Intro

The MA History of Design and Material Culture examines objects and images from the eighteenth to the twenty-first century, exploring how things are created and how they circulate through global cultures.

There is a particular focus on everyday life as critical interpretation through a lens of current debates about materiality and visuality, affect and agency, gender and identity, memory and history, the post human and the Anthropocene, and the de-colonisation of design history.

Since its inception in the late 1990s, the MA has maintained a high international reputation and contributes to shaping the future of design history and material culture in the university and museum sectors.

Our staff team has research strengths in histories of fashion and dress, graphic design and photography, material culture theory and design cultures of political protest. Staff and students work closely with those on the Curating Collections and Heritage MA.

Key facts

Location Brighton: City campus

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years

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Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

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Course content

Course structure

Your MA will be structured around two core modules: Exploring Objects and Mediating Objects (20 credits each).

Over two semesters, these modules will enable students to understand and use current theoretical frameworks in the interpretation of material worlds and their myriad representations. Collectively seminar working, close reading and wide ranging discussion are the key learning and teaching strategy of these two modules, with the aim of support and developing students’ skills of expression and articulacy.

Alongside your core modules, you will also take a Research Methods module (20 credits) and embark upon your own research towards an 18,000 to 20,000 word dissertation. Supported by one-to-one supervision, students develop their an original piece of writing often based on archival investigations of ethnographic study.

To complete your degree and cater to your specialist interests and learning requirements, you choose three further option modules, one in semester 1 and two that will take place in semester 2.

See option modules tab for a list of options.

Skirt made by Lou Taylor for Cate-May Hann in an inherited African wax print, 2010. Photo: Louise Purbrick.

Syllabus

You will take six taught modules over your MA studies and one key piece of independent research, a dissertation.

The taught modules include three core modules Exploring Objects, Mediating Objects, Research Methods and three optional modules that enable you to explore specific aspects of the History of Design and Material Culture such as textiles, graphics and exhibition practice, or broaden your studies with modules in history, politics and philosophy.

The centrepiece of your MA studies is your dissertation. You will be supported through tutorials to investigate a subject or perspective of your own within the History of Design and Material Culture, undertaking primary research and making new critical interventions in this interdisciplinary field.

Previous dissertation subjects include:

Workwear as Fashion and Anti-Fashion
Representations of the Holocaust: the rejected works of Arnold Daghani
Photography and Jewellery: Older women and the practices of keeping things
The Fetishization of Women’s Hair in Victorian Material Culture
Japanese Gardens in England
Political Posters and the Children of Mao’s China

Graffiti, Thessaloniki. Photo: Zeina Maasri, 2011.

Option modules

Semester 1 – choose one:

History of Fashion and Dress: Method, Theory and Interpretation
Museums and Collections in Context Digital Curating
Cultural Memory: Concepts, Theories, Methods
Globalisation and Global Politics
Aesthetics and Politics
Philosophical Foundations of Critical Theory
Causes of War: Theories and Framings

Semester 2 – choose two:

Global Issues in Graphic Design
Critical Reflection on Contemporary Exhibitions
Heritage in a Global Context
Caring for Collections and their Users Cultural Theory and Politics
Holocaust Memory
Philosophical Traditions of Critical Theory
Forms of Conflict: Domination and Resistance
Collections Intensive (note this module is taught over one week during the summer behind the scenes in a museum or collection).

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Street graphics, Lebanon. Photo: Zeina Maasri, 2005.

Facilities

This course makes use of the University of Brighton Design Archives, which include the archives of the Design Council, Alison Settle, FHK Henrion and the South of England Film and Video Archive.

Close professional contact with national institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, as well as with local collections and centres of historical interest (such as Brighton’s unique Royal Pavilion and Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, with its internationally famous collection of decorative art from the 1890s onwards), present research opportunities for students registered on the course.

The course is closely linked to our arts and humanities research division through a joint research lecture series, and we have successfully encouraged high achievers to register for the MPhil/PhD programme.

The student environment also includes the thriving postgraduate Design History Society as well as opportunities for conference presentation, professional contact and career development in the field.

The award-winning University of Brighton Design Archives.

Student views

Karen Fraser, History of Design and Material Culture graduate

"I was impressed with the range of opportunities for research and learning that included access to a variety of sources for primary research, such as objects in the Dress History Teaching Collection and photographs and written documents in the University of Brighton Design Archives.

"I enjoyed learning from the course tutors, who are active and inspiring leaders in their areas of academic interest. They facilitated an exceptional range of extracurricular lectures, conference sessions, and reading groups that greatly enhanced my experience on the course. While much of the work was completed individually, the seminars enabled me to share ideas with fellow students and gain different perspectives from engaged and supportive individuals who were at different stages in their careers."

