Program Overview

Overview of the Textiles MA Program

The Textiles MA is part of the School of Art and Humanities MA Art & Design Suite, an innovative approach to postgraduate taught education that brings together disciplines from across art and design to produce a collaborative programme of courses that foreground the shared practices, processes and values of art and design in the 21st century.

Program Description

The MA in Textiles covers a broad area of contemporary textile and surface design practice. Spanning both the commercial and arts aspects of the field, the course enables exploration of a varied range of textile directions and contexts. It offers recent graduates, and those returning to education later in their careers, opportunities to enhance their knowledge, skills, creativity and employment prospects, through imaginative enquiry into different textile and surface design concepts and processes.

Program Aims

The aim of this course is to enable you to:

• Develop innovative and imaginative approaches to materials, processes and methodologies in textiles, and rigorously test these ideas against trends within current practice
• Evidence advanced critical evaluation and development of traditional and innovative textile techniques in the creation of new product and concepts
• Experiment, expand and encourage progressive thinking in the sustainable practices for textiles to meet future industry opportunities and customer demands
• Systematically plan, negotiate, and implement a body of work underpinned by advanced practice and research in textiles and/or surface design
• Examine the principles and practices inherent in textiles and surface design and their intersection with commercial and creative industries

Key Information

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

• An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject or an equivalent professional qualification
• Alternative qualifications and/or significant experience may be accepted, subject to approval
• International students with qualifications in 'creative' or 'practice' subjects should submit a digital portfolio (pdf) of work with their application
• All suitably qualified applicants are normally invited in for an informal chat with a portfolio or considered for admittance under alternative arrangements

Start Dates

• 22 September 2025
• 12 January 2026

Duration

• 1 year full-time

Course Detail

Modules

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, tutorials and a programme of design projects. Modules include:

• Research Methods and Project Proposal
• Creative Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Creative Studio
• Professional Practice Fashion and Textiles
• Sustainable Futures Major Project

Teaching and Assessment

Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course. Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results.

What Can I Research?

Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through research our staff remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, which means you have the opportunity to benefit and develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant. For more information, visit the Centre for Cultural Ecologies in Art, Design and Architecture (CEADA) and the Technical Textiles Research Centre.

Facilities

The University offers a range of facilities to support your studies, including:

• Mac Studio in the Barbara Hepworth Building
• Canalside view of the Barbara Hepworth Building
• Knit and weave workshop
• Fabric printing in the print bureau
• Laser cutting facilities

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - Full-time

In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £8,900 (Band 2).

Materials

You will need to cover the cost of some printing of your work for presentation during the course. You will also need to supply your own materials for some aspects of your studies, which may include sketchbooks, general art materials, and some specialist materials and tools for the Major Project. The cost of these items in recent years has been approximately £500 - £700.

Scholarships

The University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries. Find out more about our scholarships.

Career Support

We know you’re coming to university to undertake your course, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition. The Careers and Employability Service offer professional help, support and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs and one-to-one guidance sessions.

Further Study

Following successful completion of your Master’s course, there are opportunities to progress onto research study such as a PhD.

Research Excellence

Our researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives. We are in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power, with three quarters of all our research being world leading and internationally excellent. Over 60% of our research environment was classified as world leading and internationally excellent, especially in Music, Biological Sciences, Architecture and Built Environment, Social Work and Social Policy, History and Communication and Media Studies.