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Postgraduate

MA Innovative Fashion Production

A collage of student facilities and materials for the MA Innovative Fashion Production course. © University of Arts London
College
London College of Fashion Start date
September 2024 Course length
15 months

This course prepares students to lead society's move to more sustainable practices by equipping them with innovative ideation on the entire product lifecycle and demonstrating how fundamental production is in shaping the fashion industry of the future.

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

  • Enhance employability in your specialism: Differentiate yourself with fresh insights and additional skills.
  • Rare opportunity to study innovative Fashion Production at Post Graduate level: This is the only course in the UK to focus on this area.
  • Links to research teams within UAL to support cutting edge research at Post Graduate level and fulfil your individual aspirations including progression to PhD study
  • Explore new ideas and pioneering business opportunities: If you are interested in launching your own company in the next 5/10 years, this course will include much of the knowledge and many of the skills you will need for success.
  • Live projects to gain practical experience of production and information sharing connected with existing manufacturing opportunities/college initiatives.

Open days

Course overview

The fashion industry is a fast-changing landscape that is dominated by the urgent need to reform production practices to be more agile, cleaner and smarter.  

Within the next two decades there will be a revolution in how we make the fashion we recognise but as importantly, technology will lead us to create products in ways we as yet don’t fully visualise.

A systematic understanding of the importance of disruptive business models and emerging technologies in manufacturing is needed and the MA Innovative Fashion Production offers a real opportunity for graduates to play a key part in society's move to more sustainable practice, which involves more than material resources. 

Collaboration is essential across all disciplines to ensure companies can manage the changes which are inevitable.  Integral to the course is student collaboration and communication working to share knowledge whilst learning the impact of manufacturing upon the complete product lifecycle from concept to end of life.

This course embraces innovative ways of thinking about the entire product lifecycle and how fundamental production is to the positive innovation currently shaping the fashion industry of the future. The London College of Fashion, unlike many other fashion institutions has the facilities and academic research groups which can support a diverse range of interests.

Climate, Social and Racial Justice

The course is committed to embedding UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice.

Course units

Collaborative Challenge: 20 credits 
Innovation in Production Technologies: 20 credits
Business Models and Fashion Production: 20 credits
Research Proposal: 20 credits
Connecting Production to the Consumer: 40 Credits
Masters Project: 60 credits

MA Innovative Fashion Production is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 15 months, with a break over the summer. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study. 

Learning and teaching methods

​The following blended teaching and learning methods are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes. There will be a combination of physical and virtual online delivery:

  • Academic skills, design thinking for fashion
  • Brainstorming sessions
  • Briefings, tutorials and feedback
  • Collaborative group project work
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Library and workshop inductions
  • Museum, trade shows and other visits
  • Online learning
  • Presentations
  • Research Methods
  • Studio teaching
  • Garment making workshops

UAL Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • Fashion Carbon Footprint Calculator
    Fashion Carbon Footprint Calculator, ZIQI GAO, 2024 MA Innovative Fashion Production, London College of Fashion, UAL
    ZIQI GAO
  • Cooling Fabric and Garment for Fashion
    Cooling Fabric and Garment for Fashion, Xinyu Hou, 2024 MA Innovative Fashion Production, London College of Fashion, UAL
    Xinyu Hou
  • NO END - Zero Dead Stock by Fluid Module
    NO END - Zero Dead Stock by Fluid Module, Fangchizi Li, 2024 MA Innovative Fashion Production, London College of Fashion, UAL
    Fangchizi Li
  • GREEN STITCHES: Sustainable Fashion Journey Game
    GREEN STITCHES: Sustainable Fashion Journey Game, Yunzhu Chen, 2024 MA Innovative Fashion Production, London College of Fashion, UAL
    Yunzhu Chen
  • Temporal Resonance Echoes
    Temporal Resonance Echoes, HongFei Qian, 2024 MA Innovative Fashion Production, London College of Fashion, UAL
    HongFei Qian

  • See more work by students on this course on UAL Showcase

Student and graduate work

Sandrine Schaefer

Student work by current MA Innovative Fashion Production student, Sandrine Schaefer.

FootwearGAN Generate Interpolation Video

This footwear video made by MA Innovative Fashion Production student, Ana Luisa Sampaio was made with GAN (artificial Intelligence - machine learning).

GAN are a class of machine learning techniques which contains two trained models; the Generator - trained to generate fake data, and the Discriminator - trained to perceived if the given examples are real or fake data. GAN’s are part of the generative set models, and have the ability to generate new content.

Is Plus-Size Clothing Fit for Purpose?

Class of 2020 final project by MDes International Fashion Production Management student, Sabine Kohrn.

Zirow

Class of 2020 final project by MDes International Fashion Production Management student, Brooke Makin.

Environmental Fibre Analysis

Class of 2020 final project by MDes International Fashion Production Management student, Marta Gruszczynska.

Latest news from this course

  • Visitors during a recent LCF graduate exhibition. Photographer: © Ana Blumenkron

    Introducing LCF's new public facing Cultural Programme

    LCF is excited to announce that from September 2023, when it opens the doors to its new home as part of East Bank, it will offer a brand-new, free, cultural programme open to the public.

