The main aim of the programme is to equip you for further academic study at a doctoral level or to work as a researcher in the cultural industries.

The course encourages intellectual curiosity and inquiry, challenging you to develop a robust and dynamic approach to research. The taught modules provide an excellent framework of practical, communication and transferable skills, supporting your development into a flexible and self-motivated early-career researcher. 

You will gain an understanding of research methods, tools and ethical principles along with professional skills in self-management, project planning, academic writing and presentations. You will develop your research in contact with other MRes students from within the Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences at Northumbria University, energising interdisciplinary conversations and provocative thinking.

You will create and deliver a unique, significant project in the form of a dissertation or practice-based output, to demonstrate your ability to produce thought-provoking, well-grounded design research that stimulates debate and contributes to your community of practice. 

Research Project Proposal Guidelines

In addition to the Personal Statement required in the online MRes programme application form, you should attach an outline of the research project you intend to undertake for the duration of the programme. Consider that the research you propose will ultimately be presented in a 20,000-word written dissertation or, in the case of practice-based students, a body of design practice and a 10,000-word dissertation, so it needs to be considered with this scope in mind. For more information 'read our application guide.'

You’ll be able to demonstrate critical awareness of research and scholarship in your chosen design discipline and show that you are self-motivated, disciplined and possess a thirst for independent learning.

Throughout the course, you’ll build on your undergraduate skills, adding intensity, complexity and depth of study as you also develop communication, time management and highly developed research and inquiry skills.

Your studies have a real world focus and you’ll be encouraged to make contact with external contacts in industry and academia to develop your research and its potential impact, and grow a network of valuable contacts. We seek to nurture home-grown talent to support and grow the economic, social, cultural and intellectual capital of the region and beyond, into the wider global marketplace.