POSTG RAD UATE COU R S E S
FASHION AND TEXTILES
Postgraduate study at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is your opportunity to go further in your knowledge and your career. You can become a specialist, explore the frontier of your subject area with leading researchers, gain accreditation or change trajectory. DMU’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities brings together leading research, award-winning work, and innovation in many of the university’s creative disciplines. Our courses are designed with employability in mind, ensuring you gain the skills and experience relevant for today’s competitive job market. DMU is proud to be recognised as a university ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. This achievement recognises the outstanding teaching from our passionate and enthusiastic academics who are acclaimed experts in their fields. Our art and design courses are taught in the award-winning Vijay Patel Building at the heart of our campus, which embodies our ambition to provide students with all of the tools they need to achieve their aspirations. Take a look at our stunning showcase of the building and facilities at dmu.ac.uk/aad Simon Bradbury Pro Vice-Chancellor International Dean Faculty of Arts, Design & Humanities
Contour Fashion Innovation MA Fashion and Textiles MA Fashion Management with Marketing MA Textile Design, Technology and Innovation MSc
The School of Fashion and Textiles at DMU is founded upon a rich heritage of industry connections and academic expertise. Supported by these links with industry, graduates have gone on to forge successful careers as entrepreneurs, as well as at well-known brands including Abercrombie & Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger, Superdry, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, French Connection, Next, H&M, Kurt Geiger, Clarks, New Balance and Calvin Klein. The school offers a diverse portfolio of postgraduate programmes and an ethos of inclusivity, sustainability and technical innovation. Our courses address the environmental and ethical challenges faced by the industry and ensure graduates develop their skills to be future-facing and responsible designers, communicators, researchers and managers. Visit our website to find out more about studying a postgraduate course at DMU including our range of courses, scholarships, events and much more: dmu.ac.uk/gofurther
POSTG RAD UATE COU R S E S
Teaching Excellence Framework
Contour Fashion Innovation MA
KEY INFORMATION Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time.
Our MA will prepare you for the vast, well-established and specialised field within fashion design, defined by garments shaping the contours of the human form, including corsetry, lingerie, swimwear, performance sportswear, nightwear and athleisure. You will explore creativity, technologies and entrepreneurship, alongside the technical considerations of this complex specialism. Contextual studies into historical, political, social and cultural considerations will fuel your intellectual curiosity and enable you to successfully understand and develop design concepts. You will also learn to take a critical and innovative approach to contemporary global challenges facing designers and businesses, with a focus on sustainable practice embedded throughout. Our Contour Fashion Innovation MA is ideal for contour graduates wishing to further their practice, or fashion and textile graduates with advanced pattern-cutting skills who want to specialise in contour design.
MODULES
TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
EMPLOYABILITY
Core modules
You will learn from experienced industry professionals who are closely connected to their specialisms. Theoretical elements will be taught through lectures, seminars and tutorials. Practical aspects of the programme will be developed through workshops and in the studios.
Contour Fashion graduates often forge careers as designers, technologists and pattern cutters of foundation garments such as corsetry, lingerie and swimwear. Increasingly, roles extend to performance sportswear, athleisure, nightwear, medical garments, wearable technology and within sustainable advancement. You will be able to build a network within the industry through visiting trade fairs, and partner educational institutions in fashion, as well as attending guest talks from industry speakers and visits to a range of fashion businesses, including contour brands and suppliers.
• Contour Foundations • Research Methods • Contour Creative • Supply and Sourcing • Major Project: either Design Concept, Dissertation, Live-Project, Work-Based Project/Placement or Design Practice Optional modules • Design, Innovation and Sustainability • Fashion Promotion and Marketing • Integrated Brand Management • Business Planning for Creative Entrepreneurs • Managing Business Web Presence • Critical Perspectives on Ethical and Sustainable Fashion • Global Markets: Designing Businesses for International Growth
In your first two terms you will normally attend around 10 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials, workshop and studio sessions each week. You are also expected to undertake at least 25 hours of independent study each week. Your third term will be more selfdirected, including meetings with your supervisor, during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week. Part-time study is normally undertaken on a half-time basis.
