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Join our exciting, creative and highly practical Multidisciplinary Innovation Masters. Get to work on live briefs from real organisations, in a simulated agency environment, and learn to think in new ways to engineer change.

Why Study Multidisciplinary Innovation at Northumbria?

MDI is truly unique, it is the only Masters that will allow students to work live projects throughout the entire course, all year-round, every semester. We welcome students onto this course from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds. Working collaboratively with people with a range of skill sets, you’ll devise creative solutions using strategic innovation to solve real-world, complex challenges to social, organisational and commercial issues. Previous organisations we have worked with include multinationals like Mars, Unilever and Realme, local start-ups and charities.

Want to read some of our frequently asked questions about this course? Discover more here.

 

What can I expect from this course?

Our MDI philosophy is to create a cross-disciplinary learning environment in the studio that nurtures and practices innovation and originality with a specific user and issues-based approach.

As part of this course, you will work in a simulated agency environment within our studio to:

  • Work on real-life projects that will allow you to build up an invaluable portfolio of experience
  • Blend design, technology, and business and develop your entrepreneurial mind-set
  • Learn to manage change and innovation in a strategic way
  • Build up an invaluable portfolio of experience and network of contacts that will span multiple industries
  • Create strategic value through adopting a range of innovative approaches and resources - highly valued by future employers

 

How will this course prepare me for my career?

We aim to encourage and develop your skills both practically and intellectually and to help you grow as individuals. You will be challenged through live projects and gain valuable experience as a reflective practitioner and strategic thinker. You will also have the chance to grow and become a confident, professional and highly employable graduate. Previous graduates from this course have secured senior roles with large organisations, and some have started their own businesses and charities or gone on to PhD study.

 

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
1 year full-time

Department
Northumbria School of Design, Newcastle Business School

Location
Northern Design Centre

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

Funding and Scholarships

Discover the funding options available to you.

Discover NU World / A virtual journey through everything Northumbria has to offer.

Explore our immersive 360 tours, informative subject videos, inspirational student profiles, ground-breaking research, and a range of life at university blogs videos and articles.

Discover more / Multidisciplinary Innovation

Find out what MDI is all about, listen to MDI student Hannah chat about her experiences on this course, plus details of a recent live consultancy project our students have worked on with Realme. Plus find out what career opportunities are available to you and discover our frequently asked questions section.

Teaser.

Multidisciplinary Innovation MA/MSc

MDI Taster Session

Watch video recording now

FAQs text

Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in any discipline. Applicants with appropriate work experience and/or a relevant professional qualification will be considered.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

 *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry

Full UK Fee: £9,250

Full EU Fee: £18,250

Full International Fee: £18,250



Scholarships and Discounts

Click here for UK, EU and International scholarship, fees, and funding information.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

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* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

DE7024 -

Design-Led Innovation Practice (Core,60 Credits)

During this module, you will be introduced to and undertake design-led innovation practice. You will develop a detailed understanding of the principles and a range of approaches to innovation practice, through the phases of: Set-up, Problem & Solution Exploration, Strategy Development, Pitch, and Unpack. You will learn about the range of methods and resources that support design-led innovation practice and be encouraged to challenge and adapt them.

You will be introduced to key knowledge and concepts about the practicing professional, his/her self-development and the broader contexts of the team, the organisation, and the commercial environment. You will enter into the process of personal and professional development within the context of multidisciplinary innovation teams, and in the aspects of project planning, coordination and management.

You will tackle, as part of a multidisciplinary team, a range of innovation projects, working with external organisations and communities. During these projects, you will be coached, supervised and challenged as you learn how best to contribute your knowledge and expertise within a multidisciplinary team. You’ll learn about different forms of innovation and design-led co-creation, by practicing:
• Project scoping and planning
• Creative research and insight development
• Reflective practice and collaborative workshops
• Ideation, concept refinement and evaluation
• Strategy development and communication
• Value definition and impact assessment
• Client pitches and reporting.

More information

DE7025 -

Responsible Innovation Practice (Core,60 Credits)

During this module, you will refine your understanding of, and undertake, design-led innovation practice with a particular focus on responsibility in innovation. You will learn, through practice, how to lead organisations and communities; responding to their local issues in the context of mega trends; developing a detailed proposal informed by an understanding of the impacts and consequences of innovation.

Within a multidisciplinary team you will undertake design-led responsible innovation framing and addressing a complex innovation project within your client’s context. Individually you will produce a change plan for enabling your team’s proposal.

You will identify key knowledge and concepts related to ‘responsible business practice’, ‘resilient communities’, and ‘mega trends’. You will continue the process of personal and professional development within the context of multidisciplinary innovation teams, and in the aspects of ‘innovation horizons’, ‘local, national and global policies’, and ‘knowledge and transformation economies’.

Within a multidisciplinary team you will undertake an in-depth innovation project working with an external organisation(s) or community(s). During this project, you will be coached, supervised and challenged as you learn how best to contribute your knowledge and expertise within a multidisciplinary team. You will refine your understanding about the value of design-led co-creation, by producing a business proposal, defended as responsible, that justifies a vision and resourcing based upon:
• Understanding of a complex issue
• A critical appraisal of current action and initiatives
• An innovation tapestry and strategy
• Personal reflexive positioning of drivers, competencies and future action.

More information

HR9716 -

Strategic Innovation Practice (Core,60 Credits)

During this module, you will develop your understanding of, and undertake, design-led innovation projects demonstrating your developing strategic innovation practice. You will learn how design-led innovation enables ‘co-created strategy’, develops new organisational ‘creative functionality’ and establishes ‘strategic insights and assets’.

