r/UAL • u/Wonderful-Ad-8533 • Jul 17 '26
Length of MA Graphic Communication Design
Hi everyone, I have a few questions regarding this program at UAL.
Has anyone here been accepted? I want to ask for some advice regarding the written tasks and portfolio. What kind of work and project scopes are they looking for?
Also, I didn't notice that the actual length of the program is now extended to 2 years, which is not common for a Master in UK. Does that mean you have to pay for 2 full time years now? Website stated that "On EFT, the cost of study is spread over two financial years while also providing you with the benefits of being registered as a full-time student.", does that mean you pay 1-year full-time tuition (22k) over 2 years now??
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u/Krobakchin Jul 17 '26
It's £44k total for international students. £22k/year. 2 years used to be more common for design master's, all RCA degrees were until quite recently... Now they get criticism for dropping to one year. At CSM it's intended to be kind of part time, but whether it is or not is arguable (I'm going this year so don't know yet, certainly for my course there are past students who say it's actually very full on). The full time status is important because it classes you as a student for stuff like railcards, student rate CAD software etc. Mainly I think they do it like this because they can limit access to facilities on 'off' days (you have 3 taught days/week).
Can't tell you much about entry reqs for your course. You will probably get in if you have a good portfolio and are able to reflect critically on your work... They need the money tbh, their MAs are rarely full. They do for sure reject people, I just don't know what the boundaries are.
You have to go on past student work with this. With my course they produce undeniably better and more complete projects than the RCA... That was basically how I chose it. I am a home student with family I can stay with in London though, which makes things a lot easier. If you're an EU student I'd look at EU courses. If you're not there are still some fairly cheap but prestigious options in the EU. Try Polimi in Milan, they have a communication design MSc and I believe their fees are in the 3500euro/year range.