Program Overview

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Fashion MA

Overview

The MA/MFA Fashion hinges on the concept of the designer as a pioneer, identifying and developing new terrains beyond the frontier of the industry as we know it today.

Integral to its philosophy is that it is a space for creative minds to consider what the future of fashion looks like shaping their learning and knowledge to become leaders and innovators for the industry.

Depending on the degree type chosen, students will develop their learning over 6 to 8 modules, that aim to facilitate students to critically reflect on their initial research projects, to define their practice both conceptually and technically and produce a body of work that reflects the professional process and progress. This will evidence independent, original work and research within the subject area.

Students will have the opportunity to experience professional engagement in a context relevant to their individual practice or chosen career path through the completion of live industry projects and undertake a master-level work placement (minimum 10 weeks, maximum 12 weeks) in an industry that is pertinent to their career objectives.

Past students have gone on to launch their own businesses or work freelance in many areas within the fashion sector such as creative direction, fabric and material resource, design consultant and more.

You can apply for this course as an MFA or MA. The MFA takes one extra year and you can apply by choosing the MFA option when you click 'apply'.

MA (Master of Arts)

1-year course with a focus on researching, developing creative practice and implementing an interdisciplinary learning project or curriculum initiative with measurable impact within a project environment (e.g. Learning organisation, arts organisation, business enterprise and innovation, design-oriented organisation, social-engaged project context).

• 6 modules = 180 Credits at Level 7

MFA (Master of Fine Arts)

2-year course with a focus on researching, developing creative practice and implementing an interdisciplinary learning project or curriculum initiatives in year 1 that lead to a larger-scale embedded research project in year 2. The emphasis of the larger-scale research project will integrate several interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary contexts through practice, research and live projects, applying a range of seminal and contemporary theories to project research and development from many relevant disciplinary domains (such as design, innovation, business and enterprise).

• 8 modules = 360 Credits at Level 7

All qualification outcomes involve the same 6 or 8 modules.

The nature of the work for each student will emanate from the context of their practice-based research.

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Course options

Start date September 2025

MA

Entry Requirements

Fashion MA

• Academic requirements
  • Accepted Qualifications: Bachelor's degree with minimum Upper Second Class (2:1) or equivalent in an art design or media subject area.
  • International Qualifications: We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit our International page for full details.
• English Language requirements
  • Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).
  • If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English course. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 10-week pre-sessional course.
• Mature applicants and those without formal qualifications
  • As an inclusive university, we recognise those who have been out of education for some time may not have the formal qualifications usually required. We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have the relevant life/work experience that equips them to succeed on the course. We will assess this from the information provided in your application or may request additional information such as a CV or attendance at an interview. Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined.
• Portfolio
  • A portfolio is required and should be relevant to this course. It should include a wide range of work that shows your creativity, technical competence and understanding of the subject area.
  • Refer to our Portfolio page for further information.
• Admissions policy / Terms of Admittance
  • We are committed to fair admissions and access by recruiting students regardless of their social, cultural or economic background. Our admissions policy sets out the principles and procedures we use to admit new students for all courses offered by the university and its partners.
• Further advice and guidance
  • You can speak to a member of our Applicant Enquiries team on +44 (0), Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, you can visit our Information, Advice and Guidance centre.

Fees

• Home Applicant: Full time, 1 year: £11,340 per year
• Home Applicant: Part time: £1,890 per 30 credit module
• International Applicant: Full time, 1 year: £16,140 per year

