate like those you would work in during your professional career. We make sure you are adept at using all the latest equipment, processes and programmes that the creative industries use.

Students have access to our studio spaces 7 days a week and our lecturers provide personalised tuition. What’s more, as artists you will need access to lots of essential materials and equipment to create successful portfolios. Unlike other universities and colleges, at CSVPA we provide all your printing, your calico and pattern paper free of charge – so you can experiment, make mistakes and learn without worrying about having to constantly buy more materials.

We Provide

• 5 days a week contact time
• small class sizes, on average no more than 15 students to 1 teacher
• one-on-one support in class
• personalised portfolio assistance and advice
• weekly one-to-one music and drama lessons
• highly personalised audition preparation
• your own dedicated workspace
• your own iMac for BA Graphics & Illustration
• your own mannequin if you are a fashion student
• lecturers based in your studio Monday to Friday, giving you high quality one-on-one time
• studio access 7 days a week
• guaranteed participation in an end-of-year show
• dedicated university officer, to help with your university applications and careers advice
• opportunities to broaden your experiences by visiting exhibitions and shows
• outstanding teachers who are working artists and performers, bringing industry links and real insight to the world of work
• a dynamic and global community bringing opportunities, international contacts and friendships

Living in Cambridge

Cambridge is possibly the best place in the UK to be a student, and csvpa is perfectly located right in the heart of the city. A beautiful, multicultural city , Cambridge is rich with English history and lots to do. There is a popular music scene with multiple venues to choose from across different genres. Arts and culture can also be enjoyed with world famous museums that show some of the rarest collections, sculptures, art and ancient antiques dating back to even the pre-historic era. There are many art galleries that are filled with contemporary and renaissance artworks and plenty of theatres which host performances, from Broadway shows to amateur theatre groups.

Cambridge is one of the safest places to live in Britain . 4 There is an abundance of shopping centres, restaurants, cafes and cinemas, and when you want to explore the rest of the UK or travel back home, you can easily jump on a train and be London in just under an hour.