Fashion and Textile Design - MA *
Currently viewing course to start in 2026/27 Entry.
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.
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Award MA
- Start date September 2026
- Subjects
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Available with Professional Placement option
Open to International Students
Overview
MA Fashion Show at BCU.mp4
[00:00:17] Speaker 1 My MA experience was purely a brilliant experience because I came to this new country and it was really easy for me to make friends being an extrovert. The people here are very friendly and overall my fashion experience has taught me a lot of things. I explored so many new workshop options, collaborations and teamwork.
[00:00:46] Speaker 2 The highlight of the MA Fashion Design for me throughout the entire year was the fact that I get to collaborate with a lot of people, it's helped to expand my sort of my personal horizon, but also to help me get a lot more skill set throughout the course as well. BCU has such a diverse culture for a university, so like I can express myself a little bit further because as you know, my background originally from Vietnam was like, you know, it's just amazing to see like so many people, but also get to collaborate with them. Improving my my skill set throughout my major projects so much that the result of my outcome is really positive.
[00:01:30] Speaker 3 I think I have really wonderful studying experience here. Also, like the technician, they help us a lot about if we don't have idea about a sewing machine, we don't put the all very well about the button hole or something. Yeah, a story details things. So I think there's a lof of supporting here.
[00:01:58] Speaker 4 I think tonight will be very exciting because we have a fashion show and me and my friend make our garments and prepared for a really long time and we are really looking forward to it and I think it will be a really great experience. And for my feature and for my future work for a job like this.
[00:02:21] Speaker 5 So really after this MA, I want to build my own business. So it's through this course I was able to participate in entrepreneurial programs, mainly through STEAMHouse. I've also done mentorship programs with people who have had their own businesses, so I'm very grateful that through BCU I was able to tap those resources.
[00:02:46] Speaker 6 So the highlight for me in this MA study is, first of all, I got new friends here and they are very friendly and we often like help each other to do some draping work and some sewing work. During the break time, we will get together to have a meal together or something like that. And also during our semester break I can went to Europe because it's very convenient to travel from UK to Europe. And I so I went to so many countries in Europe and see many beautiful sceneries de.
[00:03:31] Speaker 7 The course MA Design in BCU helped me to get into the industry by like getting a different knowledge of materials, not just only textiles, but also different material like wood and also the bio material that I developed. And it helped me to improve into the colour material and CMF, like finished design of CMF in the industry, so it helped me to get involved into the interior and exterior design and also the industrial design as well.
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.
What's covered in this course?
- Comprehensive Industry Insight: Develop a deep understanding of the interconnected nature of the fashion and textile industries, and the socio-political and cultural factors that influence them.
- Collaborative Project Experience: Work with peers and industry professionals on creative challenges, gaining practical experience and networking opportunities.
- Professional Portfolio Development: Create and present a professional portfolio that demonstrates your ability to devise, produce, and launch collections using relevant technical and conceptual skills, meeting industry standards.
- Enhanced Research and Analytical Skills: Advance your ability to analyse, evaluate, and apply theoretical concepts to practical scenarios within the fashion and textile industries.
- Global and Cross-Cultural Perspective: Cultivate a global outlook, engaging with diverse perspectives and contemporary debates in the fashion and textile sectors.
- Career Readiness: Graduate with the skills, confidence, and professional insight to transition into the industry, research, or entrepreneurial ventures.
Professional Placement option
This course offers an optional professional placement. This allows you to spend 20 weeks with an employer, following completion of your taught modules, and is a great way to enhance your employability.
The experience you gain through your placement will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
If you choose the placement option, you will be responsible for finding and securing a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you do not secure a suitable placement, you will automatically be transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.
Please note: Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process. As such, the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the professional placement option.
Why Choose Us?
- Discuss and analyse the professional, commercial and cultural dimensions of fashion design in modern society
- Study with a globally respected provider of education in fashion and textiles.
- Access a wide range of facilities, including digital print and a Gerber fashion CAD suite. There are also specialist facilities available in glass and ceramics
- Network and collaborate with other fashion students, our wider postgraduate community and beyond
- Enjoy a vast archive of fashion publications dating back to the 1930s.
