UAL is once again partnering with the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) to offer exclusive Summer Study Abroad Awards for Summer 2027.
The awards provide ITAA members with the opportunity to join one of UAL's renowned 3-week Summer Study Abroad courses in London through a tuition-fee waiver, gaining hands-on creative experience at one of the world's leading universities for art and design.
Apply for the Summer 2027 ITAA Awards
ITAA members can apply under two categories:
- ITAA Members (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)
- ITAA Members (Faculty)
Application deadline: 1 December 2026
Apply at itaaonline.org
A highly rewarding experience
In Summer 2026, UAL welcomed Dr Mary Rupert Stroescu, Associate Professor; Fashion Design Area Coordinator at Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, Washington University in St. Louis, who joined the Advanced Fashion Design Summer Study Abroad course at Central Saint Martins through the ITAA award programme.
Reflecting on her experience, Mary highlighted the collaborative environment and creative challenges that defined her three weeks in London:
"I love the idea that I'm here with other creatives and that the main point of the course is to work with other people, get to know them and enrich yourself by seeing what they do. The course tutors are just really amazing."
Mary described being pushed beyond her comfort zone as one of the most valuable aspects of the programme:
"The biggest takeaway for me has been being challenged. It's never quite enough to stay with what comes naturally. The course encouraged me to push myself and explore things I wouldn't normally navigate towards."
Throughout the programme, Mary drew inspiration from London's museums, exhibitions, libraries and creative culture, incorporating these influences into a final project exploring ideas of beauty, imperfection and experimentation.
"Experimenting is a very important part of the process. I can't stress enough how important talking with the tutors and my fellow students was. Those conversations really shaped my work."
For Mary, the experience reinforced the value of stepping into a new creative environment and engaging with different perspectives:
"Go to museums, do things, keep your inspirations in the back of your mind and keep pushing yourself. That's what this experience gave me."
Why apply?
The ITAA Summer Study Abroad Awards give members the opportunity to:
- Study in London, one of the world's leading creative capitals
- Learn from expert practitioners and academics at UAL
- Develop new creative and professional skills
- Build international networks with peers from around the world
- Bring new ideas and approaches back to their institutions and practice
What is ITAA?
ITAA is a professional community of scholars and practitioners in the textile and apparel field. It is committed to research, creativity, knowledge sharing and leadership, and provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and scholarship.
ITAA has over 800 members across multiple countries, united by a shared interest in advancing textile and apparel knowledge.
A global collaboration
This initiative has strengthened UAL’s ties with global design educators and given participants the chance to experience London’s creative culture first-hand, exchange ideas, and explore new approaches to fashion, textiles and sustainability.
What’s next?
To find out more about ITAA membership, visit the International Textile and Apparel Association website.
Find more information on UAL’s 3-week Summer courses on the Summer Study Abroad website.
