Surface Pattern and Textiles

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a 2:2 degree or equivalent professional experience or learning in a related field.

Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits in the light of the nature and scope of the programme.

IELTS: Score of 6.5 or above.

A high level of achievement in undergraduate studies at a university elsewhere such as North America: Minimum overall GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.

All applicants are requested to submit digital supporting material and where possible will be invited to attend an interview with a portfolio of recent work.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our MA Surface Pattern and Textiles course will challenge you to experiment and innovate, and prepare yourself for a successful future career.

We’ll encourage you to develop fresh ideas and methods as you explore pattern and decoration, reflecting on the social, cultural and aesthetic context for surface pattern design and textiles in the 21st century. You’ll explore new technologies, experimenting and innovating as you progress through the course, forging a unique path towards your future career.

You’ll get to research and experiment with traditional techniques and new technology to create innovative textiles and surface pattern designs for a range of materials including ceramics, plastics and paper. You can also choose to focus purely on textile surfaces, embellishment, print and decoration.

Using our cutting-edge digital equipment, you’ll get the chance to develop designs for wallpaper, tableware, floor coverings, interior products, stationery, giftware, garments and jewellery. We’ll help you to find your own creative process and develop your own direction and style.

Why study with us

• Fashion and Textiles was ranked 2nd in the Guardian University Guide 2021.
• Our Fashion courses are ranked in the top 80 of the Best Fashion Schools in the World for 2020 – CEOWORLD Magazine.
• You’ll benefit from a programme of guest lecturers and visits to exhibitions, workshops and manufacturers, giving you plenty of inspiration and top advice from industry professionals.

What you'll do

• You’ll have access to our fantastic textile and other workshops, with supervision and support from specialist technicians.
• You’ll have opportunities to join educational visits overseas. Recent trips have included Granada (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal) and Vienna (Austria).
• At the end of the course you’ll get to showcase your final body of work at a public exhibition and network with industry professionals.

Learning and assessment

Surface pattern designers work with many different products, processes and materials. They may practise within conventional design studios in traditional industries as well as in the smaller creative industries. Throughout this course we’ll encourage you to develop a personal focus of research and design or craft practice. This will lead to a package of research activities (live projects, placements, competitions, attendance at exhibitions and trade fairs, etc.) linked to the area(s) in which you would like to specialise.

You’ll focus on doing, making and creating. As the course progresses you’ll keep a reflective journal to record your thoughts, ideas and discoveries.

The first step for every new student is a short induction block where you’ll discuss your proposed area of study with your supervisor and formulate a learning agreement which will shape the nature of your practical work and research.

Practical work is carried out within our extensive and well-equipped studios and workshops.

A special feature of this course is the blend of practice and theory which underpins the projects you’ll work on. You’ll be part of a wider postgraduate design community and study some modules alongside students from other design disciplines.

We’ll assess the practical and theoretical elements of the course both during and at the end of each module. Our assessment methods are likely to include portfolio assessment, presentations, summaries of reflective journals, and the learning agreement.

The final assessment will involve presenting a body of work at a public exhibition. As well as getting a chance to show off your achievements to friends and family, you’ll be able to network with industry professionals.

Industry links

During the course you’ll engage with creative designers and practitioners in various ways through our programme of visiting lecturers, masterclasses and networking.

You’ll be presented with lots of different ways to engage in real world projects, from live briefs with companies such as Panaz, and Quink, or through contributing to community projects and events such as the British Textiles Biennial or Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.

Pathway opportunities

After completing this course there are opportunities to progress to PhD-level study.

Information for international students

Visit our website for further information.