This course is still open for entry in September 2024 (°Ä²Ê×ÊÁÏ¿â Scottish only) – please visit our Clearing and Late Application page.
Please note: International applications are now closed for the September 2024 intake.
BA (Hons) Costume Design and Construction
On this highly respected BA (Hons) in Costume Design and Construction course you will learn how to research, design and construct costumes for performers of many kinds.
At the heart of the vocational course are the professional practice modules where you will work as part of a team delivering the costumes for a series of live projects working in collaboration with partner organisations and companies.
You will graduate with the competence, understanding and experience that employers in this creative field are looking for.
Why °Ä²Ê×ÊÁÏ¿â?
- Covering many aspects of costume design and construction: This course teaches costume design, period costume construction and practical wardrobe supervision and management in parallel.
- Professional links: We have very close links with employers in the theatre, TV and film industry.
- Hands-on learning experiences: Discover your vocation through working on live, audience-facing projects.
- Showcase your work: See your work celebrated in our students’ annual runway show.
- Ranked highly in the UK: °Ä²Ê×ÊÁÏ¿â is ranked in the top 12 amongst UK universities for Drama and Dance (Guardian University Guide 2023) and we are in the top 2 Scottish higher education institutions for overall satisfaction for courses in Drama. (National Student Survey 2023).
ACTING AND PERFORMANCE SHOWREEL 2022 (Costume Construction and Design students work on these productions)
Costume Design and Construction - BA (Hons): The course in brief
Think of a dramatic performance that you loved and you can probably picture the characters’ costumes. Costume design and construction are vital when it comes to creating successful theatre, film and TV productions. It is a creative and challenging career: you need to know the theory and history of costume design, how to make costumes physically and how to manage the wardrobe of a live production.
On this course you will:
- complete a number of professional practice modules at each level where you will work as part of a team delivering the costumes for a series of live projects working in collaboration with partner organisations and companies, taking responsible lead roles in Years Three and Four;Ìý
- design and construct up to three individual period costumes-which are your personal property;
- learn to create designs for three or more theoretical productions ranging from Shakespeare to TV crime drama; and
- pursue a personal costume interest as research.
How will I be taught?
Structure
You can opt to study for an honours degree over four years or an ordinary degree over three years. You will complete a range of modules each year as outlined.
Teaching, learning and assessment
You will be taught in lectures, seminars and practical workshops. You will work in teams delivering the costumes for live productions with well-known companies.
Placement/work experience
We encourage students to get casual work in the Edinburgh theatres and of course in the Edinburgh Festival from their first year, as your Professional Practice Projects are concentrated into a six- week block per semester leaving time for gaining wider experience.
In Year Four, one third of your credits will be earned through one six-week OR two three-week periods of intensive work experience, selected by you to help build a stepping stone into your future career in the industry-gaining confidence and above all contacts. This is a fantastic way to extend your experience and build contacts in the costume area of your choice.
Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables
You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.
For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.
What will I learn each year?
Year One
You will:
- complete one practical learning module as a wardrobe trainee where you will work as part of a team delivering the costumes for a series of live projects working in collaboration with partner organisations and companies;
- develop your research and design skills, your analytic and writing skills, and your cut and construction skills; and
- develop practical costume management and key backstage skills through production workshops.Ìý
Modules
- Introduction to Theatre Production
- The Origins of Theatre
- Introduction to Wardrobe Practice (including Professional Practice)
- Introduction to Costume Design
Year Two
You will:
- complete two practical learning modules as a wardrobe assistant on ‘Show work’ where you will work as part of a team creating and delivering the costumes for a series of live projects working in collaboration with partner organisations and companies; and
- develop your research and design skills, your analytic and writing skills, and expand your construction techniques in the two 'Advanced' modules.
Modules
- Advanced Costume Design
- Advanced Costume Techniques
- Professional Practice as a Wardrobe Assistant
Year Three
You will:Ìý
- begin to specialize by working in greater depth on two or more of the range of pathways that costume practice offers, for example creative supervision or perhaps masks, puppets and soft props, or the design of costume for film, or historical cut and construction;
- extend your knowledge of these chosen skills in your allocated lead roles as designer, cutter or supervisor on live projects and in your independent practice and research project; and
- benefit from a range of elective module options available, for example you can broaden your knowledge of performing arts funding, study the history of scenography, find a placement for experiential learning – or follow up a personal costume passion in the Student Initiated Module.
Modules
- Professional Practice in a Lead Role-Designer, Supervisor or Cutter
- Practice Informed Research Project-Personal choice of research topic.
