Fashion and Textiles MA

Course modules

Modules

Term one

Research Methods (Compulsory)

Teaches you a range of conceptual and practical research skills, such as questionnaire design and interview techniques. As part of this module, you will formulate your major project proposal, specifying your aims, objectives, research methods and expected outcomes. You will also learn how to undertake the literature review for your major project.

Design Innovation (compulsory)

Is a subject-specific module that explores the development of conceptual thinking, creative approaches to design and the technical aspects of product realisation. An introductory design brief considers the use of primary research sources as inspiration for the generation of innovative subject-specific product design statements.

Choose one module from the following:

Design Communication

Helps you to develop a detailed understanding of the fashion portfolio and to hone your 2D communications skills. Using CAD and hand-crafted illustrative work, you will explore communication tools and techniques in order to fully communicate your own design and experimentation work in a variety of media formats.

Fashion Promotion and Marketing

Provides students with a toolkit of both theoretical concepts and current, relevant approaches to communication and commerce within a global fashion context. Key strategies within fashion marketing are explored and promotion via case studies of retailers, brands and designers analysed, enabling students to develop creative strategies and commercial solutions in response to real-life industry challenges.

Term Two

Research and Design (compulsory)

Is a subject-specific module that further develops your design research capabilities, creative thinking and sees you demonstrating your design expertise and specialist technical skills. You will investigate potential new designs and technical applications within the subject specialism, which will culminate in developing a pre-collection and proposal for your Major Project.

Promotion and Portfolio (compulsory)

Is a practice-based module that will equip you with an understanding of the marketing process for the fashion industry as well as methods for self-promotion.

Choose one module from the following:

Critical Perspectives in Ethical and Sustainable Fashion
Investigates the impact of ethical and environmental considerations on designed products, garment production and business ideology. It will enable those looking to work in fashion manufacturing or retail to provide future designers and buyers with a clear overview of the major sustainability issues within the industry.

Business Planning for the Creative Entrepreneur

Develops your business knowledge and planning skills enabling you to identify the potential for a new product or service. You will study the key issues in starting a business and covers topics such as business plans, leadership, investment and risk management.

Global Markets: Designing businesses for international growth

Examines the key issues involved in developing new international markets and the role of the design manager and entrepreneur in enabling design and creative businesses to compete effectively in the global economy.

Managing Business Web Presence

Teaches you how to critically appraise website designs, social media activity and wider networking channels while learning about creative production and management processes. You will learn how best to evaluate the role of website design in business, marketing and the creative industries, while examining advances in web architecture, technology, interface and management.

Term Three

Major Project

Gives you the opportunity to explore the aesthetic, conceptual and technological considerations of your chosen research area within your subject specialism. At this stage in your programme you have the opportunity to further tailor your learning to your strengths. You will be able to produce either a 3D garment/prototype collection with a 2D portfolio, supported by a personal illustrated critical and reflective thesis (5,000 words), or a design concept/product supported by a more extensive body of written work (8-10,000 words).

Teaching and assessments

The course promotes a philosophy of developing independent learners. Supported by specialist staff, you are encouraged to negotiate and direct your own learning within the framework of the modular structure. Tuition mainly takes the form of skills development workshops and design tutorials with additional lectures and seminars. The overall aim is to build on your individual skills and knowledge.
Assessment is continuous through methods such as 2D/3D design projects, portfolio, reports/essays, blogs, poster presentations and oral presentations.

The staff team are designers, researchers and/or senior academics with a strong design and technical focus, which ensures that their teaching remains current. Course teaching is further complemented by visiting lecturers and guest speakers who are leading industry practitioners..

Contact hours

In your first two terms you will normally attend around 8-10 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials and workshop and studio sessions each week, and be expected to undertake at least 25 hours of independent study each week. Your third term will be pre-dominantly self-directed (including meetings with your supervisor), during you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week

Part-time study is normally undertaken on a half-time basis.