"You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?" (George Bernard Shaw, "Back to Methuselah" (1921), part 1, act 1)

MA Applied Imagination takes a position that challenges the tradition of defining knowledge as something that can simply be learnt from the experience of others.

You embark on a learning journey that begins with co-creation and the unblocking of individual and collective resistance to change, and concludes with a very personal research project that has the potential to change your life.

Rather than limiting our scope to the tradition of mono discipline inquiry, we embrace multi-discipline and multi-cultural collaboration.

You provide us with a rich spectrum of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural knowledge that we harness through a series of challenging and provocative projects that enable you to learn from each other by encouraging you to share your knowledge.

MA Applied Imagination lasts 45 weeks full-time or 90 weeks part time over two years.

MA Applied Imagination in the Creative Industries is credit rated at 180 credits, and comprises 2 units. Unit 1 (60 credits) runs for 15 weeks full time, 30 weeks part time. Unit 2 (120 credits) follows the completion of Unit 1 and runs 30 weeks full time, 60 weeks part time.

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.

The difference between the two modes of study is that full time students are involved in more intensive study and, because they are not engaged in full time employment, test their ideas, research and working methods within the College environment with their peers as well as seeking out external verification and challenge.

Part time students spend less time in formal peer interaction but are expected to test their ideas within their own professional practice as well as with each other as much as is possible. For part time students, the developmental process is necessarily slower and less intense during the first year but timetables are constructed to provide maximum opportunity for preparatory critical engagement.

Course outline

We utilize a two-step strategy to enable you to develop and apply new creative knowledge

Unit One - Imagination

This unit involves opening and informing your imagination and we facilitate this by exploiting the interdisciplinary and cultural cross-fertilization that our postgraduate programme provides.

The principal strategy involves teamwork in which rotating groups of students work with each other to respond to projects that are deliberately created to get your adrenalin pumping. Briefs are freshly created each year to challenge contemporary expectations and assumptions.

Project are short and demanding, rarely lasting more than two weeks and deliberately asking questions that defy predictable answers: For example we might ask you: 'If money had a smell what should it smell like?'

A question like this tends to challenge everyone not least because it acknowledges our capacity to utilize our embodied knowledge in a strategy of sensuous scholarship that employs the full range of our multi-sensory capability.

This strategy of taking you outside of the familiar conventions of creativity tends to quickly locate the discipline and culturally condition resistances to change. We are concerned to build awareness of personal and collective resistances that may inhibit the creation of new paradigms.

Unit Two - Application

This unit becomes a much more personal journey in which each student devises and completes their own research project.

We never predict or prescribe the best way forward but we support our students in finding their own 'best way.'

For some students this will be personal and entrepreneurial, for others it may be the opportunity for a radical reassessment of themselves, their values and their potential.

We enable this ambition for productive change by a deceptively simple educational strategy that is based on the concept of a 'journey of discovery' in other words 'your journey.'

We require all students to create a question to frame their research mission and to give that question dimension through a series of artefacts that enable you to take your question into the real world in order to ascertain evidence of resistance and support.

The journey is fully documented in a series of diaries in which you record what you have done, why you did it and what you have learnt.

The MA Applied Imagination journey is completed with an exhibition that comprises evidence of the journey taken and the knowledge gained. The exhibition will feature your question, your artefacts, your diaries and a 650-word synopsis of the knowledge that you have gained.

Economic meltdown, eco disaster, globalization, obesity, and a number of other concerns all offer dramatic confirmation that we need new ideas and new ways of thinking and doing.

Perhaps we are entering the age where finally we can move beyond theory and meta-management?

Whatever the scenario that troubles or inspires- you are the best solution. The investment that you make in yourself is the capital that your post MA career will be built upon.

The future is literally yours to make and this is what MA Applied Imagination students tend to do.

Minimum entry requirements

MA Applied Imagination entry requirements are: Honours degree; evidence of experiential learning equivalent to a degree; or 3 years relevant professional experience.

For the part-time mode you'd need to be working in a design-related profession. Your research interests, professional experience and personal goals are more important than the quality of your portfolio.

