Costume Design With Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom, Salford

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945

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Home/United Kingdom/Salford /University of Salford/Costume Design With Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom , Salford

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

Course ID W451

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

Costume Design With Foundation Year

About

Introduction

In a nutshell

The world of arts and media is changing at a phenomenal rate, and there has never been a better time to explore your creativity and the ways in which you can apply it to the world around you.

The Foundation Year of this four-year programme aims to provide you with an understanding of the subject to allow you to progress on to the BA (Hons) Costume Design course.

This Foundation Year provides the perfect opportunity for you to explore the key principles of art, design and media. The course is designed to help you develop your creative skills, it gives you a chance to build a larger portfolio, and provides a good transition period to familiarise yourself with the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology, and life as a student at the University of Salford. You will then be in a strong position to progress onto your chosen degree pathway.

This is a shared Foundation Year across Art, Design and Media disciplines, and will introduce you to a collaborative environment where you can explore ideas, take creative risks and become a confident independent learner. You will be joining a thriving and creative community.

Open Days

The best way to get a taste of life at the University of Salford is to join us on campus for one of our lively and interactive Open Days! We have events taking place throughout the year, so sign up now to book your place and experience the University of Salford.

You can also find helpful FAQs and learn more about student life at Salford by exploring all of our Art and Design courses or, if you have any general questions, please contact course enquiries.

Continue reading to learn more about this BA (Hons) Costume Design with Foundation Year course.

You will:

develop your creative skills and academic confidence
familiarise yourself with student life
prepare to study on one of our degree programmes

Student sketchbook featuring costume designs

This is for you if...

You are enthusiastic and interested in art, design, film, TV and theatre

You are intrigued by the process of designing for production

You have studied art and design and have built up a portfolio of work

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

What You Need To Know

This course isnât suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.

By applying to this Foundation Year you are applying to a four-year programme - the shared Foundation Year, followed by a three-year art, design or media degree here at University of Salford. The Foundation Year is not a standalone qualification.

APPLICATION PROCESS

In your personal statement (up to 4,000 characters), we would like to know more about why you are interested in Costume Design, what inspires you in the arts and costume design sector, and what you hope to gain from the Foundation Year.

As part of the selection process, you may be invited to submit an online portfolio of your work. You may then be invited for an interview with our tutors. If you are called for interview we will send you further guidance well in advance.

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.

UCAS tariff points

64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Art & Design qualification preferred

A Levels

64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Arts & Design qualification preferred

T Levels

Pass: D or E in core subject.

BTEC National Diploma

MPP including Art & Design

Scottish Highers

64 points including Art & Design

Irish Leaving Certificate

64 points including Art & Design

International Baccalaureate

24 points including Art & Design

European Baccalaureate

Pass Diploma with 60% overall (relevant subject)

Access to HE

Pass Level 3 Access to HE Diploma with 64 points (relevant subject)

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

English Program Requirements

Equivalent qualifications

English language requirements are shown on individual course pages. Generally, this is shown as an IELTS grade, however we accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

As a general guide:

For undergraduate courses we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For postgraduate courses, we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For the International Foundation Year, we require IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum 4.0 in each component) in UKVI IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

The approved equivalent qualifications list includes the following:

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

University of Salford English language courses

Regional-based qualifications

Majority English Speaking Countries as deemed by UKVI

Medium of English Institutions

Applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK may require evidence of a Secure English Language test rather than an examination or qualification due to visa requirements, as deemed by the UK Government Home Office, Visa and Immigration (UKVI).

Career

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

This course will prepare you as a professional costume designer and maker, either working for larger organisations or on a freelance/consultancy basis. In addition, the course will provide you with the skills necessary to work in the areas of TV and film production, theatre and performance, including dance, circus and light entertainment. Possible careers include: costume design, costume and wardrobe supervision, costume crafts, music video design and styling, and museums and heritage events.

The nature of the costume design industry means that self-employment is increasingly the norm. As such, you will be equipped with relevant entrepreneurial skills and will be adequately prepared to seek out, secure and undertake work on a freelance basis. In addition, all graduates will have developed the appropriate academic skills to undertake postgraduate study.

Salford has a well-established range of art, design and media courses, all of which boast an outstanding graduate employment record, both in the local design community and recently further afield.

Through strong industry links and a carefully designed visiting lecturer programme, the course will provide you with an opportunity to build a professional network, while your final project will constitute a calling card when seeking employment.

Further study

MA Media Production: Animation, Children’s TV Production, TV Drama Production, TV Documentary Production, Post–Production for TV
MA Contemporary Performance Practice

A taste of what you could become

A costume designer

A wardrobe supervisor

A fashion designer

And more...

Career Links

The course is supported by the following companies and individuals:

Jack Thompson (Technical Director for Manchester International Festival)
Daniella Pearman (Head of costume for ITV’s Coronation Street)
Alex Saffer (Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor for ITV’s Coronation Street)
Amy Stokeld (Freelance wardrobe supervisor)
John Krausa (Freelance costume designer in film and television)
James Maciver (Freelance costume designer and maker for light entertainment and theatre)
Rebecca Hodgson (Head of Drama Lime Pictures)
Emma Dibb (Production Designer)