Fashion and Textiles MA

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.

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).

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 

Ranked as one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2022 (CEOWORLD, 2022) and in the top 10 in the UK for 'career after 15 months' (The Guardian University Guide 2022), our innovative and widely-respected courses help prepare students for fulfilling futures in this fast-paced industry.

Green Gown Award

The School of Fashion and Textiles won the Next Generation Learning and Skills Award in the Green Gowns Awards 2021 and received global recognition in the International Green Gown Awards 2022. These awards are the gold standard for sustainability in universities around the world and this puts DMU at the forefront of sustainable fashion and textiles education in the UK. Sustainability is at the heart of our curriculum and teaching, empowering our students to be agents of change within the industry.

UK Fashion and Textiles Association

We are members of the UK Fashion and Textile Association which ensures our teaching stays up to date with the latest developments in the sector and provides valuable industry links that enhance our courses.