MA Fashion Design

at Birmingham City University

COURSE IN DEPTH

Modules

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 140 credits):

 

Portfolio 1
40 credits

 

The main portfolio module at the PgCert stage focuses on the relationship between the creator and their work, including their ability to express issues and strategies, design content, deal with technical issues and manage a personal project.

 

Professional Practice
20 credits

 

This PG Cert module aims to broaden your understanding and knowledge appropriate to the subjects and practices in the course. The purpose of this module is to gain a deeper understanding of your Programme of Study and how it relates to the wider context within the world of fashion and textiles. This is supported by a range of tutorials, seminars, lectures and progress reviews.

 

Research Strategy
20 credits

 

The aim of this PG Dip module is to encourage you to engage in the strategic planning and project management of work activities and studies relating to your Programme of Study, personal development and career objectives.

 

Major Project
60 credits

 

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise.

 

The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practical outcome with accompanying reflective, critical and contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be relevant to your programme and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

 

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.

 

Garment Construction and Technology
40 credits

 

This PG Dip module encourages you to be proactive in the pursuit of gaining knowledge or seeking out professional views and opinions within your chosen discipline.

 

Portfolio 2
40 credits

 

The purpose of this PG Dip module is to build on your knowledge and experience from Portfolio 1, while introducing professionalism and employability into your work. This module aims to promote your creativity, aesthetic sensibility and an in-depth knowledge of a personally selected area of specialisation.

 

Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

Essential Requirements

Either a good Honours Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent qualifications and experience.

A digital portfolio is a required as part of your application. This should evidence competency in those skills relevant to the area of practice you would like to focus on for your MA study, for example fashion design and garment construction.

IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MA Starting: Sep 2022
Full Time 1 year £16,300 in 2022/23

Enhancing employability skills

 

Our programme is designed to ensure that upon graduating, you are:

 

• A better and more confident designer
• A reflective practitioner who has learnt how to keep developing as a designer
• An independent thinker and researcher able to initiate your own creative projects individually and/or collaboratively
• Able to conceptualise and discuss the nature of your work both orally and in writing
• Critically aware of the context of your creative practice relative to the marketplace and the wider culture

The successful completion of the course will deepen your practical and theoretical insights and techniques, giving you the confidence to build your own professional career as a designer. You will also develop your critical skills such that you can form, evaluate and communicate complex concepts that reflect your individuality and independent thought.

 

You will develop your creativity, your aesthetic sensibility and an in-depth knowledge of a personally chosen area of specialisation, which will equip you with the necessary skills to gain meaningful employment.

 

The course regularly invites alumni back to share their experiences since graduating. This will help you to clarify and deepen your understanding of the professional context of your practical work and your own professional ambitions.

 

PLACEMENTS

 

Live collaborations, internships and work experience can form part of your projects and studies, and you’ll benefit from the networking opportunities this provides on an individual basis.

 

You are encouraged, particularly during the PgDip and MA stages of the course, to seek external experiences and feedback from professionals and companies active in fashion design. 

 

Often students can arrange placements to begin immediately after they have finished the course.  You are able to identify companies or places for work experience through the Research Strategy module. The course team will also help you apply for, or prepare for, placements and work experiences.