Stage 1: Pre-Masters

Portfolio Requirements

Modules

Click below for more information on each module

• Creative Practice*

  You will develop advanced approaches to art and design techniques through the creative exploration of your ideas within a studio environment.

  This module is assessed entirely through the production of a portfolio.

• Critical Thinking for Postgraduate Study

  You will learn how to critically assess arguments and evidence from a range of academic sources, as well as gaining an understanding of effective critical reading at postgraduate level.

  You will be assessed via three methods:

  • Evaluation of arguments exercise
  • Critical evaluation of three texts (700 – 1,000 words each)
  • A 3-hour closed book exam

• Interactive Learning Skills and Communication for Postgraduate Study

  During this module you will learn advanced skills in:

  • Public speaking
  • Writing techniques and language styles
  • Creating effective document layouts
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Communicating effectively to a variety of audiences
  • Working effectively as a team member and as an individual
  • Applying research and referencing techniques to formulate reasoned academic opinion so as to avoid plagiarism

  You will be assessed via a variety of methods, including:

  • A research project – referencing a topic and using a variety of techniques and resources
  • An individual presentation and a group presentation
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

• ICT Skills for Postgraduate Study

  You will develop a range of ICT skills for research purposes and postgraduate study – including the presentation of data and using essential tools in Microsoft Word.

  You will be assessed in a number of ways:

  • A PowerPoint skills assignment
  • A practical assignment around Microsoft Word and Excel
  • A 30-minute multiple choice quiz on computer software and hardware and the internet
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

• Research Methods for Postgraduate Study

  You will gain an understanding of research methods and methodologies for postgraduate study, as well as learning how to plan and undertake effective research at postgraduate level.

  You will be assessed entirely through coursework, which will include a mini-dissertation (2,000 – 3,000 words) and a presentation of its synopsis.

• Final Project

  This module will equip you with the advanced skills you need to develop and shape your own creative practice through the production of a final project.

  This module is assessed entirely through your portfolio.

*three semesters only

Stage 2: Master's Degree

Birmingham City University Degree Pathways:

Click below for more information on each pathway

• MA Fashion Design

  • This course is based in the £62 million Parkside Building – part of the University’s City Centre Campus – where students have access to a wide range of facilities, including a Gerber fashion CAD suite.
  • You will gain valuable insight from talks by leading industry practitioners, exploring major issues linked to the world of fashion design.
  • Students have the opportunity to showcase their work in exhibitions and on catwalks such as London Fashion Week, London Free Range, New Designers and Birmingham Made Me.
    Find out more

• MA Fashion Styling

  • This course is based in the University’s dedicated School of Fashion and Textiles – part of the City Centre Campus.
  • Students are given live industry briefs, providing them with professional exposure of the challenges and opportunities within the fashion styling sector.
  • Upon graduating, you could work in areas such as visual merchandising, image consultancy, brand development, events management, trend analysis and forecasting, or research.
    Find out more

• MA Textile and Surface Design

  • This course allows students to develop their portfolios to a professional standard and potentially develop a range of products on which to found their own business.
  • The course is based in the University’s dedicated School of Fashion and Textiles – part of the City Centre Campus – home to industry-standard fashion workshops featuring high-power laser cutters and rapid prototyping systems.
  • You will have the opportunity to visit Paris for the world’s premier fabric show, Premier Vision*, which offers up the season’s fashion directions 18 months in advance!
    Find out more
    *This would incur an additional cost

Important:

All students accessing the 3D workshops, plaster room, glass room, water-jet cutting room and the kiln room will need to wear safety footwear that has toe caps. Such footwear can be purchased from any safety footwear provider – including Sports Direct – and can be as cheap as £12. The shoes should be S1P and comply with EN 20345.

There is no long-term storage facility for personal items in the workshops, so students are advised to bring the safety footwear with them each day they are accessing the workshops.

Special entry requirements

• Students must submit a portfolio if they are entering the two-semester Art and Design programme. Students must also submit a portfolio if they do not have an academic qualification in Art and Design.