Graduates may also pursue careers within the contour industry in communications, trend prediction and PR. Our courses boast a rich history of successful entrepreneurs, or you may wish to continue onto PhD study.
Modules and course details are subject to change, for the most up to date course information, a full list of modules, course duration and entry requirements visit: dmu.ac.uk/contour-fashion-innovation
Start date: September English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 including 5.5 in each component or equivalent. Entry requirements: You should have the equivalent or above of a 2:2 UK undergraduate honours design degree in a contour, fashion design or textile design related subject. If you have other professional qualifications and industry experience we will consider your application on an individual basis.
CASE STUDY Niamh Payne Contour Fashion BA (Hons) graduate and Contour Fashion Innovation MA student
“I chose to study Contour Fashion because it’s a niche and interesting career path that I am particularly passionate about and DMU’s Contour Fashion courses are renowned globally, with strong links to industry. The MA was the perfect continuation from my undergraduate degree, and I have been able to develop my interests further and explore different avenues of fashion design through elected modules, such as sustainability, which has been really insightful. I love the creative energy I have developed while studying; I have explored different avenues within my designs and developed my own personal style through digital design.”
Fashion and Textiles MA
Daniela Hutmanova, Fashion and Textiles MA student
This course offers a practice-based, design-led experience for innovative fashion and textile professionals looking to learn in a stimulating environment. At the heart of this course is a focus on improving your creative, technical and intellectual knowledge, alongside building a critical and contextual understanding of wider issues. You can select from a range of optional modules to tailor your skills to your career aspirations, from marketing and business planning to responsible design and manufacture. Choose from one of the following subject specialisms, which will provide the focus of your design practice: • Fashion Design focuses on womenswear, menswear and fashion knitwear. • Footwear Design and Accessories covers women’s, men’s and children’s footwear and accessories for sport, leisure or fashion. • Textile Design examines printed, constructed and mixed media in relation to fashion, interiors and lifestyle.
MODULES
TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
Core modules
The course promotes a philosophy of developing independent learners. Supported by specialist staff, you are encouraged to negotiate and direct your own learning within the framework of the modular structure. The staff are designers, researchers and/or senior academics with a strong design and technical focus, which ensures that their teaching remains current. Course teaching is complemented by visiting lecturers and guest speakers who are leading industry practitioners.
• Research Methods • Design Innovation • Research and Design • Promotion and Portfolio • Major Project Optional modules • Design Communication • Fashion Promotion and Marketing • Critical Perspectives in Ethical and Sustainable Fashion • Business Planning for the Creative Entrepreneur • Global Markets: Designing Businesses for International Growth • Managing Business Web Presence
In your first two terms you will normally attend around eight to 10 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials and workshop and studio sessions each week. You will be expected to undertake at least 25 hours of independent study each week. Your third term will be predominantly self-directed, including meetings with your
supervisor, during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week. Part-time study is normally undertaken on a half-time basis.
EMPLOYABILITY The course will prepare you for a variety of careers in the fashion and textiles industry. Graduates have gone on to work in roles ranging from design, product development, buying, and garment technology to working freelance or starting up a small business. They have also gone on to work for national and multinational brands such as Agent Provocateur, Courtaulds, Abercrombie & Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger, Superdry, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, French Connection, Jigsaw, Next, H&M, Kurt Geiger, L.K. Bennett, Clarks, New Balance, Tesco, Joules and Calvin Klein.
