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Fashion and Textiles MA
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: 2 years (90 weeks)
- Study Mode(s): Part-time (day)
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
This specialist, flexible part-time course provides the opportunity for you to explore and develop your own specialism within Fashion, Textiles or Knitwear Design.
The MA Fashion, Textiles and Knitwear courses provide a platform for diverse and creative thinking and design practice to challenge and drive the future of fashion and textiles.
This will be your opportunity to think and do creatively, as be agents of change, to be innovative, take risks, to explore and solve problems.
We encourage a personalised approach to practice and theory that takes account of social, political, environmental, and technological issues, from local and global perspectives.
A critical approach to notions of progress encouraging a deeper understanding of craft, traditional and digital practices, and wider technological developments.
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Study on a part-time basis, and complete modules sequentially or independently (depending on your current qualifications). -
Benefit from lectures by researchers and visiting designers working in industry such as Jo Cope, Simeon Farrar, Professor Jane Harris, Moxham, Karen Nicol, and Christopher Raeburn. -
83% of NTU's research submitted to the 'Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory' Unit of Assessment was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. -
Opt for a 20 credit point advanced research module if you’re thinking of progressing to PhD or Professional Doctorate study.
What you’ll study
The modular structure of this course provides opportunities for cross-school community building, interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration.
The optional modules provide a bespoke learning experience geared towards individual professional futures.
Innovation in Practice
(140 credit points)
This module is designed to fully support flexibility and personalisation. Running throughout the course, it enables part-time students to negotiate and manage their time allocation to the module while completing the School-wide Collaboration and Culture module in term 1 and making a personal decision to study their optional module in year 1.
Culture and Collaboration
(20 credit points)
In this module you will explore themes of ‘Cultural Emergency’ in collaboration with those from other MA disciplines. It will provide you with a fresh insight into your practice, develop advanced research methods and help you define and explore wider possibilities in your practice in interdisciplinary ways.
Term Two
Optional modules:
Professional Futures
(20 credit points)
This optional module will be an exciting space to investigate and develop thoughts around the future of what employment looks like in the area of Fashion and Textiles. It will be a vehicle for debate and a catalyst for cross disciplinary opportunities in relation to employment, enterprise and innovations.
You will be delivering a presentation that summarises your findings from a series of short self-initiated activities that could include work placement opportunities, liaising with industry, industry visits and networking opportunities, developing skills and knowledge of new and emerging digital technologies, and how it impacts your own practice and career ambitions and possibilities.
*optional modules can be studied in Yr1 or Yr2 for PT study.
Advancing Research Design
(20 credit points)
An opportunity to develop current postgraduate work through the use of applied research methods as part of a cross-discipline community.
You will explore and critique a range of research methodologies and methods to examine how these can be applied in support of creating coherent research design, and the development of robust outcomes across diverse disciplines.
Extend knowledge of research methods and methodologies to enhance future professional practice; or progression to PhD level study.
*optional modules can be studied in Yr1 or Yr2 for PT study.
Innovation in Practice
(140 credit points)
This module is designed to fully support flexibility and personalisation. Running throughout the course, it enables part-time students to negotiate and manage their time allocation to the module while completing the School-wide Collaboration and Culture module in term 1 and making a personal decision on whether to study their optional module in year 2
Culture and Collaboration
(20 credit points)
In this module you will explore themes of ‘Cultural Emergency’ in collaboration with those from other MA disciplines. It will provide you with a fresh insight into your practice, develop advanced research methods and help you define and explore wider possibilities in your practice in interdisciplinary ways.
Term Five
Optional modules:
Professional Futures
(20 credit points)
This optional module will be an exciting space to investigate and develop thoughts around the future of what employment looks like in the area of Fashion and Textiles. It will be a vehicle for debate and a catalyst for cross disciplinary opportunities in relation to employment, enterprise and innovations.
You will be delivering a presentation that summarises your findings from a series of short self-initiated activities that could include work placement opportunities, liaising with industry, industry visits and networking opportunities, developing skills and knowledge of new and emerging digital technologies, and how it impacts your own practice and career ambitions and possibilities.
*optional modules can be studied in Yr1 or Yr2 for PT study.
Advancing Research Design
(20 credit points)
An opportunity to develop current postgraduate work through the use of applied research methods as part of a cross-discipline community.
You will explore and critique a range of research methodologies and methods to examine how these can be applied in support of creating coherent research design, and the development of robust outcomes across diverse disciplines.
Extend knowledge of research methods and methodologies to enhance future professional practice; or progression to PhD level study.
*optional modules can be studied in Yr1 or Yr2 for PT study.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
Teaching and learning experiences will include:
- lectures
- tutorials
- seminars
- inductions
- workshops
- live projects
- study visits
- self-directed research
- independent studio practice.
