Taught course
Fashion and Textile Design
Entry requirements
Please see the university website course page for information on entry requirements for this course.
Months of entry
September
Course content
Our MA in Fashion and Textile Design brings together craftspeople, artists, and designers who are passionate about exploring the intersections between fashion, textiles, and material innovation.
The course provides an immersive and dynamic environment for creative experimentation, critical reflection, and professional development. You will join a diverse community of recent graduates and experienced practitioners, all motivated to refine their skills and define their professional identity within an ever-evolving, global creative landscape.
You will select one of two specialisms: MA Fashion and Textile Design (Fashion Design) or MA Fashion and Textile Design (Textile and Surface Design).
Each route includes specialist seminars and workshops within shared modules, enabling you to focus your research and creative output while collaborating with peers across the wider MA Fashion and Textile Design community.
The first term introduces core design thinking, creative ideation, and research methodologies that are relevant to both specialisms. You will have the opportunity to explore the breadth of the subject area before confirming your chosen focus at the end of term one.
In term two, you will apply your technical, conceptual, and collaborative skills through project-based briefs and focus on professionalism and networking through live challenges.
Term three culminates in the launch of your collection, either on the runway or through exhibition, preparing you for professional creative practice or further research.
Contributing to critical debates is central to the course. You will explore and respond to pivotal issues such as sustainability, diversity, craftsmanship, and digital innovation to propose forward-thinking and responsible design solutions.
Guided by three key pillars: Sustainability and Craftsmanship, Innovation and Research, and Enterprise and Entrepreneurialism, this course supports you to become an independent designer equipped with the creative agility, critical awareness, and entrepreneurial confidence required to thrive in the global fashion and textile industries.
This course is designed to suit both recent graduates and experienced practitioners who wish to advance their creative practice, explore interdisciplinary approaches, or develop the expertise to launch new ventures or pursue advanced research. Although a background or degree in fashion or textiles is beneficial, it is not essential to join the course as we will assess a creative digital portfolio in support of your application.
MA Fashion and Textile Design (Fashion Design)
- Design Innovation and Craft: Explore experimental and sustainable approaches to fashion design, developing original collections that balance creativity, technical skill, and craftsmanship.
- Collaborative Practice: Engage in interdisciplinary projects that encourage collaboration with peers, industry partners, and creative professionals to mirror real-world fashion environments.
- Professional Readiness: Build an advanced portfolio that demonstrates conceptual depth, aesthetic awareness, and a strong understanding of contemporary global fashion systems.
You will probably have a background in fashion design, pattern cutting, or garment construction, or you may come from a related creative discipline and wish to expand your design expertise to work in this dynamic and competitive area of the fashion industry.
MA Fashion and Textile Design (Textile and Surface Design)
- Material and Process Exploration: Experiment with digital and hand-crafted textile and surface design techniques, exploring the tactile, structural, and visual potential of materials.
- Cultural and Sustainable Contexts: Investigate how cultural narratives, material innovation, and sustainability inform textile and surface design.
- Industry Application: Translate creative research into professional outcomes through live projects, prototyping, and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Students join this specialism from a wide range of backgrounds; you might have studied textiles, fashion, fine art, graphic design, illustration or product design, or be a maker, artist, or creative practitioner seeking to evolve your material practice or develop your own studio or brand.
Information for international students
Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MA
- part time18 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Course Enquiries Team
- courseenquiries@bcu.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)121 331 6295