Costume Degree
Hi! I'm currently trying to decide where to study costume for uni. My top 5 at the moment are ECA, Wimbledon, AUB, Falmouth and NTU. Can anyone who's studying or has studied at these unis let me know what the courses are like?
How much is the scheduled work per week? Do you feel like you learn things to a high standard at industry quality? Are the resources adequate for the work you want to do?
Thank you!
How much is the scheduled work per week? Do you feel like you learn things to a high standard at industry quality? Are the resources adequate for the work you want to do?
Thank you!
Reply 1
Hi @sophiar53,
It's great to hear you're considering Costume Design and Construction at NTU!
A large component of this course with us is the opportunity to learn by doing; taking costume work from conceptualisation to a fully realised production, in the company of active performance design experts, a number of which who maintain their practice alongside teaching. If you've not had the chance already, I'd read through some of our student and alumni stories if you'd like to hear more.
One of the key opportunities our students have is connection and collaboration with industry, with live projects throughout the year. In the past our students have worked in dressing and making for productions at the Leicester Curve theatre, and collaborated with Nottingham Contemporary.
I graduated from NTU a few years ago now, and I knew a few Costume Design students through NTSU Drama society, one of which went on to dress for the RSC. They had the opportunity for plenty of self directed workshop and studio time, and I always loved to hear about the practitioners they would meet as guest lecturers.
One thing I'd recommend as you're exploring your options is to attend any open days if you can. Nothing beats the opportunity to see facilities for yourself and discuss the course with current students and staff. Our next date at NTU is 7 March, but you can also book campus tours throughout the year, or see the studios and facilities as part of a digital tour of our Waverly Building!
I hope this helps, let us know if you have any questions!
-Yaz
It's great to hear you're considering Costume Design and Construction at NTU!
A large component of this course with us is the opportunity to learn by doing; taking costume work from conceptualisation to a fully realised production, in the company of active performance design experts, a number of which who maintain their practice alongside teaching. If you've not had the chance already, I'd read through some of our student and alumni stories if you'd like to hear more.
One of the key opportunities our students have is connection and collaboration with industry, with live projects throughout the year. In the past our students have worked in dressing and making for productions at the Leicester Curve theatre, and collaborated with Nottingham Contemporary.
I graduated from NTU a few years ago now, and I knew a few Costume Design students through NTSU Drama society, one of which went on to dress for the RSC. They had the opportunity for plenty of self directed workshop and studio time, and I always loved to hear about the practitioners they would meet as guest lecturers.
One thing I'd recommend as you're exploring your options is to attend any open days if you can. Nothing beats the opportunity to see facilities for yourself and discuss the course with current students and staff. Our next date at NTU is 7 March, but you can also book campus tours throughout the year, or see the studios and facilities as part of a digital tour of our Waverly Building!
I hope this helps, let us know if you have any questions!
-Yaz
Reply 2
Original post
by sophiar53Hi! I'm currently trying to decide where to study costume for uni. My top 5 at the moment are ECA, Wimbledon, AUB, Falmouth and NTU. Can anyone who's studying or has studied at these unis let me know what the courses are like?
How much is the scheduled work per week? Do you feel like you learn things to a high standard at industry quality? Are the resources adequate for the work you want to do?
Thank you!
How much is the scheduled work per week? Do you feel like you learn things to a high standard at industry quality? Are the resources adequate for the work you want to do?
Thank you!
Hi!
I’m currently studying at Falmouth, I’m not on Costume Design but I’m in the fashion and textiles department so I’ve collaborated with costume students in the past, hopefully I can help a bit
The teaching on the course is designed to prepare you for industry however they can…in the first year you will learn technical skills in pattern cutting, sewing, fitting as well as developing creative skills in designing and drawing in the context of costume.
Second year you will continue growing on these skills and dive deeper into screen theory. Then in third year you will finalise preparation for industry, refining skills through ideas pitching, a major collaborative screen production project, and portfolio creation.
The department has a great costume wardrobe as well as an extensive Textiles and Dress Collection that has pieces dating back to the early 1800s that students can look at for research and inspiration.
I hope this answered most of your questions…feel free to have a look at this blog by one of our costume ambassadors for more information: https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/student-voice/why-i-chose-study-costume-design-film-television-falmouth
Reply 3
20
NTU has a very good reputation for Costume - if you are specifically interested in Theatre Costume its also worth looking at BA (Hons) Costume Production | The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Reply 4
Only one of those 5 has won a Queens Anniversary Award for their costume course (AUB).
Edinburgh is also a real hub of costume courses - there's ECA but also Queen Margaret and Edinburgh College offering an HND
Edinburgh is also a real hub of costume courses - there's ECA but also Queen Margaret and Edinburgh College offering an HND
Reply 5
Original post
by sophiar53Hi! I'm currently trying to decide where to study costume for uni. My top 5 at the moment are ECA, Wimbledon, AUB, Falmouth and NTU. Can anyone who's studying or has studied at these unis let me know what the courses are like?
How much is the scheduled work per week? Do you feel like you learn things to a high standard at industry quality? Are the resources adequate for the work you want to do?
Thank you!
