This unique research-based course is for people who are fascinated by trends and meanings in visual and material culture, and who want to become expert in understanding how surface appearance and changing fashions in diverse fields relate to cultural ideas and values.
Key features
- Study on a full-time or part-time basis, with flexible teaching and learning
- Negotiate your projects to support your personal and professional aspirations
- Learn through an innovative curriculum, studying across fields and genres, focusing on key themes within visual and material culture
- Gain an understanding of the political, social, environmental and ethical implications of style culture
- Learn to communicate your ideas about culture in a professional way, through media such as academic conference papers, documentaries, and journalistic articles
- Attend workshops for creative thinking, writing for different audiences and media, and relevant software like Adobe InDesign, Premiere Pro and Shorthand
- Develop your practical skills in the basics of mobile journalism and communications
- Opportunity to take part in live briefs and collaborations, allowing you to network and gain experience
- Benefit from guest speakers who will share their specialist knowledge, challenge perspectives, and give insight into current cultural developments
- Attend study trips to local and international archives, galleries and trend-forecasting agencies
- Be taught by experienced lecturers who are experts in their field and committed to excellence and innovation in teaching and learning
- Prepare for further study, such as a PhD
- We are proud to be in the top ten in England and Wales for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020).
Student profiles
What you'll study
You’ll learn through the study of core histories and theories, and develop advanced knowledge of academic approaches to key concepts such as glamour, cool, nostalgia, and authenticity.
You’ll communicate your ideas about culture to a range of audiences in professional and innovative ways. Assessments take the form of academic conference papers, short audio / visual presentations, or documentaries and journalistic articles. This will prepare you for careers in cultural research, or as a commentator.
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Year One
Culture, Style and Fashion (180 credit points)
This module is taught in three parts.
Style Matters: Histories and Theories in Style Culture
The first part of this module provides a focused consideration of, and grounding in, the theories available for understanding the role and importance of style in 20th and 21st Century culture.You will address fundamental questions like why style matters, and where trends come from. You’ll examine a range of perspectives on these issues, considering things like class, taste and distinction, branding, identity and cultural appropriation, style in modernism and postmodernism, and consumer culture.You will also develop your journalistic and academic writing skills through tasks, taught sessions, and workshops.
Surface and Depth: themes and methodologies
In this part of the module, you will look closely at core themes in visual and material culture in which style is highly significant.This may include:
- glamour, cool and authenticity
- nostalgia, vintage and retro
- technophilia, futurism and innovation
- romanticism, individualism and escape
- nihilism, risk and deathliness
- kitsch, cute and quirky
You will evaluate the benefits and limitations of a thematic approach, and consider the range of appropriate methodologies for the advanced study of style culture. This will prepare you for the final part of the module and potential further study at PhD level.
You will continue to develop and innovate ways of documenting research and of expressing research outcomes to a range of audiences. You’ll use simple audio-visual methods, and be supported by specialist demonstration and tuition.
Negotiated Independent Research Project
The final part of the module provides you with an opportunity to negotiate a substantial independent research project and outcomes, relevant to your personal or professional aspirations. This will allow you to create a substantial body of knowledge and skills which are academically rigorous and vocationally relevant, creative, and push the boundaries in this field.There is scope for you to collaborate with other students or external agencies during this project. You might research, devise and co-create a short documentary; undertake a research project to inform a design company’s approach to a new product; or produce a body of journalism for a specific publication. Alternatively, you could focus on researching and writing a substantial Masters thesis.
The work you produce will be negotiated with your tutor to ensure that the required quality, currency, depth and breadth of enquiry is achievable. You will receive ongoing support for your project through supervisory meetings and group tutorials.
Course specification
View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change
Learn to communicate your ideas about culture in a professional way, through media such as documentaries and journalistic articles.
How you’re taught
Teaching and learning experiences may include:
- reading groups
- seminars
- lectures
- workshops
- group and individual tutorials
- off-site activities such as exhibitions, cultural events, and study trips
- team working
- directed and self-directed learning
- NTU’s online workspace
Find out when our postgraduate term dates for the School of Art & Design are. Please note that these are slightly different to other Schools within the University.
Assessment
Assessment is 100% based on coursework.
Style Matters: Histories and Theories in Style Culture
- 5,000-word essay plus two pieces of journalism of 700 words each
Surface and Depth: Themes and Methodologies
- Two negotiated written or visual outcomes of 2,000 words each
- audio / visual presentation
- individual 20-minute symposium presentation of 2,000 words
Negotiated Independent Research Project
- 15,000-word thesis
- two academic journal articles of 5,000 to 7,000 words each
- a negotiated range of outcomes – for example, one conference paper plus one five-minute audio / visual presentation, and three journalistic articles of 2,000 words each
Benefit from guest speakers who will share their specialist knowledge, challenge perspectives, and give insight into current cultural developments.
Staff profiles
Careers and employability
This course will help you to develop a range of postgraduate attributes including:
- independence and self-direction
- literacy
- team-working
- communication in a range of media
- the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
Graduates from this course will be equipped with expert and current knowledge and skills relevant to a range of potential careers and further study. These include:
- cultural journalism across a range of subjects and media
- authoring cultural books and commentary for a wider audience
- research and consultancy where understanding of trends and issues affecting consumers is needed
- curation or communication roles in cultural institutions such as museums and galleries
- teaching at further education or higher education level
- progression to PhD study with the goal of teaching and / or research
Connections with Industry
Where possible, live or realistic briefs will provide opportunities with real vocational purpose and value, allowing you to network and gain relevant experience for careers in academia and beyond.
