MFA Fashion
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Fashion
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
MFA Fashion hinges on the concept of the designer as pioneer, identifying and developing new terrains beyond the frontier of the industry as we know it today. Integral to its philosophy is that it is a space for creative minds to consider what the future of fashion looks like, shaping their learning and knowledge to become leaders and innovators for the industry.
Through a phenomenological approach, the reading and analysis of the zeitgeist, seminars, workshops, industry briefs and collaborative interdisciplinary projects students will investigate new creative landscapes encompassing the study of historical and contemporary craft, design and technologies.
They will be encouraged to develop their perception, ideas and skills in an instinctive and intuitive manner to experiment, subvert, hybridize and determine what lies on the edge of their practice and their subject.
The students will be able to test the viability of their ideas through fashion industry contacts and networks, as well as engage creatively with community groups through collaborative, interdisciplinary projects as well as during industrial placement.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreHands-on approach
Our course will give you the chance to develop an innovative and distinct performance practice to set you on the road to success in the world of acting and the performing arts.
Kick-start to your career
We’ll give you the chance to work with a mentor, an experienced professional actor who will offer you support and advice and help you make the step into the professional creative world.
Flexible study
You can study in the evening to allow access for those of you who are working or have family commitments.
What we're researching
Our academic team are dedicated to furthering the knowledge of creative practice and how it impacts on the fashion industry.
One of our research areas is sustainable design within fashion and textiles. In a collaborative project by UEL researchers; we’ve been analysing and identifying new materials and decorative methods. Our BA Fashion Design senior lecturer, Joe Hunter’s environmental design ideology has been ongoing since the early 90s and is reinvigorated with a new soft sculpture, printed with trash and skinned with denim offcuts to create an oversized soft toy designed to initiate kids into environmental preservation.
Additionally, we’re also looking at how new digital technology can transform fashion shopping experience and further increase in-store customer experience. MA International Fashion Business programme leader, Kent Le, is conducting his PhD on the use of Augmented Reality on Fashion Promotion with his research being presented in international conferences such as International Conference on Contemporary Marketing Issues. Our BA Fashion Marketing senior lecturer, Dr Gokhan Aydin, is a research expert in online consumer behaviour, luxury marketing and brand equity and has published on various impactful journals. Our Head of Department and Course Leader for BA Fashion Design, Beatrice Newman, is an entrepreneur and has launched her own brand, Korlekie, which specialises in unique made to order clothing that has been worn by the likes of Alesha Dixon, Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding and Tiwa Savage from Nigeria. Her specialist area of research surrounds building a sustainable fashion business with emphasis towards the development and preservation of craftsmanship using heritage hand craft and digital technology.
Making a difference
UEL is one of the UK’s leading modern research universities. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 17 per cent of our overall research submission was classified as ‘world-leading’ for its quality and impact – almost double our previous REF score. A further 45 per cent of our work was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Beatrice Newman
Head of Department, Fashion
With a diverse student body that come to UEL from all over the world, students will be able to grow their network on campus whilst experiencing what London has to offer.
Students will have the opportunity to work with clients and industry professionals as part of their MA/ MFA Fashion degree at UEL, allowing students to sharpen their skills in design and business, developing outcomes towards further research and innovative enterprises.
Fees and funding
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,280 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses.
To see our full eligibility criteria and how to apply click here
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn £200,000 more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree*?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier.
*Sutton Trust Report 2013
Alumni Discount - 15 per cent
Early Payment Discount - 5 per cent
Part-time Postgraduate Fee-waiver - up to £500
Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer Full information on making payments can be found here
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082234444 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages (www.uel.ac.uk/isa) for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course.
What you'll study
We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.
Core modules:
- Identify: Concepts and Technologies
- Define Concepts and Technologies
- Define: Live Industry Project
- Advanced Fashion Portfolio (Mental Wealth)
- Fashion Consultancy Project
- Consolidate: Concept and Technologies
- Creative Practice
- Professional Platform
- Identify: New Concepts and Technologies (Core)
- Define: Concepts and Technologies (Core)
- Define: Live Industry Project (Core)
- Professional Life: Advanced Fashion Portfolio (Mental Wealth) (Core).
