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BA (Hons) Costume

Arts University Bournemouth, United Kingdom
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Course Overview

The BA (Hons) Costume degree at Arts University Bournemouth is a unique opportunity for students to explore the world of costume design and construction. Our course covers everything from historical costume to contemporary fashion, and provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. With expert tutors and access to professional equipment, students can develop their skills and creativity in a supportive and inspiring environment. Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared for a career in costume design or related fields.

Additional Information

In addition to our comprehensive curriculum, we also offer a range of exciting opportunities for students to gain real-world experience. These include industry mentorships, live projects with external partners, and the chance to showcase their work at national events. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in costume design, fashion, and related fields.

Discover Your Creative Potential at Arts University Bournemouth

Arts University Bournemouth is the perfect choice for students looking to pursue a career in costume design or related fields. Our reputation for excellence in creative education, combined with our expert staff and state-of-the-art facilities, make us the go-to destination for talented individuals. Plus, our location in Bournemouth provides access to a thriving cultural scene and beautiful surroundings that inspire creativity.

Why You Should Study This Course

BA (Hons) Costume offers a comprehensive approach to the study, interpretation, and creation of the costume. Students will become skilled at producing accurate historical recreations of costumes as well as expressing imaginative flair through creative and conceptual costume making. In addition, you will learn the art of tailoring and couture dressmaking. Costume supervision is integral to the course and can be described as interpreting a two-dimensional costume design into a three-dimensional costume through sourcing and procuring garments. This exciting role places you at the heart of live productions, as you are key to ensuring the smooth running of the wardrobe department for all types of live performances. The current BA (Hons) Costume and Performance Design course has been awarded the Queens Anniversary Prize for its €˜distinguished degree-level education in costume design for the UKs leading creative industries.

What You'll Study

1 Level 4 (first year)
In your first year, the aim is to give you a solid grounding in both Performance Design for theatre and Costume Interpretation with Supervision. You’ll explore essential sewing and costume construction skills that will enable you to learn the creative and technical processes required to be a costume maker. In addition, you will begin to learn about the role of a costume supervisor through documentation of your projects. Design-orientated projects include life drawing, costume design processes and scale model making. You will develop a performance design through the study of a text, culminating in a set of sampled costume designs and scale model. The final unit allows you to develop period costume construction skills. In addition, you’ll develop academic research and writing skills through a series of written tasks, which explore contextual and theoretical issues.
2 Level 5 (second year)
In your second year, your first unit, Historical Costume, will encourage you to be a ‘dress detective’ through examination and analysis of period garments within a broader historical context. You’ll then get the opportunity to make a historically-inspired costume or underpinnings through the acquisition of period cutting and construction techniques. In addition, you’ll develop your critical and contextual knowledge and academic writing through a written project. This unit is followed by the Tailoring unit where you’ll learn how to make a tailored garment using traditional techniques. The final unit challenges you to push the boundaries to develop your creativity. This unit may offer live project briefs, including working with BA (Hons) Film Production students or making and supervising for AUB Productions.
3 Level 6 (third year)
The third-year focus is on ‘doing it for real’. Projects will range from supervising or making for a live production that will be staged by BA (Hons) Acting or BA (Hons) Dance to making a costume for a museum or exhibition. Other opportunities include making costumes for short films produced by our BA (Hons) Film Production students or making for external theatre companies. The atmosphere in the studios reflects the pace and intensity of the industry and you’ll have the opportunity to work collaboratively with other courses whilst learning transferable skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving and communication techniques. In the Research Project unit, you will write a 5,000 word essay based on your own practice in context. The Major Project unit is designed to develop your professional skills by working on productions or other live projects. You’ll develop your professional identity by designing your portfolio, CV and personal promotional materials for your launch into the world of theatre and film. You’ll also curate your work as part of the graduate summer exhibitions in Bournemouth and London*.

Language Requirement

  • IELTS6.0
  • TOEFL78
  • PTE58
  • Duolingo79
Academic IELTS or UKVI IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each band.

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