MA Costume

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

• BA (Hons) degree or equivalent academic qualifications
• Alternative qualifications and experience will also be taken into consideration
• Personal statement
• Portfolio of work

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work and personal statement.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

• Related academic or work experience
• The quality of the personal statement
• A strong academic or other professional reference
• A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.  

For fees and funding information, please see website 

Unit 1 – Research into practice

You’ll explore the construction methods and historical contexts of garments. This will be investigated through the deep analysis of visual sources. For example, through portraiture, photography, existing clothing artefacts and other relevant archival sources. 

In response to the research, you’ll:

• develop your realisation skills through practical studio practices and workshops, transforming your discoveries into a 3-dimensional costume artefact
• experience and apply creative costume-making strategies to explore practical responses to methods of representation and realisation
• start regular conversations with your tutor to create a plan that helps you shape and achieve your goals for your final project.

Unit 2 – Sustaining the future

You’ll investigate the social and political value of historical fabrics and their production industries through archival research and their representations in the creative industries. 

You’ll also explore the conservation of textiles and techniques and conditions for their restoration. This research will uncover any sustainable and social impacts on future decision-making processes related to current costume practices and fabrication. 

Unit 3 – Realising the past

You’ll build on and strengthen your costume and materials research from the previous units. 

You’ll utilise theoretical and practical skills to create a practical artefact that will aim to:

• reflect historical depth
• address social contexts for a contemporary audience
• demonstrate awareness of carbon footprint in its production. 

You may also explore contemporary digital processes to promote these costume realisation requirements.

Unit 4 - Costume and audience

This unit involves choosing, planning and creating a thoroughly researched costume. The decision-making skills that you’ve developed throughout your studies will be applied to this final piece. 

Your costume will need to be historically accurate. You’ll apply your research findings and make ethical decisions in your work, presenting them thoughtfully to contemporary audiences. Achieving your research goals will involve collaborating with others and showing your grasp of the diverse aspects of costume design.   

Your work will also be documented in a process portfolio that will reflect your progress. This will set out your commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, showcasing your skills and expertise as a costume practitioner.

Note: 120 Credits must be passed before the final unit is undertaken