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Design Innovation MSc

Challenge and shape the future of conscious, global design.

Key details

Location

Falmouth Campus Penryn Campus

Course duration

1 year

Attendance

Full-time

Subject to validation during this academic year

✔

Course overview

This course is new for entry year 2026.

Design Innovation MSc is a one-year, intensive master’s course designed to equip you with the skills to create impactful product and service solutions – shaping better outcomes for people, places, and the planet.

Choose the core MSc or specialise in one of three distinct awards – Healthcare, Materials, or Events – to develop skills in research, design thinking, ideation, collaboration, and digital tools. Throughout the course, you’ll tackle real-world problems, particularly those related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Through both qualitative and quantitative research methods, you’ll identify opportunity gaps and apply sustainable design practices. This interdisciplinary course fosters collaboration, enhancing teamwork and process management skills, as well as deepening your knowledge of business contexts, the circular economy, and prototype evaluation.

You will refine your digital skills in UX/UI and product and experience design, utilising AI tools for ideation and design. You will also develop prototyping skills, including 3D printing for real-world testing.

Graduates from this forward-thinking master’s course will be highly skilled, ethically driven, and equipped to design sustainable solutions to global challenges.

Why study this course at Falmouth?

Complex problem solving & innovation: Identifying and solving complex problems using creative design thinking, and evaluating potential solutions.
Sustainability & social justice: Applying sustainable design strategies, understanding social-environmental justice, and promoting transformative change aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals
Digital & design skills: on the Healthcare and Materials specialisms you will develop proficiency in 2D/3D CAD, UX/UI design software, AI tools, prototyping, and 3D printing
Research & critical thinking: Conducting user-centred research, ethical application of research skills, and critical evaluation.
Team collaboration & leadership: Developing collaborative leadership, interdisciplinary teamwork, and effective project management skills.
Contextual understanding & diversity: Understanding diverse social, cultural, and technological contexts, promoting respect for equality and diversity.
Time & resource management: Managing time, resources, and systems while adopting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient approaches.

Top image credits: Florence Mitchell, Ellie Tallett, Ellie Mae Barr.

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Overviews of each specialism

Design Innovation MSc is a one-year course that will challenge you to innovate new product and service solutions towards healthier people and planet outcomes. You will develop research, analysis, design thinking, rapid ideation, collaborative working and digital software skills to discover, develop and communicate informed proposals within the context of the product design and service design sectors.

Design innovation is at the core of this process, and you will learn key problem-solving skills through real-world projects that tackle UN Sustainable Development Goal challenges. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, you will define viable opportunity gaps and employ creative and sustainable design skills to generate design innovations, helping to transform society. Throughout the course, you will engage in practice-based learning rooted in sustainable design that embraces environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

This one-year course focuses on design innovation, enabling you to develop sustainable, ethically informed solutions to healthcare challenges. You will engage in real-world healthcare projects, exploring product-service-system (PSS) models that emphasise holistic user experience design and creative problem-solving. The course is built around practice-based learning, encouraging you to develop research skills that address critical design challenges in clinical, care, and broader health settings.

You will gain hands-on experience working alongside healthcare professionals and patients, using trauma-informed practice to enhance your understanding of trust-building in healthcare settings. By investigating inclusive and adaptive design, including Class 1 medical devices, you will explore how to create solutions that meet diverse needs.

Through collaboration with students from various design fields, you'll refine your interdisciplinary skills. The course also introduces AI tools, business contexts, and the circular economy to evaluate the real-world viability of your ideas. Ultimately, you'll acquire key expertise in healthcare innovation and sustainable design thinking.

The one-year Design Innovation: Materials course teaches students to harness innovative concepts and methods to address global challenges through material design. Focusing on textiles, biomaterials, flexibles, and circular techno-sphere materials, the course explores sustainable practices and their social impact across various applications, such as wearables, products, and architecture.

Students will develop expertise in material innovation, learning to assess opportunities in collaborative and entrepreneurial contexts. The course emphasises iterative design processes, sustainable production techniques, and material science principles, integrating industrial, digital, and craft practices. A central theme, "people and material culture," examines how materials shape society, encouraging students to engage with communities and institutions to foster positive change.

Students will also explore "material futures," identifying concepts with social and cultural impact through prototypes and research. Throughout the course, students will build a portfolio of innovative samples and gain key employability skills, including communication, report writing, and entrepreneurial thinking, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Design Innovation: Events MSc course fosters interdisciplinary thinking and hybrid mindsets, enabling students to explore creative practices in event-based design.

The course includes modules on audience and event management, sustainable practice and event design to evaluate ideas, prototypes, and their real-world potential in the events industry. Students will work closely with potential users of event-related products and services to identify design innovation opportunities.

The course provides a collaborative, transdisciplinary learning environment, where students from diverse specialisms - including from Materials and Healthcare - engage in shared projects. This encourages a holistic approach to designing for events and cultivating creative problem-solving skills.

Course details

The Design Innovation MSc course, in all iterations of the award, is a community of master's level students motivated to learn and explore the opportunities of innovation design while offering tailored learning through three separate specialisms.

