This course has places available. You can apply for this course via the ‘How to apply’ section on this page.
This postgraduate fashion curation course explores both theoretical and practical aspects of curating contemporary fashion and historical dress.
MA Fashion Curation is a theoretical and practice-based exploration of all aspects of fashion curation, past, present and future. Fashion exhibitions have become increasingly visible in department stores, galleries and the wider community. This shift represents the growing status of the curator as a central cultural mediator and MA Fashion Curation prepares students for a career in this.
The course is based at High Holborn and John Prince’s Street. Find out about the local area, including Lincoln’s Inn Fields and Clerkenwell, in our local area guides on the Student Life pages.
Alumni discuss what the course entails and what a career in Fashion Curation entails.
This project is about the British royal family's trainers!
This summer, the V&A will explore how Frida Kahlo, one of the most recognised and significant artists and women of the 20th century, fashioned her identity. Frida Kahlo: Making Her […]
Next up on our LCFMA18 series is MA Fashion Curation graduate Gill MacGregor who studied the collection of Lady Ottoline Morell. Originally from a small village near Portsmouth, Hampshire, Gill is […]
The Centre for Fashion Curation recently launched the Wear it Out project (funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund), a collaboration with Brighton Museum that explores LGBTQ* lives through dress and fashion […]
LCF’s Centre for Fashion Curation has won Heritage Lottery Fund support for a new project called Wear it Out. In partnership with Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove, it explores the cultural heritage […]
Last night LCFMA17 Media and Communication exhibition, Found in Translation opened at House of Vans London. Industry professionals and press, joined the LCF community in celebrating the launch of the exhibition, which […]
LCF Bespoke Tailoring students have collaborated with Hardy Amies and Create London, to highlight the connection between The White House in Dagenham, and the iconic British tailor Hardy Amies, who lived there as […]
Take a tour of LCF's world renowned fashion library, ideal for research and study.
Take a tour of our media facilities from photographic studios to darkrooms.
Explore our social spaces, for collaborative study and breaks, across our six sites in London.
MA Fashion Curation will equip you with the skills to enter this fast paced and growing field.
A key aspect of this course is the practical skills and experience gained in staging a live fashion-related exhibition. This group project presents students with an exciting collaborative opportunity to explore a range of approaches, mediums and practices that constitute the roles required in realising a curatorial project.
15 months, 3 terms, level 7, 180 credits
Term one
The Past and Future of Fashion Curation (40 credits)
Research Methods (20 credits)
Term two
Collect/Recollect (40 units)
Collaborative Unit (20 credits) - find out more
Term three
Masters Project (60 credits)
The renowned London College of Fashion library is at our John Prince’s Street site, and you will need to travel to this site, and possibly others, during your course to use the library, which is open seven days a week in term time, and for tuition and special events.
The information outlined is an indicative structure of the course. Whilst we will aim to deliver the course as described on this page, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, for example because of regulatory requirements or operational efficiencies, before or after enrolment. If this occurs, we will communicate all major changes to all applicants and students who have either applied or enrolled on the course.
Please note that due to staff research agreements or availability, not all of the optional modules listed may be available every year.
In addition, the provision of course options which depend upon the availability of specialist teaching, or on a placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed. Please check this element of the course with the course team before making a decision to apply.
We will update this webpage from time to time with new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact a member of the course team.
The Past and Future of Fashion Curation unit will provide an introduction to (and historical context for) the study of fashion exhibitions and exhibiting and the daily work of a fashion curator. Through case studies presented by the Course Leader and guests working on the international stage this unit will consider how, why and from whom objects are acquired and the documentation procedures involved. The major emphasis will focus on methods of representing dress in accordance with museum standards including selecting exhibits, writing labels and panels, and ideas about staging, from mannequins, to props. This museum emphasis will be balanced by the consideration of a number of other contexts (often through site visits) that add to the debate surrounding ‘what is curating today?' and 'what might be a sustainable future for this practice?’ This unit will develop the students’ intellectual, innovative, creative and practical skills through a synthesis of theoretical and practical approaches to learning. The unit will culminate in the design of a hypothetical fashion exhibition.
The purpose of the Research Methods unit is to introduce you to the range of research methods, approaches and tools that are available to you in order to conduct your post graduate project. The unit will cover philosophy and ethics in research, primary and secondary research methods, including quantitative, qualitative and visual research methods, and how to analyse, evaluate and disseminate research findings. The unit will consider research in a range of contexts relevant to the cultural and creative industries and enable you to understand the relationship between theory and practice.
The broader culture of exhibition and display that informs the practice of fashion curation reveals a number of contexts (or cultural territories) that structure our relationship and understanding of material culture. The Collect/Recollect unit investigates how the cultural value of objects is inevitably defined by contexts networked through the process of exchange, the practice of collecting, the classification of collections and the presentational means of display. As such, it is an examination of why sensitivity to context is essential to the presentation of cultural artefacts.
The Collaborative Unit is designed to enable you to innovate, engage in developmental processes and participate in collaborative working practices. You will be encouraged to develop the professional negotiating and networking skills that you will need in order to be successful in the cultural and creative industries.The nature of this collaboration may be within your own course, with students on other courses or with industry. The project that you undertake will depend upon your discipline and the specific requirements of your course. Further details will be available in your unit handbook.
The Masters Project is an important piece of work which will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in relation to your discipline and chosen project. Throughout the Masters Project, you are guided and supported by tutorials and peer and staff evaluation at interim stages. You will be allocated a supervisor for your project and will complete a learning contract outlining how you intend to develop and deliver your project. The Masters Project may take a variety of forms by negotiation and is assessed by presentation in an agreed format.
