Costume Design and Construction BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): W451
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: Three years
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
- 104 - 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent).
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
More information
Introduction:
Learn to tell stories through costumes.
This specialist degree focuses on developing both your costume design and costume construction skills. You will learn how to translate your creative ideas into professional costumes for theatre, film and television, dance, opera and other performance areas. You will also have the opportunity to explore a range of relevant skills: corsetry, pattern cutting, draping, tailoring, millinery, costume props, fabric knowledge, textile breaking down, print and dye and other emerging technologies. Our aim on the course is to create future-facing professionals, who are industry relevant, work collaboratively, and are outward-facing autonomous practitioners.
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You’ll have the opportunity to complete a work experience placement of up to a year in length. Dependent on the duration of your placement, you could gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice. -
Visit design exhibitions at venues like the V&A in London and the National Theatre costume department. You will also have the opportunity to go on national and international trips to see opera, ballet, theatre and dance performances. -
You’ll be able to personalise your studies by choosing from a range of up to eight optional modules. Your course also includes our School-wide, sector-leading Co Lab module.
What you’ll study
Develop the skills you need to become a versatile costume designer and expert in mixed-media construction. You will study subjects exploring visual research, character and text analysis, contemporary design development and innovative 2D to 3D realisation. Explore such skills as corsetry, pattern cutting, tailoring, millinery, costume props, fabric knowledge, and print and dye. You'll learn how to interpret a brief and work with a creative team to create unique and bespoke costume designs.
As a costume student you will collaborate with students across our Design for Performance courses, as you personalise your learning journey and tailor your skills to meet your career aspirations in this exciting global industry.
Costume Design and Construction: Introduction
(80 credit points)
Through independent and collaborative projects and practical workshops, you will develop the skills and vocabulary relevant to costume design and construction. Through experimentation with a variety of methods and materials, this module will provide the opportunity to develop your visual communication skills and 3D problem solving, as you work on individual briefs, and a collaborative project with your fellow Design for Stage and Screen students.
You’ll develop your skills through experimentation with text, character analysis, form, texture, colour and light through a variety of drawing, design work, digital work and construction projects. You will develop the necessary methods to generate ideas and build your 2D and 3D practice using traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques, developing key transferable skills in visual communication, self-evaluation and critical thinking.
Contextual Studies: Introducing Research
(20 credit points)
Explore stage and screen history, cultural and contextual knowledge and its relevance to costume design and construction. You will develop a critical knowledge and understanding of the role that performance, culture, art and design can play within society by examining cultural contexts across a variety of time periods and locations, aiding and enriching your practical work.
Skills Passport
(20 credit points)
This module introduces a variety of practical technical skills and the concepts of safe professional practice. Through exploration of a range of materials and processes, you will build relevant skills and develop your practical knowledge base, while allowing flexibility for personal direction and acquiring an understanding of industry needs.
Exploration (Costume Design and Construction)
(60 credit points)
This module reinforces the interconnectedness of costume design and costume construction and offers the opportunity to deepen your artistic and intellectual enquiry through an experimental exploration of, and personal response to more challenging project work.
Building on the knowledge and skills you acquired in Year One, you will develop and enhance your creative thinking and technical, visualisation and software skills, giving you a sound and relevant preparation for Year Three and your future career.
Strengthen your creative and technical skills through innovative, industry relevant practical work. This provides focus to develop your personal and artistic responses to costume design and construction. You will have the opportunity to apply theoretical and practical knowledge and skills and to consider the progression of your individual practice and artistic style within the stage and screen industry.
Contextual Studies: Research and Impact
(20 credit points)
You will further investigate the role of performance and how it can convey meaning within a variety of cultural contexts, with an emphasis on performance analysis and practice within the global industry. You will continue to develop your intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills which are key to the expression of your knowledge and understanding.
Co Lab: Research, Exploration and Risk-taking
(20 credit points)
Through active participation with team-based problem-solving, you will work together in mixed teams on a project where you will use your creative ideas to generate solutions to the challenge or brief. Your project will allow you to explore how creativity can make an impact in society, as you choose a theme of sustainability, social justice, enterprise and innovation or community. This collaborative learning experience will expose you to a range of new processes and approaches that will develop your creative thinking.
Optional module
(20 credit points)
You will also choose one module from below:
- Millinery: Object and Narrative
- Character Ideation
- Material Stories
- Ethical Design
- Creative Electronics
- Introduction to 3D virtual clothing and product design
- Made to last - clothing longevity for circularity
Exposition (Costume Design and Construction)
(100 credit points)
You will negotiate, develop and conduct a self-directed costume design and construction project that is informed by your specific career aspirations and interests within the industry. Your project will combine technical costume design and construction skills with an innovative approach to your work. Sophisticated transferable skills such as reflective independent learning and personal development are emphasised facilitating the development of a personal visual language and creative, critical inquiry in your project work.
Contextual Studies: Research and Professional Practice
(20 credit points)
Undertake a detailed piece of written work that explores either your own final year project, or an industry-related investigation of an area of costume design and construction that is of significance to you. You will hone your research and critical analysis skills as you connect theory to relevant aspects of professional contemporary performance or practice.
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
On this course, you will spend your time in creative studio environments. Teaching and learning experiences will include:
- studio days
- presentations
- independent projects
- demonstrations
- research
- reflective journals
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- study visits.
