Program Overview

MA Fashion Design

Overview

The MA Fashion Design is an intensive, specialist programme that will give you the tools to explore and refine your identity as a fashion design practitioner and entrepreneur. Our close industry links from across the globe will provide you with a clear insight into a variety of possible career paths and professional opportunities, alongside working closely with a team of academics and demonstrators ready to support and push you towards your goals.

Attendance and Duration

• Full-time
• 16 months
• Next enrolment: September 2025

Introduction

Are you ambitious to become a fashion designer who is confident in adapting to a fast-paced industry? Are you ready to master creative technical skills and innovative design thinking in a state of the art, professional studio setting based in Salford, Manchester? Our MA Fashion Design is an intensive, specialist programme that will give you the tools to explore and refine your identity as a fashion design practitioner and entrepreneur.

Course Details

Over the course of three trimesters, you will have the opportunity to refine and enhance your skills in this MA Fashion Design programme. Immersed in a creative studio environment, you will work on projects that challenge you to reshape your existing artistic and practical skills, propose visionary solutions and bring your ideas to life through a personal portfolio and final collection.

Semester One: Creative Research and Fashion Practice

This module focuses on the understanding and application of a range of practice-based research methods. You will be encouraged to develop an individual line of inquiry that will be explored through a variety of creative research methods with support from lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Semester Two: Design Practice

Using initial research findings and in negotiation with tutors, you will be expected to become more independent and experimental, instigating and managing your own briefs. In the development of independent practice, you must consider the intended market, consumer, and season as part of your design process.

Semester Three: Major Project

The aim of this module is to offer you the opportunity to critically engage in a major practice-driven project in which the emphasis will be on production, analysis and critical reflection in response to your personal design direction.

What Will I Be Doing?

• 70% Practical projects
• 30% Reflective writing, reports and presentations

Teaching

As part of this master of arts in fashion design, your timetable will include a breakdown of your scheduled lessons with timeslots for you to explore your independent research interests. Your classes will be based at our New Adelphi building.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed throughout this MA fashion design on a body of work and contextual research, including portfolios, exhibitions, publications and more. You’ll produce reflective journals, sketchbooks, statements, manifestos or business plans, as well as engage in technical work, including pattern making and garment construction.

Employment and Stats

Graduating from a fashion design master’s programme puts you in a strong position to apply for a variety of roles within the fashion industry. You may decide to join an existing fashion house as a fashion designer, pattern cutter, or textile designer, among many other roles.

Requirements

To gain a place on this MA Fashion Design degree, you’ll have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements when you apply.

Portfolio Requirement

As part of the application process for MA Fashion Design you will be expected to submit a portfolio of work that demonstrates your creative and practical design skills.

Standard Entry Requirements

• Relevant undergraduate degree, normally at 2:1 or above, and supporting portfolio of practice.
• Applicants with an undergraduate degree of 2:2 will be considered where a high quality portfolio of practice is presented.

International Students

If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.5 with no element below 5.5.

Alternative Entry Requirements

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

Fees

• Full-time home: £10,350 per year (2025/26)
• Full-time international: £20,990 per year (2025/26)

Additional Costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding, materials and portfolios, and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships for International Students

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.