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Postgraduate

MA Pattern and Garment Technology

Examples of creative kinetic pattern cutting.
Student work by Qiannan Shi | MA Pattern and Garment Technology | London College of Fashion | University of Arts London
College
London College of Fashion
Start date
September 2024
Course length
15 months

This postgraduate pattern-cutting degree will develop your skills in innovative pattern-cutting and garment technology to prepare you for a successful career in the commercial fashion industry.

Applying for more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3. Find out more in the Apply Now section.

Why choose this course at London College of Fashion

  • Mixture of techniques: 2D and 3D digital technology are embedded throughout the course and your evolving practice will incorporate these technologies with traditional techniques and processes.
  • Focus on fit: garment fit is a major focus of the course. Regular interactive fit sessions in tutor- led small peer groups focus on accurate diagnosis of garment fit issues.
  • Sustainability: industrial practices and initiatives are discussed within lecture content, and enhanced by specialised lectures delivered by LCF Fashion and Sustainability Lecturer/s. Individual students are pursuing sustainability-oriented themes such as minimal waste pattern cutting. This topic in particular has inspired interesting debate around form versus function, whereby, the students appreciate the sustainable and aesthetic qualities of the approach, but as technologists they challenge the fit and function of the outcomes. Other individual areas of interest with a particular focus on sustainability are 3D digital sampling, and socially responsible design applied to pattern cutting.
  • Where graduates have gone on to work: previous graduates have secured roles at Asos, C&A (Shanghai), Cos, Huntsman & Sons, Hussein Chalayan, Inditex Group, Net-a-Porter, Ralph & Russo.
  • Academic opportunities: there has been successful progression to PhD from each graduated cohort from this course.

Course overview

The MA Pattern and Garment Technology will focus on creative and innovative technical skills rather than creative design skills. You will develop systematic knowledge and technical skills in 2D and 3D technology, along with critical awareness of current problems within the fashion industry. This will enhance your employability in a range of roles within the apparel industries. Various methods of pattern development, garment construction and finishing will be explored by incorporating 2D and 3D digital technology, and specialist machinery. You will be encouraged to experiment with a range of technologies and techniques, materials and components in order to achieve your intended outcome. Individual research, experimentation and analysis to contextualise your work will be supported by a programme of workshops, lectures and team-working activities, both course-specific and collaborative, that will enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to your research or advanced scholarship.  You will also be encouraged to pursue projects and work placements through existing industrial contacts of the course or by using your own initiative and contacts. The course offers a global perspective and considers how pattern and garment technology are integrated within the global product development process.

This full-time course is a duration of 15 months (3 Blocks). Graduates from this course can seek employment across a range of product areas and markets, in a number of pattern and garment technology roles, including:

  • Pattern Technologist
  • Garment Technologist
  • Creative Pattern Cutter
  • Digital Pattern Cutter
  • Product Developer

Climate, Social and Racial Justice

We are committed to ensuring that your skills are set within an ethical framework and are working to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course.

Course units

The course is divided into three 15 week Blocks, which are 60 credits each. 

Block 1 consists of 1 school specific 20 credit unit  and 2 course specific 20 credit units:

  • Collaborative Challenge (20 Credits)
  • Garment Technical Skills (20 credits)
  • Pattern Technology (20 credits)

Block 2 consists of 1 cross-college 20 credit unit and 1 course specific 40 credit unit:

  • Research Proposal (20 Credits)
  • Technical Analysis and Development (40 credits) 

Block 3 is the 60 credit Masters project unit:

  • Masters Project (60 Credits)

Each unit will be completed over a period of 15 weeks. 

Students start in September and normally have taught sessions timetabled over three days per week. The emphasis at postgraduate level is on independent study and in addition to these taught sessions you will be expected to utilise the library and open access facilities across the sites in order to engage in extensive self-directed research and experimentation. Details of the contact hours for your course are available via Myarts –http://mycontacthours.arts.local/.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures 
  • Workshops
  • Peer learning
  • Collaborative and team working
  • Tutorials (individual and small group) 

