MA Costume Design for Performance

The course aims to develop confident and experimental practitioners who will push the boundaries of the subject of costume beyond its established role. Taught largely on a one to one basis, by international practitioners, experienced lecturers and senior researchers, this MA will nurture and challenge your creative ideas about costume and performance.

You will design, realise and experiment with costume based performance ideas for both live performance and film that enable you to define your individual position in relation to contemporary culture and practice, while responding visually to the relevant performance context.

Beyond the understanding of performance and the role of character creation through costume, the study of Costume Design at MA level allows you to locate your practice within the wider realms of contemporary culture and art, as well as within the relevant dramatic, social and political contexts. The course offers many opportunities for collaborations within the college or the wider context of the University of the Arts as well as with practitioners from the large performance and art sector in London and the UK.

The relationship between drawing, practical realisation and performance is central to the way design is approached: ideas are developed on paper, 3D modelling, through movement, as well as through pattern cutting, textile and material manipulation and practical testing. Practical experimentation is achieved through access to the extensive technical facilities available within the college and the expanding knowledge of the uses of analogue and digital methods.

The costume studios are well equipped to enable students to develop their ideas into practical realisation, and expert technical support is provided for students on a weekly basis.


Course structure

15 months - Level 7 - 180 credits

Term One:

• Costume for Live Performance (40 credits)
• Research Methods (20 credits)

Term Two:

• Costume for Film (40 units)
• Collaborative Unit (20 credits)

Terms Three and Four:

• Masters Project (60 credits)
• Travelling across London

The renowned London Collegeof Fashion library is at our John Prince’s Street site, and you will need to travel to this site, and possibly others, during your course to use the library, which is open seven days a week in term time, and for tuition and special events.


Course structure

The information outlined is an indicative structure of the course. Whilst we will aim to deliver the course as described on this page, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, for example because of regulatory requirements or operational efficiencies, before or after enrolment. If this occurs, we will communicate all major changes to all applicants and students who have either applied or enrolled on the course.
Please note that due to staff research agreements or availability, not all of the optional modules listed may be available every year.

In addition, the provision of course options which depend upon the availability of specialist teaching, or on a placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed. Please check this element of the course with the course team before making a decision to apply.