Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Design Studies (Accelerated)

The course

Delivery
Full-time
Course type
Taught
Location
Edinburgh
Entry date
September

Contact

Got questions about this programme?

Contact our enquiries team.

Overview

The Pre-Master Graduate Diploma Design programme is designed to prepare you for postgraduate taught study, in a learning environment that's been specifically created for you to thrive in.

Our Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma is your pathway to a career-focused postgraduate degree in your chosen subject area with Heriot-Watt, a leading global university.

We will champion and support you throughout your time at Heriot-Watt. We are here to help you succeed in your ultimate goal of achieving a career-focused postgraduate degree.

The Graduate Diploma provides you with a blend of English language and academic skills set within a discipline context focused on your chosen specialism. Its primary aim is to ensure you are prepared for the demand of study at Masters level, by equipping you with the appropriate English competencies, personal effectiveness and study skills needed for postgraduate studies. You will also be provided with the necessary discipline specific prior knowledge for your chosen Masters programme.

Upon completion, you will have the opportunity to advance your studies in a selection of design-related Masters programmes. Our Masters degrees are tailored to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to enter the workplace and perform at a high level right away. Most of our postgraduate degrees will give you the chance to work on live projects with global brands that will ensure your CV stands out once you've graduated.

The Heriot-Watt Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma is for you if:

  • You're an international student who does not have the appropriate English requirements
  • You do not meet the published entry requirements for your postgraduate degree
  • You're returning to education after some time away and need support
  • You're switching to a study area that differs from your undergraduate degree

Benefits of our Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma

  • Become part of our exciting, supportive global community
  • A personalised study experience, tailored to meet your needs and optimise your experience
  • Our award-winning, professional careers team are here to fully support you throughout your time at Heriot-Watt
  • Prepares you for entry into your chosen postgraduate degree programme

Once you've completed this programme, our postgraduate degrees are tailored to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to enter the workplace and perform at a high level right away. Most of our postgraduate degrees will give you the chance to work on live projects with global brands that will ensure your CV stands out once you've graduated.

Duration

Pre-Master Graduate Diploma Design (Accelerated) - four months

Masters progression

Completion of this will get you onto the following postgraduate programmes:

Course content

The programme consists of three 20 credit courses with one mandatory course in English and Academic Skills for Postgraduate Study and two other option courses taken according to your pathway. 

Semester 1

Mandatory course

  • English for Postgraduate Study 2

Optional courses

  • Collaborative Design
  • Creativity and Critical Thinking
  • Visual Presentation and Communication

Entry requirements

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 with no bands below 5.5. Completed related honours degree or equivalent but falls below standard entry requirement. Please see our detailed English language requirements.

Academic entry requirements

  • Bangladesh - Undergraduate degree (4 Year) with a final mark of 55%
  • China - Bachelors degree 60%, 4 year undergraduate certificate 70%; 3 year full-time Higher Education Diploma average 80%
  • Ghana - Recognised bachelor degree with at least 2.2 (Hons)
  • Hong Kong - Recognised 4 year first degree
  • India - 4 year degree at 50% or above
  • Indonesia - Recognised first degree
  • Iran - Recognised first degree
  • Jordan - Recognised Bachelors degree with a GPA of 2.5/4 or 3.0/5.0
  • Kazakhstan - Recognised first degree
  • Kuwait - Recognised first degree
  • Libya - Recognised first degree
  • Malaysia - Recognised first degree
  • Oman - Recognised first degree with a GPA of 2.5/5
  • Nigeria - Recognised first degree
  • Pakistan - Recognised four-year Bachelors degree
  • Qatar - Recognised first degree, GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
  • Saudi Arabia - Recognised first degree, GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
  • Thailand - Recognised first degree with a GPA of 2.3/5
  • United Arab Emirates - Recognised first degree, GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
  • Ukraine - Recognised first degree

Fees

Additional fees information

Tuition fees for September 2024 entry
Fee status* Full-time Part-time Per Course
Scotland £10,560 £5,280 £1,320
England, Wales, Northern Ireland £10,560 £5,280 £1,320
International** £10,560 £5,280 £1,320

*Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.

**International includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

Additional scholarship information

The 20% alumni offer is not available on this pre-masters programme.