Find out when our postgraduate term dates for the Nottingham School of Art & Design are. Please note that these are slightly different to other Schools within the University.
Assessment
Assessment is 100% by coursework and involves:
- Project Proposal
- supporting fashion research and development work
- evidence of reflective practice
- experimental designs
- formal presentation of key developments
- resolved fashion/ textile / knitwear designs
- portfolio and CV.
Further information
Subject to government guidelines, you may have the opportunity to visit London and join optional European study trips. You may also be selected to exhibit your work at New Designers in London.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF)
By daring to think differently our research is tackling real-world issues. The subjects you will study with us are informed by our research so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - 83% of our research in Art and Design was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
Careers and employability
This course leads to a wide range of career opportunities including commercial or independent fashion, textile or knitwear designer, maker or artist.
Other industry-related roles include buyer, merchandiser, production manager, trend forecaster, and styling for fashion and knitwear companies and brands.
You could also use this course to support a career in teaching, lecturing, journalism and progression to MPhil or PhD study.
Recent graduates have set up their own successful businesses, and work within the fashion and textile design sector and wider creative industries. Others have returned to their previous job with a renewed focus and enhanced career prospects.
If you are interested in starting your own creative business, the University provides start-up training and support through NTU Enterprise, our centre for entrepreneurship and enterprise.
Professional practice
If relevant to your project you will have the option to organise and undertake internships, learn entrepreneurship skills through business development courses and attend events held by the University's Employability team and other organisations.
You will also be encouraged to undertake research into fashion, textile or knitwear design companies, or appropriate contexts, for retailing or showcasing your completed project.
You will be invited to collaborate in projects and attend research events and symposia. Recent exhibitions our students have been involved in include:
- Crafting Anatomies
- Knitting Nottingham
- Closely Held Secrets
- DE NATURA; and
- Journeys in Lace: Parts 1 & 2 (Lace: Here: Now).
Study trips
Study visits to exhibitions in London have recently included:
- The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the Barbican; and
- ARTIST TEXTILES Picasso to Warhol at the Fashion and Textile Museum.
An optional annual trip to Antwerp and Paris has included visits to:
- Dries Van Noten - Inspirations
- Happy Birthday Dear Academie!
- Madame Grès: Sculptural Fashion.
During this trip student have also visited:
- Première Vision (incorporating Indigo and Yarntex)
- MatériO
- Li Edelkoort's Trend Union studio.
You will also be invited to submit your work to be considered for exhibition at London's New Designers.
Showcase
Explore our showcase ‘We Are Creatives’ - celebrating the work of the Nottingham School of Art & Design students. You will find a sneak peak of some of our students’ work and gain a real insight into what it’s like to be part of the NTU creative community at wearecreativesntu.art
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.
Re:search Re:imagined
To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From electronic textiles to the history of lace, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.
Find out more: ntu.ac.uk/research
Campus and facilities
Our dedicated postgraduate Fashion Design studio is a lively, highly creative environment based in the Bonington building, a dedicated art and design hub. You can view all of our Fashion facilities on the Nottingham School of Art & Design Facilities page.
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
- 2.2 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:
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.
You will need one of the following:
- 2.2 honours degree in a related subject
Other requirements:
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Tuition fee
Mode of study | Home tuition fee |
Student fee | £4,650 |
Fee amounts are per year and will increase each year in line with inflation, capped at no more than 5%. Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
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.
Additional costs
Specialist Art and Design Materials
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget £500 in year one and £500-£1,500 in year two, to cover the production costs associated to your course.
Reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop.
A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.
Print and copy costs
You may choose to collate and/or present information digitally and this will have minimal costs associated with it.
If you choose to collate/present work in hard copy then we advise you to budget between £140 - £300 (minimum) per year for printing costs.
Optional research trips
If you choose to join optional UK research trips, you should budget £60 - £120 and £420 (minimum) for an optional international field trip.
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.
Tuition fee
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Student fee | £9,300 |
Fee amounts are per year and will increase each year in line with inflation, capped at no more than 5%. Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
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.
Additional costs
Specialist Art and Design Materials
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget £500 in year one and £500-£1,500 in year two, to cover the production costs associated to your course.
Reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop.
A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.
Print and copy costs
You may choose to collate and/or present information digitally and this will have minimal costs associated with it.
If you choose to collate/present work in hard copy then we advise you to budget between £140 - £300 (minimum) per year for printing costs.
Optional research trips
If you choose to join optional UK research trips, you should budget £60 - £120 and £420 (minimum) for an optional international field trip.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
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 email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. 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.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Your portfolio
If your initial application is successful, you may be asked to upload a portfolio of your work and you may also be asked to attend an interview.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.