- Consolidate: Concept and Technologies (Core)
- Fashion Consultancy Project/Internship (Core)
- MFA Creative Practice (Core)
- MFA Professional Platform (Core)
How you'll be assessed
Assessment is by portfolio and coursework, with formative work demonstrated in portfolio submission and critical reflection. Regular feedback is given in workshops for all practice-based programmes in the school. All assessment will be conducted in accordance with the UEL’s Assessment and Feedback Policy.
How you'll learn
All of the programmes in the MFA suite will follow learning and teaching methods geared towards Master’s level achievement, and in particular in the 60 credit MFA modules will have the following key outcomes regarding creative practice and professional engagement:
1.Identifying theoretical issues, range of voices, elements, and techniques used in their chosen creative practice and how they will be transferred to professional engagement.
2.Identify and explore those key contextual issues relevant to their practice as contemporary artists and to their professional context.
3.Critically develop their own work in the context of a rigorous intellectual climate and in relation to the creative industries and artistic context.
4.Apply an understanding of elements and theoretical issues at an advanced level, engaging in contemporary creative practice in their chosen discipline and how it relates to a professional context.
5.Work at the highest possible standards in their work, so that they can develop the confidence, maturity and intellectual and interpersonal skills necessary to function as successful creative practitioners in their chosen field.
6.Work with a high degree of confidence and more sophistication and experimentation in their artistic practice in order to prepare it for professional dissemination.
7.Demonstrate and refine further critical thinking and knowledge of the professional development of their practice, leading to professional engagement in the creative industries.
Assessment and examination policies, practices and procedures will provide disabled students with opportunities equal to those of their peers to demonstrate the achievement of learning outcomes. Where study or assessment is negatively affected as a direct result of a disability-related cause, reasonable adjustments will be made to ensure the academic progress of the student is not unjustifiably impeded.
Who will teach on this course
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What you'll learn
The entire programme will be designed around mixed delivery of seminars, workshops, residencies, industry briefs and collaborative interdisciplinary projects and visits to collections, galleries, practitioners, museums and community groups which will ensure the field of study is both global and local.
Knowledge is developed through:
- Practically based design projects developing the key skills (research, design, recording information, exhibiting and presenting work)
- Lectures, seminars and practical demonstrations
- Live client project work and visiting professionals
Thinking skills are developed through
- Reading and Research, both primary and secondary, quantitative and qualitative
- Essays, reports and action plans
- Formulations of judgements with presentations and exhibitions
- Self directed study
Practical skills are developed through
- Working with academic, visiting and support staff
- New technologies, CAD digital media, digital fabric printing, photography and digital imagery
- Competitions, national and international
Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through
- Presentations, individually and in groups
- Industrial placement, working with professionals as part of a team
- Working in teams and group situations in project and assignment work
- Organisational skills and time management
Your future career
We’re proud that our students go on to make their names as designers, design coordinators, pattern cutters, fashion technologists, product developers and retail managers.
As one of our graduates Lucy Johnson, who now owns streetwear label Brahboys, says of the course, “It was a fun and emotional experience that I’d recommend to anyone thinking of a career in fashion."
At Graduate Fashion Week 2016, one of our students, Antonia Nae, won the prestigious Lipsy Red Carpet Award for her sweeping black dress.
The quality of our students’ work is held in such high regard that a
group of our undergraduates were commissioned to create the costumes for a pivotal scene in the hit movie, Absolutely Fabulous.
UEL Fashion and Textiles area has strong links with industry that have been developed over the past 30 years and have worked with companies such as Erdem, Polo Ralph Lauren, Jenny Packham, The Collection, Asos, Marks and Spencer, Timothy Everest to name some. UEL fashion students are in high demand in industry for placement candidates as well as graduate employees due to their high level of skills and professionalism.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
