MA MA Pattern and Garment Technology

The course seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

• a clear interest in the study of innovative approaches to pattern and garment technology;
• an interest in developing creative technical solutions to current and future industry problems;
• relevant experience of fashion pattern development and garment construction;
• a capacity for intellectual enquiry and reflective thought;
• a developed and mature attitude to independent study and intellectual growth.

Admissions Procedures

The course seeks to recruit students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and welcomes applications from mature students. The selection procedures for the course fully comply with the Equal Opportunities Policy of UAL. 

Your future employability is central to all our courses and as a student with us you’ll have access to a wealth of resources to prepare you for your future career in the fashion industry. Graduate Futures is our dedicated employability team who will work with you throughout your time with us to get you ready for employment. There are also a variety of opportunities on the course to enhance your employability.

Industry engagement

Students on the course gain valuable exposure to the fashion industry through the Collaborative Challenge unit, working directly with industry professionals on real-world projects. Recent guest speakers have included Diana Kakkar of MAES London and denim innovator Mohsin Sajid of ENDRIME, who delivered exclusive insights into cutting-edge industry practices and forward-thinking design processes.

Through these collaborations, students have the opportunity to apply their creative and technical skills to real-world briefs and gain a deeper understanding of professional practice. Although the course doesn't include a formal placement year, it’s designed with industry engagement at its core, offering valuable connections and real-world projects that equip you with practical, career-ready experience.

Potential careers

The course is divided into three 15 week Blocks, which are 60 credits each. 

Block 1 consists of 1 school specific 20 credit unit and 1 course specific 40 credit unit:

Collaborative Challenge (20 credits)

This unit is your opportunity to innovate and explore developmental processes and engage with collaborative working practices. You’ll develop your professional negotiation, teamwork and networking skills that are essential in the cultural, entrepreneurial and creative industries. The emphasis of this unit is on cross-disciplinary student-led collaboration. You can engage with industry and college-based briefs. 

Pattern and Garment Technology (40 credits)

This unit focuses on building your technical skills and creativity, helping you expand your practical abilities. Through lectures and workshops, you’ll learn about pattern cutting techniques and manufacturing processes while being introduced to the resources and facilities available to support your work. The project will involve in-depth research, experimentation, and analysis, resulting in a portfolio of work showcasing your creative and technical skills in pattern cutting and garment construction.  

Block 2 consists of 1 cross-college 20 credit unit and 1 course specific 40 credit unit:

Research Proposal (20 credits)

Developing effective research approaches is key to success in your Master’s project and career. This unit explores theoretical perspectives on your practice and discipline, helping define your research philosophy. You'll build core capabilities and create a theoretically grounded proposal using primary and secondary methods. You'll develop a framework connecting theory and practice, formulate research questions, and ensure your study is ethical, achievable, and critical, with potential for interdisciplinary exploration.

Technical Analysis and Development (40 credits)

This unit focuses on developing and evaluating your studio practice through in-depth research and experimentation. You’ll explore diverse methods while considering the impact of the climate emergency and global socio-political contexts. Following industrial Critical Path stages, you'll create prototypes and test technical skills. Emphasis is placed on sustainable, equitable practices, challenging conventional production, and using both traditional and digital techniques to propose innovative, responsible solutions for the fashion industry.

Block 3 is the 60 credit Masters project unit:

Masters Project (60 credits)