How this course is delivered

Our approach

We want you to spend as much time on campus as possible. From semester 1 of the academic year which starts in September, every student will have some face-to-face, on-campus learning in their timetable. Your timetable is being designed to make sure that you can make the most out of your time on campus, and all of the usual campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more – will be open. Your timetable will be available in My Studies from late September.

Teaching on your course
In semester 1 you’ll be on campus each week for seminars and some of your lectures. Online lectures will be delivered on MS Teams, supplemented by lecture recordings and additional online content.

Any arrangements for volunteering, field trips, site visits and similar kinds of activities will be informed by the government guidance in operation at the time. We are not currently planning to run activity outside the UK in semester 1 of the 2021–2022 academic year.

COVID-19

Like all universities we will be following government guidance and will be monitoring the pandemic very closely with our local Director of Public Health. Should a worsening of the pandemic occur and Public Health advice require us to make changes, we have robust plans in place for students to continue their studies remotely and for additional safety measures to be introduced on campus.

Careers

The course has an excellent track record in helping students to pursue careers in related areas as well as further study.

Many of our postgraduates have found work as lecturers, curators, journalists, designers and design consultants, while many others have pursued doctoral research, some also securing prestigious funding from the AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council).

Graduate professions

Curating

Ej Scott Curator, Museum of Transology, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
Dennis Nothdruft Curator, Fashion and Textile Museum, Bermondsey
Cassie Davies Curator, Victoria and Albert Museum

Teaching and research in higher education

Torunn Kjolberg University of South Wales
Mairi Mackenzie Glasgow School of Art
Cat Rossi Kingston University

Funded doctoral research

Janet Aspley University of Brighton (Design Star, AHRC)
Bridget Millmore University of Brighton (AHRC)
June Rowe Central Saint Martins (Rootstein Foundation)
Sara Skillen University of Stockholm (Centre for Fashion Studies)

Design, consultancy and publishing

Georgina Jarvis adam&eveDDB
Christine Gent Executive director, World Fair Trade Organisation (Asia)
Ness Wood Art director and designer, Random House Books

Account book, Tarapacá Mining Company, Chile, Gibbs and Sons Papers. Photo: Louise Purbrick, 2015.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2021. They should be used as a general guide.

Degree and experience
Normally a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. Candidates with a 2:2 or lower or who do not have a degree will still be considered for admission if they can demonstrate suitable professional experience or substantial experience of the subject area.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the university's Language Institute.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 7,704 GBP

International (full-time) 15,300 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in the fee, while studying a course in the School of Humanities are listed here.

For a number of courses you will have the opportunity to attend field trips and off-site visits. These are optional and are not required to pass your course but under normal circumstances we would expect a budget of approximately £150 per year will cover the costs of particular trips. The amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.
You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.
In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget up to £150 per year for printing.
Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships, as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

City campus

City campus is located at the heart of central Brighton.

The facilities for making and designing, the theatre, galleries, workshops, studios, archives and the independent arts organisations based on site provide a unique and inspiring environment where creativity thrives.

St Peter’s House library and Phoenix halls of residence are close to the exhibition and learning facilities in the Grand Parade main building where you will also find the student centre with careers, counselling, student advice service and disability and dyslexia support. Edward Street provides extensive teaching and gallery space for media, photography and film.

Also on site are Photoworks, Screen Archive South East and University of Brighton Design Archives. Leading visual arts agency Photoworks runs the Brighton Photo Biennial and a national programme which frequently features the work of our graduates, staff and students.

Brighton Pavilion, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, the iconic pier and beach are a very short walk away. The independent shops and businesses of the North Laine and Kemptown, and Brighton main line station, with frequent express services to London, are 10 minutes walk.

Accommodation

Brighton: City campus

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer. All rooms are self-catered.

You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
City campus is linked to Phoenix halls, Mithras halls and Moulsecoomb Place.
- Phoenix halls are a short walk from City campus in the centre of Brighton.
- Mithras hall and Moulsecoomb Place are located on the Moulsecoomb campus, around two miles from City campus. Public transport in the city is excellent.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Accommodation for City campus is in the nearby Phoenix Halls

Student kitchen in Phoenix Halls

Relaxing in nearby Pavilion Gardens

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city’s reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year. Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements, live briefs and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

We provide support and venues for key events in the city’s arts calendar including the Brighton Festival, the Festival Fringe, the Great Escape, the Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Photo Biennial and the CineCity Brighton Film Festival. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate Show transforms our campus into the largest exhibition space in the South East as we celebrate the outstanding talent and creativity of our students.

As a student you’ll get lots of opportunities to experience these events at first hand and to develop your skills through the volunteering and other opportunities they offer.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.