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Application Guidance

Applying

Applications to any of our five, Fashion Design MA's can be made throughout the year by submitting an online application form, including a personal statement and a portfolio.

Your personal statement (500 words max) should critically evaluate your current work. It should also let us know why you wish to study with us here at Northumbria University, Newcastle.

Your portfolio should demonstrate how your undergraduate background gives you the credentials to succeed on your chosen Fashion Master's programme.

You must submit a portfolio with your application form when applying for the MA Fashion Design, MA Fashion Design(Womenswear), MA Fashion Design (Menswear) and MA Fashion Design (Performancewear).

If you would like to apply for MA Fashion Design (Sustainable and Ethical) then submitting a portfolio is optional.

You should also include contact details for two referees.

Personal Statement

We would like to see evidence of creative, critical and reflective thinking in your work. Your personal statement and your examples of work will enable us to understand your motivations, skills and ambition.

This programme is focused on supporting you to extend and change your fashion practice, so an emphasis on how you think the programme will enable you to do this is always fantastic to hear. Below are some guiding questions to help you put your statement together:

  • Why are you applying?
  • Why are you interested in your Fashion MA of choice?
  • Do you have any areas of interest within the field? If so, why?
  • What do you bring to the course e.g. skills, experience, networks, personality etc, why should we accept you?

Portfolio Guidance

A visual body of work should be submitted with your application. You should look upon this as an exciting opportunity to demonstrate your creativity and stand out among the competition.

The preferred format is to send URL links to access samples of your work online. This is especially relevant if you wish to make video submissions.

We want to see how your undergraduate programme has prepared you for a place on your fashion course of choice. We want to get a sense of who you are and what is the purpose of your work, we want to see your creativity and the unique flair which makes your work unique.

Your portfolio must demonstrate the following points;

  • Your ability to draw in different Media and clearly communicate fashion concepts in line and colour 
  • To evidence innovation and experimental practice in your research through primary drawing in sketch books/portfolio sheets
  • To translate your designs into a 3D output with sensitivity to materials, colour and form
  • Your use of Adobe suite software including Photoshop and Illustrator
  • Your creation of garment specification sheets that show consideration to understanding manufacture
  • Your creation of a range plans that illustrate your ideas to different audiences.

More Information

In you would like to visit our facilities and discuss the course with staff this can be arranged by contacting the programme leader, Gayle Cantrell.

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