Co Lab
Want real-world experience alongside your degree? Co Lab is your opportunity to work with peers from different disciplines on live projects set by industry partners. Embrace collaborative practice as you explore how creativity can make an impact in society and develop the skills employers want to see in the creative industries.
Exchange opportunities
If you’re thinking about studying part of your degree abroad, the course has exchange agreements with a number of institutions around the world.
Exchanges take place in Year Two of the course. You’ll receive guidance from the University about where you can study, and help in completing your application and arranging your exchange.
Showcase
You will be given the opportunity to exhibit your work during your time at NTU to members of the creative industries. Visit our ‘We Are Creatives’ showcase to take a look at the work of this year's graduating students’.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (28%), independent study (72%).
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (22%), independent study (78%).
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (20%), independent study (80%).
How you’re assessed
Assessment is 100% through coursework. You’ll receive feedback throughout each module and will have opportunities to discuss feedback, identify areas of strength and weakness, and set personal goals. Depending on the module, you may be assessed through speculative design and live performances, artefacts, as well as presentations, written work and peer assessment.
Your final degree mark with be based 100% on your final year work.
- Year 1 coursework (100%).
- Year 2 coursework (100%).
- Year 3 coursework (100%).
Careers and employability
Graduate destinations have included costume designing and / or construction for prestigious companies such as Angels Costumiers and the BBC, and freelance or in-house costume designing, making and assisting for a myriad of stage and screen companies, events and performances both large-scale and small-scale. These include everything from Outlander to Not Just Fish & Ships, Lichfield Garrick Pantomime to wardrobe on a cruise ship, and making props on the latest Marvel feature.
Connecting with industry
Live projects or competitions could offer you the chance to gain professional experience and raise your profile. Organisations and programmes the course has collaborated with include:
- Making Costumes for the Curve, Leicester
- Working at Lichfield Garrick Theatre on Cinderella
- Working with Bruce Asbestos and Nottingham Contemporary on live art catwalk
You’ll also be encouraged to participate in national competitions and costume events, seeking out opportunities to work with local cultural centres.
Industry experts who have recently lectured on this course include:
- television costume designer, Debbie O’Brien
- specialist costume designer / maker, Ivo Coveney
- Downton Abbey costume cutter, Sarah Humphrey
- Society of British Theatre Designers Chair, Fiona Watt
Creative Industries Federation
We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means students in the Nottingham School of Art & Design have the opportunity to sign up to free student membership. Creative Industries Federation are an organisation that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries and membership grants students exclusive access to their selection of resources and events to help advance your career and connect with industry.
Campus and facilities
You’ll be based in the Waverley building – a beautifully restored listed building with real design heritage: it was the original home of the Nottingham School of Art. View our Nottingham School of Art & Design Facilities Hub here.
Entry requirements
112 UCAS Tariff points
What are we looking for?
- 104 - 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent).
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
Other requirements
Other qualifications and experience
We will consider equivalent qualifications and combinations, please see UCAS course search for details and use our calculator to help you work out how many UCAS points your qualifications relate to.
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Contextual offers
As well as assessing your application and qualifications, we use contextual data and information to make offers for this course. Depending on your circumstances, we may make you an offer up to two grades below the standard entry criteria. Find out how we assess your application.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation 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:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
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
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What's included in the course fees?
As part of the course, we will provide some basic materials and some necessary printed materials.
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In Final Year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for your Showcase. If you’re selected to exhibit your work at a graduate show in London, the School will cover the cost of transporting your work, the exhibition stand and event set-up.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
We advise you to budget up to £100 per year for printing costs.
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Material costs
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget in the region of £250 (Year One), £350 (Year Two), and up to £500 (Final Year) to cover the production costs associated with your course. This is of course a broad approximation, as your projects are highly personalised.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which many students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s.
A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access on-line/directly whilst studying in the library. You should budget £50 – £100 per year (approximately) for stationery and reading materials.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join an optional UK study trip, you should budget £40 – 60 per year. If you choose to join the optional overseas study trips/cultural visits, you should budget £350 (minimum) per year.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
If you undertake work experience or a longer placement, you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. The Diploma in Professional Practice incurs a fee for the additional placement year.
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those 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
What's included in the course fees?
As part of the course, we will provide some basic materials and some necessary printed materials.
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In Final Year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for your Showcase. If you’re selected to exhibit your work at a graduate show in London, the School will cover the cost of transporting your work, the exhibition stand and event set-up.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
We advise you to budget up to £100 per year for printing costs.
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Material costs
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget in the region of £250 (Year One), £350 (Year Two), and up to £500 (Final Year) to cover the production costs associated with your course. This is of course a broad approximation, as your projects are highly personalised.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which many students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s.
A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access on-line/directly whilst studying in the library. You should budget £50 – £100 per year (approximately) for stationery and reading materials.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join an optional UK study trip, you should budget £40 – 60 per year. If you choose to join the optional overseas study trips/cultural visits, you should budget £350 (minimum) per year.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
If you undertake work experience or a longer placement, you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. The Diploma in Professional Practice incurs a fee for the additional placement year.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS.
We will ask you to provide a digital portfolio. Visit our webpage which has some advice on what to include to help make your portfolio stand out. After you have submitted your portfolio, we may also invite you to an online interview to help us make our final decision.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on 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.
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