Megan Clark, MDes Communication Design 2023.

How to apply

Applying to Postgraduate Programmes at the GSA

Applications for postgraduate programmes should be made directly to the School.
Required documents for most programmes are as follows:

  • Completed Online Application Form (see links below)
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Statement of Intent (a concise critical self-evaluation of your work and the reasons for wishing to join the programme at GSA, approx. 500 words)
  • Evidence of Academic Qualifications (Certified photocopies/Transcripts)
  • Academic References x 2
  • Evidence of English Language Proficiency e.g. IELTS (if appropriate)
  • Copy of Passport (if appropriate)

Application Timetable for postgraduate taught programmes – September 2024 entry:

Standard 1 Application Deadline     26 January 2024            (Decision by 08 March 2024)

Standard 2 Application Deadline     08 March 2024               (Decision by 26 April 2024)

Late Application Deadline                    07 June 2024                   (Decision by 19 July 2024)

The final date for receipt of applications where a student needs a visa to study at the GSA will be 26 July 2024. For students who do not require a visa, applications will stay open until there are no places left on the programme.

Guaranteed Review
All complete applications received by the Standard 1 deadline to apply of 26 January 2024 will be reviewed. Where programmes are over-subscribed, we cannot guarantee to review applications received after this date.

Scholarships
Students wishing to apply for a GSA scholarship should ensure their application is submitted by the Standard 2 deadline of 8 March 2023. This ensures they have time to receive an offer of their place, this is required in advance of submitting scholarship application.

Application Forms
Application forms must be submitted before 13:00 (UK time) on the relevant applicant deadline date above in order to be considered within that review period.

Application Forms submitted after 13:00 (UK time) on any applicant deadline date above will automatically move to the next review period.

You can find links to online. Application Forms for all Postgraduate programmes below:

Applying to the Mackintosh School of Architecture for Masters

Diploma of Architecture - (DipArch) - Full Time

Diploma of Architecture (DipArch) - Part-time

The following programme will differ in submission, interview and decision dates as below:

Master of Architectural Studies (MArch)

Standard 1 Round closes: 15th December 2023
Standard 1 Round interviews: w/c 1st and 8th January 2024
Standard 1 Round decisions issued: 19th January 2024

Standard 2 Round closes: 23rd February 2024
Standard 2 Round interviews: w/c 11th March 2024
Standard 2 Round decisions issued: 28th March 2024

Late Round closes: 23rd May 2024
Late Round interviews: w/c 3rd June 2024
Late Round decisions issued: 17th June 2024

Further information on applications to Diploma or Masters Programmes in Architecture, please contact [email protected]

Applying to the School of Design for Masters

Master of Design in Communication Design (MDes)

Master of Design in Graphic Design (MDes)

Master of Design in Illustration (MDes)

Master of Design in Photography (MDes)

Master of Design in Fashion and Textiles (MDes)

Master of Design in Interior Design (MDes)

Master of Science in Product Design Engineering (MSc)

Applying to the School of Fine Art for Masters

Master of Fine Art (MFA)

Master of Letters in Fine Art Practice – Photography and Moving Image (MLitt)

Master of Letters in Fine Art Practice - Painting, Drawing and Print Media (MLitt)

Master of Letters in Fine Art Practice - Sculpture and Performance (MLitt)

Master of Letters in Curatorial Practice [Contemporary Art] (MLitt)

Master of Letters in Art Writing (MLitt) - Full-time

Master of Letters in Art Writing (MLitt) - Part-time

Applying to the School of Innovation and Technology for Masters

Master of Design in Sound for the Moving Image (MDes) – Full-time

Master of Design in Sound for the Moving Image (MDes) – Part-time

Master of Science in Serious Games and Virtual Reality (MSc) – Full-time

Master of Science in Serious Games and Virtual Reality (MSc) – Part-time

Master of Science in Heritage Visualisation (MSc) – Full-time

Master of Science in Heritage Visualisation (MSc) – Part-time

Master of Science in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy (MSc) – Full-time

Master of Science in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy (MSc) – Part-time

Master of Design in Design Innovation and Circular Economy (MDes)

