MA in Brand Development
This exciting new degree will introduce you to debates surrounding one of the major areas in contemporary communications – brand development. Courses on the history and development of branding, and the changing role of promotion and design, will enable you to develop a critical and practical understanding of how branding is used in modern societies and institutions. This is not a marketing degree, however, and students will take a rigorous, academic approach to contemporary branding and its contexts. Key themes such as intellectual property rights, the changing media environment, globalisation, and the impact of digital communications technologies will also form part of the syllabus.
1 year full time or 2 years part-time
1 May. We advise early application where possible, but late applications may be considered.
Please see How to apply.
You should have an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant subject. If your first language is not English, you normally need a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS or equivalent.
The programme will equip you with the skills necessary to pursue a wide range of careers related to branding, marketing, the media industries and public communication. Students will be actively encouraged and supported in seeking work experience and work placements in relevant institutions. Regular seminars with visiting speakers will also enable you to gain an understanding of how your degree can be used in a professional context. The MA will also allow you to pursue further academic research in one or more of the areas covered on the programme.
The programme will help students to develop a focused and high-level understanding of contemporary branding and communications techniques and their social, economic and political context. You will be encouraged to develop your critical reasoning skills and your understanding of contemporary cultural and media theory, but also to develop greater visual literacy and a capacity for creative thinking. Assessments will be designed to ensure that you are able to apply these skills in practical ways.
Please see Tuition fees.
Please see Staff research interests.
Media & Communications
What you study
The degree is made up of two core courses, two to four optional courses and a dissertation. Core courses introduce students to contemporary definitions and theories of branding, its history and development, changes in the role of marketing, promotion and design, and their place in the global economy. These courses will also cover key themes in branding, such as intellectual property rights, the changing media environment, globalisation and international trade and the impact of digital communications and marketing technologies. Throughout this core component of the degree, you will examine the very wide range of ways in which branding is currently used, from large corporations and media organisations to public sector bodies, charities, sports organisations and educational establishments. You will be encouraged to develop your critical and analytical skills, but also to think creatively and become more confident in your aesthetic judgement.
For the optional courses, you will have an opportunity to explore some of the wider contexts for branding, by taking courses provided by other degrees in Media and Communications and neighbouring departments. Goldsmiths prides itself on its innovative and critical approach, and you will be encouraged to immerse yourself in its creative intellectual environment in order to deepen your understanding of the cultural infrastructure surrounding branding.
The programme has been developed in collaboration with The Brand Union, and students will benefit from regular input from professionals working in the industry through seminars and talks from visiting speakers. Throughout your degree you can expect to be taught by experts in the field who have published widely in their respective areas of interest.
Assessment
The MA will be assessed through a combination of essays and written examinations. It will also include a dissertation, which may be based on a work placement in a relevant industry or institution.
Application enquiries
Please see how to apply for information on applying to this programme.