MFA

Entry Requirements

Fashion MA

• Academic requirements
  • Accepted Qualifications: Bachelor's degree with minimum Upper Second Class (2:1) or equivalent in an art design or media subject area.
  • International Qualifications: We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit our International page for full details.
• English Language requirements
  • Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).
  • If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English course. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 10-week pre-sessional course.
• Mature applicants and those without formal qualifications
  • As an inclusive university, we recognise those who have been out of education for some time may not have the formal qualifications usually required. We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have the relevant life/work experience that equips them to succeed on the course. We will assess this from the information provided in your application or may request additional information such as a CV or attendance at an interview. Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined.
• Portfolio
  • A portfolio is required and should be relevant to this course. It should include a wide range of work that shows your creativity, technical competence and understanding of the subject area.
  • Refer to our Portfolio page for further information.
• Admissions policy / Terms of Admittance
  • We are committed to fair admissions and access by recruiting students regardless of their social, cultural or economic background. Our admissions policy sets out the principles and procedures we use to admit new students for all courses offered by the university and its partners.
• Further advice and guidance
  • You can speak to a member of our Applicant Enquiries team on +44 (0), Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, you can visit our Information, Advice and Guidance centre.

Fees

• Home Applicant: Full time, 2 years: Year 1 fees: £11,340 (180 credits). Year 2 fees: £7,560 (120 credits).
• Home Applicant: Part time: £1,890 per 30 credit module
• International Applicant: Full time, 2 years: Year 1 fees: £16,140 (180 credits). Year 2 fees: £10,760 (120 credits).

Fees, funding and additional costs

Fees

EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course from September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fee regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.

Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.

Funding

Home students

• Postgraduate Loans Scheme: £10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
• Postgraduate Scholarship: Apply for a 50 per cent discount on your tuition fees!
• Our scholarships and bursaries can help you: Alumni Discount, Early Payment Discount, Asylum Seekers scholarship, Civic Engagement, Hardship Bursary, Sport Scholarships
• How to pay your fees: Online payment facilities, By telephone, In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus, Bank transfer
• Ideas for funding your postgraduate study: Apply for a Postgraduate Loan, Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries, Ask your employer to sponsor your study, Study part-time so you can work at the same time, Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options

International students

• Living costs for international students: As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs.
• How to pay your fees - international students: Deposits and paying by instalments

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Some additional fees are in the course specification or given during the application process.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

• Textbooks
• Computer equipment
• Printing
• Travel

Learn about applying

Important information about your application

• UK Full-time starting Sept: How to apply, When to apply, Advice and guidance, Already applied?, Need help?
• UK Part-time starting Sept: How to apply, When to apply, Advice and guidance, Already applied?, Need help?
• International Full-time starting Sept: Submitting your application, How to apply, When to apply, International students who reside overseas, Advice and guidance, Need help?

Course modules

Year 1

• Identify Concepts and Technologies Core Module
• Define: Concepts and Technologies Core Module
• Define: Live Industry Project Core Module
• Professional Life: Advanced Fashion Portfolio (Mental Wealth) FT7020 Core Module
• Consolidate: Concept and Technologies Core Module
• Fashion Consultancy Project/Internship Core Module

Year 2 (MFA only)

• Creative Practice Core Module
• MFA Professional Platform Core Module

What we're researching

Our academic team are dedicated to furthering the knowledge of creative practice and how it impacts on the fashion industry.

One of our research areas is sustainable design within fashion and textiles. In a collaborative project by UEL researchers; we've been analysing and identifying new materials and decorative methods. Our BA Fashion Design senior lecturer, Joe Hunter's environmental design ideology has been ongoing since the early 90s and is reinvigorated with a new soft sculpture, printed with trash and skinned with denim offcuts to create an oversized soft toy designed to initiate kids into environmental preservation.

Additionally, we're also looking at how new digital technology can transform the fashion shopping experience and further increase in-store customer experience. MA International Fashion Business programme leader, Kent Le, is conducting his PhD on the use of Augmented Reality in Fashion Promotion with his research being presented at international conferences such as the International Conference on Contemporary Marketing Issues.

Our Head of Department and Course Leader for BA Fashion Design, Beatrice Newman, is an entrepreneur and has launched her own brand, Korlekie, which specialises in unique made-to-order clothing that has been worn by the likes of Alesha Dixon, Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding and Tiwa Savage from Nigeria. Her specialist area of research surrounds building a sustainable fashion business with an emphasis towards the development and preservation of craftsmanship using heritage handcraft and digital technology.

