Costume Design Degree for Performance & Film

Course Content

You will hone a wide range of technical skills, such as flat pattern cutting and cutting on the stand (underpinned by a history of costume sessions), corsetry, tailoring, millinery, design for dance (stretch), fabric dyeing, printing, manipulation and breaking down, and costume props.

You will learn from experienced professionals with current industry knowledge who will support you in discovering and maximising the best opportunities for you.

Regular workshops and showcase productions enable you to develop your skills to professional standards, preparing you for employment or postgraduate study.

Teaching Method

We use a variety of teaching methods, including: 

• practical and creative studio-based workshops
• discussions
• lectures/seminars
• tutorials
• small group study
• self-directed study
• study trips

Key Features

• The course includes design, construction and supervision skills.
• Expand your professional network with work experience across theatre, TV, film and events.
• Cross-course collaboration with actors, directors, makeup artists and set designers.
• Excellent industry links and high-profile work experience opportunities.

Year One

The first year of the BA (Hons) in Costume Design will equip you with the practical skills and knowledge to bring costumes to life. You'll learn about costume design as a profession, including safety protocols, research techniques, and how costumes can shape a character. The program also emphasises critical thinking, with a unit dedicated to developing your design vocabulary and analytical skills.

You'll gain hands-on experience through historical costume construction techniques, learning how to create garments from specific periods. By year's end, you'll design costumes for a complete play, incorporating innovative embellishments and collaborating with hair and makeup artists. The year also includes a live project where you'll work with students from other disciplines on events, fostering your teamwork and professional skills. Finally, you'll delve into immersive design, creating a costume and mask for a unique performance or installation.

• Unit 1: Character Creation
• Unit 2: Ideas in Context
• Unit 3: Fundamentals of Costume Design
• Unit 4: All The World’s a Stage
• Unit 5: Live Project 1
• Unit 6: Rococo to Regency

Year Two

The second year delves deeper into technical skills and costume embellishment, helping you develop your professional identity as a designer.

You'll refine your technical abilities throughout the year by learning precision tailoring techniques for Victorian costumes and jacket construction. You'll also explore fabric manipulation techniques, such as screen printing, painting, and breaking down fabrics, with a specific focus on working with stretch materials.

Another key aspect is developing your design skills. You'll delve into the design and application of embellishment, culminating in the creation of a well-fitting stretch bodysuit that incorporates these techniques.

The year isn't just about technical skills. You'll gain valuable professional experience by collaborating on a live event, showcasing your professionalism and teamwork skills. Additionally, you'll explore your role as a designer within the industry through reflection exercises and discussions.

The year culminates with a work placement experience to prepare you for future opportunities. You'll secure placement and reflect on it alongside other relevant experiences to build your professional identity and portfolio. This experience will be a springboard for your final year of study.

Overall, the second year equips you with the technical skills, design knowledge, and professional understanding necessary to excel in costume design and prepare for a successful future in the industry.

• Unit 7: Mr DeMille
• Unit 8: Surface Texture and Detail
• Unit 9: Live Project 2
• Unit 10: Contextual Research
• Unit 11: Industry Focus

Year Three

Year 3 equips you for the industry by honing your professional skills alongside creative exploration. In a collaborative unit, you'll work with colleagues from disciplines such as Production Design and Hair & Makeup, putting your design concept into action and learning how different aspects work together. You'll build a professional portfolio throughout the year, culminating in a final presentation showcasing your work and career aspirations. Industry readiness is emphasised through workshops and talks by visiting professionals and alumni, designed to help you develop your unique artistic voice and navigate potential career paths. The program concludes with a final project where you propose, develop, and execute a project highlighting your strengths and interests in costume design.

• Unit 12: The Whole Picture
• Unit 13: Professional Practice
• Unit 14: Dissertation
• Unit 15: Final Major Project
• Unit 16: Collaborative Practices