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Costume with Textiles BA(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years inc. placement year

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BCC

BTEC - DMM-MMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

55

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Gain real-world experience via placement opportunities in theatre, film, and TV. Previous students have undertaken placements at Royal Shakespeare Company, BBC, and Open Australia.
  2. The course is accredited by The Textile Institute – the professional body for people and organisations in textile, clothing, and footwear industries.  
  3. An impressive 100 per cent of graduates from this course are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduating (Unistats 20/21 data, UK domiciled graduates).  

Do you light up while watching period dramas and other costume-heavy films and TV shows? Perhaps you’re at the edge of your seat, marvelling at the intricacies of the gowns and outfits? If so, this course is for you.

On our Costume with Textiles BA(Hons) degree, you’ll learn to design and create costumes for film, TV, theatre, and games. You’ll gain real-world experience via placement opportunities in theatre, film, and TV, with previous students having undertaken placements at Royal Shakespeare Company, BBC, and Open Australia.

You’ll hone your skills via a range of briefs to establish a personal identity, undertaking independent research, analysing scripts, and developing costume concepts and designs.

The course offers a professional approach to costume design and construction and you’ll investigate textiles techniques to give you a thorough grounding in all aspects of this subject area.

You’ll be taught by tutors who have professional costume-making experience, learning in our state-of-the-art, £30-million Barbara Hepworth Building.

Why study Costume with Textiles BA(Hons)

The course is accredited by The Textile Institute – the professional body for people and organisations in textile, clothing, and footwear industries.

Enrol onto this course and you’ll explore experimentation in costume design and illustration, textile design, advanced pattern cutting and construction techniques, bespoke garment fitting and costume realisation.

You’ll also have opportunity to develop professional costumes, and hone skills such as text/music/character analysis, visual and contextual research methods, and presentation practice. You’ll be encouraged to apply reflection and evaluation to your work and consider sustainable principles in the costume industry. An impressive 100% of graduates from this course are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduating (Unistats 20/21 data, UK domiciled graduates).

Our design, construction, and textiles studios are home to facilities that help bring your ideas to life, including:

  • Computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Traditional and contemporary embroidery
  • Printing techniques, including handcrafting, laser cutting 3D Printing and digital printing
  • Traditional and contemporary knit and weave workshops, that host a variety of machinery and yarns for students to experiment with.

Our textiles and construction workrooms provide specialist equipment, too, allowing you to work on surface textile techniques and sophisticated costume construction methods.

If you’re keen to make your mark within costume, fashion, decorative arts, theatre crafts, textiles or more, this course is designed to provide the foundations for a fruitful, post-university career within the costume and textile industry.

Course detail

Core modules:

Materials Processes and Practices

This module is designed to build your core knowledge in textile materials and processes used in a wide range of both bespoke and industrial applications. You will have the opportunity to explore how materials for the fashion, costume and textile industries continually evolve through technological developments and innovation.

Costume Design 1

This module will focus on an introduction to a variety of techniques and processes which are involved in the creation of costume design concepts. The module introduces script analysis, character interpretation and visual methods of design for costume. Methods of script analysis and character analysis will be introduced to inform the design development process. Students will research cultural and historical influences in order to develop a personal approach to costume design and illustration. This will be supported by exploration of a variety of visual methods and media techniques for the development of costume design and illustration.

Introduction to Costume Construction

This module will provide students with the fundamentals of pattern cutting for costume. Students will be introduced to the skills of seaming, stitch types and appropriate sewing methods for toile and costume construction including an introduction to basic techniques for prop making and accessories Using bespoke measurements students will learn the basic principles of flat pattern cutting, methods of basic block manipulation, experimentation with cut and the making of costume related patterns.

Textile Practices

Students will be able to apply fundamental design application skills using the Textile workshops through the specialism areas of print, knit, weave or embroidery. The syllabus is designed to develop the ability to conceptualise and produce textiles samples for a specific end use, with an emphasis on aesthetic and technical excellence.

Option modules:

Sustainable Principles

This module introduces the theory underpinning how textiles and its associated industries are responding to sustainability targets and concerns. Students will develop knowledge, understanding and critical thinking whilst exploring key principles of sustainability such as environmental and social impact, sustainable practices related to manufacturing, recycling/reuse of materials, and circular business models.

