Course overview

The course at Wimbledon views costume as a broad, developing and ever-changing industry. Both specialisms will encourage you to explore and build confidence in both traditional and innovative approaches to costume design and realisation, through new and emerging media and digital presentation techniques. 

A collaborative approach and engagement with live and industry focussed projects as an embedded part of delivery ensures you receive a real experience throughout your study.

What to expect

• To gain an understanding of the essential elements of costume
• To explore, create and understand costume in relation to historical, contemporary and conceptual contexts
• To work on studio and performance based live projects. These might be costume design for historical or contemporary texts and opera. Or they could be for site-specific production, dance, film or theatre
• To gain experience through live projects. In the past the course has worked with The National Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum and Windsor Castle
• To explore colour and texture through mixed media experimentation for 2D design and textile work
• To take a creative approach to problem solving during construction
• Teaching from industry professionals. They will ensure you develop a realistic working process, that’s informed by current practices and debates
• An introduction to a broad range of skills and technical areas. These include analysing texts and characters, corsetry, developing a visual language, drawing, millinery, pattern cutting, research, textile manipulation, garment construction and fabrication
• A contextual studies programme. This builds your knowledge and understanding of film, television and the arts
• To have access to Wimbledon's shared workshops. View the Wimbledon facilities

The first year is a challenging and exciting exploration of the subject area of costume. You will have an introduction to research methods, practical approaches, design strategies and conceptual and creative problem solving. You will make your costume specialism choice by the end of your first year.  The 2 disciplines of Costume Design and Costume Interpretation are very different.

Costume Design

Costume Design is concerned with visual storytelling.

• You should have an interest in people, history and geography
• You will use a range of sources, including text, images and music to analyse and create characters
• There is a focus on drawing and communicating ideas in 2D, whilst 3D construction skills are also developed to a high level

Costume Interpretation

Costume Interpretation is the process of making costumes from a visual reference and developing skills to a very high level.

• It requires imagination, sensitivity, an understanding of context, and excellent interpersonal skills
• At Wimbledon we use historical and traditional construction processes and skills to provide the foundation for contemporary approaches to a wide range of costume realisation
• You will have the opportunity to learn specialist traditional skills, such as tailoring and millinery
• You may also go on to make contemporary work that utilises techniques such as moulding, casting, textile experimentation, metal and leatherwork

Work experience and opportunities

As a result of the college's London location and industry links students have the chance to undertake professional work placements during their studies.

Former students have worked for the Royal Opera House, The Globe, Hampton Court Palace, the Rose Theatre and Secret Cinema. They have also worked on the London Olympic ceremonies, the Warner Bros film ‘The Huntsman’ and Netflix productions ’Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Crown’. Others have worked with highly respected freelance designers and film directors.

Students will have the opportunity to take part in the Erasmus scheme to study abroad for a term in the second year of their degree.

Mode of study

BA Costume for Theatre and Screen is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Course units

Learning and teaching methods

• Creating workbooks and sketchbooks
• Collaboration
• Group and individual tutorials
• Feedback - written and oral
• Independent study
• Lectures, talks and seminars
• Presentations
• Project work
• Self-evaluation
• Technical demonstrations, workshops and exercises

Assessment methods

• Collaborative group project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Evaluative report
• Presentation
• Project work
• Reflective journal
• Research portfolio
• Self-evaluation