Modules and course details are subject to change, for the most up to date course information, a full list of modules, course duration and entry requirements visit: dmu.ac.uk/maft
KEY INFORMATION Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time. Start date: September English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 including 5.5 in each band or equivalent. Entry requirements: You should have the equivalent or above of a 2:2 UK bachelor’s honours design degree in a fashion, textiles, footwear, or contour related subject, relevant to your chosen subject, specialism. If you have other professional qualifications and industry experience we will consider your application on an individual basis. Applicants with relevant qualifications should submit a portfolio of work. Non-standard applicants will be invited to attend an interview with a portfolio and a 2,500-word report.
Fashion Management with Marketing MA Aligned with a range of exciting career opportunities within the global fashion industry, our course will equip you with the advanced skills, agility and resilience required to respond to the ever-changing challenges and opportunities in this fast-paced sector. Our innovative MA programme is aimed at graduates with a fashion, textiles, or business degree who wish to become a manager within this sector. It will also provide a suitable progression route for those already working in the industry and wishing to further their career, as well as for those preparing for PhD study. You will learn from our experts about management practices which are specific to the fashion and textiles business, fashion marketing and promotion techniques, and brand management theories. Advance your understanding of how products are developed to commercial quality standards from concept to production, and develop your own critical position on the major sustainability issues facing the sector.
MODULES Core modules • Research Methods • Integrated Brand Management • Fashion Promotion and Marketing • Global Fashion Management 1 • Global Fashion Management 2 • Critical Perspectives in Ethical and Sustainable Fashion • Dissertation or Work-Based Project or Live-Project Optional modules • Managing Business Web Presence • Business Planning for the Creative Entrepreneur • Global Markets: Designing Businesses for International Growth • Design for Retail
TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT In your first two terms you will normally attend around 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials, workshops and studio time each week, and be expected to undertake at least 23 hours of independent study each week. Your third term will be predominantly self-directed, including meetings with your supervisor, during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week. Part-time study is normally undertaken on a half-time basis. You will be taught through lectures and seminars, as well as tutorial guidance. Lectures deliver a discourse on a particular subject, followed by seminars encouraging discussions or the exchanging of information in smaller groups. Tutorials are provided to discuss a subject on a one-one basis between the tutor and yourself,
however, you will also attend small tutorial groups to benefit from the contribution of others. You will be assessed through fully referenced and structured reports, presentations, blogs and project proposals.
EMPLOYABILITY Our programme will equip you with a breadth of knowledge and skills applicable to a diverse choice of career opportunities within the fashion industry. These include fashion buying, fashion marketing, fashion public relations, merchandising and logistics management, management of the product development process, retail or brand management, product sourcing and supply chain management, and e-commerce. Graduates are also in a strong position to set up a new business with support from the university’s enterprise team.
Modules and course details are subject to change, for the most up to date course information, a full list of modules, course duration and entry requirements visit: dmu.ac.uk/fmm
KEY INFORMATION Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time. Start date: September English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 including 5.5 in each band or equivalent. Entry requirements: You should have the equivalent or above of a 2:2 UK bachelor’s honours degree in a relevant subject such as fashion, design or business. If you have other professional qualifications and industry experience, we will consider your application on an individual basis.
Textile Design, Technology and Innovation MSc Fusing design with technical understanding in the research and development of high-performance and innovative textiles, this course will evolve your technical, practical and creative skills in textile design and production. Dedicated staff will provide expert knowledge across a number of areas including garment and product technology, intimate apparel, textile technology and innovation, material chemistry, fabric construction, and sustainable and ethical practices. You will be able to work closely with the industry, and there will be opportunities to communicate with a range of textile-related businesses, including ones that focus on textile product research and development, innovative material development, sustainable design, and quality assurance and legislation.
MODULES
TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
EMPLOYABILITY
Core modules • Research Methods • Key Textile Technologies • Design, innovation and Sustainability • Performance and Analysis • Manufacturing Processes and Technologies • Global Markets: Designing Businesses for International Growth • Major Project: either Design Concept, Dissertation, Work-Based Project or Live-Project or a design/ practice-based project with practical outcomes
In your first two terms you will normally attend around 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials, workshops and studio time each week, and be expected to undertake at least 23 hours of independent study each week. Your third term will be predominantly self-directed, including meetings with your supervisor, during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week. Part-time study is normally undertaken on a half-time basis.
