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Costume with Textiles BA(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2023-24)

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Undergraduate Open Days
Undergraduate Open Days

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

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About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Real-world experience and placement opportunities in theatre, film and TV. Previous placements include: Royal Shakespeare Company, BBC and Opera Australia.
  2. Develop your own practice through a range of briefs to establish a personal identity, independent research and interpretation of script analysis, development of costume concepts and designs.
  3. Learn in the state of the art £30m Barbara Hepworth Building with design, costume construction and textiles studios and print and embroidery workrooms.

On this course you will learn to design and create costumes for film, tv, theatre and games. The course offers a professional approach to costume design and construction. You’ll also investigate textiles techniques to give you a thorough grounding in all aspects of costume creation. You will be taught by tutors who have professional costume making experience, using our excellent garment construction workrooms, textiles workshops and design studios in our 2019 £30 million custom-designed art and design building.

Why study Costume with Textiles?

  • Explore experimentation in costume design and illustration, textile design, advanced pattern cutting and construction techniques, bespoke garment fitting and costume realisation.
  • Have the opportunity to develop professional costume skills such as text/music/character analysis, visual and contextual research methods, presentation practice and applying reflection and evaluation to your work.
  • Our design, construction, and textiles studios are home to facilities that help bring your ideas to life including computer-aided design (CAD), and traditional and contemporary embroidery and printing techniques including handcrafting, laser cutting and digital printing. Our dyeing, printing, embroidery, and construction workrooms have specialist equipment so you can work on surface textile techniques and sophisticated costume construction methods.

Course detail

Core modules:

Introduction to Costume Construction

This module will provide you with the knowledge needed to transfer a design concept into a three-dimensional costume. You 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 you will learn the basic principles of flat pattern cutting, methods of basic block manipulation, experimentation with cut and the making of costume related patterns. Through the use of these techniques, you will produce a comprehensive file of patterns and samples displaying good technique and finishing skills.

Introduction to Textiles for Costume

A diverse range of materials and techniques will be explored to introduce you to the subject of visual research and development for textile design, and its relationship to costume. An analytical approach will be encouraged to promote the skills of observation, evaluation, selection and combination of methods to record information. You will develop a personal, critical and evaluative approach, together with an aesthetic sensibility. A series of practical workshops will introduce basic skills in a variety of drawing and textile processes / techniques, in order to develop your ability to creatively explore textiles for costume. Colour palette, knowledge of fabric types and classifications will also be explored and form a crucial part of the process.

Introduction to Critical and Contextual Studies

In this module the history, theory, and culture of fashion and costume will be used to contextualise contemporary industry practices. This module aims to provide you with a critical understanding of the development of fashion and costume. It will give you foundation knowledge about the history of fashion and dress, and the key cultural, political, social and economic contexts of clothing and the global fashion industry. The module will cover the development of fashion and the fashion industry, identifying the key people, institutions, events, performances and influences that have informed its evolution as a creative and commercial sector. The module will also examine the relationship between fashion, costume, and society, and their connections to other creative and commercial disciplines. It will also consider the positive and negative cultural, economic and environmental impacts of design, manufacturing, and consumption in both human and environmental contexts, in the UK and globally. The module will provide you with a foundation understanding of fashion, costume and their contexts, allowing you to develop critical insight into these industries. The module will support you in developing a critical vocabulary and the means through which to communicate your ideas. It will help you develop your academic skills, including writing, and help you embed critical and contextual material into your chosen course pathway.

Introduction to Costume Design and Illustration

This module will focus on an introduction to a variety of techniques and processes which are involved in the creation of costume concepts. Historical, contemporary, social, and cultural influences will be researched in order to develop a personal approach to costume design and illustration. You will explore a variety of visual methods and media techniques for the interpretation and development of these concepts for costume design and illustration. The module introduces script analysis, character interpretation and visual methods of design for costume, selected from range of performance areas. Understanding methods of script analysis and character analysis will inform the design development process. Illustration techniques will be taught, which explore a variety of media, methods, techniques and a variety of approaches to figure drawing.

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.

As a centre of creative excellence, we look forward to hearing about your own creative experiments and ambitions through a discussion of your portfolio at interview.

Read our guidance on developing your portfolio and what to expect from your interview.

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.

Equal opportunities

The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

Data protection

The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

Students’ Union membership

Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

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

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