Fashion and Bodywear MA

About the course

This course is now closed for 2013 entry.

The unique feature of this course is that it offers a fusion of fashion and intimate apparel aesthetics. It concentrates on extending and deepening existing creative, technical and intellectual knowledge to develop new skills and design capabilities. It encourages collaborative working practices and seeks to discover new potential in design innovation. Practical study is offered in the combined areas of fashion and contour design for the creative and technical development of specialist fashion and bodywear designers.

• Offers an excellent opportunity to specialise in the creative and technical design areas of fashion bodywear
• You will be able to practically explore and develop new design possibilities, supported by specialist staff and technical resources
• Taught modules, specialist creative projects, and an individually negotiated final major project result in the design and production of an innovative range/collection of garments for the hybrid fashion and bodywear area.

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Key facts

UKPASS code: W23071

Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time

Location: Fletcher Building

Start date: September 2013

Entry and admission criteria

• You should have the equivalent of a 2:2 or above UK Bachelor’s Honours degree in a related subject
• You should provide, with your application, a 200 word description of the proposed direction of your MA study, together with a digital portfolio showing 10 images of your strongest work
• If you have other professional qualifications and a minimum of two years industry experience we will consider your application on an individual basis

Portfolio

UK applicants with relevant qualifications should submit a portfolio of work (please see our Fashion and Bodywear portfolio advice| for full details).

Overseas applicants will be invited to send samples of their work. For further details check our School of Fashion and Textiles portfolio advice| for international students.

International students

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available throughout the course if you need it. English Language preparation/pre-sessional courses are also available

Teaching and assessment

The course promotes a philosophy of developing independent learners. Supported by specialist staff and visiting lecturers, you are encouraged to negotiate and direct your own learning. Tuition builds on individual skills and knowledge in order to develop new capabilities of design investigation, experimentation, analysis and production. Assessment is continuous.

Course modules

First semester – Research Methodologies/Design Innovation

Involves specialist taught modules in the core areas of research methodologies and design innovation where you will develop a range of research, conceptual and technical skills to support you in the production of individual and creative 2D/3D designs. Through these two modules, you will examine and analyse the potential and process for research and, in particular, that of a practice-led nature within a multidisciplinary design context. You will also be encouraged to extend and develop your own portfolio of research skills, embedding research theory into your design practice to benefit the generation of new ideas, advanced creativity and innovation.

Module options are also offered in Business Planning for the Creative Practitioner and Critical Perspectives on Ethical and Sustainable Fashion to complement the core curriculum and enhance your learning opportunities.

Second semester – Fashion Marketing/Design Research and Development

Further develops your design research expertise along with specialist skills in the field of fashion bodywear. Collaborative and dynamic approaches to design involve 3D experimentation, sampling and prototyping. You will create garments in the specialist areas of lingerie, control wear and swimwear. Practical and intellectual development of design thinking continues through to pre-collection as you explore and propose themes and ideas for your final Major Project (third semester).

Key marketing processes for the fashion industry and methods of self-promotion will also be studied, incorporating fashion promotion, networking, promotional text and creative collaboration. You will develop various styles of 2D representation and presentation techniques using digital and hand-crafted methods for the production of a visually stimulating, innovative and professional portfolio.

Third semester – Major Project

Promotes an autonomous approach towards the completion of your Major Project, questioning how design research, creative thinking and process can be better integrated. Creativity, skills and knowledge are applied and extended within individually negotiated and contextualised frameworks.

The Major Project affords the opportunity for in-depth exploration and expansion of creative concepts and ideas. The aesthetic, conceptual and technological considerations of the designer are presented in 3D garment/prototype collection and 2D portfolio. A personal illustrated critical and reflective thesis (5,000 words) addresses the underpinning of theoretical and philosophical dimensions of your Major Project. You will present the work as a final exhibition. At the end of this module, you will be able to demonstrate self-direction and originality in the application of knowledge; an ability to deal with complex issues systematically and creatively and an ability to plan and conduct work independently and in the absence of complete data.

Academic expertise

Technical suites include specialist equipment and computerised machinery (for example, lockstitch, zig zag, and elastication and bone casing) for the manufacture of outer wear and intimate apparel. Specialist bra moulding technologies are accessible. Also available are industry standard apparel software, including CAD (TEX Design, Photoshop and Illustrator), LECTRA systems (Modaris pattern design software, Diamion Lay Planning and Mikalis design and specification packages). Print, weave, knit, dye and textiles testing are other specialist facilities on the course.

Industry links and professional accreditation

A large proportion of our lecturers are active practitioners and specialists in their field, including for example, working as architects, choreographers, composers, interior designers, journalists, new product developers, public relations consultants.

This ensures that you will learn real world skills that are in touch with the commercial sector, the latest technologies and current thinking.

Our creative staff also work as authors, composers, performers, freelance designers, practising fine artists and photographers who exhibit or perform internationally.

Other lecturers are involved in world class research and consultancy which enhances the quality of our teaching. Current projects range from digital media and holography to textile materials, fine art sculpture and the built environment, film and Hollywood to Women's TV History.

Our expertise in innovation has led us to advise regional businesses on developing new products. We are currently leading an initiative in resource efficient design for the retail supply chain. We also conduct consultancy and training for a number of clients including George at Asda, Oxford Instruments and Halfords and our major expertise in knowledge transfer and exchange offers benefits to a range of industrial partners.

Other members of our staff have connections with media organisations such as Amanda Blue independent award winning television producer 'Prescott the Class System and Me', 'World's Oldest Mother', Supernanny, 'Big School lottery' 'Young Black Farmers'

We also have partnerships and collaborations with the city's creative and cultural centres. These include Phoenix Square, The Curve Theatre and Leicester Comedy Festival

De Montfort University is highly rated by employers and offers excellent links with industry, the creative and cultural world, and the professions.

“I love studying at DMU and have learnt so much on the course. The facilities are of a really high quality and lecturers are very friendly and helpful. I would tell anyone interested in the course that you need to be really focused and hard working; the course does require complete dedication. For me, it was a brilliant learning curve.”

Lorna Allen, MA Fashion Bodywear graduate, currently working for the lingerie, swimwear and clothing company Bravissimo

Graduate careers

A variety of career opportunities are available to graduates. These include working in design and manufacturing companies, setting up new business ventures, or working as freelance designers. Teaching or undertaking further research at PhD level are other options.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding options for 2013/14 entry are still under review and are subject to change.

Full-time UK/EU Postgraduate courses fees £4,200 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* £5,000 International
Postgraduate courses fees £11,700 Part-time Part-time fees are charged on a credit basis, you will need to complete 180 credits over the course of an MA/MSc programme. 15 credits £350 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* 15 credits
£420 Continuation UK/EU Fee** £150 Continuation International Fee** £5000

For more information please take a look at our Funding|| section.

* ELQ Student definition - If you are a Home or EU status student and you already have a qualification at or above the level of the programme you wish to study from any country you will be considered as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) student. In 2008 the UK Government decided to stop funding universities for student in this situation and therefore the following fees will apply £5,000. Students from outside the EU are not affected by the policy.

** A fee that is charged on a periodic basis where Postgraduate or Research students need to extend their registration to complete the course.

Scholarships

Learn more about postgraduate funding and finance|

Facilities

Learn more about our Fashion and Textile workshops