A cohort of students that shares, collaborates, learns and develops with each other is an important aspect of the course delivery, as innovative practice and learning takes place in peer-to-peer studio environments. The course is delivered through lectures and seminars with support through regular tutorials. Technical delivery is provided through practical classes and workshops and supervised time in studios.

Module content is delivered in person on campus with some exceptions, such as guest speakers, industry experts and innovative practitioners, that may be delivered online. Students will be expected to manage their study within defined module timeframes in each study block. Students will have access to academic design and theory specialists who will contribute their expert knowledge to specific module content. They will enable students to adapt to the course in a way that suits their personal learning style and needs.

Guided learning activities provide a forum for students to apply and interrogate the knowledge gained in presentations and lectures. This experience will be supported by peer and tutor feedback as well as involving further student engagement with reading and resources to structure individual ideas. Students will have access to the wider network of resources across the Faculty of Business and Design and, when appropriate, other relevant faculties and sector partners.

Group discussions provide a space for interaction, dialogue and debate, reflection, and critical feedback. Individual and group tutorials are regularly available through the course. Students will be allocated a personal tutor and supervisor for the Final Major Project. There will be masterclass sessions from sector experts and academics and opportunities for collaboration and discourse with students studying across the MSc Design Innovation specialisms.

Independent study is an important part of the course. Students are encouraged to explore research material and development, as well as event proposals for use in a variety of ways, for example, in preparation for seminars, tutorials and assignments. It provides students with the opportunity to investigate relevant areas of interest in depth and to demonstrate autonomous learning.

Two hands in an embrace with one hand wearing a healthcare device

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A group of students taking part in a healthcare design workshop

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Study block one

Modules

Innovation Principles

This module aims to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of innovation principles, design thinking, sustainable design, and AI visual communication skills. You will learn to apply these within interdisciplinary teams to develop impactful solutions to real-world challenges and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable Practice

This module equips you with the theoretical and methodological skills to evaluate challenges, opportunities and potential actions through the lens of sustainable development and our inter-connected global society.

Study block two

Modules

Innovating with users

This module enables you to explore and practice primary research methods, involving end users, that inform innovation in the design of products and services.

Prototyping

This module introduces you to the digital tools and processes that enable prototyping of concepts within the product and service design sectors.

Sustainable practices will be developed through Life Cycle Assessment software, enabling the production of reports that quantify design, production and use impacts.

People Centred Research

The module explores research methods that involve service users to better inform the development of innovation in healthcare contexts.

You will use research tools to discover innovation opportunities and explore human factors relating to the usability of design solutions.

Healthcare Innovation

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the role of prototyping in the healthcare innovation process. You will learn a step-by-step approach to understanding and applying product and service design prototyping techniques specifically within the healthcare sector.

People and Material Culture

To engage in a critical research investigation into either a traditional or contemporary global material culture discourse with implications for social, cultural and economic impact.

Material Futures

To identify a concept that has the potential to shift the paradigm and lead to social change by using research focussed on a specific material and its related applications. 

Audiences and Events Management

You’ll develop your ability to evaluate the attendee experience, including motivations to participate, and post-experience satisfaction evaluation, and to appraise event management responses against ethical best practice. 

Disrupting Event Design

You’ll develop your ability to construct original event experiences designed to creatively incorporate sustainable practice, inclusion and digital futures within programming, site design and execution, whilst remaining safe and legally compliant.

Study block three

Modules

Final Major Project

In this module, you’ll realise an innovative creative practice research project that is located within a defined context.

Final Major Project

This module allows you to realise a self-initiated innovative practice research project related to a healthcare design context.

Final Major Project

This module facilitates the opportunity for you to realise a creative practice research project that can lead to materials innovation with social and cultural impact, in global settings.

Final Major Project

You’ll realise an innovative creative practice research project that is located within a defined context. This may include the development of an original event concept, the introduction of an event innovation, or a proposed resolution to a significant challenge facing the event sector.

As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.

How you'll learn and be assessed

The Design Innovation MSc suite aims to build a vibrant community of master’s level students, all driven to explore innovation design through tailored learning experiences. The course emphasises collaborative learning, fostering peer-to-peer studio environments where students can share, learn, and develop together.

The program is delivered through lectures, seminars and regular tutorials, supported by practical classes and workshops. While most modules are taught in person, some content, such as guest speakers and industry experts, may be delivered online. Students will manage their studies within defined timeframes for each module.

Students will engage with experienced academics and industry professionals, who will guide them through course content tailored to their learning styles. Guided activities, group discussions, and peer feedback will help students apply and refine their knowledge. Independent study is encouraged, allowing students to delve into research, event proposals, and personal interests. Opportunities for collaboration with other Design Innovation MSc students further enriches the learning experience.

The Design Innovation MSc course incorporates various assessment activities to measure student learning against specific criteria.

Formative assessment includes ongoing feedback from tutors and peers through discussions, tutorials, and critiques, helping students recognise strengths and areas for improvement.

