MA
Designing Education
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Why study MA Designing Education at Goldsmiths
Explore the relationship between designing and education, through radical pedagogies, design thinking methods, creative processes, and practical applications of design.
- You'll learn to apply design methods and design thinking to education. If you're a designer you can learn about applying your skills to education, or if you're an educator or from a non-design background you can learn to use design within education.
- We aim to use design to uncover new opportunities for education, including radical new forms of learning and teaching practices and discourses. We want these to be purposeful and to include diverse international perspectives.
- You'll be working collaboratively in a small, multidisciplinary group within a practice-based design studio environment, and you'll develop practice-based projects.
- You'll also get to develop your interests, creativity and curiosity through mentored independent projects and directed study.
- You'll develop and apply a critical framework or pedagogy for your own practice within the context of education. This could include public engagement, educational participation in commercial or non-commercial organisations, in museums or galleries, within an international context of arts NGOs or charities, or in schools, colleges or universities.
- Design at Goldsmiths has an international reputation, and studying with us you'll become part of a worldwide international designing education network, and you'll be able to access international research expertise through practice-based research.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Mike Waller.
Who should apply
The MA Designing Education programme is a good fit for applicants from many backgrounds. For example:
- You may have a degree in design or a related creative field and want to focus on the educational applications of design and designing
- You could have expertise in a non-design background and want to learn how to harness educational approaches using design and designing in audience or community participation or change
- You may be a qualified teacher and want to develop your expertise in design and designing at a postgraduate level for a variety of educational contexts
- You may work in public engagement and want to develop or specialise in your career to use design and designing
- You may want to use design and designing for participation in a variety of educational contexts
What you'll study
Compulsory modules
These three compulsory modules are structured and delivered to facilitate a blend of online, face-to-face, and independent study:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Critical and Radical Pedagogies | 30 credits |
| Spaces and Practices of Education | 30 credits |
| Independent Research Project | 60 credits |
Option modules
You will also be able to select 60 credits of option modules. Option modules offer a complimentary learning experience that allow you to select modules in Goldsmiths organised into the following themes:
- Management and leadership
- Creative and cultural entrepreneurship
- Design practice and innovation
- Education
- Anthropology
This may also include others that are available when you begin the Masters as new, relevant modules are developed throughout the Goldsmiths community.
Current option modules available include:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Business of Design | 30 credits |
| MA CCE design and fashion pathways - Studio practice | 30 credits |
| Enterprising Leadership: An Introduction to Leadership, Enterprise, and Innovation Theory | 30 credits |
| Race, Culture and Education | 30 credits |
| Exploring Gender in Education | 30 credits |
| Progressive Leadership and Mentoring in Education | 30 credits |
Note
The list of option modules is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
Facilities
Our design facilities are fundamental to every programme within the department. Workshops and a computing lab provide an accessible and vibrant environment for making and experimentation.
The Department of Design's facilities are based in the Lockwood Building. The workshop, textile, fabrication facility and computing labs are staffed by people from diverse design backgrounds, with wide-ranging skillsets and experience.
What our students say
Careers
Students who have completed this Masters are working as educators in various contexts, including in:
- International higher education
- Secondary education
- Public engagement with arts
- Museum education
- Online course development and delivery
Skills
Throughout the Masters you will develop skills in:
- Design thinking
- Intellectual courage
- Criticality and analysis
- Creativity
- Problem solving
- Research
- Initiative and personal responsibility
- Decision-making
- Commercial awareness
- Collaboration
- Independent learning
- Networking
Entry requirements
Entry requirements are based upon applicants' experience in an educational, training or leadership context with evidence of a commitment to furthering their practice as an educator.
Candidates will normally be expected to have a degree in a related field – education, design, management, innovation – or equivalent professional experience.
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate study.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
- International - full-time: £22500
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Funding opportunities
Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.
If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.
Meanwhile our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies.
Paying your fees
Find out about paying your tuition fees.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Other staff involved in delivering the programme include:
- Alice Hellard, Lecturer in Design Education
- Rose Sinclair, Lecturer in Design Education
- Duncan Fairfax, Head of the Department of Design
How to apply
You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
Read our guide to applying for a postgraduate degree at Goldsmiths for advice on things like writing a personal statement.
