This course has places available for UK and EU applicants only. Applications have now closed for international studnts.
This fashion journalism masters course equips students with the skills to become an articulate and aware fashion writer in the current media landscape.
MA Fashion Journalism is a unique course in its merging of cultural theory with fashion journalism. Students can position their aspirations and work on a broad spectrum, from media journalism to theoretical study. This well-evolved course positions graduates for a successful career in the rapidly changing world of journalism.
The course is based at High Holborn. Find out about the local area, including Lincoln’s Inn Fields and Clerkenwell, in our local area guides on the Student Life pages.
Manchester-raised Nateisha Monique Scott is just about to graduate from her MA Fashion Journalism degree at London College of Fashion. The talented writer has used her LCFMA18 project to celebrate women of […]
MA Fashion Journalism graduate Eleonora Garofalo created a magazine that explores emerging Italian talents to the industry with business focus for her final project. We spoke to Eleonora as part of the LCFMA18 […]
Shannon Chan from MA Fashion Journalism created a magazine called PersonA for her final project. She spoke to us as part of the LCFMA18 graduate spotlight series and told us […]
Five London College of Fashion media students recently worked with ELLE for a special magazine insert that was included in the June issue. The students that worked with ELLE’s Editorial team were Ella […]
Students from Media and Communication courses at LCF explored the current climate of print journalism at a symposium with speakers including Vogue’s Lucinda Chambers, Ben Freeman from Ditto Press and Anja Aronowsky […]
MA Fashion Journalism graduate Fiona Wing Shuen Ma created a magazine that explores the unorthodox relationship between people and their homes for her LCF MA17 Final Major Project, which will be […]
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.
The course aims to develop highly articulate and aware fashion commentators who have sound research ability and strong written and visual communication skills.
Cultural theory and journalism strands run in parallel through the first stage of the course. Three of the four pathway units are focused on the practice of journalism, a key feature being visiting speakers from industry.
15 months, 3 terms, level 7, 180 credits
Term 1
Undressed: The Fashion Media Exposed (40 credits)
Research Methods (20 credits)
Term 2
The Rationale of Publishing (40 units)
Collaborative Unit (20 credits) - find out more
Term 3
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 Undressed: The Fashion Media Exposed unit gives an overview of the fashion media through the medium of developing journalistic skills, with a specific relationship to the fashion industry. It will examine the current fashion marketplace through linking appropriate genres of journalism to key events during the fashion calendar, as well as ensuring that you have a broad underpinning of appropriate industry knowledge. The unit specifically looks at different types of journalism, including consumer and business publications related to the fashion industry, and considers the role of stylist and fashion editor. Writing skills will be combined with visual media throughout the course, culminating in a series of written and visual pieces that enable you to combine sound journalistic practice with fashion awareness and to develop an individual voice. The unit also contains an element of presentation skills and portfolio building techniques so that you can establish a body of work during the course, as well as work on live projects (wherever possible) or self-motivated freelance work that sees your writing enter the public domain.
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 Masters 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 Rationale of Publishing unit analyses the importance of the publishing industry as the backbone which supports book-based, magazine-based and online fashion literature. It also addresses the visual aspects of fashion coverage, dissecting the fashion image and graphic design through a number of different contexts. Over the course of the unit, you will analyse the relative successes and failures within recent international magazine publishing, the financial realities driving consumer titles, both in terms of editorial stance and magazine design, plus advertising revenue and physical costs involved through production. Running parallel to the commercial aspects of the unit, you will examine how media is marketed to the consumer in English-speaking markets, both prior to and after a new launch. This will involve aspects of market research, and an analysis of new publishing trends within the marketplace, including issues of ethical and sustainable production. This unit will address the role of magazine design within fashion media, by considering various approaches to page layout and design, from both historical and contemporary perspectives. You will look at the capacity of certain key computer graphics packages through project work, and dissect the power of the fashioned image alongside its appeal to the consumer within the fashion industry, within a number of markets and contexts.
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.
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.
Applications for 2018/19 entry for this course are open to Home/EU applicants only. Applications for 2019/20 entry will open in Autumn 2018.
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.
Personal statement
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:
You will be required to submit two written assignments:
Please select one of the following topics, and write a piece of between 500 and 1000 words in length. Please use Harvard style to cite any research that is relevant to your chosen topic
Please select one of the following topics and write a piece of between 500 and 1000 words in length and write in the journalistic style of your choice, outlining the publication (print or online) you would be aiming your piece at.
Please ensure that your journalistic tone reflects that of your chosen publication and explain why this piece is relevant to the reader of your chosen publication. Please do not write in the first person.
You may submit a digital portfolio of any previous journalism work if you think it will enhance your application; the most important part of your application is the two assignments as detailed above.
You may include a URL link to your portfolio within your personal statement.
If called to interview you may bring additional portfolio items with you.
Applications for 2018/19 entry for this course are now closed to International applicants. Applications for 2019/20 entry will open in Autumn 2018.
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:
Master's graduates have an acknowledged advantage in the employment market, obtaining work in a wide range of vocational and academic fields related to fashion. Previous MA Fashion Journalism graduates are now working in areas such as magazine and newspaper journalism, magazine styling and image making, lecturing in cultural studies and researching and developing concepts for television.
The MA also provides an excellent preparation for higher level research degrees (MPhil or PhD), with an increasing number of graduates undertaking research in fashion related subjects, in practice or theory or entering into education as lecturers.
Online Deputy Editor, Harper's Bazaar
MA Fashion Cultures offers students a unique opportunity to study fashion and dress within its historical, theoretical, social and cultural contexts to become informed critics and communicators.
College: London College of Fashion Level: Postgraduate
This postgraduate fashion curation course explores both theoretical and practical aspects of curating contemporary fashion and historical dress.
College: London College of Fashion Level: Postgraduate