This course supports a range of career choices within the textile and associated industries. These include top level fashion buyers, textile technologists, fabric designers, fashion and outerwear designers, contour designers, garment technologists, analytical textile technologists, product testers, project scientists, technical textile designers, and textile laboratory technicians. Progression routes from these could be to senior management such as production managers, lead/ head of innovation, or head of product development.
Optional modules • Marketing for the Creative Entrepreneur • Fashion Promotion and Marketing • Design as a Strategic Business Tool • Business Planning for the Creative Entrepreneur • Managing Business Web Presence • Technology for Design • Supply and Sourcing
Our MSc is delivered primarily through lectures, seminars and practical workshops as well as tutorial guidance. You will have the opportunity to enhance your learning with off-sites visits to companies, factories and facilities that play a critical role in the textile industry. Visiting industry professionals from a variety of business experiences will form the basis of some lecture sessions on-site.
Modules and course details are subject to change, for the most up to date course information, a full list of modules, course duration and entry requirements visit: dmu.ac.uk/tdti
KEY INFORMATION Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time. Start date: September English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 including 5.5 in each band or equivalent. Entry requirements: You should have the equivalent or above of a 2:2 UK bachelor’s honours degree in a relevant subject. If you have other professional qualifications and industry experience, we will consider your application on an individual basis. Applicants with relevant qualifications should submit a portfolio of work. Non-standard applicants will be invited to attend an interview with a portfolio and a 2,500-word report.
CASE STUDY Nadir Rahim Textile Design, Technology and Innovation MSc graduate
“I chose to study at DMU to pursue my career in manufacturing textile racing apparel. I came from a non-textile background, so I wanted to get my textile bases covered as well as investigate current manufacturing technologies for technical textiles. I think the best part of my time at DMU was the fact that all the tutors were supportive of whatever we wanted to try in our projects. The core modules were very interesting and taught existing textile technologies and as well as new innovations. The facilities were fantastic and there are bespoke spaces dedicated for designing, pattern making, stitching/weaving, testing, and finishing of garments; it was a wonderful learning experience.”
Facilities Our award-winning Vijay Patel Building brings all our art and design courses together, providing inspiring, flexible spaces, studios and facilities which invite creativity and innovation. Learn from expert technicians and make use of the extensive workshops available from 3D printing and photography studios to metalworks and ceramics. Develop your creative and technical skills as you discover your passion and expertise. Studios and hub spaces encourage collaboration between students and provides opportunities to share creativity and ideas with others. Postgraduate students have their own dedicated study space and classrooms in the postgraduate centre, with its location on the second-floor providing beautiful views over the campus and river. Take a look at our stunning showcase of the Vijay Patel Building and facilities at: dmu.ac.uk/aad
DMU Global DMU Global is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities for you to study, work and volunteer overseas as part of your degree. These opportunities can be directly linked to your programme of study. We also offer a range of international experiences right here on campus and in the UK where students can participate in a variety of opportunities. DMU is also currently offering online opportunities offered in partnership with global organisations. Previous opportunities include, international online networking events, public speaking workshops, cultural discussions and e-language learning sessions. Check out some of our student experience stories here: dmuglobal.com/student-stories
Postgraduate support
Fees and funding
Studying a postgraduate course at DMU will help you to go further in your knowledge and career as you develop your specialisms and express your passion for your subject area. As part of the DMU family, you will be supported at every stage in ensuring you achieve your dreams and make the most of your postgraduate journey.