  • LCF Postgraduate Class of 2023. Artwork by Lauren Chalmers.

    Celebrating LCF Postgraduate Class of 2023

    LCF are excited to introduce LCF Postgraduate Class of 2023, demonstrating how LCF students look beyond the traditional notions of fashion to imagine a new and exciting future.

  • What Design Can Do held a Design Jam with students at London College of Fashion, UAL. Photograph by Neneh Brathwaite.

    What Design Can Do host Design Jam with LCF Students

    International think-tank What Design Can Do and supply chain solutions company Control Union joined students at London College of Fashion on 4 October to hold a ‘Design Jam’ to explore solutions to circular textiles and fashion.

  • Fashion Means Business 19 by Fashion Innovation Agency at Spitalfields Market. ©Katy Davies

    Fashion and Activism - in conversation with LCF graduates during Fashion Revolution Week

    In conversation with LCF MA Innovative Fashion Production graduates Victoria Ponieman and Sandrine Schafer for Fashion Revolution Week.

  • See all stories

Staff

Ella Sharp-Mitchell

Ella is a graduate of Kingston University with over 30 years of diverse professional and academic experience.  Independent practice has focused on overseeing the whole process of ‘concept to customer’ including design, manufacture and retailing both Ready to Wear Limited Editions and collaborations with clients in bespoke projects ranging from tailored daywear to tango performance pieces for internationally renowned dancers. This experience is key to Ella’s ability to work with students on a diverse range of projects in different markets and products types.

Mikha Mekler

At the heart of Mikha’s professional practice is “how sustainable can I make this?” and with experience of running sample rooms prior to graduating from the London College of Fashion with an MA in Design Management for the Fashion Industry, Mikha is currently overseeing the production process at Christopher Raeburn as well as teaching on LCF BA Fashion Sportswear. Her current global sourcing and knowledge of a range of manufacturing is invaluable, and special areas of interest include sportswear and technical fabrics.

Lindsey Riley

Lindsey is the Programme Director for the Product Programme and also Learning & Teaching Cordinator,  focusing on cross-school collaborations. Lindsey has a first-class honours degree in Fashion Design and is currently taking MA Academic Practice. Lindsey spent over thirty years in the fashion trend forecasting industry specialising in footwear and leather trends. As Fashion Director and co. owner of trend consultancy Insight ltd. she travelled extensively, researching, guest speaking and working on special projects with a worldwide list of clients. As a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glovers she co-organises the National Glove Design Competition.

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

Or view all

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 one of the following disciplines: fashion design and/or development, fashion and/or technology, pattern cutting, buying and/or merchandising; 
  • OR equivalent qualifications in an alternative subject will be considered if supported by a digital portfolio which demonstrates significant evidence of technical and/or business 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 from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and welcomes applications from mature students. 

The course seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate: 

  • a clear interest in the study of innovative approaches to exploring technology in the widest sense of the word and its application to the fashion supply chain; 
  • an interest in developing creative technical solutions to current and future industry problems; 
  • relevant experience of one of the following: fashion design and/or development, fashion and/or technology, pattern cutting, buying and/or merchandising; 
  • a capacity for intellectual enquiry and reflective thought; 
  • a developed and mature attitude to independent study and intellectual growth. 

UAL Language Development 

We offer English Language Development for Overseas students. See how we can help you with your studies.  
https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/language-centre/english-language-development-for-ual-students 

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 and video task 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 and video task 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 to UAL

Start your application

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 and video task 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 and video task 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 to UAL

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

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 (500 words).

It should:

  • state briefly the background for your proposal
  • determine the precise area of study
  • set out the aims and objects for your proposal within the course structure
  • demonstrate your project’s relevance to fashion manufacturing
  • 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: Video task and digital portfolio

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

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool. Please submit your video task on the first page followed by your portfolio.

Video task advice

We’d like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you. When recording your video, please face the camera and speak in English.

What to include in your video task

  • Choose 1 project from your portfolio and explain why you think it is important in the field of innovation in fashion production.
  • Tell us what your career aspirations are and how the MA will help you to achieve them.

Read our guidance for how to submit your video task and which file types we accept.

Digital portfolio advice

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

It should:

  • be maximum 30 pages, including your video task
  • consist of a wide variety 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 process, including pattern cutting and garment evaluation, with emphasis on how you might change the garment for production
  • 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

The MA Innovative Fashion Production is a new course building on an established production alumni network, graduates who have studied production with the same academic team are currently working as production co-ordinators or in the production departments at Christopher Kane, Victoria Beckham, Samuel Gui Yang, Hackett whilst others have continued their Post Graduate research projects as entrepreneurs or in other institutions. Upon graduation you might work in Product Development or Buying & Merchandising as well as specifically as a Production Co-Ordinator or Manager.

Alumni

London College of Fashion

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 7400

Address

105 Carpenter's Road
London

E20 2AR