How much is the scheduled work per week? Do you feel like you learn things to a high standard at industry quality? Are the resources adequate for the work you want to do?
Thank you!
In terms of industry quality standards, the course have units like Costume Principles, which covers life drawing, design, cutting and construction, as well as Professional Practice, which includes industry briefs and placements. There are great opportunities for industry connections too: students do placement units (sometimes with the V&A or on projects like recent exhibitions at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust). If you want a sense of the work produced by students on the course, definitely check out the Wimbledon College of Arts Instagram where they showcase student projects, industry talks, and exhibition highlights:
https://www.instagram.com/wimbledonual?igsh=MWQybjM1NTJrNjNhMg==
Here are links you might found useful:
More about the V&A project:
https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/gVN3xmmRPdj/spectacle-of-the-surreal-may-2025
More about the exhibition at National Trust’s Polesden Lacey:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJej71t0v9/?igsh=bDB6aTI1Y2JxcTMz
There are very good resources at UAL. You have access to dye labs, sewing machines, wood and metal workshops. The Central Loan Store also provides additional equipment, such as cameras and electronics. There are also a metal, wood, laser cutting and 3D printing studio.
You can check out the subject page here:
https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/performance-and-design-for-theatre-and-screen/undergraduate/ba-hons-costume-for-theatre-and-screen-wimbledon
Here are some additional information from previous questions of costume at Wimbledon asked here on the student room that you might find helpful:
There are actually two pathways: Costume Design and Costume Interpretation. You don’t have to be an expert maker, you can focus more on the design side if that suits you better!
The UAL website has a section dedicated to portfolio advice and application tips, which you may find helpful. You can view the portfolio guidance here: https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/apply/portfolio-advice
If you have any questions about UAL life, life in London, or the application process for costume, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, I’m happy to help with insights from the UAL perspective.
Best wishes,
Faye
UAL student rep
Original post
by PQOnly one of those 5 has won a Queens Anniversary Award for their costume course (AUB).
Edinburgh is also a real hub of costume courses - there's ECA but also Queen Margaret and Edinburgh College offering an HND
Edinburgh is also a real hub of costume courses - there's ECA but also Queen Margaret and Edinburgh College offering an HND
Just jumping in to echo this. Our Costume course won the Queen's Anniversary Prize for 'distinguished degree level education in costume design for the UK’s leading creative industries’, with a strong and growing network of alumni working in film, theatre and historical costume. The course sits within the Bournemouth Film School (BFS) which has just been awarded £1.25 million pounds in funding from the Office for Students, so we're dedicated to continuing the growth and reach of Costume at AUB.
You mentioned industry-standard work. Many of our students are producing pieces used in professional settings (and paid opportunities) throughout their studies, preparing them for life after graduation. We also offer a year's placement on all of our courses to give our students a head start, as well as being well connected to industry through out vast alumni network and industry patrons.
If you haven't already, we'd recommend you visit for an Open Day to get a feel for life at AUB. Our last one of the season is coming up this Saturday (10 January).
Hope this helps!
Harry | AUB
(edited 1 week ago)
Reply 7
Original post
by sophiar53Hi! I'm currently trying to decide where to study costume for uni. My top 5 at the moment are ECA, Wimbledon, AUB, Falmouth and NTU. Can anyone who's studying or has studied at these unis let me know what the courses are like?
How much is the scheduled work per week? Do you feel like you learn things to a high standard at industry quality? Are the resources adequate for the work you want to do?
Thank you!
How much is the scheduled work per week? Do you feel like you learn things to a high standard at industry quality? Are the resources adequate for the work you want to do?
Thank you!
Hi! Just to add another perspective in case it’s helpful 😊
At University of Staffordshire, we don’t offer a pure Costume Design degree, as costume construction and processes are quite different from fashion pathways. However, our BA (Hons) Fashion Design course is very flexible, and we do support students whose interests lean towards avant-garde, conceptual, or art-led pieces, including elements that overlap with costume thinking.
A few useful things to know:
•
Tailoring the degree: Students are encouraged to shape their practice around their interests. While we don’t have specific psychology or costume modules, those themes can absolutely inform design work, research, and final outcomes.
•
Industry standard and resources: Teaching focuses strongly on industry-relevant skills, with access to specialist fashion facilities. Students are supported to develop work to a professional standard, particularly through project-based learning.
•
Routes beyond design: There’s now a Fashion Marketing and Communication pathway, meaning students can graduate with BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Communication if they decide to specialise in that direction later on.
•
Contact hours and learning style: Like most fashion degrees, a lot of learning is studio-based and self-directed, supported by taught sessions, tutorials, and critiques. It suits students who enjoy independence with guidance rather than heavily timetabled weeks.
•
Portfolio and entry: We do ask to see examples of work, but it’s not about being intimidating or overly formal. Applicants are asked to talk through their portfolio, and the course team are very open to informal conversations outside the formal shortlisting process to make sure it’s the right fit on both sides. You can find information on that here: https://www.staffs.ac.uk/admissions/interviews/bahons-fashion
Hope that helps, and good luck choosing - you’ve got some great options on your list! 💛
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