For example, you’ll prepare an academic paper for NTU’s annual Visual and Material Delights symposium. There may also be opportunities to collaborate with other students to provide content for Notts TV, to curate a film season, or to write articles to a brief set by a magazine. You’ll be able to negotiate with your tutor the form your final outcomes take, allowing you to build on your strengths and tailor your experience towards a chosen professional field.
Guest speakers will enrich the course with specialist academic knowledge, challenging perspectives and providing insight into current cultural developments and the relevant creative industries.
Within the department trips are offered each year to various cultural centres, which you may be able to participate in. Visits to observe and engage in current cultural events relevant to the course will be offered too.
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.
Pursue a career in journalism, communications, cultural research, academia, further study at PhD level or as an author.
Facilities
Collaborative working spaces within the Barnes Wallis building.
As an MA Culture, Style and Fashion student you’ll be taught at the City Campus in the heart of Nottingham. You’ll be based in the Barnes Wallis building – a newly refurbished space dedicated to our students studying practical-based fashion courses.
You’ll have access to specialised resources across the School of Art & Design and wider University, including:
- an IT suite with PCs equipped with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
- library resources relevant to the study of fashion, textiles, knitwear, culture and style
- extensive academic journals and databases for visual research like The Vogue Archive, and Kanopy – which offers access to an amazing collection of contemporary and historical documentary resources for art, design and fashion culture
- The Fashion Map, a unique archive of garments, photographs and interviews representing high street fashion from the last few decades
- the Lace Archive, with over 75,000 samples of heritage lace
- Boningtons Art Shop
- Bonington Gallery
- Café Bonington
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
- 2.1 honours degree in a related subject.
- Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and / or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Other requirements:
- An interview
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
What are we looking for?
- 2.1 honours degree in a related subject.
- Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and / or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Other requirements:
- IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each skill)
If you hold international qualifications, take a look at the alternative qualifications we accept for this course.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you need to show us that your language skills are strong enough for intensive academic study. You can check our language requirements and list of accepted English language tests. Your British Council office can tell you where you can take an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test locally. Applicants who have taken a higher degree at a UK university don't usually have to meet this requirement.
Pre-masters courses
Are you an international student whose qualifications don't meet the entry requirements? You can do a pre-masters course at Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC). The college is on our City Campus and NTIC students can use all of the University's facilities.
Next steps
Please also take a look at our International students page and our application guide for international students, which are full of advice and information about the University.
If you need any more help or information, please contact our International team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200. Alternatively, you can get in touch with our staff at the International Development Office, who are always happy to help. Or speak to one of our official NTU representatives for your country.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying.
Application deadline
You can apply for this course throughout the year, but we'd recommend that applications should be received by the end of July for entry in September.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieve, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates' guide. Here you'll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying.
Application deadline
You can apply for this course throughout the year, but we'd recommend that applications should be received by the end of July for entry in September.
Make sure you take into account the time required to apply for a visa (if applicable) before applying.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieve, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates' guide. Here you'll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.
Next steps
Please also take a look at our International students page and our application guide for international students, which are full of advice and information about the University.
If you need any more help or information, please contact our International team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200. Alternatively, you can speak to one of our official NTU representatives for your country.
Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
Fees and funding
Fees for 2021 entry are yet to be confirmed. As a guide, the 2020 entry fees are below.
| Course | Home / EU full-time | Home / EU part-time |
|---|---|---|
| MA Fashion Design | £8,200 | n/a |
| MA Fashion Knitwear Design | £8,200 | n/a |
| MA Textile Design Innovation | £8,200 | n/a |
| MA Culture, Style and Fashion | £8,200 | £4,100 per year* |
| MA Fashion and Textile Design | n/a | £4,100 per year* |
| MA Fashion and Creative Pattern Cutting | £8,200 | n/a |
* Fee amounts are per year and will increase each year in line with inflation, capped at no more than 5%.
Alumni Loyalty Scheme - 20% fee discount
We're happy to be able to offer a 20% fee discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU graduates.
See if you're eligible.
Postgraduate loans
The government introduced a new postgraduate loans scheme in the 2016/17 academic year for Masters degrees. The loan will be a contribution towards the costs of study and it will be at the student's discretion to use the loan towards fees, maintenance costs or other costs.
Scholarships
We are offering a number of scholarships for Masters study.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service on
+44 (0)115 848 2494.
Find out more about our terms and conditions of study for this course.
Fees for 2021 entry are yet to be confirmed. As a guide, the 2020 entry fees are below.
| Course | International full-time | International part-time |
|---|---|---|
| MA Fashion Design | £15,100 | n/a |
| MA Fashion Knitwear Design | £15,100 | n/a |
| MA Textile Design Innovation | £15,100 | n/a |
| MA Culture, Style and Fashion | £15,100 | £7,550 per year* |
| MA Fashion and Textile Design | n/a | £7,500 per year* |
| MA Fashion and Creative Pattern Cutting | £15,100 | n/a |
* Fee amounts are per year and will increase each year in line with inflation, capped at no more than 5%.
Alumni Loyalty Scheme - 20% fee discount
We're happy to be able to offer a 20% fee discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU graduates.
See if you're eligible.
International scholarships
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to international students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Please take a look at our International students page for information about fees, scholarships for international students, visas and much more.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494