Costume Production

Our BA (Hons) Costume Production program offers a fresh approach to the study of design, realisation, and construction for costume. Working from classic and contemporary texts, music, and storytelling, students will become skilled at producing bespoke costumes for a range of performance genres, whether for stage, screen, or live action events.

Join us to master the sought-after skills in costume craft, from precise pattern-cutting to expert construction techniques for both garments and accessories. Dive into sustainable practices, gaining a deep understanding of eco-conscious costume design and making. Get hands-on with live projects, constructing costumes and crafting costume props.

Why Choose this Course?
In our dedicated Workshop Labs, you'll find a wealth of resources and expert guidance from technicians, empowering you to explore everything from computer-aided design (CAD) to laser cutting, moulding, casting, and digital fabric printing. Meanwhile, our specialised studio workshops will hone your skills in costume design interpretation, pattern cutting, wearable props, and tailoring. You will also benefit from masterclasses led by industry experts in areas like millinery and costume enhancement.

Throughout this course, you'll discover a vibrant learning environment that blends academic rigour with creative inspiration. Our costume course offers a rich range of processes and media, providing a stimulating journey into costume production. Interdisciplinary collaboration is actively encouraged, particularly amongst your peers in film and other media productions and as a student at Arts University Plymouth you’ll gain unrivalled access to a range of digital processes, textile printing and 3D-making. Plus, tap into our extensive professional network within the performance industries for valuable connections and future opportunities.

This course delves into the historical and cultural contexts of costume, giving you a critical understanding and appreciation of design principles. Gain hands-on experience through live commissions, honing essential organisational and communication skills. Enter prestigious international competitions like New Zealand’s World of Wearable Art and the Costume Society’s Patterns of Fashion, where our students have achieved remarkable success. Benefit from the guidance of industry professionals, including professionals from Channel 4, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and West End Producer Cameron Mackintosh. Gain invaluable insights from visiting experts like Paul Farnsworth (Lend Me a Tenor), Lucinda Wright (The Witcher) and Susannah Buxton (Downton Abbey), as well as our close relationship with Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Our students have contributed to acclaimed productions like BBC's 'Poldark', ‘EastEnders’ and their Diamond Jubilee Parade, as well as Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’. They have also worked behind the scenes of smash hit touring productions of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, Matthew Bourne’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘The Bank Robbery That Went Wrong’. You will have the opportunity to present your work at exhibits at events like TheatreCraft and Destinations, London.

Professional Practice, Career Opportunities, and Skills Development
Throughout your studies, you will have the opportunity to develop the key professional, transferable skills for employability in the creative industries and work in partnership with other sectors locally, nationally or internationally. Our strong international connections allow our students to take a semester of study with one of our partner institutions within Europe and North America.

Upon graduating, our students have become Costume Assistants (Film & TV), Prop Makers, Costume Interpreters, Designers, Milliners, Stylists, Buyers, Costume Supervisors, Theatrical Milliners and Heritage Professionals.

You’ll learn how to cut and make costumes to industry standard. You’ll develop design and illustration skills to communicate your ideas, and achieve a practical understanding of the rigour involved in making costumes for a range of performance types. You’ll also have the opportunity to work on incoming commissions.
You’ll work collaboratively alongside students in film and other creative productions, and have access to professional new workshop facilities, including digital printing, textile technology and 3D making.
Students have been finalists in various prestigious competitions such as the World of Wearable Art International Design Competition and The Costume Society’s Patterns of Fashion Award.