Costume for Theatre and Screen

BA Costume for Theatre and Screen at Wimbledon College of Arts introduces you to professional costume for theatre, film, television and live performance. The course offers 2 specialist disciplines; costume design and costume interpretation.

The view that costume is a broad, developing and ever-changing industry informs this course. Live projects will ensure you gain valuable industry experience throughout your study. The course has worked with The National Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum and Windsor Castle.

What to expect
• An introduction to a range of skills and technical areas: These include text and character analysis, drawing, pattern cutting, draping, corsetry, textile manipulation, garment construction, multimedia fabrication, research and developing a visual language.
• Studio and performance-based live projects: These might be costume design for historical or contemporary texts and opera. They could also be for site-specific productions, dance, film or theatre.
• Understanding different approaches: Create costume from cultural, historical, contemporary and conceptual views.
• Practical and creative learning: Develop creative and sustainable approaches to problem-solving during garment construction.
• Exploration: Investigate colour and texture through mixed media experimentation for 2D design and textile work.
• Learning from experts: Receive teaching from industry professionals.
• Creative research: Build your knowledge through a programme that includes subject debates and current discussion within the creative industries.
• Access to Wimbledon's shared workshops.

Work experience and opportunities
Wimbledon College of Arts benefits from its London location and industry links. You will have the chance to take on professional work placements during your studies. Former students have worked for many well-known institutions. These include The Royal Opera House, National Theatre, The Globe Theatre, Sadler’s Wells Theatre and Hampton Court Palace.In TV and film, students have worked in Pinewood and Shepperton Studios and also on many Netflix productions. These include famous series such as Game of Thrones, Harlots, Dr Doolittle and The Crown. Other students have worked with respected freelance designers, stylists and film directors.
You will be able to take part in the College’s international exchange scheme. This enables you to study abroad for a term in the second year of your degree.

About Wimbledon College of Arts
Wimbledon College of Arts is dedicated to the study of stage and screen performance. The College has a long tradition of providing world class teaching in technical arts for theatre, film and television. Our courses include acting, costume, digital production, theatre design and puppetry. Wimbledon College of Arts has well established industry links. These include 2 of the United Kingdom's leading theatres: the National and the Lyric.

We believe in a non-hierarchical and inclusive approach to performance. That means we see all elements as equal partners. Whether it be acting, directing, writing or designing.

Collaborative performance is a key part of the experience at Wimbledon. We design many of our course projects with that in mind. Students often work in teams to produce theatre, performance and other live events. This reflects working practices within the industry.

Our facilities include specialist workshops, studios and an on-site professional theatre. In 2023 we completed a multimillion-pound investment programme to transform Wimbledon College of Arts into a world-leading centre for performance.

We want to develop your creativity, technical ability and professionalism. It is these qualities that enable many of our graduates to go on to have successful careers. Our alumni include costume designer Lorna Mugan, production designer Sarah Greenwood and set designers Simon Costin and Soutra Gilmour.