Facilities

This course is based across both our Penryn and Falmouth campuses; students will have the opportunity to use the extensive facilities available.

Facilities include:

Equipped workshops and studio spaces
3D printing equipment
CAD/CAM equipment including laser cutters, CNC milling and routing machines
A range of digital printing capabilities, plus industry-standard 2D and 3D software
Subject specific library with multiple on-line resources
Student support and academic support services
IT - Wi-Fi and open access IT suites across both campuses

Falmouth Campus

Penryn Campus

Art Facilities_01

Art & Design Facilities

Primarily located at the Falmouth Campus in a subtropical garden, our studios and workshop facilitie...

Art & Design Facilities

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Performance - AMATA

Performance Facilities

The Academy of Music and Theatre Arts (AMATA) is a purpose-built live venue housing an assembly of f...

Performance Facilities

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Falmouth campus library blue chairs

Library Facilities

Offering extensive collections, our two libraries provide a wealth of digital resources, magazines, ...

Library Facilities

Sports Centre - Outside

Sports Centre

Our Sports Centre, on Penryn Campus, includes a spacious gym with up to 90 of the latest, new statio...

Sports Centre

Staff

You’ll learn from academic staff with extensive and broad experience in the fields of product design, sustainability, business and entrepreneurship.

Drummond Masterton

Head of Architecture and Design

Drummond trained as a 3D designer, at Grays School of Art, Aberdeen and at postgraduate level at the...

Drummond Masterton

Clive Goodwin

Associate lecturer, Sustainable Product Design

Clive Goodwin has over 25 years of experience in the design business having worked with, and for, ma...

Clive Goodwin

Dr Simon A. Clarke

Senior Lecturer

Dr Simon A Clarke's PhD titled Motif, Pattern, Colour and Text in Contemporary Kanga Cloth: An Ana...

Dr Simon A. Clarke

Sarah Braddock-Clarke

Senior Lecturer

Sarah E.Braddock Clarke studied Textile Design at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampto...

Sarah Braddock-Clarke

Dr Simon Andrews

Course Leader, Sustainable Product Design

Simon Andrews is Course Leader on the Sustainable Product Design programme at Falmouth University an...

Dr Simon Andrews

Marcus Simmons

Course Leader, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management MSc

Marcus is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur who in 2016 swapped the board room for the classroom an...

Marcus Simmons

Adrian Bossey

Head of Business & Experience Design

Adrian Bossey is Head of Subject at the Cornwall Business School, Falmouth University and a former a...

Adrian Bossey

Paul Russell

Course Leader - Sustainable Tourism Management and Sustainable Festival Management

Paul Russell started his career in the hospitality, tourism and events sectors after achieving under...

Paul Russell

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Careers

Graduates from this course could go on to work as:

Innovation designers
Product designers
Service designers
In-house designers within organisations across public, private and third sectors
Digital design technicians
Design researchers
Design consultants
Design directors
Sustainability consultants
Doctoral and post-doctoral researchers

How to apply

Applications for 2026 will open soon. In the meantime, please contact one of our course advisors, who can support you with your application.

Have a question?

To find out more about this course, how you'll learn and what funding is available, get in touch with our friendly Course Advisors using our online form:

Ask us a question

We welcome applications from those with relevant equivalent Level 6 (bachelor’s) qualifications. Our typical applicants hold an undergraduate degree of 2:2 or above, or equivalent experience and a demonstrable interest in the subject.

We'll also welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) or learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning that should have been gained within the last five years and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications.

Applicants through Accreditation of Prior Learning using their experience to apply should note there is an application fee for entry with advanced standing or with exemption from specific modules or credit.

International applicants who require a student visa to study in the UK must take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. Our Applicant Services Team can help with any questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests.

If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees for September 2026 will be confirmed in summer 2025.

Typical course costs

We recommend budgeting around £1,000 - £1,500 for a laptop, if not already owned.

Recommended specs:   

Operating System: Windows or Apple MacBook Pro (with dual boot Windows installed)  
RAM: 8GB Minimum, 16GB or higher recommended  
Storage: minimum of 250GB storage capacity  
Screen size: 13” or larger

Software: 

Office 365, free through the University. 
Adobe Creative Cloud (you may be eligible for discounted licenses through Adobe's education pricing).

One-off costs for the duration of the course’s Materials and Healthcare specialisms:

Model making, design and art supplies (such as retractable knives, sketchbooks, safety rulers, sketching pencils, etc.) – approx. £70

Other prototyping/exhibition costs:

£100-£500 - Additional prototyping costs including 3D printing materials, depending on your project choices
£150-£500 - Exhibition costs (printing and binding, final project print, etc.)

Optional study trips

£250-£500 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration

If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.

Postgraduate funding

There are loans, awards, graduate discounts and alternative funding sources for postgraduate studies. Read about them on our Postgraduate Funding page.

Find out about funding

Ask a student

What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?

From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Ask a student

Speak to an advisor

Do you have questions about the course or studying at Falmouth? Fill in our simple online form and we'll get in touch to support your application journey.

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