The course combines storytelling with experience design, interaction design, museum studies, exhibition design, event design and communication design. You will develop and install interventions in cultural and corporate settings as well as making critical urban interventions in the public realm. You will undertake site and social research, visiting spaces, observing, filming and talking to visitors and inhabitants. You'll also produce proposals and make and test these in situ.

Distinct disciplines contribute to the postgraduate programme. Developing a new science centre, for example, draws on architects, curators, destination consultants, 3D designers, communication designers, interaction designers, time-based media designers, scenographers, writers, retailers and project managers. We value all.

MA Creative Practice for 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 Creative Practice for 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 Creative Practice for 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 1 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 2 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.

MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments extends and enhances your employment opportunities in sectors such as exhibition, event, retail and interpretive design, visitor centre development, curating, scripting and creative direction, film and TV production, architecture, new media and interaction design, brand development and design for corporate environments.

The postgraduate course also addresses the need for advanced research in spatial practices. It provides a grounding in design research and intellectual, scholarly debate that can lead you to MPhil and PhD research degrees.

MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments has excellent links with renowned practitioners across the spectrum of narrative design. Professional fields include: interpretive design; production; architecture; interaction, media, graphic and communication design; brand communications; museums and galleries; planning and management.

Companies and institutions that are affiliates and sponsors of MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments include: Arthesia HD, Switzerland; Arup Innovation Unit; the British Museum, London; Event Communication, London; Eyebeam, NY; FAT (Fashion Architecture Taste) London; The Freud Museum, London; Glasshouse Community-led Design, London; G.T.F, London; Hidden Art, London; IDEO London and Shanghai; Imagination, London and NY; Land Design Studio, London; LDJ lighting design, Yorkshire; MET London and Hong Kong; Metaphor, London; Participle, London; Ralph Appelbaum Associates London and NY; Selfridges, London; the Serpentine Gallery, London; the Science Museum, London; the Speaker's Corner Trust, Southbank Centre, London: Stanton Williams, London; Tate Modern, London; United Visual Artists, London, Wolf Olins, London; the Wellcome Trust; London.

MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments entry requirements are: Honours Degree, or equivalent learning, and ideally at least one year of professional experience.

Relevant fields are: architecture, exhibition, graphic, interior, performance, retail, spatial, theatre, 3D, multimedia or interaction design, museum studies or curatorship, writing, and design management. Precise qualifications and experience needed vary according to your field.

Designers: a degree in 2D or 3D design or equivalent experience.

Curators and museum studies graduates: a degree in museum studies or equivalent museum experience; or a degree in another subject, at least two years' experience in a full-time museums curatorial position, and associate membership of the Museums Association.

Architects: a degree and RIBA Part I, or equivalent.

Writers and humanities graduates: a degree or equivalent experience.

For further advice on entry requirements contact Tricia Austin, Course Leader, on +44(0) 20 7514 8535, email p.austin@csm.arts.ac.uk

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 Language Centre website.
 
Applicants who will need a Tier 4 General Student Visa should check the External English Tests page which provides important information about UK Border Agency (UKBA) requirements. 

What we look for

The MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments is aimed at graduates with some experience of architecture, curatorship, writing or design who want to grow their expertise within the cultural and commercial sectors. We seek resourceful, talented and ambitious individuals who work well in multidisciplinary teams.

The college's strong international profile is reflected in the broad cultural mix of our students and our international studio placements and exchanges.

Student selection criteria

MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments applicants will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• A BA qualification or equivalent level of skills and knowledge in your own discipline and preferably some examples of post college work in your particular field
• Evidence of interest and use of stories and storytelling in your working process
• Work demonstrating engagement with narrative in a spatial context, whether that is a real or virtual space
• A reflective and critical approach
• Experience and preference for teamwork
• Self motivation, ambition and a commitment to the postgraduate programme

Portfolio advice

Selection for interview will be through submission of examples of work developed though your prior educational and employment experiences. Your portfolio should demonstrate your practical and conceptual skills as well as your working processes. Portfolios are restricted to A3 size. The content of your portfolio will depend on your field of expertise as follows:

Designers should include:

• 20 images of visual work
• Cross platform CD Roms or DVDs of moving image work if appropriate
• Developmental research material
• Samples of written work

Curators and museum studies graduates should include:

• A detailed professional CV with project descriptions
• Documentation of work where possible

Architects should include:

• Your degree project
• Two other projects featuring concept drawings and process work that demonstrate your own concerns
• Drawings, designs, visualisations and photographs of models appropriate to your experience and background

Writers and humanities graduates should include:

• A publications list or CV detailing recent projects (e.g. screenplays, scripts, art direction, articles from journals or newspapers, short stories, novels)
• Details of membership of professional organisations (e.g. Writers Guild, NUJ)
• At least three samples of work

Home/EU and International applicants

Download your MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments application pack:

• MA Creative Practice application pack - home/EU [Word, 0.5mb]
• MA CPfNE application pack - international [Word, 0.5mb]

Each form contains detailed information about the application process.

Your application must include:

• A completed application form
• A statement explaining what role the course would play in your personal and professional development and where you aim to locate yourself within the cultural and commercial industries
• Copies of your latest examination results where applicable
• Two references at least one should be an academic or professional reference
• Documentation of your work, (as above) where applicable

Please ensure you send all these items at the same time - we need all the information to consider your application. We recommend you send your application by recorded mail. Due to the large number of applications we get, we're unable to send confirmation that your application has been received. Although we treat all work with the greatest care and respect, we cannot accept any responsibility for loss of or damage to any of the work you submit.

Further information for International applicants

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 website.

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 Creative Practice for Narrative Environments, 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 Creative Practice for Narrative Environments, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA

When to apply

Applications can be submitted throughout the academic year. 

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 invited to attend an interview. You'll be asked to bring a portfolio of your latest work. For candidates applying for external funding, interviews will be scheduled prior to funding body deadlines.

Can't attend the interview?

If you're a home/EU or international applicant unable to attend for interview, the MA Creative Practice for Narrative Environments Course Leader would hope to discuss your application by telephone.

In the case of applicants unable to attend for interview and 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 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.