Main menu
Staff & students
In this section

Course information

Department

Design

Length

1 year full-time

Course overview

The MA in Designing Education is a unique programme that enables students to explore the relationship between designing and education, through radical pedagogies, design thinking methods, creative processes, and practical applications of design.

We aim to uncover new areas of the application of design to contribute to education, learning and teaching practices, and develop radical new forms of education, practices, and discourses.

We take a broad approach to applying designing to many forms of education including, public engagement, and 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.

Why study MA Designing Education at Goldsmiths

  • Learn to apply design methods and design thinking to education. (If you are a designer you can learn about applying your skills to education, or if you are an educator or from a non-design background you can learn to use design within education)
  • Develop and apply a critical framework or pedagogy for your own practice within the context of education
  • Work collaboratively in a small group within a practice-based design studio environment
  • Develop practice-based projects in a multidisciplinary group
  • Rethink education and learning practices to be purposeful, and include diverse international perspectives, that can contribute to education in a wide range of contexts
  • Access international research expertise through practice-based research
  • Be part of an international designing education network
  • Develop your interests, creativity and curiosity through directed study and mentored independent projects

Who should apply

MA Designing Education is a good fit for the following:

  • 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

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Mike Waller.

What you'll study

The 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 offer a complimentary learning experience that allow students to select modules in Goldsmiths organised into the following themes: Management & Leadership, education, and Design practice & Innovation, and this may also include others that are available at that time of study as new, relevant modules are developed throughout the Goldsmiths community.

You will also be able to select 60 credits of option modules from a list provided annually by the Institute of Management Studies, Institute of Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship, and Departments of Anthropology, and Education.

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
Masculinities, Femininities, and Identities in Education 30 credits
Progressive Leadership and Mentoring in Education 30 credits

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

What our students say

Fernando Pili Jr
Goldsmiths will never falter in shaping you for greater causes through its education and mentors.

Goldsmiths is a home, and more than a classroom

I always love to think that the degree is a lens of breakthroughs, full of infinite learning and in the profession, it is operationally creative. Goldsmiths is a home (more than a classroom). The department considers a student a family member who should look at education in a wider and deeper perspective. It is surprising to note that I have discovered new modes for teaching-learning. Studying at Goldsmiths made me want more as a persona and a professional, that whatever I have gained as knowledge, skill or experiences here must be taken into the world for humanity.

Job experiences, further study and future aspirations

Upon returning to my country of origin, I resumed in Wesleyan University, Philippines and assumed a new designation as Discipline Coordinator - Languages, Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. I have been enjoying the dissemination, implementation and presentation of my Independent Research Paper. My research’s framework was adopted by a town for cultural and tourism event where I was designated as creative director and program coordinator. I also presented in an International Conference on Pedagogical and Research Innovation and won ‘Best Research Paper’ and ‘Best Research Presenter’. I consider this humble beginning as an advocate of culture, arts, education and economic opportunities. The future waits for me to work on certain causes- a service in which I want to devote my life at- anywhere, anytime.

Advice about studying

At first, fear may engulf your being, challenges may come anytime but it is up to your intentions of studying. But trust the process, never stop learning, and never surrender. Goldsmiths will never falter in shaping you for greater causes through its education and mentors. “You are greater than your doubts”. Goldsmiths is a paragon, a universal molder.

Perfect location and friendly public

Goldsmiths is a perfect location. There is more than a student needs which Goldsmiths can offer once inside the campus, from facilities, operations and conveniences. Expedient transportation, affordable housing and food stores are just around. While being new to the place, or seemingly ignorant at some points, people around are ready to help and besides reading signage and infographics can bring someone a long way. No matter who you are, where you came from and what your lifestyle is, Goldsmiths and London is a perfect fit for you.

Goldsmiths is a paradise in the city

Paradise in the City - a harmony of silver, gold and emerald. Despite being a commercial and industrial part of London, you can still see green lushes where one can rest and relax. They are not located far from each other- Goldsmiths, the green parks, the food and beverage stalls, department stores. I love everything about it.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements are based upon 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-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

  • International - full-time: £20910

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.

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.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

Apply now

 

Find out more about applying.

Facilities

Fundamental to every programme within the department, the workshops and 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.

Careers

Students who have completed this programme are working as educators in various contexts from international higher education, secondary education, public engagement with arts, museum education and online course development and delivery.

Staff

Similar programmes

MA Design: Expanded Practice

This course is a radical post-disciplinary programme for practitioners who want to push the boundaries of what design can be and do. During this MA we work with you to transform your practice as a critical and social undertaking.

MPhil/PhD Design

Goldsmiths’ Department of Design postgraduate research programmes offer you the opportunity to redefine design research in a community of design practice.

View more programmes

Related content links