Congratulations and a very warm welcome to all students enrolling on the MA Visual Communication course, starting in September. You will be joining our vibrant student community in the School of Creative Arts and Industries. The School offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Our dynamic teaching team involves experts from a range of academic and professional backgrounds who are engaged in national and international research activities. We maintain close links with networks of local and international organisations including with the Canterbury Festival, the Canterbury Cathedral, Turner Contemporary, Screen South, Maidstone Studios, and the Marlowe Theatre. We look forward to welcoming you to our School where you will find a warm, intellectually stimulating and professionally relevant experience. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Rachel Hancock
Route Lead in MA Visual Communication

Key dates

Course start date: 16 September 2024

Academic Calendar: Trimesters

View key dates for this Academic Calendar for 2024-25 including when teaching starts and finishes and when you break for holidays. 

Welcome and induction

Your Welcome Week is an essential introduction to your course and student life at CCCU, helping you to feel confident and prepared for your studies right from the very start.

It is important to check your Welcome Schedule for all the activities you are required to attend during the week.

If any of your welcome activities are in groups, your course team will contact you before your arrival to let you know which group you will be in.

Your teaching timetable 

UniTimetables provides an overview of all teaching activities on a course. Your individual timetable will be available via MyTimetable and is personalised to show you what modules and groups you are expected to attend.

Your individual student timetable can only be produced once you have engaged with online registration and created your computing account. It is essential you complete these tasks when invited, so that your course team can assign you to your teaching activities and publish your individual timetable.

Find out more about all aspects of timetabling for new students including user guides.

Welcome

Throughout your time on our course, you'll have the invaluable opportunity to delve deeper into the realm of visual communication, building upon the foundation of your previous studies and experiences. Our curriculum is designed to guide you through an exploration of key theories revolving around Culture, Community, and Creativity, providing you with a robust framework to inform your creative endeavours.

One of the hallmarks of our program is collaborative learning. Alongside your peers, you'll engage in group activities aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of these theories and their real-world applications. Through vibrant discussions and hands-on projects, you'll have the chance to refine your skills and broaden your perspectives.

Moreover, we're committed to nurturing your individual creative journey. You'll have the freedom to conceptualise and develop your own projects, from initial ideation to final execution. This process will not only allow you to hone your craft but also encourage you to explore your unique interests and talents.

As you progress through the course, you'll find ample opportunities to leverage your evolving skills and insights. Whether it's through collaborative projects, individual endeavours, or research initiatives, our aim is to provide you with a rich and dynamic learning environment.

In addition to other exciting activities, you will have access to our Creative Agency, which supports students by providing opportunities to engage in paid projects and develop a portfolio of work essential for preparing for your future career. The Agency also facilitates student collaboration, allowing students to contribute to each other's projects across the School of Creative Arts and Industries.

Getting started

We are excited to kick off your journey during the week of 16 September with a programme of welcome activities. This series of introductory activities has been designed to help you transition smoothly into university life. You'll receive crucial information to start your studies on the right foot, meet our dedicated staff, connect with your fellow students, and familiarize yourself with the campus. Dive into the heart of your course and our academic community by participating in as many activities as possible!

Once your University IT account has been activated, you will be able to access our resources, including Library resources and relevant software. On our Blackboard pages (virtual learning environment platform) you will be able to find detailed information about your course, as well as about supporting services and opportunities available to you.

At the beginning of your academic course, you will be assigned to a personal tutor, who will provide you with academic support throughout the course and act as a gateway to support and development services offered elsewhere in the University.

After welcome week you will begin work on your first three modules that you will study in Trimester 1: Project Development for Visual Communication; Collaborative Practice; and Creativity, Culture and Community.

Your welcome and induction will be w/c 16 September 2024 - we look forward to meeting you then.

Pre-course reading

You may wish to read / consult the following readings or resources to prepare you for the course:

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts recommended in the module handbooks you will receive when you start in September.

International student success programme

International students: don't miss out! Make sure you register for our international student success programme which provides practical advice on preparing to live and study in the UK.