Master of Design in Design Innovation and Citizenship (MDes)

Master of Design in Design Innovation and Environmental Design (MDes)

Master of Design in Design Innovation and Future Heritage (MDes)

Master of Design in Design Innovation and Interaction Design (MDes)

Master of Design in Design Innovation and Service Design (MDes)

Master of Design in Design Innovation and Transformation Design (MDes)

Applying to PGCert in Learning and Teaching

Applying to the PGCert Learning and Teaching in the CreativeDisciplines is being offered through two routes:

1. Learning Design and Teaching Practice in an Art School (PGCert Course 1 only)

2. PGCert Learning and Teaching in the Creative Disciplines

For further information please refer to the Applicant Guidelines here

Digital Portfolio

Digital portfolios must be submitted before 23:59 (UK time) on the relevant applicant deadline date above in order to be considered within that review period.

Applicants to programmes that require a Digital Portfolio will be provided with login details for the Digital Portfolio website within 1 working day of submitting their completed application form.

Applicants who submit their completed application form on an Applicant Deadline date above, before 13:00 (UK time), will be sent log-in details on the same day before 16:00 (UK time). Applicants who submit their application form after 13:00 (UK time) on any applicant deadline date above will not be invited to upload their Digital Portfolio on the same day and will automatically move to the next review period.

English Language Requirement

The Glasgow School of Art expects all students to demonstrate proficiency in the English language, which for UK students is normally shown by a pass in Higher or GCSE English.

For international students required to evidence their English language proficiency, the GSA’s preferred test is the IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test taken at a UKVI approved test centre. A full list of other tests that may be presented can be found here.

A full list of UKVI approved test centres can be found here.

School of Design
The following School of Design programmes require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component.

  • MDes Fashion and Textiles
  • MDes Interior Design
  • MDes Communication Design
  • MDes Graphics/Illustration/Photography
  • MSc Product Design Engineering

School of Fine Art
The following School of Fine Art programmes require an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each component:

  • Master of Fine Art
  • MLitt Fine Art Practice

The following School of Fine Art programme requires an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each component:

  • MLitt Curatorial Practice (Contemporary Art)

The following School of Fine Art programme requires an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component:

  • MLitt Art Writing

Mackintosh School of Architecture
Programmes in the Mackintosh School of Architecture require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 5.5 in each component.

School of Innovation and Technology
The following Innovation School programmes require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component.

  • MDes Design Innovation & Service Design
  • MDes Design Innovation & Citizenship
  • MDes Design Innovation & Environmental Design
  • MDes Design Innovation & Interaction Design
  • MDes Design Innovation & Transformation Design
  • MDes Sound For the Moving Image
  • MSc Serious Games & Virtual Reality
  • MSc Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy
  • MSc Heritage Visualisation
English For Creative Disciplines

To apply for the Pre-Sessional English for Creative Disciplines course, students must have a conditional offer for any GSA programme which requires them to improve their language skills up to a level required by the prospective programme. These requirements will be different for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and so they affect the entry requirements for the Pre-Sessional course.

Making an application

Download the application form here and email it to [email protected] along with a copy of your offer letter and current English language qualification. Any enquiries can be made to [email protected]

UKVI Requirements
Full information about Student Visa requirements is available here.

Further information
If you need further information about applying to postgraduate level study, email [email protected]    

Master of Research

The Master of Research (MRes) programme enrols new students in January each year. See details of how to apply and what to submit in our Applicant Guidelines on the programme page here.

Applications are now open for entry in January 2025 and applications can be made online using the links below;

Master of Research (MRes) – Full-time
Master of Research
(MRes) – Part-time

Doctoral Study

We enrol PhD students in September each year. See details of, how to apply and what to submit in our Doctoral Study PhD application Guide here. When you have read the application guide please download our Research proposal Form here.

Mackintosh School of Architecture
PhD - Full-time
PhD - Part-time

School of Design
PhD - Full-time
PhD - Part-time

School of Fine Art
PhD - Full-time
PhD - Part-time

School of Innovation and Technology
PhD - Full-time
PhD - Part-time