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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion History and Theory

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A photograph from a newspaper clipping of a woman, a boy and a policeman
James Crawford
College
Central Saint Martins Start date
September 2021 Course length
Three years full-time or four years full-time with Diploma in Professional Studies UCAS code
4A37

BA Fashion Communication is for the fashion literate, ambitious and observant individual eager to study and communicate fashion.

This course nurtures students to become innovative, informed, responsible writers, communicators and promoters, central to the 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: Fashion Communication and Promotion; Fashion History and Theory; and Fashion 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

Virtual Open Days:

The undergraduate online open days are now finished for the September 2021 intake.

At Central Saint Martins, the safety of staff, students and visitors is our priority. Following government guidance on social distancing due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, we’re currently unable to run physical open days at the College.

Virtual Tours:

Instead you might be interested in checking out the College’s outstanding facilities and technical spaces through our virtual tours

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Mead Scholarships and Fellowships
The Fung Scholarships
UAL EU Transitional Awards

CSM Fashion Fund

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

Student Perspectives: BA Fashion Communication: Fashion History and Theory

View BA Fashion Communication graduates' work

The Graduate Showcase provides many more examples and much more information about student work.

Fashion Communication stories

Facilities

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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: Fashion Communication and Promotion; Fashion History and Theory; and Fashion 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 Fashion History and Theory 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. 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.  

Course units

BA Fashion Communication’s three pathways focus on the communication of fashion. This structure complements its sibling course BA Fashion, 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 Fashion History and Theory 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. 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

During your course you will engage with learning and teaching that includes both online and face-to-face modes. Typically, this will 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. 

Please note: Whilst access restrictions are in place due to the Covid 19 pandemic, teaching will be a blend of in-college studio/workshop teaching and making (taking into account current UK government distancing guidelines), and on-line teaching and technical workshops. Some tutorials and seminars will be on-line and others, where your work needs to be handled and discussed, will be face-to-face.

Assessment methods

  • Group projects 
  • Oral and visual presentations 
  • Portfolio reviews 
  • Essays, written assignment, reports, dissertation 
  • Self-evaluation 

Staff

BA Fashion Communication: Fashion Journalism Stage One Leader: Clare Coulson
BA Fashion Communication: Fashion, Communication and Promotion Stage One Co-Leader: Carol Morgan
BA Fashion Communication Lecturer: Professor Iain R Webb
Fashion History and Theory: Professor Caroline Evans
Fashion History and Theory: Marketa Uhlirova
Fashion Communication and Promotion: Martin Andersen

How to apply

Opportunities for all

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.

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

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.

Making your application

You should apply through Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and you will need the following information:

University Code:          U65

UCAS Code:                4A37

Transfer

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1

Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).  Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Deferred Entry

Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry.  You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 29 January 2021 for equal consideration.  However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal.  We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal.  You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

Please add csm.ukeu@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL.  Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.

There are three ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course at Central Saint Martins:

You can only apply to the same course once per year whether you are applying via UCAS, UAL representative or using the UAL online application system. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn.

If you are applying via UCAS you will need the following information:

University Code:          U65

UCAS Code:                 4A37

You can only apply to the same course once per year whether you are applying via UCAS, UAL representative or using the UAL online application system. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn.

For further advice on how to apply please visit the UAL International Students webpage.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1

Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).  Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

If you are an International applicant and studying outside the UK, please complete your Direct application and then contact us via your UAL Portal to ask to be considered for Year 2/Year 3.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Deferred Entry

Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry.  You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 29 January 2021 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Immigration history check

Whether you are applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or direct application you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL.  If you do not complete the check we will not be able to proceed with your application.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal.  We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal.  You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

Please add csm.international@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL  Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.


After you apply

What happens next

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course.  If you do, you will be invited to submit a written assessment.

If you meet the entry requirement you will be asked to submit written work.

Written Work

You need to submit an 800 words essay demonstrating an aptitude for studying fashion as object, image or text.

Interview

Following the review of the assessed work we select a small number of applicants to interview.  Interviews will be held online or by telephone.

Interview advice

The interview typically lasts approximately 20 minutes.  We are interested in you as an individual and our focus is on your personal interests, your creativity and your career ambitions.  We are looking for independence of thought and evidence of your initiative in finding out about your proposed area of study and how it will fit into your future plans.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS track.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK resident nationals. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees.

From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, depending on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students.

International fee

£22,920 per year

This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. 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 are currently charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about our tuition fees.

From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, depending on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students.

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Careers and alumni

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

Alumni

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Address
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King's Cross
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