How Falmouth’s online MAs are helping creatives refresh, refocus and move forward

At some point in your career, you might feel the pull to shake things up. Maybe it’s a desire to pivot into a new field, to add weight to your practice, or simply to give yourself permission to experiment again. For many of us, though, stepping away from work or personal commitments to take on further study just isn’t realistic. That’s exactly the gap Falmouth University has been working to fill.

With over 120 years of art school history and nearly a decade running online MAs, the university has built courses that are flexible without cutting corners. They’ve designed the programmes in-house, on a bespoke platform that makes collaboration possible across time zones, and they continue to evolve with industry needs and student feedback. Students can even try it out themselves to see how it works day to day. “Your cohort could be working in a design studio already, juggling family demands, or making a complete career shift,” says Bryan Clarke, head of the Graphic Design course. “That mix of life experience and perspective is what makes it exciting, it’s like a global studio in your own home.”

That global studio extends far beyond Cornwall. A student in Falmouth might be trading feedback with someone in Canada while another dials in from Lagos. For Jane Pugh, who teaches film and television, this community is the beating heart of online study. “Anyone can apply – whether you’re eight months pregnant, a full-time chef, or both,” she says. “If you’re a moving image storyteller, wherever you are, you’ve a home with us. The online courses have opened up a massive world of learning, collaboration and opportunity, and that’s something I really celebrate.”

The platform itself is central to how the courses work. It’s been built to do more than upload briefs or reading lists. Students share their work, give each other feedback, and collaborate across continents in ways that wouldn’t be possible in a traditional classroom. Jane recalls a particularly striking example: students in the UK, Canada, and Australia co-created a poetic documentary on 16mm film. Their first collaboration toured the festival circuit, and they’re already planning the next. “Robust teaching support, technology and a willingness to communicate is the magic formula,” Jane says. “And there’s the online student bar too – the WhatsApp groups we lecturers aren’t invited to, where they’re either talking about their latest TV binge or helping each other with technical challenges. It keeps the community alive.”

Ken Yiu, a tutor on the UX Design MA, explains how he brings his professional experience into the classroom. He translates industry practice into interactive, accessible formats, using tools like Miro to turn methods into collaborative activities. “The platform does more than deliver learning materials – it creates a space for peer learning and collaboration,” he says. “Students can share their work, exchange feedback, and explore multiple approaches to the same design challenge. That kind of engagement across cultures and time zones gives students a truly global perspective on problem-solving and creativity.”

The impact of the courses goes beyond technical skill. For many students, the biggest change is the confidence they gain and the clarity it brings to their career path. Bryan recalls Mark Ruffle, a mature illustrator who joined the MA in Graphic Design. By expanding his lens beyond illustration, Mark refreshed his practice, re-evaluated his portfolio, and took a step into teaching, bringing his learning directly into the classroom. “It’s a wonderful example of how stepping out of your current work pattern to reflect and review direction allows you to strengthen existing skills while discovering new possibilities,” Bryan says.

Jane is quick to challenge the notion that postgraduate study is optional if you’re already established. “The biggest myth is that you don’t need an MA. This is about investment in you and your creativity, to test your ideas and see what you’re capable of. The qualification is a badge of honour that opens doors. It’s about seeing the potential for growth, not just ticking a box.”

Beyond the individual growth, Falmouth’s online courses are designed to mirror the realities of modern creative work. The platform enables connections with live client briefs, access to tutors actively working in their industries, and a global peer network that reflects the way studios operate today. Projects are designed to celebrate students’ different locales, cultures, and thinking, giving each cohort a diversity of perspectives that is rare even in on-campus programmes. For Bryan, that combination of heritage, innovation, and global reach is what sets Falmouth apart.

Whether you’re looking to pivot into a new field, deepen your practice, or simply give yourself permission to experiment again, the online master’s programmes offer a flexible and challenging environment. Students can fit their study around work, family, or other commitments while gaining access to the expertise, networks, and global perspective that have long been hallmarks of Falmouth University. It’s a space where ideas can be tested, creativity can flourish, and careers can evolve.