Developing Confidence in Spoken and Written English

The module is designed for students who have the minimum level of English language skills for them to have been accepted onto a university course and who may lack the initiative to ask for help when needed. In this module students are provided with the opportunity to develop higher levels of confidence in their production of spoken and written academic English. In addition, students will consolidate and refine their understanding of syntax and grammatical structures. As the module runs alongside their university studies, there is an emphasis on and an incentive to use skills that complement work done in the main area of study and which will be of use in and beyond an academic context. The use of regular AM/AI-proof tasks will ensure students develop an understanding of their own learning and the role they themselves play in developing their knowledge and skills. The module contributes to the attainment of skills and knowledge relevant to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) normally level B2- to B2.

English for Academic and Professional Purposes

The module provides students who have a level of English language skills sufficiently advanced for them to have been accepted onto a University course with the opportunity to improve further their skills in that language, with particular reference to improvements in the accuracy, clarity and fluency of their oral and written work. In addition to this, students will refine and develop their knowledge of academic study skills. As the module runs alongside their university studies, there is an emphasis on and an incentive to use skills that complement work done in the main area of study and which will be of use in and beyond an academic context. The use of regular AM/AI-proof tasks will ensure students develop an understanding of their own learning and the role they themselves play in developing their knowledge and skills. The module contributes to the attainment of skills and knowledge relevant to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) normally level B2 to B2+.

Advanced Professional and Academic English

The module is designed for students who already have a good level of competence in spoken and written English and will support them to further enhance their language and academic skills. Students will refine and develop higher level thinking skills such as critical analysis, problem-solving, synthesis, inference and metacognition. Advanced oral role-plays, group discussions and debates will serve to improve spontaneity and sophistication of expression, whilst written activities will build greater fluency in the use of linguistic structures. They will work with extended academic texts and understand such academic skills as synthesising sources, literature reviews, methodologies, paraphrasing and a range of accurate citation skills. As the module runs alongside their university studies, there is an emphasis on and an incentive to use skills that complement work done in the main area of study and which will be of use in and beyond an academic context. The use of regular AM/AI-proof tasks will ensure students develop an understanding of their own learning and the role they themselves play in developing their knowledge and skills. The module contributes to the attainment of skills appropriate to the B2+ to C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages.

Entry requirements

BBB-BCCat A Level or equivalent.

120-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

Merit at T Level.

DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

  • Pass in Diploma Foundation Studies in Art and Design combined with A Level or BTEC qualifications, to total an equivalent of 120-104 UCAS tariff points.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • 120-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

Applicants will be invited to attend an Applicant Visit Day, at which you will have the opportunity to present and be given feedback on your portfolio.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Placements


The course offers an optional one-year (36 week minimum) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

Students within the area of Costume with Textiles have previously taken up placement opportunities in theatre, film and television with companies including: Opera North – Leeds; The National Theatre – London; The Royal Exchange – Manchester; Birmingham Royal Ballet - Birmingham; Scottish Ballet – Glasgow; Northern Ballet - Leeds; Royal Shakespeare Company - Stratford; BBC Wales - Cardiff; Opera Australia (based in the Sydney Opera House) - Australia; Cabasa Carnival Arts - Oldham; Central Youth Theatre - Wolverhampton; Hat Therapy - Hebden Bridge; Souraya – Australia; Zandra Rhodes – London; The Crucible Theatre – Sheffield and Bayerische Staatsoper – Germany and Timorous Beasties - Glasgow. You can tailor your placement year to suit you, depending on what specific industry experience you wish to gain.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. You can find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year here.

You can find out more information on placements here.

Taking a placement year has allowed me to experience a variety of working routines and costume environments; some of which have pushed me out of my comfort zone, giving me an insight into non-traditional materials and techniques.

Profile photo of Alice Cobbin

Alice Cobbin, Costume with Textiles BA(Hons), graduated 2020 Costume with Textiles BA(Hons)

Student Work

A gallery of work from our Costume with Textiles students and graduate shows. Click on each image to find out more.

Your career


This course aims to help you develop the skills needed for roles such as costume designers and makers for film, opera, theatre, dance and television; textile designers for the creative industries; wardrobe assistants; set designers; illustrators; stylists and teachers. Some companies our graduates have gone on to work with include Angels the Costumiers, The Beamish Museum, Bristol Costume Services, The English National Theatre, Opera North and The Northern Ballet.**

 

*Percentage of our undergraduate students from this course go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

Source: **GEMS

80% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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