Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
International/EU: £17,725 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
1. Course summary
- Develop skills, knowledge and capability to pursue opportunities and conduct independent creative research arising from the intersection of design and health.
- Expand your professional aspirations and innovate by synergising your creative practice with critical and conceptual thinking around design and health.
- Develop or expand your professional relationships and networks.
- Receive teaching from world class design for health researchers and practitioners
Placing emphasis on personal research and practice, this course provides a stimulating and supportive environment within which you can develop your interests and ideas at the intersection of design and health. Our academic staff are design specialists, researchers and practitioners with expertise across all facets of design and health who will support and encourage you to expand your creative practice. The course is part of an interdisciplinary Postgraduate design programme which promotes an ethos of social and cultural innovation.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
2. How you learn
The initial modules focus on developing your critical understanding of design thinking, theoretical studies, research methods, and making practices. You will also gain knowledge of the diverse range of concepts, approaches, issues and debates related to design for health research and practice and related fields. These modules are taught by staff from the Department of Art & Design and the Lab4Living. Building upon the skills and knowledge gained from the initial modules and supported by key specialist staff, you will embark on an independent practice-based research project in the final module of the programme.
Learning is supported through:
- immersive learning alongside peers in a studio environment
- practice-based research
- project work
- individual and group tutorials
- lectures
- seminars
- constructive critical debates
Visit the department's Instagram to see what innovations and creations our MA Design students have been working on as well as Lab4Living’s diverse range of design for health research. For more content from our MA and MFA Design programmes, please visit our official Instagram.
Course leaders and tutors
Carlos Peralta Mahecha
Senior LecturerStaff profile for Carlos Peralta, Senior Lecturer in Art and Design
Applied learning
Live projects
While there could be opportunities to undertake live, real-world projects embedded into your modules, you're encouraged to seek industrial sponsors or collaborators for individual projects. The long-established link with our Art, Design & Media Research Centre (ADMRC) supports a continuing tradition of graduates from our masters courses working as research assistants and/or continuing their studies to PhD level. As such they’re also able to provide you with expert support throughout your projects.
Field trips
There are often opportunities to go on study trips and visits, with free travel and accommodation for all mandatory field trips in the UK. These could include; workshops, design exhibitions or visits to practitioners’ studios and conferences
Networking opportunities
You will benefit from being part of a vibrant interdisciplinary post-graduate environment which has extensive links to international networks in the broader design for health community. There is an opportunity to learn from and engage with colleagues working across Industry (e.g. Design Futures our award winning in-house design consultancy, from visiting specialists across a range of hospital and community health provision and from end users) and the broader academic art, design and media research community and at SHU.
3. Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- design
- design management
- making or manufacturing
- company-employed design
- independent design practice
- postgraduate study at PhD level
- education
- retail/marketing
- design research
- academia
- social enterprise
- health and social care service design
4. Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn more5. Equipment and facilities
On this course you’ll have access to specialist resources and facilities – and will be able to independently develop and extend your skills with
- 3D printing equipment for rapid prototyping
- state-of-the-art hardware and software
- laser cutting
- well-equipped workshops for jewellery & metalwork, fashion, ceramics, wood, plastic and other materials
- studio spaces
- photography studios
- a creative media centre
- gallery and exhibition spaces
- an award-winning learning centre featuring a specialist art, design and media library and extensive online resources
6. Entry requirements
All students
Normally you need
• a 2.2 degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject or significant relevant experience
• appropriate study plans, including an indication of possible project topics and clear, appropriate and realistic learning aims
• a high level of creative ability, as evidenced by a portfolio of work
• ability to discuss design issues critically and confidently
For information on applying, the interview process and your portfolio, download our MA Design application support.
Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.
If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Compulsory modules
Creative Design And Positionality
Design Lab: Synthesis And Manifesto (Design For Health)
Methods For Research And Practice
8. Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,858 is available in 2025/26 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 268.6KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
