MA Costume Design for Performance
University of the Arts, London
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 3.9) View reviews

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
academic-cap
Qualification

MA - Master of Arts

location-pin
Location

London College of Fashion

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

12 months

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

MA - Master of Arts

Location

London College of Fashion

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

12 months

SELECTED

Subjects

Select a subject


Art & Design
SELECTED

Exam type

Select a an exam type


Location

Select student location


Domestic
SELECTED

EU
SELECT

Rest of World
SELECT

Course info

Course overviewMA Costume Design for Performance is a course where practice and theory will be taught together in a blend of academic and practical skills to reflect new ideas, methods of expression, diversity of cultural backgrounds and analogue as well as digital technologies in performance design. The aim of the course is to develop confident and experimental practitioners who will push the boundaries of the discipline. Through conceptual development, specialised design realisation, ...Read more

Course overview

MA Costume Design for Performance is a course where practice and theory will be taught together in a blend of academic and practical skills to reflect new ideas, methods of expression, diversity of cultural backgrounds and analogue as well as digital technologies in performance design. The aim of the course is to develop confident and experimental practitioners who will push the boundaries of the discipline. Through conceptual development, specialised design realisation, theoretical and practical-based research methods, you will explore the role of costume within contemporary performance and recorded media. The course encourages thinking and making as intrinsically linked processes and an examination of a diverse range of analytical methods such psychology, anthropology, history and culture, social and political contexts utilising technologies from photography, film, fine art, textile and product design, audio, digital and online platforms, realisation and all aspects of performance to create meaningful narratives for contemporary audiences. You will explore situations and narratives that raise attention to ethical, social and political issues as well as challenge traditional costume practices. MA Costume Design for Performance articulates the value of costume for performance as an important and distinct area of performance research and practice. You will be encouraged to read widely, attend internal and external lectures, events, exhibitions, performances and symposia, engage with UAL research hubs, collaborate across other LCF postgraduate courses and across the University of the Arts. You will engage with other disciplines such as literature, fine art, film, music/sound, dance and science to explore ways to articulate ideas through costume as conveyor of meaning, You will be encouraged to develop independent innovative responses to, and a critique of current costume and performance practices.

Career paths

MA Costume Design for Performance graduates’ practice as designers in both the text-based mainstream but also the devised/arthouse live performance and film sector. They often take the collaborative performance work initiated during the course further and as a result, their work has been seen in major national and international festivals, including Prague Quadrennial and Edinburgh Festival, Critical Costume Helsinki (Finland), Pamplona Festival (Spain) and has been exhibited at the National Gallery London, the V&A Museum, National Centre of Performance Art in Beijing, Museum of Modern Art Shanghai and in many other venues in the UK and abroad.

Graduates find employment as assistant designers and costume supervisors in the theatre and film industry in leading institutions such as the Royal Opera House, English National Opera and on films such as Star Wars, Harry Potter and Suffragette. Others have built careers as experts in specific technical areas of costume, such as, pattern cutting, surface textiles, print and dye or fabricated, sculptural costumes. Some graduates are currently working for major fashion labels such as Chanel, Dior, McQueen and Lawrence Xu producing often unusual one-off costumes and objects for the designer’s catwalk shows.

Key stats

CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
23rd
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
29th
What students say
I
Iris
13 Mar 24

the worst is cost of..Read more

P
Polina
12 Mar 24

Great tutors..Read more

Modules

Module Options
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows: an Honours degree at 2.1 or above in a related discipline. Applicants with a degree in another subject may be considered, depending on the strength of the application; OR equivalent qualifications.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£13,330 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

The mentioned fee is for 2024/25 entry. There may be a slight increase in 2025/26 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

£28,570 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The mentioned fee is for 2024/25 entry. There may be a slight increase in 2025/26 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

£28,570 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

The mentioned fee is for 2024/25 entry. There may be a slight increase in 2025/26 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Fashion / Textiles Design reviews

Fashion / Textiles Design
Fashion / Textiles Design
Theatrical Costume
I
Iris
13 Mar 24
Textile Design BA (Hons)
the worst is cost of...
Read more
P
Polina
12 Mar 24
Textile Design BA (Hons)
Great tutors...
Read more
Review breakdown
University rating
University rating
Students' union
Societies and Sports
University halls
Facilities
Lecturers and teaching quality
Local life
Career prospects
Student support
Location
Campus look and feel
Student life
Course rating
Course content
Work placements and internships
Tutor contact time
Subject facilities
University location
Cost of living
Safety
Public transport
Part-time work opportunities
Graduate employment opportunities
Diversity
Location
Safety
Room allocation
Internet/wifi
Value for money
Property management

How Fashion / Textiles Design students rated:

Student rating
( 3.8) 101 reviews
5 star
20%
4 stars
47%
3 stars
29%
2 stars
3%
1 star
1%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 3.9) 723 reviews
5 star
23%
4 stars
49%
3 stars
24%
2 stars
2%
1 star
2%
Search reviews that mention

Uni info

University of the Arts, London
University of the Arts, London , London

University of the Arts London (UAL) is one of the world’s leading and most prestigious arts universities, maintaining an...

Student rating
( 3.9) View reviews
CUG ranking
29th
University of the Arts, London
20 John Prince's Street London City Of Westminster W1G 0BJ United Kingdom
Nearest tube station: Goodge Street  0.3 miles away Nearest train station: Charing Cross   0.6 miles away
Thinking of studying in London?

Check out our

London city guide

Similar courses at this uni

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate