Employment options for art and design postgraduates

With a postgraduate art and design degree you have a variety of career options available.

For many, the desired route will be one that allows them to continue to express their creativity and flair in a receptive environment. Others may want to use their research abilities to explore new career paths. Finding your way forward is all about understanding your preferences and how you want to apply your knowledge and skills.

A career in art and design after postgraduate study

Academic teaching is a popular route after a postgraduate course in art, design or media, but it needn't be your sole occupation. Many postgraduates who lecture in their fields are also actively employed within the industry itself: it's possible to combine lecturing with freelance work, allowing you to combine your passion for design with sharing your expertise with like-minded students.

However, academia is far from your only option. The practical and research skills that you'll have developed on your postgraduate course will be a big advantage in helping you secure the job of your choice, and the increase in industry-specific postgraduate courses (for instance, animation and photography) has led to art and design postgraduates being better equipped than ever to face life after study. Depending on your field of expertise, there will be work ranging from fixed-term contracts to permanent positions on offer. Whatever you do, you'll have plenty of opportunities to get out there and start creating a working portfolio.

As with all postgraduate courses, there is also the option of further study. For example, you could progress from an MA to an MPhil or PhD. If you already possess one of the higher research qualifications, there may be paid research opportunities at a variety of academic institutions or via an initiative funded by an external body such as the AHRC (Arts & Humanities Research Council).

Other career options

Art, design and media postgraduates bring many other skills to the table in addition to their specialist knowledge - research and practical skills are invaluable assets to their CV. The emergence of art and design courses combined with a business discipline is also helping postgraduates to pursue careers in business. Should you decide that you want to move in this direction, a multidisciplinary postgraduate course will prove invaluable. 

Build a portfolio

Many postgraduates are enthusiastic about the idea of working freelance. Who wouldn't want to be their own boss? However, it isn't the most straightforward career move and a considerable degree of hands-on industry experience is usually essential to make a success of freelance working. You may not feel that you are suited to that style of self-managed working, preferring more conventional employment within a commercial or non-profit organisation. Either way, after you've finished your postgraduate course it will be time for you to get out there and start making a name for yourself in whichever professional path you choose. Jump at the chance of getting involved with exciting projects and don't let the creative streak you've developed go to waste. Remember that the most important component when designing a winning portfolio is you.