Everything you need to know...
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How long will I study?
4 Months
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
January 2026
![Postgraduate open day](https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/olp/postgraduatestudyfair-edited.jpg?iar=0&sc_lang=en&hash=00BF3CECA14817EEA826EC3C3CEE68A1)
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Develop an understanding of the diverse range of concepts, approaches, issues and debates related to design for health research, practice and its related fields.
- Explore and articulate your professional aspirations within contemporary models of design for health practice, linked to your disciplinary field.
- Develop the ability to use appropriate knowledge and methods at a professional level to engage in design for health projects.
Placing emphasis on expanding professional aspiration and development, this course provides a stimulating and supportive environment within which you 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 engage in creative practice. The course is part of an interdisciplinary Postgraduate design programme which promotes an ethos of social and cultural innovation.
Creative UK membership
We are members of Creative UK, which means our art and design students are also members until they graduate. With 10,000 members in its network, Creative UK represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries, advocating on the issues that matter the most to creative communities.
How you learn
The course will be taught by staff from Lab4Living; a trans-disciplinary research group based at Sheffield Hallam that has conducted more than 100 projects including collaborations with more than 80 academic, hospital and community organisations in over fifteen countries.
You learn through
- immersive learning alongside peers in a studio environment
- practice-based research
- project work
- individual and group tutorials
- lectures
- seminars
- constructive critical debates
- reflective practice
Visit the department's Instagram to see what innovations and creations our students have been working on as well as Lab4Living’s eclectic 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
![No photo of Carlos Peralta Mahecha found](/assets/images/no-staff-image-found.png)
Carlos Peralta Mahecha
Senior LecturerStaff profile for Carlos Peralta, Senior Lecturer in Art and Design
Applied learning
Live projects
You may have opportunities to undertake live, real-world projects as part of your course.
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 range from workshops, design exhibitions or visits to practitioners’ studios and conferences.
Networking opportunities
You will benefit from working alongside MA Design for Health students and being part of a vibrant interdisciplinary post-graduate environment - including extensive links to international networks in the broader design for health community. There are also opportunities to learn from and engage with colleagues working across Industry (e.g. Design Futures, 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.
Future careers
This course develops your creative potential for careers 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
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
![students working on computers in the library](https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/olp/page-promo-cards/global/adsetts-library.jpg?iar=0&hash=E2AB8EF65D1391058CE543E883A7C0A6)
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’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
Entry requirements
All students
A 2:2 degree or equivalent in an appropriate design discipline or significant relevant experience.
Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English, with an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Lab For Living
Fees and funding
![Students sat on a sofa](https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/olp/page-promo-cards/global/gi0016-pg-fee-promo-2.jpg?iar=0&sc_lang=en&hash=031C7118E263C75183FF59CBC20B310C)
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Art and design coursesLegal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.