MA Narrative Environments

MA Narrative Environments lasts 60 weeks structured as two consecutive periods of 30 weeks each (i.e. two academic years) in its 'extended full-time mode'.
MA Narrative Environments is credit rated at 180 credits, and comprises 2 units. Unit 1 (60 credits) lasts 20 weeks. Unit 2 (120 credits) runs for 10 weeks in the first year and 30 weeks in the second year.
Both units must be passed in order to achieve the MA, but the classification of the award of MA derives from your mark for Unit 2 only.
You are expected to commit 30 hours per week to your studies, within which, your taught input will normally be scheduled over three days. MA Narrative Environments has been designed in this way to enable you to pursue your studies, whilst also undertaking part-time employment, internships or care responsibilities.

Unit One: Methodology and scope of the design of Narrative Environments

This unit is an intensive introduction to the methodology and scope of the design of Narrative Environments taught through team based practical projects. You'll attend workshops on research, collaboration and presentation techniques, and lectures and seminars on narrative and spatial theory.

Leading UK and international practitioners will attend studio crits and give talks on professional practice. You'll be allocated mentors who will provide further insight into particular professional roles and conventions.

Unit Two: Challenging, originating and repositioning Narrative Environments

This is designed to enable you to become a self sufficient, critical practitioner, with clear career aspirations and confidence to pursue your goals.

The Unit begins with a bridging project that prepares you to move from responding to design briefs onto devising your own self-directed brief. The bridging project is followed by studio, museum or business placement that gives you first hand insight into professional practice and informs your major project proposal and your career direction.

Through your major project proposal you'll produce an original, engaging and meaningful narrative environment. You'll assemble your own team to evolve and produce a complex and multilayered user or visitor experience that critiques and challenges conventional practice. The content, structure and submission requirements are agreed through discussions and debate with your peers and the course tutors.

After you have submitted your major project you write a critical report that reflects upon and evaluates your major project and your plans for a future career.