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
Course summary
- Develop skills and knowledge to become a versatile, industry-focused designer.
- Gain experience from live projects and links with the sports and outdoor industries.
- Form ties with design, sport, health, wellbeing, manufacturing and lifestyle sectors.
- Engage with physiological, psychological and ergonomic factors to propose solutions that deliver performance benefits.
The course is for students who’ve previously studied Fashion Design or Product/Industrial Design at undergraduate level. You’ll learn about the main business, ethical and technical contexts for developing innovative products and services. You’ll also have opportunities to experience real-world projects, gaining the specialist knowledge and skills required to work in this sector.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.
Through a series of creative research and design projects, you’ll develop your individual practice – in a framework of manufacturing, production, cultural, ethical and environmental contexts.
You learn through
- immersive studio environments
- practice-based research
- project work
- individual and group tutorials
- lectures
- seminars
- constructive critical debates
During the early stages of the course, you’ll cover the key concepts, theories and debates in both contemporary and future sports-industry practice. By utilising the expertise of specialist academic staff and industry specialists, you’ll build your knowledge through a series of lectures, seminars and workshops.
You’ll also have specialist staff support to build on the skills and knowledge you gain from the initial modules. You’ll then apply your learning in an independently-planned research project – positioning your professional, creative practice within the design-for-sports industry.
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
Live projects
Through our extensive connections with the sports and outdoor industries, you’ll be able to undertake real-world projects – building your confidence and enhancing your specialist knowledge and skills.
Field trips
There are opportunities to go on study trips and visits in the UK and abroad. These could include workshops, design exhibitions or visits to practitioners’ studios and industry events.
Networking opportunities
You’ll benefit from being part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary, postgraduate environment – with extensive links to international networks in the broader design-for-sport community.
There are also opportunities to learn from both colleagues working in the industry, and the broader academic research community at Hallam. Design Futures is our own award-winning, in-house design consultancy – and you can also visit specialists from a range of sports and outdoor sectors.
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 and marketing
- design research
- academia
- social enterprise
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 moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- 3D printing and digital prototyping equipment
- state-of-the-art hardware and software
- well-equipped workshops for fashion, digital prototyping, 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
- extensive online resources
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces.
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.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Creative Design And Positionality
Design Lab: Synthesis And Manifesto (Performance Sports)
Methods For Research And Practice
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 £12,471 is available in 2024/25 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, 153.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