English language requirement

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you send us an English language test score together with your application to prove your level of proficiency. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please clearly indicate this on your application form. When you have received your test score, please send it to us immediately. The standard English language requirement for entry is IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in any one paper, or equivalent. For further information visit the English Language requirements page.
 
Applicants who will need a Tier 4 General Student Visa should check the Visa and Immigration page which provides important information about UK Border Agency (UKBA) requirements. 

What we look for

We are looking for ambitious students with a real desire to increase their understanding of creativity, and apply their imagination to effect positive and productive enhancement of our state of being.

We believe that you can shape the world rather than accepting that it has to determine your future. MA Applied Imagination offers an environment where people from, for example, business, marketing, fashion, product design, architecture and fine art can work together and individually to challenge to evolve a better world.

Our students come from all over the world and we celebrate and include their diverse cultural knowledge in our quest to create alternative paradigms. Students draw on each other’s professional and diverse cultural experience to provide critical and constructive insights that open up new ways of thinking and doing.

Student selection criteria

Applicants will be selected on the basis of their ability to demonstrate:

• Research interests
• Professional experience
• Personal goals

If you wish to apply for the part-time course you would normally be expected to be working full-time in a design-related profession.

Application advice

Interviews

Interviews, which normally last up to 40 minutes, focus on your background and interests. You don't have to bring examples of your work unless you feel they'll help you demonstrate your interests.

Home/EU and International applicants

Download your MA Applied Imagination application form:

• MA Applied Imagination application form - international [Word, 0.5mb]
• MA Applied Imagination reference form - international [Word, 0.3mb]    
• MA Applied Imagination application form - home/EU [Word, 0.5mb]
• MA Applied Imagination reference form - home/EU [Word, 0.3mb]  

The application form contains detailed information on the application process.

Your application must include:

• A completed application form
• A study proposal
• A personal statement
• Two references from your tutor or someone who knows your work
• Copies of your latest examination results where applicable

Please ensure your application is complete. If you're sending references separately, please state this clearly. We recommend you send your application by recorded mail. Due to the large number of applications we get, we cannot send confirmation that your application has been received.

Further information for International applicants

Our website includes all the information you need to successfully apply. However, if you still have unanswered questions about the admissions process, please contact us. Email: international@csm.arts.ac.uk 

The University has a dedicated team to help prepare you for your studies. For help on visa requirements, housing, tuition fees and language requirements visit the University's International section.

The Language Centre offers international students quality language training from qualified and experienced teachers. The Pre-sessional Academic English Programme is available to all international (non-EU) students who have been offered a place on a full time course at the University of the Arts. For further information visit the Language Centre section.

We also offer a number of short courses that enable students to improve their portfolios and English skills before applying to their chosen course. For further information visit our Short Course section.

Home/EU applicants please send your completed application to: Student Administration, MA Applied Imagination, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA

International applicants please send your completed application to: International Office, MA Applied Imagination, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA

When to apply

Please note that this course runs from January through to December. Applications can be submitted throughout the academic year. However, places are limited so it is advisable for you to submit your application as early as possible (November) to avoid disappointment. Late applications will be considered by the course team in consultation with the Course Leader.

Home/EU applicants who wish to apply for the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) bursary should apply to the college before 1 March. For detailed information please see the University AHRC Master Award web page.

Deferred entry

Entry can only be deferred in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us before submitting your application if you're considering applying for deferred entry.

What happens next?

We read and consider all application forms and personal references. Please note we give particular attention to your study statement and references.

Subject to your meeting the entry requirements and consideration of your application form, preliminary selection is based on your study proposal, documentation of work and supporting information. You may then be contacted for a telephone interview. For candidates applying for external funding, interviews will be scheduled prior to funding body deadlines.

Can't attend the interview?

In the case of applicants unable to discuss their application by telephone, a decision regarding the offer of a place on the course will be made on the basis of a review of the application materials. We keep notes about decisions made following the initial application review and the interview process.

Selection is by two members of staff (normally the Course Leader and one other), and offers of places are made on the basis of our selection criteria. Applicants are informed of the decision via either the Student Administration Office or the International Office.

Open days

Open days are a great opportunity to meet staff and students and to find out at first hand about courses, teaching and student life. Visit the open day section for dates to book your session. Bookings can only be made online, not by phone or email.