MSc Business with Financial Management

What will I study?

The MA Design Management is an ideal course for designers who want to develop their career by taking on a more strategic, managerial role. It will also appeal to business graduates or managers from other sectors, who want to advance their careers by developing a greater understanding of how design can contribute to leadership, sustainability and social innovation within a business.

You will study 6 modules that work together to give you a holistic view of design strategies and ways to successfully manage the complete design process. Areas that you will cover include: Creative Thinking, NSF Intellectual Property, Intercultural Communication, Research Principles, Reflective Practice, Contemporary Influences and Commercialisation.

These highly contextual modules provide the perfect foundation for you to understand the field of Design Management, find your personal direction and provide a stepping stone to your future career.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Teaching on this programme is delivered through tutorials, seminars, workshops and tutor guided independent learning, totaling between 12-14 hours per week. You will also be expected to engage in independent study involving directed and self-directed learning, around 28 hours per week.

Assessments take place through a mix of coursework, reports, presentations and projects.

You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers and academics who use their industry experience to demonstrate how the theories you will learn translate in to real life situations.

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research.

Careers and further study

Upon graduation, you will be qualified to take on managerial roles supported by your understanding of how to harness the power of design within a corporate context.

Upon successfully completing your course, you may undertake further professional development and training through Professional Pathways programmes. These are offered to our graduates for free, from our partner, QA.

Applicants should have the following:

Academic requirements

• Minimum 2:2 (second class) honours degree from a UK university or its equivalent.

Applicants will normally be expected to have a good honours degree. This does not have to be in design but, applicants should have experience in a relevant industry or be able to demonstrate a link between their current job/experience and design. This refers to design in the broadest sense so can include organisational design, systems design and service design as well as more traditional design disciplines such as product, fashion and graphics.

If you don’t meet the academic requirements

Mature applicants with a lower qualification and at least 3 years of appropriate professional experience may be accepted.

If you have substantial relevant experience alone, your application will be considered on its individual merit.

Alternatively, you may also be eligible for our. These are pathway programmes designed specifically for students who are looking to progress on to a Masters degree.

English language requirements

Students require IELTS 6.5 (or above) with no single element below 5.5 or equivalent.

If you have IELTS 5.5 – 6.0, you may be eligible to join our before starting this programme.

All modules on this course are core.

Tuition fee 2018/19

• UK/EU students: £7,995
• International students: £14,000

Please note that your tuition fees do not include the cost of course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing and photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities. As a Northumbria University London Campus student, you will have full access to our online digital library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.

The modules you will study do not require you to purchase additional textbooks although we recommend you allow an additional £250-500 for the duration of your studies should you choose to purchase any additional reading materials.

Scholarships and bursaries for international students

Depending on the country you are from, you may be eligible for a country bursary and/or scholarship when studying this Masters programme.

All of our scholarships and bursaries are automatically applied when we process your application and one of our team will be able to confirm your eligibility.

How to find out more

Enquire now to find out more information about the course, studying with us, the application process, and to ask any other questions you may have.

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How to apply

Once you’re ready to apply, you can apply online to study the MA Design Management programme. This method allows you to upload your supporting documents at the time of application and automatically receive your student application number.

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We strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to allow you to complete all of the preparations needed to study your programme. After receiving an offer it can take time to arrange your finances and apply for your visa (if required) and it is important that you arrive in good time to enrol onto your course. Please refer to the Dates and Fees page.

If you are unable to apply online, then you can download a PDF application form and email it to

Supporting documents

For us to assess your application in a timely manner, it is important that you provide us with the following documents:

• Fully completed application form
• Personal email address must be included on the application form
• Transcripts and/or certificates (including a certified translation if not in English)
• Passport – copy of personal details page
• Proof of financial sponsorship if applicable
• Reference
• Confirmation of immigration history including copies of previous and current visas if applicable

You can check more information on how to apply here, including guidelines for the application forms.