Postgraduate course content

Our approach to postgraduate study is designed to facilitate collaboration across our programmes, so whether you’re studying full-time or part-time, you’ll learn to specialise and work with others on creative projects and research.

Master’s courses structure

Master’s courses at Norwich University of the Arts can be studied either full-time over 45 weeks or part-time over 90 weeks.

Teaching is broken down into three teaching blocks per year, each comprising 14 weeks.

All full-time and first year part-time students participate in the Research into Practice and Award Specific Unit 2 at the same time, with opportunities to collaborate and discuss ideas and approaches.

Second year part-time students will have similar opportunities in Award Specific Unit 1 and the Master’s Project, and will take part in the final exhibition together.

While there is no dissertation, students write evaluations and extended reflective journals for every unit.

Postgraduate study routes

At Norwich University of the Arts, we offer two distinct types of master’s pathways, designed to meet the needs of diverse learners and your career aspirations.

Whether you’re seeking a structured, skills-focused pathway or a more self-directed approach, our postgraduate options provide the perfect opportunity for your advanced creative development

Taught Intensive master’s courses

Our Taught Intensive master’s courses focus on skills, knowledge acquisition and building critical perspectives through formal teaching, advanced practice and project-centered learning.

Taught sessions include lectures, seminars and workshops, and support students to further specialise at master’s level.

Study mode: Full-time or part-time over two years

Studio master’s courses

Our Studio master’s courses focus on supervised self-negotiated study and advanced practice.
This is supplemented by taught sessions exploring practice contexts, creative project design and collaborative interdisciplinary projects. Taught sessions include workshops, reviews and symposia.

Study mode: Full-time over one academic year

Please note: This structure does not include our MArch Architecture and MA Creative Education courses.

Your idea, your practice, your discipline

Research into Practice

Understand practice-based research methods and engage in critical research around your practice. This unit will help you combine your practice with academic research.

Award specific units

Each course features two units where subject specialist issues are explored, promoting the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

Self-negotiated study

Design and conduct an independent project within a given timescale. This unit will help prepare you for the Master’s Project and encourages you to engage with creative industries and practitioners while you experiment and try new ways of working.

Master’s Project

You’ll undertake a major independent project specific to your course and chosen specialism. The Master’s degree culminates in a public exhibition of work in the final September of study.

“Our philosophy is that subject area knowledge is advanced by engaging with and critically challenging the individual’s creative work.”

Associate Dean, Head of Taught Postgraduate Awards

Master’s courses — structure and delivery