Textile Design (MA)

You'll need a 2:2 degree or equivalent international qualification in a subject relevant to textile design.

As part of your application, you'll also be required to submit a a portfolio that shows your understanding and practice of contemporary and ethical textile design. You can read more about the components your portfolio should include in the 'How to apply' section.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This one year course is full-time comprised of 3 semesters. You will study three compulsory modules during the programme.

In semester 1 you will research, explore and demonstrate your advanced design ability. Semester 2 you will engage in self-directed project planning leading to a pre-collection and working in The Company.

You will develop your final project in semester 3. Students are encouraged to develop an informed and creative approach to their textile practice. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

We take an individualised approach to teaching. Tutors are in the studio every week, working with students one-to-one and in groups, running workshops and discussions, and leading peer-to-peer feedback sessions.  

You’ll learn through a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials and workshops
• studio practice and independent study
• essential workplace skills and industry opportunities  

Guest lectures and visits to exhibitions and trade fairs in London will enrich your learning and give you new perspectives on your own work. 

Assessment

We will assess you through: 

• your portfolio and final project collection
• evidence of the research underpinning your studio practice
• reflective assignments that critically evaluate aspects of your own learning
• your approach to problem solving and team working

Dissertation

Throughout this course you will create a portfolio of work which will form the basis of your final project

You will need to create, and will be assessed, on an 800-word report that supports your portfolio. As part of the final project you'll also be required to create and present an 800-word exhibition of your work.

Academic Support

Winchester School of Art is a supportive, informal learning community in which students’ talents are nurtured. We are approachable and ready to answer questions about the course or offer hands-on help with practical work. Our technical team offer support with studio equipment and learning new techniques. In addition, every student has a personal academic tutor who can advise you on academic or personal matters.

Our graduates have gone on to pursue a broad variety of careers such as; designing for textile design agencies, becoming in-house designers for design houses or suppliers, or greeting card design. Past students have also set up their own design labels, have become design tutors or continued their studies at PhD level.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

Portfolio guidance

Your portfolio is one of the most important parts of your application. It is your opportunity to show us your work, and it is our opportunity to find out more about you.

Your portfolio should be a clear, logical and professional presentation of your work, and contain a variety of your most recent and relevant projects.

It should include images of your final work, from sources such as exhibitions or photoshoots. It should also include evidence of the processes behind your final work, such as drawing and sketches. You should try to include observational drawings and Computer Aided Design (CAD) work.

Finally, you should provide examples of processes and techniques, such as:

• dyeing
• screen printing
• digital printing
• woven textiles
• special finishing techniques

We understand you may not be coming straight from an undergraduate course and we will accept older work in your portfolio. However, please include as much of your recent work as possible. We welcome and assess each application individually.

Personal statement

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000