Fashion Design (Taught)

About this course
The MA Fashion Design course at the University of Southampton (Winchester School of Art) is designed to help you develop your individual design identity and prepare for a professional career in the fashion industry. The program encourages students to be creative, push boundaries, and incorporate ethical and sustainable practices into contemporary fashion design.
You will utilize research and advanced technical knowledge to create a professional, contemporary body of work. Key areas of focus include:
• Ethical and sustainable practices
• Zero-waste creative cutting
• Critical analysis and reflection
• Market awareness and trend research
• Professional presentation and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) skills

We are ranked 8th in the UK for research quality (Complete University Guide 2026).

Key Features and Distinctiveness
• Industry Links and Live Projects: You'll have opportunities to participate in live projects that simulate real-world scenarios and work with experienced designers affiliated with London Fashion Week and the British Fashion Council.
• Practical Experience: Opportunities include planning and running photoshoots and catwalk shows, creating lookbooks, and attending industry events and field trips across the UK and Europe.
• Focus on Identity and Entrepreneurship: Core modules emphasize developing a unique design identity and exploring crucial entrepreneurial skills required for self-promotion in a competitive industry.
• Facilities: The course is based at the Winchester School of Art, which offers dedicated fashion and textile workshops with a wide range of facilities and equipment.

Your Future Career
The course aims to graduate confident problem-solvers and independent thinkers with a refined design identity. Graduates commonly pursue roles such as:
• Fashion Designer
• Starting their own fashion labels (Previous students have presented collections at trade shows like Pure London).
• Fashion Teacher
• Other roles that capitalize on creative, critical, and technical design skills within the broader creative industries.

As a graduate from a top 20 UK university for employability*, you'll be well-prepared for your next step.

Further Information
• Course Lead: Reem Alasadi, who specializes in innovative, sustainable, and ethical design.
• Course Duration: Typically offered as a full-time (one-year) master's.
• Location: The course is based in Winchester.
• Entry Requirements: A typical offer requires a 2:2 degree in a relevant subject

*Complete University Guide Graduate Prospects Ranking 2026."

Compulsory modules include: Fashion Design 1 & 2; Professional and Academic Skills; Final Project. Optional modules include: Digital Cultures; Entrepreneurship; Experimental Publishing; Exploring the Visual Language of Display; Global Marketing.

For a full list of modules please visit: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/fashion-design-masters-ma#modules

Assessment varies between modules; you will be assessed on coursework including:  your portfolio and final project collection, evidence of the research underpinning your studio practice and reflective assignments.