All students are advised to set up a profile on portfolio.arts.ac.uk, UAL’s new portfolio platform, which can be done at any point during your time at LCF and will last for up to 12 months after graduation. This platform is often used to source student work for promotional use on the website, social media and for print and can be a great way of getting your work seen. You may also be asked to have a portfolio profile for the selection process when it comes to degree shows.
Jeffrey Horsley originally trained in Theatre Design completing a BA Drama at Manchester University and a PG Diploma at Croydon College. Subsequently, Jeff worked as Curator: Design at Manchester Art Gallery and Head of Exhibitions at Manchester Museum. Jeff returned to education, studying MA Fashion at Manchester Metropolitan University which led to a PhD, completed in 2012, at London College of Fashion. Jeff has been Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Fashion Curation, LCF, since 2015 where his research interests focus on historic and experimental aspects of exhibiting fashion and fashion exhibitions and biographies. www.jeffreyhorsley.com
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and seek to recruit students from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. We are committed to supporting all our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
This section includes information on how to apply, course entry requirements and selection criteria.
2018/19 entry
Both Home/EU and international students can apply for this course using our online application form – the link to this is below. Before you apply, we recommend you take some time to read the following details about the application process, including guidance on the extra information we will ask you to provide.
Alternatively, international applicants can apply through an overseas representative in your country.
You will need to enter the following information in the online application form:
Before you can submit the form, you’ll also need to agree to the terms and conditions for how we process your data – these are explained in the form.
Please note, if you’re an international applicant we will need to contact you separately to ask for copies of certain documents (for example, English language qualification/certificate and copies of any previous UK study visas).
When you are submitting your application form, you will also need to provide the following pieces of documentation in support of your application:
You will be required to submit a Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) in support of your application. This should include your full education and employment history.
The personal statement is your opportunity to tell us about yourself and your suitability for the course that you intend to study.
Some key points to consider:
Applicants should submit a review of a dress-based exhibition, or a catalogue, of 750-1,000 words. You might find it helpful to look at exhibition and book reviews published in 'Fashion Theory' for guidance about how to approach this.
If you are reviewing an exhibition:
Please provide a bibliography of any texts referenced and footnote any quotations used.
If you are reviewing a catalogue:
Please provide a bibliography of any texts referenced and footnote any quotations used.
Applicants should submit an idea for an exhibition proposal that will form the basis of your final project.
It should:
Your Study Proposal should have the following structure:
Introduction
Introduce your idea for your proposed exhibition. Briefly outline recent developments prior to application. Describe your anticipated programme of study in detail, demonstrating your knowledge of the fashion, curation or exhibitions for your area of study. Focus on specific areas or issues that underpin and frame the proposal.
Programme of study
Outline the sequence of practical and theoretical steps that you intend to follow. This will be vital to your programme of study in the development stage in which the Study Proposal will progress and take shape. For example, describe in detail the methodologies that you follow and their significance for the research process. (Advice and support will be offered by tutors on the course). Any supporting material should appear in the Appendices at the end of the proposal.
Research sources
Give details of libraries, exhibitions, museums, galleries and special archives that you have visited as part of your research towards the proposal.
Bibliography
Keep a full record of all original and documentary material consulted. List appropriate material using the Harvard Referencing System.
You may submit a digital portfolio of any previous curation work if you think it will enhance your application; the most important part of your application is the exhibition review and study proposal as detailed above.
You may include a URL link to your portfolio within your personal statement.
Entry to this course is highly competitive: applicants are expected to achieve, or already have, the course entry requirements detailed below.
OR
OR
Selection for interview will be made on the basis of your application, including the personal statement and the supporting written statement. If you are selected for interview you will be asked to bring examples of previous written work and to undertake a written aptitude test.
The course seeks to recruit students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and welcomes applications from mature students.
The course seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:
All classes are conducted in English. The level required by the University for this course is IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill.
For more information, read the University's English Language requirements page.
The International Recruitment Office at the London College of Fashion will help to guide you through the application process and answer any specific questions that you may have regarding our courses. This may include portfolio advice, the application process and fee advice. We offer a ‘drop-in’ facility for applicants who may be in London and wish to obtain further course and admissions information. Please contact us for further information on this facility. We can also arrange a tour of our facilities if we are given prior notice.
International applicants should contact the Admission Office by emailing lcf.international@arts.ac.uk about portfolio requirements (if applicable), interview times and dates.
£9,500
This applies for the 2018/19 academic year.
UAL Home/EU alumni receive a £1,000 discount.
Course fees may be paid in instalments.
Home/EU students whose chosen course is at a level equivalent to, or lower than, a qualification that they already hold, will be charged the fees shown above, plus an additional £1,100 (called the 'ELQ' fee). Students in receipt of Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) are exempt from ELQ fees and will pay the original fee, regardless of the highest qualification held. For enquiries relating to ELQ fees, please complete this register your interest form.
£19,350
This applies for the 2018/19 academic year.
UAL International alumni receive a £1,000 discount
Course fees may be paid in instalments.
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.
Postgraduate loans of up to £10,000 are now available for eligible UK and EU students. A full list of eligibility criteria and information on applying can be found on the postgraduate loans webpage.
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.
Masters graduates have an advantage in the employment market, obtaining work in a wide range of vocational and academic fields related to fashion. MA Fashion Curation could lead to a breadth of exit profiles including Fashion or Art and Design Curator, Arts and Events Management Assistant and Administrator or Consultant. Graduates of the course have gone on to work in many roles within the industry, at organisations including the British Council, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Fan Museum Greenwich. The MA also provides an excellent preparation for higher level research degrees (MPhil or PhD), with an increasing number of graduates undertaking research, writing and teaching within fashion related subjects.
Fashion Curator and Exhibition Designer
Independent Exhibition Curator
Programme Manager