MA Fashion Communication: Fashion Critical Studies

at University of the Arts London

MA Fashion Communication is designed to further progress your specialist skills. The course equips you with the skills needed for employment in the fashion communication industry at the highest level. Strong emphasis is placed on personal and professional development. The curriculum is enhanced by the energy which comes from the fusion of students across the pathways. You will interact with students from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. As part of this, you will be expected to learn and problem-solve from their experience as well as your own.  

At key points in the year, you will interact with students on the MA Fashion course. Together, you will explore and participate in fashion communication projects in a live context. The course responds to external opportunities, integrating them into the timetable when possible. In January and February, the build-up to the MA Fashion show at London Fashion Week will allow you to take part in the organisation, production and communication of an international fashion show and exhibition. In May, there are opportunities to work with the BA Fashion students as they prepare for their degree show and exhibition.  

Unit 1: Investigation 

Unit 1 is devised to challenge your assumptions and broaden your thinking. It will encourage to develop greater knowledge of your specialist subject, as well as the international aspects of the fashion communications industry. You will also study fashion and its histories within the context of art and design theory and practice. This will deepen your understanding of the impact of the social, economic and cultural role of fashion in society. You will explore the disciplines, rigour, operational aspects and the inter-disciplinary nature of the fashion industry. You will acquire a commercial and market awareness in order to gain an international perspective. 

This is complemented by first-hand observation of how fashion collections are created and how fashion designers work. One project in this unit will allow you to work collaboratively with MA Fashion students as they prepare for their show during London Fashion Week. This mutually beneficial project may involve analysis of the designers’ collections and the creation of visual or written content to promote their collections. 

Unit 2: Specialist Major Project – Planning, Preparation and Negotiated Phase 

The skills, knowledge and new approaches you acquire during Unit 1 will support and inform your direction in the planning, preparation and negotiation of your self-initiated major project in Unit 2.  

Unit 3: Specialist Major Project – Realisation and Presentation Phase  

Having completed Unit 2, in the final unit of the course you will fully realise and present your major project.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
 

• First-class or upper second-class honours degree from art and design BA courses or from disciplines such as history, literature, languages, history of art, visual culture, film studies and media studies

• Or an equivalent EU/international qualification.

AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. 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

Or a combination of these factors.

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

English language requirements

IELTS level 7.0 or above, with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking

Home fee
£12,650

International fee
£26,660

The Fashion Critical Studies pathway responds to new and expanding employment opportunities in the fashion industry and beyond, whereby academic research skills are required for research roles in museums, business and education. Students will find employment in media as journalists and researchers, in business as archivists and brand managers, in museums and galleries as curators and researchers, in academia as researchers and lecturers. Some students will go on to pursue advanced research towards a PhD in this area.