COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Design (Textiles) program is a one-year, three-trimester course designed to develop advanced creative, technical, and professional skills in textile design. In the first trimester, students are encouraged to explore playfulness and take creative risks, producing work that responds to a range of instructions while developing primary and secondary research to inform practical projects. This stage introduces key issues in design and communication, fostering critical thinking, professional skills, and collaborative working, while laying the foundation for individual project development. The second trimester focuses on consolidating learning and refining practice within the chosen pathway. Students receive guidance from academic staff, technical demonstrators, and specialists to evaluate their development, hone conceptual, technical, aesthetic, and contextual components, and ensure projects engage effectively with audiences. The final trimester is dedicated to the self-directed Master’s Project, a double-weighted practice module culminating in the MA Show exhibition at the Locksbrook Campus. Students work independently in the studio to produce a cohesive body of work that demonstrates advanced knowledge, professional practice, and creative confidence. Modules such as Research Methods, Theory and Professional Context, Practice 1 and 2, Research Practice, and Theory and Professional Practices integrate theory with practical application. The program equips graduates with the skills, expertise, and confidence necessary to succeed in textile design and related creative industries, culminating in a public showcase of their work.