MA Fashion Styling (Professional Placement)

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: Concepts and Treatments
40 credits

 

The main portfolio module at PGCert stage focuses on the relationship between you and your work. The purpose of this module is to enable you to critically and creatively explore a broad area of practical and theoretical dimensions surrounding your personal Programme of Study, creating focus which will inform your development to Diploma stage.

 

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.

 

Critical Issues in Fashion Media
40 credits

 

The purpose of this PG Dip module is to enable you to identify and frame your research relative to the context of your Programme of Study. The module brings to fruition your developments from the Certificate stage, exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. The module aims to improve your powers of reflection, critical and contextual evaluation and to help you develop applied scholarship in relation to an area of professional practice defined within your programme of study.

 

Portfolio: Short Projects
40 credits

 

The purpose of this PG Dip module is to identify and perceive the nature of professionalism relative to the context of your Programme of Study.

 

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

Essential Requirements

 

Essential
Either a degree in a relevant subject such as fashion design, fashion communication, photography or media practice 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 18 months (including Professional Placement - see below*) £17,930 in 2022/23

Enhancing your employability skills

 

You’ll experience excellent opportunities for work experience and live industry briefs, giving you practical, professional exposure and an awareness of the challenges and opportunities in the fashion styling sector.

 

In addition to our expert staff, you will meet a wide range of visitors from industry who will offer insight into current business practices and issues.

 

Your research and experience of presenting your work in a professional manner makes you highly aware of current trends, cultural matters and industry practise.

 

You’ll also learn about working in teams and benefit from collaborating with other students across our extensive postgraduate fashion community.

 

The course is designed to ensure that upon graduating, you are:

 

• A better and more confident fashion communicator
• A reflective individual who has learnt how to keep developing as a fashion media professional
• 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 professional practice relative to the marketplace and the wider culture

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.

 

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 styling. 

 

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 Skills module. The course team will also help you apply for, or prepare for, placements and work experiences.