Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £16,385 for the course
Course summary
- Be part of an interdisciplinary design programme which promotes social and cultural innovation.
- Develop your specialist skills and knowledge in a collaborative studio environment.
- Innovate with materials, technology and conceptual thinking.
- Extend existing material practices in response to the needs of our rapidly changing world.
Placing emphasis on personal research, this course gives you the chance to develop your own interests and ideas in a challenging and supportive environment. Our academic staff are design specialists, researchers and practitioners who will support you to expand your practice and develop an independent, autonomous approach.
Creative UK membership
We are members of Creative UK, which means our art and design students are also members until they graduate. With 10,000 members in its network, Creative UK represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries, advocating on the issues that matter the most to creative communities.
View our students' work
View our gallery of student work and learn more about the exciting projects they've been working on this year.
Graduate View
'The course helped me to broaden my thinking in regards to packaging. It taught me to consider the positive impact that packaging design can have on society. I found the course really refreshing after working for several years in industry.'
Azucena Gomez, MFA Design (Packaging), 2018 graduate
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
This course is part of the Sheffield Institute of Arts — our creative community within Sheffield Hallam.
The initial modules are taught to all postgraduate design students. You'll focus on gaining a critical understanding of design thinking, theoretical studies, research methods and making practices. In subsequent modules, you will follow your own personal practice, supported by key specialist staff. You are encouraged to consider social and cultural contexts when positioning your creative output. The aim is to develop accessible and marketable products, services, interventions and other forms or propositions.
You learn through
- immersive learning alongside peers in a studio environment
- practice-based research
- project work
- individual and group tutorials
- lectures
- seminars
- constructive critical debates
Course leaders and tutors
Melanie Levick-Parkin
MFA Design Course Leader, Senior Lecturer DesignMy research interests revolve around Design Anthropology, Co-design and other participatory approaches, which I am exploring in relation to projects focusing on heri … Read more
Applied learning
Live projects
We embed an understanding of, and dialogue with, the creative industries and the world of professional practice beyond the postgraduate studio. Live projects are embedded into specific modules, and you're encouraged to seek industrial sponsors or collaborators for individual projects. The long-established link with our Art and Design Research Centre (ADRC) supports a continuing tradition of graduates from the Masters courses working as research assistants and/or continuing their studies to PhD.
Field trips
There are opportunities to participate in study trips and visits to design conferences and debates.
Networking opportunities
You benefit from studying within a cross-disciplinary, vibrant, international, collaborative and supportive postgraduate environment. You can work alongside our Design Futures consultancy, and with researchers from the ADRC. We also have contacts with leading design agencies and organisations, museums and practitioners, and encourage you to work collaboratively with them.
Your Packaging Design tutors have connections, knowledge and experience within the broad area of structural packaging, product design and visual communication.
Future careers
This course is part of the Sheffield Institute of Arts — our creative community within Sheffield Hallam.
This course prepares you for a career as a
- independent design practitioner
- designer
- design manager
- maker or manufacturer
- company-employed designer
- postgraduate student at PhD level
The aim of this course is for you to achieve your personal employment ambitions — whether as a design professional in the creative industries, or in related areas such as research, retail, marketing, and education.
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for international design companies and consultancies and have gained PhD scholarships.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course, you will have access to specialist resources and facilities including
- 3D printing for rapid prototyping
- state-of-the-art hardware and software
- laser cutting
- well-equipped workshops for jewellery and metalwork, fashion, ceramics, wood, plastic and other materials
- studio spaces
- photography studios
- a creative media centre
- gallery and exhibition spaces
- an award-winning learning centre featuring a specialist art, design and media library and extensive online resources
Entry requirements
All students
Normally you need
• a 2.2 degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline or significant relevant experience
• appropriate study plans, including an indication of possible project topics and clear, appropriate and realistic learning aims
• a high level of creative ability, as evidenced by a portfolio of work
• ability to discuss design issues critically and confidently
For information on applying, the interview process and your portfolio, visit our MA Design application support page.
Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.
If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Creative Design And Positionality | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Ma Project (Packaging) | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Methods For Research And Practice | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £9,910 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £16,385 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Art and design courses (PDF, 272.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