Similar Courses
OPEN DAY
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Event: 15 November 2025
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in Fashion Design or a closely related subject area such as garment technology or costume design. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants will also need to submit a digital portfolio that shows examples of collection building, including research and development, toiling, and final outcomes. The portfolio should include 3-4 projects highlighting your area of practice.
Applying with international qualifications
See below for further information on applying as an international student.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MA
Starting: Sep 2026
Pathway: Fashion Design
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
- Register interest
- Full Time
- 18 months (including Professional Placement)
-
TBC
- Register interest
Award: MA
Starting: Sep 2026
Pathway: Textile and Surface Design
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
- Register interest
- Full Time
- 18 months (including Professional Placement)
-
TBC
- Register interest
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MA
Starting: Sep 2026
Pathway: Fashion Design
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
- Register interest
- Full Time
- 18 months (including Professional Placement)
-
TBC
- Register interest
Award: MA
Starting: Sep 2026
Pathway: Textile and Surface Design
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
- Register interest
- Full Time
- 18 months (including Professional Placement)
-
TBC
- Register interest
Portfolio guidance
If you receive an offer to study this course, you will be required to submit a portfolio. We ask that this is submitted within four weeks of receiving your offer.
Please see our portfolio guidance page for tips on putting your portfolio together.
Portfolio guidance
If you receive an offer to study this course, you will be required to submit a portfolio. We ask that this is submitted within four weeks of receiving your offer.
Please see our portfolio guidance page for tips on putting your portfolio together.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
This module is designed to equip you with research skills and methodologies that inform your studio practice. The content is delivered through a blended learning approach, ensuring flexibility of access to study material and a comprehensive understanding of theories and practices of research at postgraduate level.
This module helps you define your design philosophy, experiment with creative processes, and build industry connections. Through research, workshops, and portfolio development, you’ll refine technical, digital, and professional skills, positioning yourself as an innovative, employable fashion designer ready to meet industry and societal challenges.
In this module, you’ll test the commercial viability of your designs through research, branding, and a professional funding pitch. By analysing markets, collaborating across disciplines, and engaging with industry, you’ll refine your portfolio and develop the entrepreneurial skills needed for success in the fashion and textile industries.
You will gain real-world experience and enhance employability skills through engaging with professionals to build an industry-ready portfolio that will position you for a future career as an innovative, responsible designer with entrepreneurial potential.
This is your opportunity to professionally showcase your final collection, supported by research, branding, and promotion. Through portfolio development, digital visualisation, and industry engagement, you’ll demonstrate the creative professionalism you have reached, with a global outlook, positioning yourself as an innovative, work-ready designer prepared to launch your career in the fashion and textile industries.
This final module requires a reflective report on your creative, technical, and professional growth, you’ll evaluate challenges, collaborations, and commercial awareness, while mapping your studies to your future employment. Your report will demonstrate how your studies have shaped you as a designer and showcase your employability on completion.
Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Professional Placement
In order to qualify for the awards with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete all of the Level 7 modules listed above as well as the following Level 7 module:
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 20-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
How you learn
You will learn through seminars, workshops, tutorials, and independent study that encourage reflection on your creative practice and design direction. Collaboration across the School of Arts will expand your network and enrich your learning experience.
Lectures and tutorials
Formal lectures and informal talks will introduce complex knowledge and promote critical discussion. Tutorials, both one-to-one and group-based, offer the opportunity to articulate ideas, share challenges, and receive constructive feedback.
Workshops and learning resources
You will have access to industry-standard workshops for digital and traditional print, embroidery, constructed textiles, 3D printing, and laser cutting, as well as photography and fashion studios. The University’s online learning platform and library provide extensive academic and technical resources to support your development.
Industry engagement and employability
You will learn from guest speakers, undertake live projects, and visit trade fairs, exhibitions, and cultural institutions. Opportunities for negotiated placements and enterprise projects — including through STEAMhouse, our innovation and business development hub — will enhance your industry experience and entrepreneurial potential.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment mirrors professional practice, including portfolio presentations, reports, prototypes, and visual communication outputs. Extensive feedback ensures you build confidence, independence, and professional standards throughout your learning journey.
