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*The Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide, 2026
Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Course overview
-
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
1 Year -
21 Sep 2026
MA Design for Change invites you to explore how design can be a catalyst for inclusive, ethical, and transformative impact. You’ll define what change means to you, in environmental, societal, cultural and political contexts.
As part of this course, you’ll:
- Lead a self-directed design project aligned with your values and aspirations as a changemaker, focusing on design for change
- Investigate and address complex societal and environmental issues through a design-focused lens
- Gain essential design tools, innovative methods, and critical frameworks to shape your own changemaking agenda
- Engage with diverse communities, organisations, and decision-makers in real-world contexts to practice designing for change
- Become a leader in your space - whether as a designer, practitioner, activist, facilitator, storyteller, collaborator, organiser, or strategist ready to challenge, reimagine, and transform the world through creative design for change
Design in real-world contexts
You’ll have opportunities to engage with real-world contexts through research, dialogue, and collaborative opportunities. These experiences deepen your understanding of complex issues and explore how designed responses can operate meaningfully within them. Whether working independently or with others, you’ll develop a design practice that’s critically aware, as well as environmentally, socially, culturally and politically responsive.
Curiosity and research
Curiosity is core to the course. MA Design for Change positions design research as an active, exploratory process integrating theory and practice. You’ll use creative and critical methods to investigate the systems, structures, and behaviours shaping our world. Through a culture of debate, reflection and experimentation, you’ll develop your position within the field, learning to apply design as a tool for inquiry, provocation, and changemaking.
What might I design after studying MA Design for Change?
Graduates of this course go on to influence a range of sectors, using design to ask critical questions, reframe challenges, and lead purposeful change. Outcomes might include socially responsive products, ethical services, campaigns, speculative proposals, or design strategies that support sustainable development, climate adaptation, cultural heritage, equality and inclusion, or health and wellbeing.
You’ll graduate equipped to apply design thinking and related methods across real-world contexts - for people and planet.
Discovering challenges
We’ll encourage you to challenge preconceived notions, test new ideas, and take risks. Uncertainty won’t be an obstacle to overcome, but a condition to navigate and work with. Whether you’re challenging norms or exploring unfamiliar contexts, this is a space for intellectual growth and the continuous discovery required to address complex real-world challenges.
Industry talks
The INSIDE/OUT lecture series brings together some of the most exciting names from the fields of art, architecture, design, fashion, film, music, performing arts and beyond. You can catch up on previous lectures by visiting the Leeds Arts Research Centre site.
Why study the MA Design for Change course at Leeds Beckett University?
- Gain from your tutors' extensive industry knowledge and professional networks
- Benefit from our close links to design and creative businesses in the Yorkshire region, throughout the UK, and beyond
- Study within Leeds School of Arts – one of the largest university arts communities in the north
- Take advantage of access to a vast range of ideas, skills and facilities, enabling you to take your work in your own direction
- Leeds is home to a thriving creative sector with hundreds of innovative start-ups, agencies, design businesses, and countless opportunities on our doorstep
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree in the cognate subjects of Art or Design, at least a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for, or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to submit a portfolio or collection of work related to the cognate areas listed above, and may be required to attend an interview. Your portfolio should include examples from your previous education, professional experience, or personal work.
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our English Language requirements. Please note the IELTS requirement for this course are IELTS 6.5 with no skill below 6.0. Further details about acceptable equivalent qualifications can be found on our International Student information pages.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree in the cognate subjects of Art or Design, at least a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for, or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to submit a portfolio or collection of work related to the cognate areas listed above, and may be required to attend an interview. Your portfolio should include examples from your previous education, professional experience, or personal work.
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our English Language requirements. Please note the IELTS requirement for this course are IELTS 6.5 with no skill below 6.0. Further details about acceptable equivalent qualifications can be found on our International Student information pages.
IELTS
All applicants should satisfy our English Language requirements. Please note the IELTS requirement for this course are IELTS 6.5 with no skill below 6.0. Further details about acceptable equivalent qualifications can be found on our International Student information pages.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Modules, teaching and learning
What you'll learn
Fees and funding
£10,400
UK
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £10400. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
£18,440
International 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £18440. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Fees and funding
£10,400
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £10400. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Studio equipment and facilities, including 3D printer, laser cutters, a dedicated CAD suite and specialist software.
- Free entry to Inside/Out guest lecture series.
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Essential Costs
- Sketchbooks, drawing and modelling equipment for studio sessions (£200).
- Practice materials (cost will vary depending on studio practice and materials used).
- Local site/company visit travel costs (£50).
- Printing (£150).
Optional Costs
- Large capacity USB drive (cost will vary; alternatively, work can be saved online).
- External printing for reports (£50).
- Trip/educational visit; cost dependent upon practice (£200).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£18,440
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £18440. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Studio equipment and facilities, including 3D printer, laser cutters, a dedicated CAD suite and specialist software.
- Free entry to Inside/Out guest lecture series.
Essential Costs
- Sketchbooks, drawing and modelling equipment for studio sessions (£200).
- Practice materials (cost will vary depending on studio practice and materials used).
- Local site/company visit travel costs (£50).
- Printing (£150).
Optional Costs
- Large capacity USB drive (cost will vary; alternatively, work can be saved online).
- External printing for reports (£50).
- Trip/educational visit; cost dependent upon practice (£200).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Funding support for your studies
Discover more about our range of postgraduate funding options including a Master's Loan of up to £13,206, and our 20% alumni discount*
*Terms apply
Career prospects
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Career Prospects
This master’s degree equips you with skills in design thinking, research methods, and critical approaches so you can apply design to real-world challenges. You’ll engage with communities, organisations, and decision-makers to gather insights and inform your practice. Whichever area you decide to pursue a career or further study in, be it product or service design, social impact, or creative enterprise, you’ll graduate with the direction and tools to make meaningful change.
Upon graduation, and dependent upon the focus of your practice, you’ll be well-equipped to lead or contribute to impactful roles in:
- Climate mitigation and adaptation
- Cultural heritage work
- Education and facilitation
- Design justice and advocacy
- Facilitation and collaboration
- Health and wellbeing
- Inclusive design
- Product design
- Policy and governance
- Service design
- Social innovation and systemic change
- Strategic change in public services
- Sustainable development
This course is for future changemakers - curious, purposeful, and ready to use design to make a difference. You’ll develop design research skills, critical thinking, and creative practice to explore the issues that matter to you, and to the people and contexts you engage with. Whether or not you come from a design background, we support you to define your own direction and apply design methods for meaningful, real-world impact."
Lauren Moriarty
Course Director
Beckett Careers Team
Our careers service is not just there for undergraduates, we support our postgraduate taught and research students too.
Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.
Student life
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Experience Leeds Beckett
Our state-of-the-art facilities and learning environments give you everything you need to succeed – whether that’s completing your current studies or joining our cutting-edge research teams.
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