Your future career

We're proud that our students go on to make their names as designers, design coordinators, pattern cutters, fashion technologists, product developers and retail managers.

As one of our graduates Lucy Johnson, who now owns the streetwear label Brahboys, says of the course, "It was a fun and emotional experience that I'd recommend to anyone thinking of a career in fashion."

At Graduate Fashion Week 2016, one of our students, Antonia Nae, won the prestigious Lipsy Red Carpet Award for her sweeping black dress.

The quality of our students' work is held in such high regard that a group of our undergraduates were commissioned to create the costumes for a pivotal scene in the hit movie, Absolutely Fabulous.

Industry links

The UEL Fashion and Textiles area has strong links with the industry that have been developed over the past 30 years and have worked with companies such as:

• Erdem
• Polo Ralph Lauren
• Jenny Packham
• The Collection
• Asos
• Marks and Spencer
• Timothy Everest

UEL fashion students are in high demand in the industry for placement candidates as well as graduate employees due to their high level of skills and professionalism.

Career options

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.

"With a diverse student body that comes to UEL from all over the world, students will be able to grow their network on campus whilst experiencing what London has to offer. Students will have the opportunity to work with clients and industry professionals as part of their MA/ MFA Fashion degree at UEL, allowing students to sharpen their skills in design and business, developing outcomes towards further research and innovative enterprises."

Beatrice Newman

Head of Department, Fashion

How we support your career ambitions

We offer dedicated careers support, further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone

Our dedicated and award-winning team provide you with careers and employability resources, including:

• Online jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work
• Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts
• 1-2-1 career coaching services
• Careers workshops and employer events
• Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme which issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you’ve mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

Our Mental Wealth programme

We are careers first

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top

• Enterprise and entrepreneurship support
• Ranked 2nd for graduate start-ups (2023/24)
• Networking and visits to leading organisations
• Support in starting a new business, freelancing and self-employment
• London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

The fashion subject area is made up of industry-knowledgeable staff, entrepreneurs and business owners, so you can be sure you will be learning in real time. We believe it is important that your education is consistent with the times and reflects the industry you will progress into.

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.

This will typically involve skills development through 3D studio and workshop development, online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing practical and written coursework assignments and presentations.

Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.

Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas – including learning and disability support.

Personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.

Timetable

Each year you will spend around 200 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.

The approximate percentages for this course are:

• Year 1: scheduled teaching - approx. 300 hours; guided independent study - 1,500 hours
• Year 2: scheduled teaching - 200 hours; guided independent study - 1,000 hours

Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm.

For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts ten students a year.

We have our own baseroom for group work and collaborations.

How you'll be assessed

Practical coursework will include: garment construction, technical sewing files, reports and presentations. Theoretical coursework includes essays, research files, sample and development portfolios, practical design development, group and seminar presentations.

The approximate percentages for this course are:

• 50% coursework
• 50% practical

You will have the opportunity to gain feedback from your lecturers, peers and our industry partners. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Campus and facilities

Docklands Campus, London, E16 2RD

Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.

Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.

Features include our 24/7 Docklands library, our £21m SportsDock centre, a campus shop and bookstore, the Children's Garden Nursery, cafés, eateries, a late bar, plus Student Union facilities, including a student lounge.

The University of East London is one of the few London universities to provide on-campus accommodation. Our Docklands Campus Student Village houses close to 1,200 students from around the world. We are well connected to central London and Canary Wharf, with London City Airport just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.

Take a virtual tour of our campus

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by the School of Arts and Creative Industries

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

• Course leader: Wesley Hartwell
• Course leader: Beatrice Newman
• Course leader: Lesley Robertson
• Course leader: Kent Le

Related courses

This course is part of the fashion subject area.

• MA International Fashion Business
• MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship