MA Art & Design
The MA Art & Design program at CSVPA is a one-year, intensive postgraduate course d...
MA Fashion: Design
Cambridge
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The MA Fashion: Design program at CSVPA is a one-year, full-time postgraduate course designed to enable students to explore and advance their creative vision and design skills within a specialized area of fashion. The program encourages experimentation, innovation, and the development of a strong personal design identity. It culminates in the creation of a significant final collection and a professional portfolio that showcases the student's design aesthetic, technical abilities, and conceptual thinking.
Curriculum: The MA Fashion: Design curriculum at CSVPA is project-based, encouraging students to engage with diverse briefs that challenge their creative and technical skills in fashion design. The program emphasizes the importance of research, concept development, garment construction, pattern cutting, and the use of innovative materials and technologies. Students explore various aspects of fashion design, including womenswear, menswear, knitwear, textiles, and sustainable design practices. The curriculum also incorporates workshops, seminars, and critiques to foster technical proficiency, critical analysis, and peer learning.
Research Focus: The MA Fashion: Design program at CSVPA is underpinned by a research-informed approach to fashion design practice. Students are encouraged to conduct both visual and contextual research to inform their design concepts, material choices, and understanding of contemporary fashion trends and cultural influences. The program emphasizes the critical analysis of existing fashion design and the exploration of innovative design methodologies. Self-initiated projects allow students to delve deeper into areas of personal interest within fashion design and contribute to the evolving discourse in the field.
Industry Engagement: A key feature of the MA Fashion: Design program at CSVPA is its strong connection to the fashion industry. The program benefits from guest lectures by practicing fashion designers, industry visits to fashion houses and studios, and opportunities for collaborative projects and live briefs. This exposure to professional practice provides students with valuable insights into the demands and expectations of the fashion design industry, helping them to develop a professional network and prepare for their future careers in this competitive field.
Global Perspective: While based in the UK, the MA Fashion: Design program at CSVPA attracts a diverse international student body, fostering a rich multicultural learning environment. The program encourages students to consider the global context of fashion design, exploring international fashion markets, cultural influences on design aesthetics, and the challenges of designing for a global consumer. The development of a strong professional portfolio also prepares graduates for opportunities within the international fashion industry.
Location
Cambridge
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 28995
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.0.
- Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts (CSVPA) is supporting talented international students through a variety of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence, creative potential, and to make quality education more accessible for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: CSVPA offers merit-based scholarships that reward students with outstanding academic records or exceptional creative portfolios. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition fees and are awarded based on the quality of the student’s previous work and achievements.
Creative Talent Scholarships: Recognizing the importance of artistic ability, CSVPA provides scholarships specifically for students who demonstrate exceptional talent in visual arts, performing arts, design, or related fields. Applicants are usually required to submit a portfolio or audition as part of the selection process.
Financial Need Scholarships: Some scholarships are allocated to students who demonstrate genuine financial need. These aim to support talented individuals who might otherwise face challenges funding their education abroad.
An MA in Fashion: Design from CSVPA equips graduates with advanced creative, technical, and conceptual skills, positioning them for a diverse range of impactful careers within the competitive and evolving fashion industry. The program's emphasis on individual design identity and industry relevance prepares graduates to be innovative and visionary designers.
Fashion Designer (Own Label or Established Brand): Creating original clothing and accessory designs, developing collections, and potentially establishing their own fashion brand or working for established fashion houses.
Technical Designer: Focusing on the fit, construction, and production aspects of garment design, ensuring that designs can be accurately manufactured to a high standard.
Textile Designer: Developing innovative fabric designs, prints, and textures for use in fashion and interiors, often working with mills and manufacturers.
Pattern Cutter/Garment Technologist: Creating precise patterns for garment production and overseeing the technical aspects of garment construction.
Fashion Stylist: Curating and assembling clothing and accessories for editorial shoots, advertising campaigns, celebrities, and personal clients, showcasing their creative vision.
Costume Designer (Film, Theatre, Television): Designing and creating costumes for characters in various performance mediums, requiring strong research and storytelling skills.
Fashion Illustrator: Creating visual representations of fashion designs for presentations, editorials, and advertising, utilizing artistic drawing or digital skills.
Trend Forecaster (Fashion): Researching and analyzing emerging trends in fashion, culture, and society to predict future styles and inform design decisions.
Sustainable Fashion Designer: Focusing on environmentally and ethically responsible design practices, creating collections that minimize environmental impact and promote social responsibility.
Design Educator (Higher Education): Teaching fashion design principles and practices at the university level, mentoring aspiring designers and contributing to the future of fashion education (often requires further qualifications).