- Creating in Context: Design Project for an Individual Theoretical Production
- Theatre of Ideas – Introduction to European Theatre with a Costumed Live Presentation.
- Plus one elective option
Year Four
You will:Ìý
- refine your chosen areas of future practice, using the Creating Your Career module. This asks you to take individual responsibility for finding valuable work experience-and writing an in depth report on the experience itself, the industry context and how it may have informed and expanded your plans for a future in costume or related fields (prop making for example); and
- be provided with the practical information for launching a freelance career in the industry through the Creative Enterprise in the Performing Arts module.Ìý
Modules
- Honours study
- Creative Enterprise in the Performing Arts
- Creating your Career (Work-based Learning)
- Plus one elective option
Option modules may include:
- Experiential LearningÌý
- Student Initiated Module
- Directing ,Designing and Performance
- Advanced Theatre Production
- The Only Way is EthicsÌý
- ±Ê³ó´Ç³Ù´Ç²µ°ù²¹±è³ó²âÌý
- Site Specific Performance
- Cultural and Arts FundingÌýÌý
- Theatre ArchivingÌý
- Staging the 20th CenturyÌý
NB The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2023) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2024. Please check back here for any updates.
Career opportunities
Our graduates have gone on to perform fantastically well in theatre, opera, ballet, film and television. You could use the skills you will learn in museum work, corporate entertainment, advertising, arts and crafts, and online multi-media.
Costume Design and Construction - BA (Hons): Entry requirements and application information
Entry requirements
Scottish Higher: Standard: BBBB Minimum: BBCC
A Level: BCC
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H3 H3
International Baccalaureate: 28 points
International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 5.5.
Required subjects: Two subjects from Eng/Hist/Drama required and Art/ Design or Textiles preferred at Higher/ A Level/or equivalent. English required and Maths preferred at Nat 5/ GCSE/ or equivalent. We can also accept National 5 Application of Maths or Lifeskills at the same grade.
Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.
Mature/Access: Applications welcomed from mature students with relevant qualifications/experience.
Direct Entry: Year Two - Relevant HND with CB in the graded units. Visit ourÌýCollege Leavers and Mature Students Advice page for more information.
Other requirements
- You must submit an e-portfolio containing a minimum of 14 images including any completed garments that you may have constructed photographed on a model.
- Candidates will be asked to complete a short design exercise and invited to take part in a 20-minute phone interview where the candidate will be able to discuss their design and portfolio.
Other costs
There will be some additional costs for materials used in personal projects.
Disability/health conditions
If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at °Ä²Ê×ÊÁÏ¿â. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.
Terms and Conditions
The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in ourÌý2024/25 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
Awarding body
°Ä²Ê×ÊÁÏ¿â
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Images from our Costume Showcase 2024
![A performer wearing a hand-crafted ballroom gown from the 2024 °Ä²Ê×ÊÁÏ¿â Costume Showcase.](/media/rejnkiha/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-a.jpg)
![Three performers wearing handmade regency-style outfits in the 2024 °Ä²Ê×ÊÁÏ¿â Costume Showcase.](/media/l0bdfrjb/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-b.jpg)
![Three performers wearing handmade gowns and suits in the 2024 Costume Showcase](/media/3fhfjhqz/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-e.jpg)
![A group of students dressed in period clothing in the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/vweedfke/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-f.jpg)
![A group of students dressed in period clothing in the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/iwilmx4e/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-g.jpg)
![A group of students dressed in period clothing in the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/s3yf5sbq/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-h.jpg)
![Three students wearing avant-garde clothing in the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/f0nfqgri/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-i.jpg)
![Three handmade country-style outfits displayed as part of the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/lgple40o/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-j.jpg)
![A performer wearing a hand-crafted ballroom gown from the 2024 °Ä²Ê×ÊÁÏ¿â Costume Showcase.](/media/rejnkiha/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-a.jpg)
![Three performers wearing handmade regency-style outfits in the 2024 °Ä²Ê×ÊÁÏ¿â Costume Showcase.](/media/l0bdfrjb/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-b.jpg)
![Three performers wearing handmade gowns and suits in the 2024 Costume Showcase](/media/3fhfjhqz/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-e.jpg)
![A group of students dressed in period clothing in the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/vweedfke/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-f.jpg)
![A group of students dressed in period clothing in the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/iwilmx4e/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-g.jpg)
![A group of students dressed in period clothing in the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/s3yf5sbq/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-h.jpg)
![Three students wearing avant-garde clothing in the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/f0nfqgri/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-i.jpg)
![Three handmade country-style outfits displayed as part of the 2024 Costume Showcase.](/media/lgple40o/gallery-2024-costume-showcase-j.jpg)
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