Funding your studies is an important part of the decision-making process when considering postgraduate study. Our tuition fees are available on our course pages and you can find out the most up up-to-date information on fees and funding options on dmu.ac.uk/pgfunding
library.dmu.ac.uk/class/pg
DMU Works We want to help you develop skills that are based on real-world experience. Our dedicated careers and employability team, DMU Works, are on hand to support you with finding placements, volunteering opportunities, CV writing skills, research opportunities and much more. dmu.ac.uk/dmuworks
Healthy DMU Our Healthy DMU initiative supports your university experience to ensure you have a healthy, happy and productive time here. Healthy DMU masterclasses will support you in mindfulness, managing pressure and building confidence. These skills are especially helpful to our mature student body of more than 2,600 people, who may be returning to education after some time away. dmu.ac.uk/healthy
POSTGRADUATE MASTER’S LOANS Postgraduate Master’s loans are available from the UK government for new postgraduate taught and research Master’s students to help fund your course and living costs. Loans are available to full-time, part-time and distance learning students. To find out if you are eligible for a loan, please visit gov.uk/masters-loan
DMU SCHOLARSHIPS Course-specific scholarships, Sports scholarships and alumni scholarships may be available, so check on our website to see what is currently on offer and the eligibility criteria. We also offer a number of tuition fee discounts and country specific scholarships for international students who wish to study a postgraduate course at DMU, please visit dmu.ac.uk/pgfees
How to Apply UK STUDENTS
EU/INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
To apply to study a postgraduate course (full-time or part-time) you should complete an online postgraduate application form and email it to admissions@dmu.ac.uk or apply via the DMU Online Portal.
If you’re an EU or overseas student, you can apply through one of two options:
To apply for a research degree (PhD, MPhil, MSc/ MA by Research, DBA) you are required to apply via our online admissions portal. As part of your application you must submit the below documents:
If possible, you should submit the following documents with your application form:
• Alternatively, you can download and fill out our free application form and return it to our Admissions team by emailing admissions@dmu.ac.uk
• Two current references on official headed paper or from a professional email address (these can be work or academic references and must be signed and recently dated) • Copies of academic transcripts • Copies of degree/diploma certificates • Personal statement To download the application form or access the DMU Online Portal, visit dmu.ac.uk/pgapply
• Apply to study a postgraduate course (full-time or part-time) online via the DMU Online Portal
You’ll need to prepare the following documents to submit along with your application form: • Two current references on official headed paper or from a professional email address (this can be a work or academic reference and must be signed and recently dated) • Copies of academic transcripts • Copies of degree/diploma certificates • A copy of your passport • A copy of your English language certificate To access the DMU Online Portal or download the application form visit: dmu.ac.uk/international/apply
• Your written research proposal so that we can fully assess whether our expertise, facilities and supervisory capacity can support your research needs • Scanned copies of your most relevant academic certificates and transcripts • Two academic references that are dated within the last two years • Applicants who require evidence of their English language qualifications will need to provide an IELTS certificate (no older than two years) or a copy of a degree from a majority English speaking country (dated within the last five years). If using an IELTS certificate, you must have a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in each component • A scanned copy of your passport For further information about writing a research proposal or applying for a research degree, please contact the Doctoral College at pgradmissions@dmu.ac.uk For further information about writing a research proposal and access to our online admissions portal visit dmu.ac.uk/doctoral
To chat to academics and students and learn more about studying a postgraduate course at DMU, visit our website and see if we have any upcoming events: dmu.ac.uk/gofurther dmu.ac.uk/pgevents dmu.ac.uk/chatwithastudent dmu.ac.uk/discover-dmu
De Montfort University The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH, UK T: +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70 0797 0655 800 E: enquiry@dmu.ac.uk W: dmu.ac.uk
Front cover credit: Christina Wigmore, Fashion and Textiles MA student
The content of this document is correct at the time of going to press. You are advised to check our website before making an application in case there are any changes to the course you are interested in, as the contents of the website will always take precedence. In light of Covid-19 we may need to make some changes to the way we deliver your teaching. Alternative formats Where possible, DMU publications or specific sections can be supplied in alternative media. For further information, please contact the Enquiry team on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70 or email enquiry@dmu.ac.uk