Costume Design and Construction BA (Hons)

Introduction:

• You’ll have the opportunity to complete a work experience placement of up to a year in length. Dependent on the duration of your placement, you could gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice.
• Visit design exhibitions at venues like the V&A in London and the National Theatre costume department. You will also have the opportunity to go on national and European trips to see opera, ballet, theatre and dance performances.
• You’ll be able to personalise your studies by choosing from a range of up to eight optional modules. Your course also includes our School-wide, sector-leading Co Lab module.

Careers and employability

Graduate destinations have included costume designing and / or construction for prestigious companies such as Angels Costumiers and the BBC, and freelance or in-house costume designing, making and assisting for a myriad of stage and screen companies, events and performances both large-scale and small-scale. These include everything from Outlander to Not Just Fish & Ships, Lichfield Garrick Pantomime to wardrobe on a cruise ship, and making props on the latest Marvel feature.

Connecting with industry

Live projects or competitions could offer you the chance to gain professional experience and raise your profile. Organisations and programmes the course has collaborated with include:

• Making Costumes for the Curve, Leicester
• Working at Lichfield Garrick Theatre on Cinderella
• Working with Bruce Asbestos and Nottingham Contemporary on live art catwalk

You’ll also be encouraged to participate in national competitions and costume events, seeking out opportunities to work with local cultural centres.

Industry experts who have recently lectured on this course include:

• television costume designer, Debbie O’Brien
• specialist costume designer / maker, Ivo Coveney
• Downton Abbey costume cutter, Sarah Humphrey
• Society of British Theatre Designers Chair, Fiona Watt

Creative Industries Federation

We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means students in the Nottingham School of Art & Design have the opportunity to sign up to free student membership. Creative Industries Federation are an organisation that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries and membership grants students exclusive access to their selection of resources and events to help advance your career and connect with industry.

What our students are doing now