Advertising MA

Discover how to apply strategic thinking, curiosity, and wordsmithing to create distinctive brand identities and unforgettable campaigns.

Our MA in Advertising is a future-facing course designed to blend cutting-edge design with critical industry insights, offering a global perspective of marketing communications and media industries. It challenges you to consider the industry from a critical perspective, questioning norms and exploring how advertising can be reimagined to support a more inclusive future. Through live projects and hands-on experiences, you will craft innovative strategies that resonate with both established and emerging markets. The course will ensure you develop a greater understanding of your critical positioning within advertising, PR, branding, marketing, and communications to develop the skills and knowledge the industry is looking for.

At the core of the course is a focus on the social and ethical implications of advertising. You’ll explore representation, semiotics, equality, diversity, and sustainability, critically examining the theories and concepts that shape the industry. Through a mix of theoretical exploration and practical application, you’ll be prepared to create content and campaigns that not only captivate audiences but also adhere to ethical standards. This approach ensures that you emerge as a well-rounded professional, ready to make a meaningful impact in the world of advertising.

Why study with us


• Advanced technical skills: Develop expertise in various media and methods, creating sophisticated advertising campaigns that reflect your unique voice and style.



• Interdisciplinary approach: Collaborate with other postgraduate courses in media and visual communication, enhancing your learning experience in a multidisciplinary environment.



• Professional-level resources: Utilise contemporary technology and industry-standard tools, including design studios, media labs, 2D & 3D workshops, licensed specialist software, and a media resource centre. These resources support you in transforming ideas into tangible outcomes.



• Ethical and inclusive research: Focus on the social and ethical implications of advertising, emphasising accessibility, diversity, equality, and sustainability.



• Professional portfolio development: By the end of the course, create a professional body of work that reflects your interests and prepares you for the industry, enhancing your ability to communicate research and ideas creatively and visually.



Course structure

This course is part of our suite of Master’s in Visual Communication, offering a collaborative framework across various specialisations, including MA Animation, MA Advertising, and MA Illustration. This provides students with opportunities to engage with peers from different disciplines while working on individual assignments. Such collaboration mirrors the professional dynamics in the creative industries today, allowing students to gain valuable experience in interdisciplinary teamwork and real-world problem-solving.

This programme is a one-year course, including 30 weeks of direct teaching time and a 15-week final project. You will need to complete five units and one 60-credit major project (180 credits in total). All units on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. If you study part-time your modules will be split across two years. Full course details, including aims and assessment criteria, will be provided in the course specification upon validation.