Within a team, you will develop pathways to realise strategic value by designing innovative policies, systems, services, products, communications, strategies and ways of working.

You will be introduced to key knowledge and concepts related to ‘understanding and leading teams’, ‘communities of practice’, and ‘competitiveness and strategy’. You will continue the process of personal and professional development within the context of multidisciplinary innovation teams, and in the aspects of brand development, strategic goal setting, and business modelling.

You will tackle, as part of a multidisciplinary team, a range of innovation projects, working with external organisations and communities. During these projects, you will be coached, supervised and challenged as you learn how best to contribute your knowledge and expertise within a multidisciplinary team. You will continue to develop your understanding about different forms of innovation and design-led co-creation, by:
• Practicing in depth and meaningful value creation
• Understanding interconnected perspectives through stakeholder mapping
• Creating cohesive arguments using the outputs of design-led innovation methods
• Building compelling narratives to shape and support project outcomes
• Practicing integrated strategy mapping to influence positive change
• Creating and presenting innovation pathways that highlight the link between local issues and mega trends.

More information

YB7000 -

Academic Language Skills for Design & Fashion (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Effective reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

DE7024 -

Design-Led Innovation Practice (Core,60 Credits)

During this module, you will be introduced to and undertake design-led innovation practice. You will develop a detailed understanding of the principles and a range of approaches to innovation practice, through the phases of: Set-up, Problem & Solution Exploration, Strategy Development, Pitch, and Unpack. You will learn about the range of methods and resources that support design-led innovation practice and be encouraged to challenge and adapt them.

You will be introduced to key knowledge and concepts about the practicing professional, his/her self-development and the broader contexts of the team, the organisation, and the commercial environment. You will enter into the process of personal and professional development within the context of multidisciplinary innovation teams, and in the aspects of project planning, coordination and management.

You will tackle, as part of a multidisciplinary team, a range of innovation projects, working with external organisations and communities. During these projects, you will be coached, supervised and challenged as you learn how best to contribute your knowledge and expertise within a multidisciplinary team. You’ll learn about different forms of innovation and design-led co-creation, by practicing:
• Project scoping and planning
• Creative research and insight development
• Reflective practice and collaborative workshops
• Ideation, concept refinement and evaluation
• Strategy development and communication
• Value definition and impact assessment
• Client pitches and reporting.

More information

DE7025 -

Responsible Innovation Practice (Core,60 Credits)

During this module, you will refine your understanding of, and undertake, design-led innovation practice with a particular focus on responsibility in innovation. You will learn, through practice, how to lead organisations and communities; responding to their local issues in the context of mega trends; developing a detailed proposal informed by an understanding of the impacts and consequences of innovation.

Within a multidisciplinary team you will undertake design-led responsible innovation framing and addressing a complex innovation project within your client’s context. Individually you will produce a change plan for enabling your team’s proposal.

You will identify key knowledge and concepts related to ‘responsible business practice’, ‘resilient communities’, and ‘mega trends’. You will continue the process of personal and professional development within the context of multidisciplinary innovation teams, and in the aspects of ‘innovation horizons’, ‘local, national and global policies’, and ‘knowledge and transformation economies’.

Within a multidisciplinary team you will undertake an in-depth innovation project working with an external organisation(s) or community(s). During this project, you will be coached, supervised and challenged as you learn how best to contribute your knowledge and expertise within a multidisciplinary team. You will refine your understanding about the value of design-led co-creation, by producing a business proposal, defended as responsible, that justifies a vision and resourcing based upon:
• Understanding of a complex issue
• A critical appraisal of current action and initiatives
• An innovation tapestry and strategy
• Personal reflexive positioning of drivers, competencies and future action.

More information

HR9716 -

Strategic Innovation Practice (Core,60 Credits)

During this module, you will develop your understanding of, and undertake, design-led innovation projects demonstrating your developing strategic innovation practice. You will learn how design-led innovation enables ‘co-created strategy’, develops new organisational ‘creative functionality’ and establishes ‘strategic insights and assets’.

Within a team, you will develop pathways to realise strategic value by designing innovative policies, systems, services, products, communications, strategies and ways of working.

You will be introduced to key knowledge and concepts related to ‘understanding and leading teams’, ‘communities of practice’, and ‘competitiveness and strategy’. You will continue the process of personal and professional development within the context of multidisciplinary innovation teams, and in the aspects of brand development, strategic goal setting, and business modelling.

You will tackle, as part of a multidisciplinary team, a range of innovation projects, working with external organisations and communities. During these projects, you will be coached, supervised and challenged as you learn how best to contribute your knowledge and expertise within a multidisciplinary team. You will continue to develop your understanding about different forms of innovation and design-led co-creation, by:
• Practicing in depth and meaningful value creation
• Understanding interconnected perspectives through stakeholder mapping
• Creating cohesive arguments using the outputs of design-led innovation methods
• Building compelling narratives to shape and support project outcomes
• Practicing integrated strategy mapping to influence positive change
• Creating and presenting innovation pathways that highlight the link between local issues and mega trends.

More information

YB7000 -

Academic Language Skills for Design & Fashion (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Effective reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.

More information

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.



Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

Student Inclusion support




All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints


If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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Alumni Discounts

Graduates of the University are entitled to a 20% alumni discount on Masters study at Northumbria (T&C’s apply).

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