MASTER IN ART AND CREATIVE DESIGN

Programme Overview

The Master in Art and Creative Design integrates advanced studio practice, human-centred design, visual culture and design management. It is intended for creative professionals who need to investigate complex problems, lead collaborative projects and translate research into resolved design outcomes.

The proposed programme is designed to balance critical inquiry with professional application. Graduates are expected to develop the ability to justify design decisions, manage ethical and commercial constraints, evaluate user and audience needs, and present a coherent portfolio or research-led capstone.

Programme ID

Programme Reference

MQA/PA19219

Academic Level

MQF Level 7 Master's Degree

Duration

Full-time 1 year Part-time 2 years

Programme Philosophy and Objectives

The programme objectives are structured to build advanced executive and management competencies for academic settings:

Advanced Design Strategy：Formulate and evaluate design strategies informed by research, context, users and organisational objectives.
Integrated Creative Practice：Develop resolved outcomes across studio, digital, interactive or visual communication contexts using appropriate methods and technologies.
Project and Design Leadership：Plan and lead multidisciplinary projects, communicate with stakeholders, manage resources and evaluate implementation.
Responsible Professional Practice：Integrate accessibility, sustainability, cultural responsibility, authorship, copyright and ethical technology use into creative decisions.

Proposed Learning Experience and Enhancements

Upon successful completion of this programme, graduates will possess the mastery to:

An industry- or community-sponsored brief requiring research, stakeholder communication, iterative testing and a professional presentation.
Defined pathways such as visual communication, UI/UX and interaction, contemporary visual arts, or creative direction, while retaining a shared research and strategy core.
A transparent capstone rubric covering research, concept, experimentation, execution, contextual awareness, ethics, reflection and presentation.
A mixed academic and industry review panel for the final portfolio or exhibition, with conflicts of interest and assessment responsibilities clearly managed.
Professional practice covering costing, contracts, intellectual property, pitching, team leadership, entrepreneurship and responsible AI-assisted workflows.
A preparatory research and studio bridge for entrants whose previous qualification or professional experience does not cover all required foundations.

Graduate Pathways

Potential pathways include creative direction, design strategy, brand and communication leadership, UX or service design, digital media production, arts and cultural management, independent practice, consultancy, teaching and progression to doctoral study. Career pathways are indicative and may vary according to individual qualifications, experience and market conditions.

Program Structure

To qualify for graduation, students must successfully complete the following curriculum components:

Component	Credit Hours	Indicative Modules or Deliverable
Core Modules	18	Design Thinking and Innovation; Design Research Methods; Digital Media and Visual Culture; Strategic Creative Direction.
Studio Electives	10	Interactive UI/UX Design Studio or Contemporary Visual Arts, subject to the approved elective structure.
Capstone Exhibition or Thesis	12	Major Design Portfolio Project and Exhibition or an approved research-led capstone.

Programme Subjects

Common Core Subjects

Programme Name	Code Subject	Name of Subject	Course Classification	Credit
Master in Art and Design	MAD 1140	Research Methodology in Arts and Design	Compulsory	3
	MAD 1110	Contemporary Issues in Arts, Design and Cultural Management	Discipline Core – Specialisation	3
	MAD 1120	Innovation in Content Creation and Multimedia Applications	Discipline Core – Specialisation	3
	MAD 1130	Curatorship, Archive and Conservation Studies	Discipline Core – Specialisation	3
	MAD 1210	Exegesis 1	Discipline Core – Projects	10
	MAD 1230	Creative Output 1	Discipline Core – Projects	4
	MAD 1240	Creative Output 2	Discipline Core – Projects	4
	MAD 1220	Exegesis 2	Discipline Core – Projects	10

Entry Requirements:

Students from Malaysia
International students

Fulfilling one of the requirements listed below:
Bachelor’s degree in the field or related fields with CGPA above 2.75; OR
Bachelor’s degree in the field or related fields with CGPA between 2.75 and 2.50 with 2 years working experience and an interview; OR
Bachelor’s degree in the field or relevant fields with CGPA less than 2.5 and minimum 5 years working experience OR
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) in accordance to Malaysian Qualification Agency requirement and 2 years managerial/ supervisory experience; OR
Other academic qualification that are equivalent to the above and recognized by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) and the Malaysian Ministry of Education.
If Your Bachelor Degree Are From Different Fields:
1. Students without a qualification in the related fields or relevant working experience requires to undergo and pass a bridging module.
2. Students without a qualification in the related field but with relevant working experience requires to fulfil the following conditions:
CGPA above 2.50 must have at least two (2) years of relevant working experience; or
CGPA 2.00 to 2.50 must have at least five (5) years of relevant working experience;
3. In addition, students will need to undergo a rigorous internal assessment

Academic requirements:

1.Bachelor’s degree in the field or related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.5 or equivalent, as accepted by the HEP Senate; OR

2.Bachelor’s degree in the field or related fields or equivalent with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 and not meeting a CGPA of 2.5, can be accepted subject to rigorous internal assessment.OR

3.Candidates without a qualification in the related fields or working experience in the relevant fields must undergo appropriate prerequisite courses determined by the HEP and meet the minimum CGPA based on (1) to (2).
English language requirements:
1.IELTS (Academic) minimum Band 6.0
2.TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum 60
3.Cambridge English Qualification and Test minimum score of 169
4.Pearson Test of English minimum score 59
5.MUET minimum Band 4

The school has established a complete education system from undergraduate to doctoral level. The curriculum is fully aligned with international standards and all courses are taught in English.

Contact Info

Office Hours

Monday to Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.