MA Costume

Course overview

MA Costume is driven by the concept of embracing the past to inform the future. As a student on the course, you’ll focus on handcraft and traditional excellence in cut and construction. You’ll combine these with digital design and production techniques. You’ll also consider the impact of costume for diverse performances and audiences.

The course has 4 units. The first 2 units focus on developing research skills. You’ll use creative research techniques to explore research sources that are applicable to costume practice. These will be highlighted by practical, technical workshops that will introduce and develop costume interests in the making or realisation of work. The final 2 units of study will enable you to apply these acquired, research concepts to support costume practice. This will result in a full costume for the final unit. 

At the end of your studies, you’ll graduate as a specialist costume researcher and maker. You’ll also be able to apply the research interests you have developed to contribute to costume practice within the industry. This could be as a practitioner in:

• conservation
• restoration
• fabric production
• costume supervision
• costume production
• costume curation
• other associated, research-based, costume roles in live or recorded performance mediums. 

The course places an emphasis on sustainable and ethical production methods. The types of ethics addressed may be related to several areas of costume practice, including but not restricted to: 

• current industry practice
• past perspectives of the industrialisation of costume-dependent materials such as fabrics
• cultural readings of representation and character
• audience reading or interpretation
• mainstream or normative professional practices that relate to economic, social/racial and environmental justice.  

During your study, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• expand and complement historical production, utilising digital print, digital embroidery, laser cutting and 3D printing
• carry out research by exploring fabric, handling and fabrication treatments 
• realise your costume practice through collaborative projects either within the College, or where appropriate and agreed, industry practitioners.

Your work will be graded on the quality of your ideas, rather than on the materials used or how much they cost. You will probably need to spend approximately £600 on equipment and materials for your course. This estimated sum may be more, depending on your choices and ambitions for your final project.

The course provides a pathway for BA Costume students at Wimbledon and elsewhere to advance to Masters-level study. It also provides an opportunity for practitioners already working in industry to develop their existing skillset. We expect applicants to have a solid grounding in costume-making approaches, processes and techniques.  

What to expect   

• Develop construction and cut techniques: You’ll look at both traditional and new approaches to costume creation. 
• Research: You’ll be taught research methods and skills to support your practice.
• Collaboration: You’ll work together with other costume and performance students at Wimbledon College of Arts as well as with external, industry-based contacts. 
• An ethical focus: You’ll explore climate, social and racial justice and learn how to embed these principles into your creative practice. 
• Access to Wimbledon's shared workshops: View the Wimbledon facilities. 

Mode of study   

MA Costume is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 12 months. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Home fee

£14,000

This fee is correct for 2025/26 entry and is subject to change for 2026/27 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£29,990

This fee is correct for 2025/26 entry and is subject to change for 2026/27 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.