Relational Design

Entry requirements

We invite applications from mid-career professionals or graduates of architecture, design, engineering and business; applicants with other backgrounds, such as ecology, or geography, are also welcome. All applicants are judged on their individual merits, plus work or business experience.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Relational Design Masters is an exciting new approach to the development of wellness-related products and services for a region. Framed by the opportunity presented by the three trillion euro wellness industry, its focus areas are adventure, tourism, and education.

You will learn how to combine a region’s social, technological and ecological assets in ways that create new livelihoods, viable services, and sustainable enterprises.

The Masters is not theoretical. It is designed to help you make a positive step-change in a live project. Your research efforts will be therefore be delivered in the form of a Business Proposal, an Exhibition, and a public Presentation to stakeholders and peers.

Our faculty and in-house experts will help you develop and tell your story effectively. Throughout the course, you will have access to our senior advisor, John Thackara – during his visits for live crits, and 1:1 on skype at other times.

The course is people and place-centred, technology-enabled, and design-led. It equips you with practical skills in design, prototyping new products and services, and business model innovation.

The Masters is based in one of Europe’s most resilient regions. North Wales enjoys unspoiled land, clean air and biodiversity; abundant water; sea; low population density – and ancient but still thriving cultural roots. The North Wales region boasts a dynamic innovation ecosystem of local firms, makers, hackers, and the North Wales Tech Community.

The course is based in Bangor University’s Pontio Centre. This thriving arts and innovation centre serves as an interface between education, research, and local social and business communities. You will have access to a range of world-class academic experts, including for example environmental science, sport science and psychology, as well as computer science and electronic engineering specialists.

Internationally, the Masters is connected in live projects with cities and anchor institutions active in Transition and Territorial Design, Health, Wellness, and Tourism. We are also involved in networks that are developing new business and governance models such as Cooperation Platforms.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) score

The 2014 Research Excellence Framework recognised that more than three-quarters of Bangor’s research is either world-leading or internationally excellent. Based on the University submission of 14 Units of Assessment, 77% of the research was rated in the top two tiers of research quality, ahead of the average for all UK universities.

Information for international students

We have many years’ experience of making offers of entry based on qualifications awarded worldwide and we welcome applications from international students. Entry will require a qualification deemed to be equivalent in level to the UK bachelor degree. International applicants are normally required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. The minimum English language requirements will normally be:

• IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each individual component score
• Pearson PTE: a score of 62 (with no element lower than 58)
• Cambridge English Test – Advanced: 176 (with no element lower than 169)

For information and further detailed guidance on entry requirements for International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages on the International Education Centre section of our website.