Course summary
The MA Live Event Design aims to offer you the opportunity to cultivate your own creativity and design approach, whilst developing your knowledge, understanding and critical insight into the principles and practices underpinning design, artistry and innovation within live events and wider creative industries. The MA Live Event Design programme will be delivered using a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face sessions with online and practical work as appropriate. Face to face delivery will take place at Academy of Live Technology on Production Park. The programme seeks to provide students with a challenging, supportive and inclusive environment where students learn through praxis; combining critical thinking, practical experimentation and reflection. Depending on their eventual career direction, students may opt to explore a range of design areas or focus on a particular area of specialism (e.g. Lighting, Set/stage or Video content design). A range of learning and teaching methods will be employed, including (face-to-face or online) lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion groups, guest speakers and master classes. A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by the student comprising, for example, background reading, online activities, assessment work and preparation for sessions. The course includes three subject specialist modules and two modules that you will share with students on other Postgraduate courses. During the course, students are encouraged to use their continuing professional practice as part of their research process and build on our close relationships with the Live Events Industry; engaging in live projects and developing plans for new creative enterprises coupled with a higher level of academic study and learning. This course is ideal for you if... _ You are excited about the challenge of creating inventive and imaginative designs for contemporary live events. _ You’re about to graduate from a BA/BSc course in a related area and wish to increase your employability and gain a competitive edge with an advanced qualification in your area of specialism. _ You want to expand your knowledge and experience into live event spectacles such as arena and stadium shows. _ You want to diversify from related fields such as theatre or architecture. _ You want to change career direction to develop and establish yourself as a designer. _ You have worked in the industry and are now looking to validate your experience with an advanced recognised qualification. The programme aims to: _ Provide graduates and those with professional experience of working in the live events or related industries the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and critical insight into the principles and practices underpinning design, creativity and innovation within the live events and creative industries. _ Develop advance critical and intellectual thinking and complex problem-solving skills necessary for building and delivering successful live events projects. _ Develop your own individual projects and projects in collaboration with students from our other postgraduate courses, culminating in your final negotiated Masters’ project. Key features: _ The programme enables you to use professional working situations as part of your research and studies. _ The opportunity to develop and deepen your skills, experience and knowledge of Event Design within a specialised institution situated within a global overview through the University of Bolton and Academy of Live Technology's networks and links to the creative industries. _ Access to the unique commercial opportunities offered through Academy of Live Technology's connection with Production Park and the range of Live Events businesses situated on the campus _ Opportunities to engage with research and developments at Academy of Live Technology's new Research and Innovation Centre, XPLOR.
Assessment method
Assessment tasks are linked to the learning outcomes of each module and are completed before the end of the module. Module assessments typically involve written coursework, project work, oral assessments and portfolios. Our team of academic and professional staff will use a variety of teaching and learning strategies to help you gain and develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. You can expect practice-based enquiry, self-directed study, lectures, seminars, tutorials, presentations and work-based learning. It’s important to realise that the time spent with a tutor during formally scheduled activities is only a small part of the learning time identified for a module. You’ll also be expected to spend a significant amount of time in guided independent study, such as general background reading, preparing for seminar activities and working on assignments. We are committed to supporting you throughout your learning journey. Over time, our guidance will purposefully become less structured and prescriptive. This will encourage you to develop confidence and independence in your studies and take responsibility for managing your own learning time as you increase in autonomy. The assessment strategy for the programme is designed to help you achieve the overall aims of the curriculum, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. As well as assessing your achievement, it helps to organise and develop your learning. Assessment feedback can help you develop your skills and an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. The types of assessment you’ll be required to complete fall into two general categories: formative and summative. Formative assessments help in learning and developing knowledge and skills. Summative assessments, on which grades are allocated, reflect the quality of the learning that has been achieved. Formative assessment will take place via tutorial discussion, group workshops including peer and tutor review, and guidance on work in progress. Formative feedback will be provided face-to-face via discussion, online or in written form. Summative assessments consist of both practical and applied theoretical work. These will include a range of assessments including practical projects, written work, presentations and portfolios.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
Entry requirements
2:1 Honours degree or above in a relevant subject and/or appropriate relevant work experience.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £11000 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £11000 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £11000 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £11000 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
As part of our commitment to access and widening participation, we offer a range of bursary and additional financial support for prospective students. There is also a hardship fund available to eligible students who experience financial crisis. To find out more, please contact us on 01977 659880 or email [email protected].
Provider information
Academy of Live Technology
Unit 53
Laugthwaite Business Park
South Kirby, Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF9 3NR