E-textiles and Wearable Technologies (MSc)

The MSc in E-textiles and Wearable Technologies will provide students with in-depth knowledge and practical experience in e-textiles as well as key application areas such as wearable technologies. You’ll develop extensive knowledge of the advanced manufacturing techniques and materials that are used in e-textile development, whilst building skills in design and innovation.

Located at Winchester School of Art (WSA), this course combines the attributes of both scientific and design thinking. You'll develop proficiencies in electronics, textiles, design, and garment construction, whilst also building academic and entrepreneurial skills. On this course, you’ll consider the application of e-textile products and their role in driving innovation within wearable technologies. With these skills, you'll be prepared for careers in a growing range of sectors like:

• medical, health and wellbeing
• e-textiles and printed electronics
• sports and fitness
• fashion and media
• workwear
• transport and consumer products

E-textiles are transforming these sectors and many others. For example, wearables such as electrically heated workwear can support workers in extremely cold environments. Biomonitoring garments with textile-based sensors capture vital signs, offering insight into cardiovascular health. Football players can wear clothing with GPS and sensing technology that monitors their performance and health. 

On this course, you’ll explore societal issues surrounding e-textile development and applications. You'll cover key themes like sustainability, energy, data security and research ethics. From studying these areas, you'll develop your e-textile practice in a way that will benefit society.

Your learning experience 

University of Southampton is the leading UK University in e-textile research. The content in this course has been informed by over 15 years’ research in e-textiles and is further supported by the course leader, who has over 20 years' industry experience. You’ll learn from academic staff with a range of expertise in the field, in addition to lectures and seminars by specialists from industry and design studios. 

Throughout your studies, you’ll be encouraged to apply a user-centred design approach and show stakeholder, societal and environmental awareness. You’ll be in a dynamic environment that encourages independent and collaborative learning, developing skills in teamwork, communication, and problem solving. You’ll also work with students in other courses to gain experience in collaborating across disciplines.

On this course, you'll benefit from:

• visits to manufacturing facilities
• lectures and seminars from industry and design experts
• real world project briefs
• workshops in industry-standard technologies 

You’ll use tools such as Shima Seiki Apex4 and Clo3D for virtual sampling and simulation. Through using digital design tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator, you'll create electrode and sensor layouts and technical illustrations. On this course, you'll also learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and e-textile business models.

You’ll have access to the E-textile Innovation Lab in Winchester School of Art and the Printed Electronics and Materials Lab in the School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS). These facilities are used for material development, fabrication, and testing. You'll learn in a dedicated teaching studio that provides the ideal space for ideation and the exchange of ideas with fellow students. Through this experience, you'll develop invaluable creative and practical skills in design, manufacturing, and product development.  

Employment opportunities in e-textiles and wearable technologies

E-textiles is a global industry valued at $367 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $721 million by 2031 according to Allied Market Research. It's a rapidly evolving field, bringing opportunities with strong career prospects and progression in industry and academia. The global wearable technology market was estimated by Markets and Markets researchers to be worth $70 billion in 2024 and to reach $152 billion by 2029.

As a graduate with an E-textiles and Wearable Technologies MSc, you could go into roles like:

• e-textile innovator, designer and technologist
• wearable technology innovator, designer and technologist
• wearable medical product designer
• test engineer
• research technician/assistant
• transport or consumer product designer
• colour, material finish designer in e-textile related industry

Sectors such as buying, supply chain management, and technical marketing and support may also provide career opportunities. Your studies on this course will ensure that you have the expertise in electronics, textiles, academic and entrepreneurial skills to be successful in these roles and many others. The skills you'll learn when working together across disciplines will be essential for collaborating effectively within your chosen sector.

Course lead

Your course lead will be Dr Marie O'Mahony, who has more than 20 years' experience in academia and industry across Europe, North America, and Australia. Her specialism is in advanced e-textiles, wearable technology, sustainability and future trends. She is the author of six books, five of these with Thames and Hudson, relating to the impact of technology on textiles.

In addition to her role in academia, she is strongly embedded in the E-textile and advanced textile industry. Her clients include LOPEC, InteraXon, the German Institutes of Textile and Fibre Research Denkendörf (DITF), Nike, and many others. She is also a member of the Winchester School of Art E-textiles Innovation Lab and the E-textiles Network. 

You can view Marie's staff profile for more information.