Graduate Diploma Textile Design

at University of the Arts London

Unit 1 - Research and risk-taking: exploring your practice

This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.
 

• An overview of key textile areas including weave, knit, stitch and print

• Online inductions to learning resources and workshops at Chelsea

• Online lectures introducing you to a variety of applications for textiles within different contexts

• A discovery project that encourages you to locate your practice interests within textile design

• An introduction to textile-specific design principles and research methodologies

• You will write a design statement and sustainable design evaluation of 500-800 words

• Produce a portfolio of project work

• Write a design proposal for your Unit 2 final design project that is underpinned by sustainable, social and repsonsible design research methodologies and practices. 

Unit 2 - Critical and professional contexts: development and realisation

This unit will focus on your future ambitions within textile design.
 

• You will produce a critical research paper contextualising your practice of 2000 words

• Develop your design identity and how this connects to a wider external context

• Produce a portfolio of project work including your design development, prototypes and solutions

• Write a designers’ statement of 500 words

• Present work in the college event

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:
 

• BA (Hons) degree or equivalent academic qualifications

• Evidence of ability in art or design

• Alternative qualifications and experience will also be taken into consideration

• Personal statement

• Portfolio of work

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work and personal statement.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. 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

• A combination of these factors

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

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:
 

• IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking 

We look for:
 

• Evidence of an interest in surfaces, textural qualities and mixed media

• A clear commitment to the chosen field of textile design

• Ability to benefit from the learning environment and experience

• Awareness of contemporary context and ideas

• Some understanding of the role that contemporary critical thought and historical study can play in the development of personal creative work

• Ability to communicate and discuss issues and ideas both verbally and in written form in English

• Awareness of how to communicate with an audience

• Ability to manage your own time and initiate projects

Home fee
£11,550

International fee
£23,610

Students will have gained the skills, knowledge and experience required for further study at MA level.