MA Fashion

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

• A first or upper second-class honours degree in Fashion Design, Knitwear or Printed Textiles with a strong fashion bias 
• Or An equivalent EU / international qualification.

AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. 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
• Or a combination of these factors.

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

For fees and funding information, please see website 

MA Fashion graduates have established notable careers as Designers and Design Directors worldwide, some have chosen to build reputations under their own labels.

Alexander McQueen, Alistair Mackie | AnOther Man, Professor Andrew Groves, Ann-Sofie Back, Ashish, Bora Aksu, Charles Jeffrey, Charlotte Knowles, Christoffer Lundman | Tiger of Sweden, Christopher Kane, Christopher Shannon, Chopova_Lowena, Craig Green, David Koma, Daniel Lee | Bottega Veneta, Eftychia, Faustine Steinmetz, J JS Lee, John Alexander Skelton, Kiko Kostadinov, Kim Jones | Dior Homme, Louise Gray, Mark Fast, Marques 'Almeida, Mary Katrantzou, Masha Ma, Matty Bovan, Halpern, Palmer Harding, Peter Jensen, Phoebe English, Rejina Pyo, Richard Nicoll, Richard Quinn, Roksanda, Rottingdean Bazaar, Sadie Williams, Sies Marjan, Shelley Fox, Simone Rocha, Stefan Cook, Todd Lynn, Yuhan Wang.

Destinations for our alumni as designers and design directors include:

Acne Studio, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Bottega, Veneta, Brioni, Burberry, Chloé, Coach, Christian Dior, Courrèges, Diane Von Furstemberg, Dries Van Noten, Dunhill, Emilio Pucci, Givenchy, Gucci, Helmut Lang, J.W.Anderson, Jil Sander, Kenzo, Lemaire, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Lululemon, Maison Margiela, Marc Jacobs, Margaret Howell, Marni, McQ, Missoni, Mulberry, Neil Barrett, Paul Smith, Ports 1961, Prada, Pucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, Tiger of Sweden, Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch, Uniqlo, Valentino, Vera Wang, Versace, Victoria Beckham, Yeezy.

Unit 1: Knowledge and Skills 

This initial unit consists in learning through dialogue in practice. Projects are designed to make you reflect on your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Discussions question your assumptions with the aim of broadening your perspective on fashion as the core subject of study.  

Individual and group tutorials and critiques will allow you to discuss your approach to research, development processes, making and communication of responsible design. Workshops and seminars will facilitate learning and discuss design and identity, accountability, and planetary justice. These sessions encourage discussion of shared ground and differing concerns and help you think through and formulate your ideas. 

Unit 2:  Collaborative Practices for Common Good 

Unit 2 provides opportunities for inter- and cross- disciplinary research and practice co-operation with other postgraduate courses at Central Saint Martins. 

You will undertake this collaborative unit during the Spring term. This collaboration is designed to offer a robust framework for developing practice across the College in relation to the University’s social purpose ‘to change society through our knowledge and creativity’. 

Unit 3: Independent Projects [Pre-collection; Independent Major Project, Part 1  

–Rationale, Research, and Initial Design Development Portfolio] 

Unit 3 focuses on a combination of independent and industry-led project briefs. 

Individual tutorials and group critiques will allow you to discuss your approach to research, development processes, making and communication.  

In this unit, learning involves investigative methods, risk-taking and critical self-assessment. Pre-collection will allow you to investigate ideas and test solutions in practice. Some will inform the writing of your Rationale (research proposal/reasons and aims) for your Independent Major Project, Part 1 – Portfolio, which will include a substantial body of preliminary research and initial design development.  

Wholly digital outcomes for projects and unit assessment are possible. 

Unit 4: Independent Major Project - Part 2 – Realisation 

The rationale, research and design development produced in Unit 3 will form the basis of this final course unit, which will allow you to focus on the making and realisation of your Major Project. Throughout the unit, you will be supported to plan, develop and complete your self-led development work, receive individual supervision and in-progress feedback during timetabled garment fitting sessions to advance your professional and academic skills to a level that prepares you for post-graduation practices.  

Two substantial outcomes will be required to achieve your MA. These usually include a comprehensive design portfolio and a garment collection demonstrating your specialist knowledge. Wholly digital outcomes for projects and unit assessment are possible. 

Important note concerning academic progression through your course: If you are required to retake a unit you will need to cease further study on the course until you have passed the unit concerned. Once you have successfully passed this unit, you will be able to proceed onto the next unit. Retaking a unit might require you to take time out of study, which could affect other things such as student loans or the visa status for international students.