Trips and visits
We run trips to London to visit relevant exhibitions and elsewhere in the UK to experience fashion and textile production facilities and places of cultural interest. Recent visits have included: the V&A, The John Smedley Knitwear Company, and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.
There is also the opportunity to join an international trip, previously we have visited Rome and Florence to attend Pitti Filati and the Salvatore Ferragamo flagship store, Paris to visit Premiere Vision, and a cultural visit to New York.
Classroom projects
You will be given opportunities to work alongside your peers in the wider Postgraduate Fashion and Textile community in order to create a fashion show. This annual ‘Vision for the Future’ fashion show is used as a fundraiser for charity. It is a collaborative project that relies entirely on student initiative within the course and beyond, and promotes peer tutoring and mentoring.
In addition to our focus upon you as fashion designer, there are also opportunities for you to network with the professional world, and engage in external activities such as collaborating on projects that enhance the student experience and provide ‘real life’ experience.
Discover the Fashion and Textiles community, where our students talk about their journeys here at BCU which has inspired creativity and innovation.
Postgraduate Fashion Finale Raises Money for Charity
Students from MA Fashion Design, MA Fashion Management, MA Fashion Promotion and MA Fashion Styling collaborated to organise an end of year MA Fashion Show for charity.
21 MA Fashion Design students showcased their collections, while MA Fashion Management, MA Fashion Promotion and MA Fashion Styling students took key roles in organising the spectacular event, fuelled by student man power and talent, against the challenge of no event budget.
The fashion show is key in giving students an experience of creative production on a live project which they can take away as a show reel as part of their portfolio. Supporting Cancer Research UK, the show raised £430 for charity.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
You will learn of range of skills which will be key to enhancing your future employability in fashion and textile design industries:
- Sustainable and Ethical Design Practice – Applying sustainable materials, evaluating environmental impact, and embedding responsible, ethical approaches into design.
- Entrepreneurial and Enterprise Skills – Developing an entrepreneurial mindset to launch, manage, or collaborate on creative ventures within the fashion and textile industries.
- Digital and Technical Proficiency – Using industry-standard technologies such as Clo3D, Photoshop, and InDesign to create 2D and 3D prototypes and digital portfolios.
- Research and Analytical Thinking – Conducting independent, critical research to inform creative practice and evaluate complex design problems.
- Project Management and Strategic Planning – Managing creative projects from conception to completion, demonstrating organisation, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Craftsmanship and Technical Excellence – Combining traditional, artisanal, and digital making techniques to achieve a high level of design quality and finish.
- Collaboration and Networking – Working effectively with peers, industry professionals, and cross-disciplinary teams to exchange ideas and gain real-world insights.
- Global and Cross-Cultural Awareness – Understanding diverse cultural influences and global industry contexts to produce inclusive, relevant design outcomes.
- Creative Innovation and Problem Solving – Generating original, forward-thinking design solutions through experimentation, critical reflection, and risk-taking.
- Advanced Communication and Presentation Skills – Presenting ideas, portfolios, and entrepreneurial visions clearly and persuasively to professional audiences.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Fashion and Textiles courses are based at our Parkside Building, which is part of our multi-million pound City Centre Campus development in the heart of Birmingham's Eastside development.
Our staff
Jasbir Kaur
Director of Postgraduate Studies in Fashion and Textiles
Jasbir is Director of Postgraduate Studies in Fashion and Textiles. Her early career began in commercial textile design, before moving into fashion research, and is now an internationally published author in the area of textiles, and the interrelationship between that and fashion.
More about JasbirNataliya Rozhin
Doctoral researcher
Nataliya Rozhin is a designer and PhD student focussing on design-led research and experimental fashion.
More about NataliyaSergiu Bechian
Lecturer - BA (Hons) Fashion Design
Sergiu Bechian is a creative and detail-oriented Fashion Designer and Lecturer, well-versed in both historical and contemporary fashion. He is a highly skilled pattern cutter with in-depth knowledge of traditional and creative pattern making methods as well as garment construction techniques. Sergiu teaches across BA Fashion Design and MA Fashion...
More about Sergiu