MDes Fashion Design

UCAS code

W230

Attendance

Full-time

Four years full-time

At a glance

Study on a course designed for enthusiastic and innovative fashion designers wanting to push the boundaries of fashion design. Based in industry-standard workshops with state of the art facilities, you work on real-world briefs set by professionals. You can enter national and international design competitions and visit majorа fashion centres such as London, Paris and New York, before building your professional experience by applying for internships and placements with major labels like Jigsaw and Animal.

Key points
Х Develop your creativity and strengths to help you become a unique designer with strong creative awareness.
Х Build your reputation and professional skills working on real design briefs for real world organisations.
Х Enter national and international competitions to showcase your abilities.
Х Graduate with a portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to deliver original and creative designs.

What is fashion?
In general terms fashion is about anticipating and generating change. It is an expression of what people feel and think, and it is a distinctive trend in the look and dress of a person.

Fashion is about change and evolution; it is a mix of cultural, social, historical, economic and political influences. And above all, fashion is a language, which tells a story about the person who wears it.

For more information about fashion go to www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk

About this course

If you have the flair and ambition, this course can help you become a highly innovative designer within the fashion industry. We build on your strengths and individual creativity, and help you develop your design skills and creative awareness.

With an emphasis on creativity and concept generation, we encourage you to create your own distinctive design philosophy. You study the design process, focusing on a conceptual approach to research, design development, cut, construction and the styling of your collection.

The course features a number of exciting live projects working to professional design briefs. You also gain experience and exposure by entering national and international competitions.

You design and create your work in professionally equipped design studios and fashion workshops that house digital garment manufacturing equipment, pattern-cutting software and flat-bed cutting equipment.

You can also use the UniversityТs wider creative facilities, including professional photography studios, printing facilities, and laser cutting technology. Critical theory underpins studio-based projects throughout.

Our course team who are all fashion specialists, help you to identify and shape your future career direction.

In your second year you may be able to complete work placements with some of the industryТs leading brands such as Х Debenhams Х George Х Jigsaw Х Mamas and Papas.

You can also apply for student internships with leading designers such as Х Iris van Herpen Х La Senza Х Cunnington and Sanderson Х Reem Х Animal Х Smythsons.

Our students have also explored and experienced other areas of the industry with placements at Wonderland and Attitude magazines.

Your industry knowledge and skills are enhanced by organised events and study visitsаto London and Paris as well as regular events across the UK.

The course culminates in showcasing your abilities with a collection of 2D and 3D work for your final exhibition.

You graduate with a portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to deliver creative and original responses to complex design briefs and to help push the boundaries of fashion design.

About the MDes
This course runs parallel to the BA (Honours) Fashion Design. The main difference begins in year three. The pace of work increases as you complete your undergraduate studies and begin your postgraduate studies.

During year four the focus on self-directed study, supported by taught modules. You increase your activity in your specialist area and develop career opportunities by building on links with external partners.

Key areas of study
Key areas include Х fashion design Х fashion styling Х innovative pattern cutting ХаCAD and fashion technology Х fashion marketing Х fashion entrepreneurship Х fashion craft.

Associated careers

Fashion is an international industry employing people in a variety of roles across the world.

Your career options as a graduate of this course include Х creative pattern cutter Х fashion design consultant Х fashion illustrator Х garment manufacturer Х stylist Х fashion entrepreneur Х freelance designer maker Х fashion promotions Х marketing.

Key roles in fashion design
Information about some of the key jobs available within fashion is given below.

Fashion designer
Designers usually specialise in one area such as womenswear or menswear. Most design businesses are based in London, especially Central London. You spend a lot of time designing on a computer, but there are also good opportunities for overseas travel. About 500 new designers are needed each year, making it a competitive job market to enter but highly talented designers are in demand.

Styling
Styling is an increasingly visible and high profile profession. Having some understanding of numbers, business, and communications in addition to creative skills is essential. Internships and networking are also more important in styling than in the other professions.

Production management
Production management is the front line of fashion and can be an exciting and challenging. The New York Times recently reported a growing movement towards zero waste production, where very little material goes unused. ItТs a design as well as manufacturing challenge. The job requires some business training and you should have a fascination with how things are made.

Course content

Year one modules

Х fashion design principles Х fashion design skills Х fashion design production Х human-centred fashion design

Year two modules

Х audience and fashion contexts Х collaborative fashion practice Х professional practice Х fashion design futures

Year three modules

Oneаfrom Х professional enhancement 1 Х foreign language

One from Х critical research project Х short graduation project

Plus Х exhibition Х professional enhancement 2

Theаprofessional enhancement 2 module can take the form of a placement or an exchange with a foreign university. If it is an exchange, you need to take the foreign language module relevant to the country in which you intend to study.

Year four modules

Х theory supporting practice Хаenterprise projectаХ final project

Assessment

Х coursework Х portfolios Х projects

Entry requirements

2014 entry requirements

GCSE mathematics and English at grade C or above, plus one of the following

Х 300 points from at least two GCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications including art and design and at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels, or BTEC National qualifications, or one AVCE double award. AS levels and Key Skills may count towards these points.

Х Access Ц an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in an art or media-related programme from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate

If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend a selection event with a portfolio of work to demonstrate your ability. Download our application guidance to ensure you understand the selection process and how to produce a strong application and portfolio.

We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.

2013 entry requirements

GCSE mathematics and English at grade C or above, plus one of the following

Fees

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically г10,680 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically г11,250 a year

How to apply

You apply for this course through UCAS.

Contact details

For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk