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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Histories and Theories

High Street Kensington from the series On a Good Day
High Street Kensington from the series On a Good Day. Credit: The Estate of Al Vandenberg Victoria and Albert Museum, London
College
Central Saint Martins
UCAS code
V37H
Start date
September 2024
Course length
Three years full-time or four years full-time with Diploma in Professional Studies

An academic course for keen observers to study the social, cultural, political, historical and global contexts of fashion. We interrogate history as a discipline, and explore how imperial power is implicated in the exchange and exploitation of people, labour and the environment that underpins an evolving fashion industry.

Please note this course is undergoing re-approval.

Every 5 years the University reviews course content to ensure that our students are benefitting from a high-quality academic experience. During this process there may be some changes made to the course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on this page. The information on this page will be updated once the process has been completed. Please contact us if you have any questions about this or the course via study@csm.arts.ac.uk.

BA Fashion Communication: Histories and Theories nurtures students to become innovative, informed, responsible researchers, writers, thinkers and communicators, central to the fashion industry's future. It is part of the Fashion programme.

Why choose this course at Central Saint Martins

  • Pathway structure: On BA Fashion Communication, you can choose to study one of three pathways: Image and Promotion; Histories and Theories; and Journalism.
  • Professionals and sponsors: The course provides opportunities for collaboration with external professionals and sponsors. Previously, these have included  Alexander McQueen, Birkenstock, Christian Dior, Liberty, L'Oréal Professionnel, Louis Vuitton, MatchesFashion.com, Paul Smith, Puma, Stella McCartney, SHOWstudio, the Terrence Higgins Trust and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
  • Visiting professionals: All pathways are led by academics and supported by industry practitioners. Visiting lecturers have included Lauren Cochrane, Shaun Cole, Oriel Cullen, Caroline Evans, Alex Fury, Susan North, Aileen Ribiero, Agnes Rocamora and Sonnet Stanfill.
  • First-hand insight: The course is taught alongside BA Fashion at the College. This gives you direct insight into fashion design in the making, enhancing your subject awareness.

Open days

There are currently no open days scheduled for this course, please check back at a later date.

Recording:

Watch a recording of the recent BA Fashion Communication: Histories and Theories online open day.

Virtual tours:

You might be interested in checking out the College’s facilities and technical spaces through our virtual tours.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

CSM Fashion Fund

Find out how to support fashion's global future at CSM [PDF 2mb]

Course overview

BA Fashion Communication is for students who are interested in the diverse and ever-expanding field of fashion media. The fashion industry requires quality content in the form of words and image and expertise in fashion history. This course will nurture you to become innovative, informed, responsible writers, communicators and promoters, central to the industry's future.  

BA Fashion Communication offers three pathways: Image and Promotion; Histories and Theories; and Journalism. All pathways have the communication of fashion at their core. Each offers a unique combination of fashion awareness, communication, historical and theoretical studies. The Histories and Theories pathway will develop your understanding of the history of western fashion since the Renaissance. It will also provide you with a sound theoretical framework within which to analyse this knowledge.  

BA Fashion Communication is taught alongside BA Fashion Design. This offers you, as communicators, first-hand insight into fashion design in the making. During your time on the course, you will work closely with peers on both courses. This allows you to instigate and nurture professional relationships which will inform your future industry networks. All aspects of the course relate to current professional and critical practice in the fashion industries. Some projects are client-led or may include participation in live competitions. The interdisciplinary nature of curriculum is designed to provide a microcosm of the professional fashion world. The nature of this work will give you valuable insight into your future role in the industry.  

This course aims to equip you with in-depth knowledge of your chosen field as well as a wider breadth of the industry. Alongside your specialism, you will learn about the social, economic and cultural factors which impact on the professional realm in which you will work. From photographers, stylists, art directors, fashion show producers, film-makers and public relations experts to digital creatives, writers, journalists, archivists and theorists, BA Fashion Communication will support your development as confident, adaptable fashion communication specialists.  

We are committed to developing ethical fashion communication practices. To achieve this, we are working to embed UAL's Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course.

Course units

BA Fashion Communication’s three pathways focus on the communication of fashion. This structure complements its sibling course BA Fashion Design, which has five pathways with design at their core. An important part of the BA Fashion Communication curriculum is cultural studies. This offers a range of ideas, skills and learning resources to critically analyse the social meaning of objects, images, spaces and practices in art, design, media and popular culture. This also provides opportunities to work with students from other courses. Research and communication skills acquired in this part of the course will equip you with key skills expected of graduates.

On the Histories and Theories pathway, you will use a range of methodologies to analyse sources. You will draw upon approaches from cultural theory and material history among other disciplines. You will study fashion as image, object and text. You will be asked to consider the design, manufacture, promotion and consumption of fashion in relation to relevant social, historical and cultural contexts. While this pathway analyses the history of fashion, it is also concerned with the contemporary fashion industry. You will work with students from the other fashion pathways on projects. This will enhance your understanding of design processes, communication and promotion, resulting in stimulating connections between theory and practice. 

Stage 1

Unit 1: Introduction to the Fashion Programme and to Studying at CSM
Unit 2: The Development of Fashion from Renaissance to Present Day – part 1
Unit 3: The Development of Fashion from Renaissance to Present Day – part 2
Unit 4: Cultural Histories and Theories (Fashion)

Stage 1 will provide a foundation in western fashion history and theory from the Renaissance to the present day. You will be introduced to the unique skills on your pathway. You will also learn about the other pathways and those on BA Fashion Design. An important function of this stage is to encourage you to research, explore and develop your individual strengths and approaches to your subject.  

Stage 2

Unit 5: Research Methods and Approaches (Fashion)
Unit 6: Fashion Communication: New Perspectives – Special Subject 1 
Unit 7: Fashion Communication: Creative Collaborations – Special Subject 2
Unit 8: Positioning, Professional Perspectives and Preparation

Stage 2 takes you into your pathway in depth, enabling you to develop a variety of approaches. You be expected to produce individual and experimental responses and to complete an extended piece of academic research and writing. There will be opportunities for pathway specific and collaborative projects. Through a combination of formal tutorial guidance, seminar, lectures, personal research, independent study and team projects, you will explore the breadth of your subject and develop your individual talents in relation to it. 

Stage 3

Unit 9: Contextual Studies – Group Project
Unit 10: Thesis Research Survey
Unit 11: Thesis

This stage focuses on the further development of your independence. You will develop and complete your thesis and group project. You will expand your understanding of the relationship between your main study area and the wider fashion industry. You will also advance your writing skills by learning to produce articles for magazines or newspapers and writing press releases. In Unit 11, you will concentrate on your thesis and complete your degree work for examination.

Diploma in Professional Studies

Between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the course there is an option for you to work with industry for the duration of an academic year (across three terms/two blocks) and complete a Diploma in Professional Studies. Whilst the Diploma is an optional aspect of the course, it is designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course, if you do take up this option. The Diploma results in a standalone qualification (rated at 120 credits), which involves researching, undertaking and reflecting on a 100 day/20-week (minimum) placement related to your professional interests and aspirations. The Diploma provides a valuable opportunity to make professional contacts and to develop your personal employability skills. 

Mode of study

BA Fashion Communication runs for 90 weeks in full-time mode. It is divided into three stages over three academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.

You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.

Credit and award requirements

The course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each stage (level).

On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons degree).

Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the stages for a BA are: Stage 1 (Level 4), Stage 2 (Level 5) and Stage 3 (Level 6). In order to progress to the next stage, all units of the preceding stage must normally be passed: 120 credits must be achieved in each stage. The classification of the award will be derived from the marks of units in Stages 2 and 3 or only Stage 3, using a dual algorithm.

If you are unable to continue on the course, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4 (or 120 credits), or a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) following the successful completion of Level 5 (or 240 credits).

Learning and teaching methods

The learning and teaching methods devised for this course include: 

  • Project work 
  • Interdisciplinary group and teamwork 
  • Briefing documents or briefing meetings 
  • Seminars, lectures or studio talks 
  • Presentations, group or peer critiques  
  • Studio demonstrations 
  • Field study visits (external visits will be subject to availability due to distancing guidelines)
  • Peer learning and feedback 
  • Independent study 
  • Self-evaluation 
  • Individual and group tutorials 
  • Research skills. 

Student Perspectives: BA Fashion Communication: Fashion History and Theory

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • Black Femininity in Post-War Britain
    Black Femininity in Post-War Britain, Sunnie Fraser, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion History and Theory, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • But is it an original?
    But is it an original?, Jasia Kopec, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion History and Theory, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Hidden Histories: Minimalist Fashion Thesis
    Hidden Histories: Minimalist Fashion Thesis, Matthew Simon, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion History and Theory, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Omens of Downfall
    Omens of Downfall, Daisy Moore, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion History and Theory, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Digital Beauty
    Digital Beauty, Anna Lauder, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion History and Theory, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Homme Fatale
    Homme Fatale, Zanny Evelegh, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion History and Theory, Central Saint Martins, UAL

Fashion Communication stories

  • Designs l to r: Noa Nomad, Ciaran MacDougall and Finn Barker Flower. Photography: Jake Saint Love Axler and Ellie Hoffmann.

    READY SET: BA Fashion declares a reset

    On 7 December 2023, BA Fashion Design and BA Fashion Communication first year students presented READY, SET, a reset of the Central Saint Martins White Show tradition.

  • Photography: Cameron Young

    MA Fashion Communication prophesises the future of fashion

    The MA Fashion Communication exhibition returns from 23 to 25 November within the Central Saint Martins King's Cross building. This year marks the 30th anniversary of MA Fashion Journalism, from which the rest of the course has sprung.

  • Photo: Sophie Stalder, BA Fashion Communication and Promotion

    Anna Wintour and Linda Evangelista visit Central Saint Martins

    Vicki Liang, an MA Fashion Communication: Fashion Journalism student, reflects on an afternoon with Anna Wintour and Linda Evangelista at Central Saint Martins.

  • Credit: Elmira Ismukhamedova

    MullenLowe NOVA Awards 2023: the nominees

    Announcing the nominations for this year's MullenLowe NOVA Awards for Fresh Creative Talent, as part of CSM Shows 2023. This year, 52 nominated students present projects across art, design, fashion, architecture, materials and performance.

Facilities

Staff

Stage One Leader: Isabella Coraca Da Gama Vajano
Lecturer: Professor Iain R Webb
Lecturer: Marketa Uhlirova

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

One or a combination of the following accepted full Level 3 qualifications:

  • Two A Levels at grade B or above (one of which should be in a humanities subject, requiring essay based answers e.g. History, History of Art, English Literature, Philosophy)
  • Equivalent EU/international qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma (24 points)

And three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*–C), including one modern European language.

Entry to this degree course is highly competitive. Selection is determined by the quality of your application, indicated primarily in your writing and statement.

AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference

Or a combination of these factors.

Each application will be considered on its own merit but cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements webpage).

Selection criteria

We select applicants who can demonstrate current ability and potential to:

Work imaginatively and creatively with the written word and visual presentation:

  • Engage with experimentation and invention
  • Show imagination and ambition in proposals for their work
  • Take informed risks.

Demonstrate a range of skills and technical abilities:

  • Through examples of written work, demonstrate a range of approaches
  • To writing, originated from personal experience or textural and visual research and progressed through logical stages to a finished outcome
  • Demonstrate an awareness of planning and time management skills
  • Evidence their ability to critically reflect and evaluate their achievements.

Provide evidence of intellectual enquiry within your work:

  • Demonstrate relevant research skills
  • Evidence their ability to critically reflect and evaluate their achievements.

Demonstrate cultural and historical awareness and/or contextual framework of your work:

  • Evidence an interest in fashion history, theory and contemporary culture
  • Identify social, historical and/or cultural influences on their work.

Articulate and communicate intentions clearly:

  • Discuss their work in individual and group situations
  • Present their work, concepts and ideas appropriately and effectively.

Demonstrate commitment and motivation in relation to the subject and the course:

  • Develop their own ideas and address both set and personal briefs
  • Show willingness to collaborate
  • Show initiative
  • Reflect your knowledge of this course.

What we are looking for

In this fast-moving global industry it takes hard work, flexibility and passion to succeed. This course is aimed specifically at applicants who are passionate about fashion, but do not want to follow the design route: spirited, informed and mature individuals who want to be innovative, confident, responsible, informed, skilled and adaptable graduates who will become the fashion photographers, stylists, art directors, fashion-show producers, film-makers and public relations experts, bloggers and social networkers, on-line marketers, “traditional” writers, journalists, curators, commentators and theorists of the future.

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

V37H

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

V37H

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

Step 2: Written task

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a written task.

Please submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Written task advice

In 800 words, discuss how fashion may be considered as an object, an image or as text, referencing historical and cultural influences and contexts.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

BA Fashion Communication graduates work across a very wide spectrum of careers in fashion. From curators and archivists to journalists, stylists, photographers, fashion show producers, illustrators, editors and retailers the range of career opportunities is diverse.

Many of our graduates have gone on to work with fashion companies throughout the world:

Love Magazine | Port Magazine | The Telegraph | Pop Magazine | Acne Paper, Burberry | 10 Magazine | SHOWstudio.com | Grazia Magazine | Six Creative | Vogue.com | Reiss | Proud Galleries | Gainsborough & Whiting Show Production | Alexander McQueen | Burberry | Margaret Howell | Bonhams | Asos.com | Daphne Guinness Collection | Christian Louboutin | Somerset House | Topman | Urban Outfitters | i-D | The Face | Net-a-Porter

Others have gained a reputation as important fashion creatives:

Ib Kamara | Campbell Addy | Hanna Moon | Joyce Ng | Gareth Wrighton | Holly Hay | Andrew Davis | Laura Bradley | Kay Barron | Tamsin Blanchard | Alex Fury | James Sherwood | Alexandra Gordienko | Julie Grieve | Jeremy Langmead

Recent graduates have also entered postgraduate study at the following institutions:

Royal College of Art | Goldsmiths | London College of Fashion | Royal College of Art/Victoria and Albert Museum | The Courtauld Institute of Art

Developing your links

Located at the heart of the London fashion industry, BA (Honours) Fashion Communication is able to link education and industry providing students with 'live' projects and professional feedback. The BA (Honours) Fashion Communication course has also developed an excellent relationship with the international fashion community, so that placements for its students are drawn from a wide and distinguished range of sources.

Students benefit enormously from studying in London. While there are other fashion courses on the outskirts of the capital, none can offer you the daily stimulation and advantages of being in the middle of an international cultural and fashion centre, surrounded by all levels of the retail market and sectors of the industry within which you will later find employment.

Current collaborations across the design pathways include work with L'Oreal Professional, Triumph, Liberty, Tie Rack, Paul Smith, Dior and Christian Dior Couture. Fashion History and Theory students collaborate with Pringle of Scotland. SHOWstudio.com, Somerset House Embankment Galleries, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Historic Royal Palaces/ Kensington Palace and Alexander McQueen