UAL Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • Traditional and Modern Genderless Garment Collide
    Traditional and Modern Genderless Garment Collide, Aomeng Zhang, 2024 MA Pattern and Garment Technology, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • Transforming Lined Garments
    Transforming Lined Garments, Yue Chen, 2024 MA Pattern and Garment Technology, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • Zero-Waste Size-Inclusive Capsule Collection
    Zero-Waste Size-Inclusive Capsule Collection, Ewa Stefanowicz-Wysocka, 2024 MA Pattern and Garment Technology, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • Archival Digital Garment Simulation
    Archival Digital Garment Simulation, Lucie Shilton, 2024 MA Pattern and Garment Technology, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • AI-Driven Zero-Waste Fashion
    AI-Driven Zero-Waste Fashion, Zi Yin, 2024 MA Pattern and Garment Technology, London College of Fashion, UAL

Latest news from this course

Collaborative unit case studies

Staff

Alexis Scott Cawley

Alexis Scott Cawley is course leader for MA Pattern and Garment Technology at London College of Fashion. He has taught for over a decade at HE level, being responsible for developing and delivering courses with emphasis on creative pattern cutting, design, sustainability, and garment technology. Prior to teaching, Alexis worked as a freelance designer and creative pattern cutter for various fashion brands. He draws on his creative pattern cutting experience as a significant part of his teaching practice.

Most recently Alexis has been exploring the garment development process through the specialist area of denim and workwear. He has developed a dedicated denim workshop that he uses for pattern cutting, consultancy and sampling. To foster personal and professional growth, students are encouraged to explore their own specialist area, establishing a solid skill-base from which to seek employment or develop their own label.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£13,330

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

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.

International fee

£28,570

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

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:  

An Honours degree at 2.1 or above from a fashion based course, supported by a digital portfolio evidencing abilities in pattern development and garment construction to intermediate level;

OR equivalent qualifications in an alternative subject will be considered if supported by a digital portfolio which demonstrates significant evidence of technical skills. 

APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning)  

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. 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 (minimum of three years)  
  • 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 we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.  

English Language Requirements

All classes are conducted in English. The level required by the University for this course is IELTS level 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill. 

Selection criteria

The course seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

  • a clear interest in the study of innovative approaches to pattern and garment technology;
  • an interest in developing creative technical solutions to current and future industry problems;
  • relevant experience of fashion pattern development and garment construction;
  • a capacity for intellectual enquiry and reflective thought;
  • a developed and mature attitude to independent study and intellectual growth.

Admissions Procedures

The course seeks to recruit students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and welcomes applications from mature students. The selection procedures for the course fully comply with the Equal Opportunities Policy of UAL. 

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

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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, CV and study proposal.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

Study proposal advice

Please provide a summary of your study proposal (600 words).

It should:

  • state the background for your proposal, including a working title
  • determine the precise area of study
  • set out the aims and objects for your proposal within the course structure
  • refer to critical discourses that may underpin your practice and how your work may contribute to these
  • outline your intended methodology including how you intend to conduct your project and who you intend to address
  • include any research sources as well as details or any libraries, exhibitions museums etc. that you have visited as part of your research
  • include a bibliography using Harvard referencing and an appendix for any additional material if necessary. This will not be included in the word count.

Please note, your proposal serves to inform your application and we understand that your ideas will develop and change throughout your studies.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

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

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum 30 pages
  • consist of a wide range of work such as drawings, photographs of realised designs, speculative design and any relevant research
  • include development work from sketchbooks as well as photography of finished garments to illustrate your ability to develop ideas from initial concept to final outcome
  • demonstrate your ability to experiment with different materials and techniques
  • include annotations to contextualise your work.

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.

Applying to more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3 courses. You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.

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

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 equal consideration deadlines to ensure fairness for all our applicants. If you apply ahead of either of these deadlines, your application will be considered on an equal basis with all other applications in that round. If there are places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Careers

All our postgraduate courses offer career development, so that you become a creative thinker, making effective contributions to your relevant sector of the fashion industry.

LCF offers students the opportunity to develop Personal and Professional Development (PPD) skills while studying through:

  • Access to to speaker programmes and events featuring alumni and industry.
  • Access to careers activities, such as CV clinics and one-to-one advice sessions.
  • Access to a graduate careers service
  • Access to a live jobsboard for all years.
  • Advice on setting up your own brand or company.

Career paths

Masters graduates have an acknowledged advantage in the employment market, obtaining work in a wide range of vocational and academic fields related to fashion. Previous graduates have gone on to work as 2D digital pattern cutters, 3D digital sample developers, garment technologists and to teach at universities in Madrid and Beijing. Graduates have found employment with numerous renowned brands including: ASOS, C&A (Shanghai), COS, Huntsman & sons, Hussein Chayalan, Inditex, Net-a-Porter and Ralph & Russo.