We have over 40 years of expertise in fashion design, and this course has been designed to help you to develop your creative, academic and professional potential. You'll devise an individual programme of study, in the form of a project, which could be focused on your career aspirations, or an experimental investigation into fashion, art and fabrication. We will support you through flexible and responsive teaching and learning, helping you to explore and challenge the limits of fashion design.
Key features
- Devise an individual programme of study, based on your own interests and career aspirations.
- Receive workshops in 2D / 3D design, silhouette generation, creative pattern cutting and fashion visualisation.
- Apply for one of our Paul Smith Scholarships and have the opportunity to travel to Japan and study at Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo.
- Benefit from visiting professionals from industry such as Simeon Farrar, Jo Cope, Moxham, Christopher Raeburn, and Sir Tom Baker.
- Have the opportunity to join a European study trip to Antwerp and Paris.
- Take advantage of our extensive links with industry.
- Have the opportunity to exhibit your work at New Designers in London.
- Work alongside other Fashion, Textiles and Knitwear Design students in our dedicated postgraduate studio.
- Opt for a 20 credit point advanced research module if you're thinking of progressing to PhD or Professional Doctorate study.
- Work with fellow students, practitioners and academic staff from different cultures and backgrounds.
How you're taught
Teaching and learning experiences will include:
- lectures;
- tutorials;
- seminars;
- inductions;
- workshops;
- live projects;
- study visits;
- self-directed research; and
- independent studio practice.
Assessment
Assessment is 100% by coursework and involves:
- Project Proposal;
- supporting fashion research and development work;
- evidence of reflective practice;
- experimental designs;
- formal presentation of key developments;
- resolved fashion designs and collection; and
- portfolio and CV.
Careers and employability
This course leads to a wide range of career opportunities including:
- designer;
- buyer;
- merchandiser;
- production manager;
- trend forecasting; and
- styling within companies and brands.
Some graduates also use this course to support careers in teaching, lecturing, journalism and progression to MPhil or PhD study.
Recent graduates have set up their own successful businesses, progressed to further study, or work within related careers in the fashion and textile design sector. Others have returned to their previous job with a renewed focus and enhanced career prospects.
If you are interested in starting your own creative business, the University provides start-up training and support through The Hive, our centre for entrepreneurship and enterprise.
Professional practice
If relevant to your project you will have the option to organise and undertake internships, learn entrepreneurship skills through business development courses (such as The Hive's HeadStart programme), and attend events held by our Employability Team and other organisations.
You will also be encouraged to undertake research into fashion, textile or knitwear design companies, or appropriate contexts, for retailing or showcasing your completed project.
You will be invited to collaborate in projects and attend research events and symposia. Recent exhibitions our students have been involved in include:
- Crafting Anatomies;
- Knitting Nottingham;
- Closely Held Secrets;
- DE NATURA; and
- Journeys in Lace: Parts 1 & 2 (Lace: Here: Now).
Study visits to exhibitions in London have recently included:
- The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the Barbican; and
- ARTIST TEXTILES Picasso to Warhol at the Fashion and Textile Museum.
An optional annual trip to Antwerp and Paris has included visits to:
- Dries Van Noten - Inspirations;
- Happy Birthday Dear Academie!; and
- Madame Grès: Sculptural Fashion.
During this trip student have also visited:
- Première Vision (incorporating Indigo and Yarntex);
- MatériO; and
- Li Edelkoort's Trend Union studio.
You will also be invited to submit your work to be considered for exhibition at London's New Designers, a prestigious graduate design show, and other subject and student-run initiatives at the University and across the city.
YouFirst – working with our Employability Team
Our friendly, experienced careers consultants will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice you won't find in a book or on the internet. You can benefit from this at any time during your studies and up to three years after completing your course.
Get inspired
Take a look at a recent zine produced by our graduating Masters students to get a flavour of the innovation and creativity that goes on within the School of Art & Design.
Facilities
You'll be based in the Bonington building, a dedicated centre for Art and Design. Facilities and equipment include:
- a postgraduate studio, where you will have space to work alongside other practice-based Art and Design students;
- fashion studios: with industry-standard pattern cutting tables and garment production machinery;
- fabric store;
- laser cutting: fabric laser cutting and laser engraving;
- digital print facility with Mimaki TX2 digital fabric printers;
- print room: hand screen printing, transfer printing, collograph printing;
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) suite; and
- IT suite with PCs equipped with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
