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Level 4+
BA (Hons) Costume for Performance & Film
COURSE OVERVIEW
UCAS Course code: W451
Bring your imagination to life with the art of costume design
This specialist course at Northbrook College offers an exciting opportunity to develop both your creative and technical skills in costume design and construction.
You’;ll explore a wide range of techniques, including character design, illustration, and period pattern cutting (on the flat and on the stand), all underpinned by sessions in the history of costume. Additionally, you’;ll learn skills in tailoring, millinery, designing for dance (stretch fabrics), and costume prop-making.
Our expert tutors, all with current industry experience, will guide you in using professional equipment and facilities to hone your skills to an industry standard. You’;ll also gain hands-on experience in fabric manipulation, printing, dyeing, breaking down fabrics, and costume supervision—ensuring you leave the course with a well-rounded skill set.
History of Costume sessions will provide the foundation for your work, offering inspiration and context as you develop your ideas. Our projects range from designing for dance and musical theatre to creating costumes for experimental performances, ensuring a diverse and exciting learning experience.
We are committed to building strong industry links, offering work experience opportunities, and supporting your journey towards a successful career in costume design and construction.
Start your creative journey with us and turn your passion for costume into a career.
Key features
- Develop a diverse range of skills, including costume design and construction, tailored to the entertainment industry.
- Work on live and filmed performances, gaining hands-on experience in collaborative, professional environments.
- Benefit from excellent industry links and high-profile work placement opportunities to prepare for a successful career in costume design and construction.
- Access state-of-the-art workshops and equipment, with most materials provided, and enjoy high contact time with experienced, industry-active tutors.
- Engage in cross-course projects with actors, directors, make-up artists, and set designers, fostering teamwork and bringing your creative vision to life.
Level 4 (Year One) –
- Character Creation (20 Credits)
- Ideas in Context (20 Credits)
- Fundamentals of Costume Design (20 Credits)
- All the World’;s a Stage (20 Credits)
- Live Project 1 (20 Credits)
- Rococo to Regency (20 Credits)
Level 5 (Year Two) –
- Mr DeMille (20 Credits)
- Surface Texture and Detail (20 Credits)
- Live Project 2 (40 Credits)
- Contextual Research (20 Credits)
- Industry Focus (20 Credits)
Level 6 (Year Three) –
- The Whole Picture (20 Credits)
- Professional Development (20 Credits)
- Dissertation (20 Credits)
- Collaborative Practices (20 Credits)
- Final Major Project (40 Credits)
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. You’;ll work closely with other departments, such as hair and make-up, props, set design, and performing arts, to bring your designs to life. You’;ll also have the chance to participate in real-world projects, from performances in our fully equipped theatre to external commissions, giving you practical experience and industry insight.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Ready to stand out and secure your place in our course? Here’;s how we evaluate your application:
We look at each application individually, considering your grades, interview performance, portfolio or audition, and any relevant experience. While we typically expect the following qualifications:
- A relevant A-Level qualification, or
- A Level 3 Extended Diploma
We understand that not everyone follows the same path. If you don’;t meet the standard entry requirements, don’;t worry – there are still plenty of ways to show us what you’;re capable of! Show us your potential through:
- Relevant academic or work experience
- A strong, compelling personal statement
- An exceptional portfolio and interview
What do I need to prepare for my audition/interview?
For this course, you’;ll need to bring a portfolio showcasing your best work to your interview. This should include examples of design artwork, finished garments, or samples of needlework. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate what makes you unique.
Graduates from this course go on to pursue exciting and diverse careers, including:
- Costume designer for film, theatre, events
- Costume maker, milliner, tailor
- Costume supervisor
- Dyeing, printing and breaking down specialist
Our teaching and assessment methods are designed to keep learning dynamic, engaging, and hands-on. You’;ll experience a mix of:
- Practical and studio-based workshops to refine your skills
- Group discussions to exchange ideas and insights
- Critiques to help improve your work
- Lectures and seminars to explore concepts and techniques
- One-on-one tutorials for tailored feedback
- Group study and peer reviews to collaborate and learn from others
- Independent study to deepen your knowledge and creativity
Assessment methods are tailored to each unit and may include:
- Completing project work
- Delivering presentations
- Keeping journals of your creative journey
- Developing a research proposal
- Writing assignments to showcase your understanding
With this variety, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow and demonstrate your skills in ways that suit your strengths!
What are the costs of doing our photography course?
Tuitions Fees:
The tuition fee for this course is £9,535 per year.
Finance Options:
There are several options available to help manage your tuition fees:
- Student Loan
- Instalment Payment Plan
- Company Sponsorship
For more information, please visit our Finance and Funding page – Funding your Course | Northbrook College
Additional Costs for Creative Degree courses:
When planning your studies, it is important to consider potential costs beyond tuition fees. While tuition fees cover teaching, assessment and access to college facilities, such as studios, shared IT resources and workshops, some courses may require additional expenses.
These could include:
- Textbooks: Essential texts are available in the college libraries, but you may wish to purchase personal copies for convenience.
- Computer Equipment: While on-campus computers are available, having a personal laptop or tablet may offer greater flexibility for off-site study.
- Printing and Photocopying: Most coursework is submitted online, but some assignments may require printed submissions, optional binding, or other presentation materials.
- Materials: Creative courses often require specific art materials or equipment. A detailed materials list will be provided upon enrolment.
- Field Trips: Certain courses may include optional study visits or field trips to enrich learning experiences.
- External Shows and Exhibitions: Opportunities to participate in external exhibitions or shows may involve additional preparation, materials, or travel expenses.
We are committed to providing transparent information about any additional costs to help you plan effectively for your studies. For more information regarding the financial support that we can offer, please visit our Financial Support page – Financial Support | Northbrook College
Validated by University of the Arts London (UAL)
This course is validated by University of the Arts London (UAL). UAL is a leading education provider in the creative arts, ranked second in the world for art and design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023). They oversee the standards and quality of our curriculum, which enriches your overall learning experience.
Please note this course is undergoing revalidation.
Every 5 years UAL and Chichester College Group reviews course content to ensure that our students are benefiting from a high-quality academic experience. During this process there may be some changes made to the course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on this page. The information on this page will be updated once the process has been completed. Please contact us if you have any questions about this or the course via enquiries-worthing@gbmc.ac.uk
