Key information
Challenge traditional and contemporary uses of fashion and textiles and create opportunities to promote new approaches and processes in fashion and textiles.
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- Postgraduate MA
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Scottish Borders
- Start date
- September, January
- Next intake
- September
Our MA Fashion and Textile Design gives you the opportunity to explore concepts and contemporary topics in design, fashion and textiles through practice-based learning and an in-depth study of design. You’ll challenge traditional and contemporary uses of fashion and textiles and look at ways to create opportunities to promote new approaches and processes in fashion and textiles.
The postgraduate master’s degree is aimed at those with an art and design background, who are looking to challenge established practice and offer new insights. The programme allows you to study an area of fashion and textiles that interests you most, while you work on inter-disciplinary projects and reflect on the creative collaborations between subject areas within the School of Textiles and Design, to foster design innovation.
You’ll gain the knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the diverse demands of the fashion and textile industries and develop an inter-disciplinary understanding of key issues relating to the design, management, and innovation in fashion and textiles. You’ll gain the necessary attributes to set you up for a successful career upon graduation.
Upon completion of the programme, you’ll emerge a competent and confident professional ready to tackle the global fashion and textiles industries with an in-depth understanding of the creative process and its management in both international and local contexts.
Your student experience
You will learn from academics and practitioners whose research and industry experience inform every aspect of the programme at our Scottish Borders Campus. Throughout the course, you will develop a deep understanding of how people interact with spaces, materials and technology.
Your studies will explore key areas such as:
Fashion & Textile Technology
Develop a technical understanding of fashion and textile systems, exploring tools, processes and technologies that support contemporary design and production (explore through print, knit, weave or mix media).
Fashion & Textile Sustainability
Embed sustainable thinking into fashion and textile practice through responsible material choices, lifecycle awareness and ethical production models.
Material Futures
Investigate emerging, bio-based and smart materials to envision future applications for fashion and textile design.
Textile Surface & Structure Design
Design and develop printed, knitted or woven textiles using traditional and digital techniques, exploring colour, texture, pattern, and two- and three-dimensional structures to create innovative surfaces with functional and aesthetic value.
Knitwear Design & Production
Design and produce knitwear garments, integrating material knowledge, construction techniques and production workflows.
Design for Wellbeing
Create fashion and textile outcomes that support physical comfort, emotional connection and overall wellbeing.
Garment Making & Pattern Cutting
Translate design concepts into wearable forms through pattern cutting, garment construction and fitting techniques.
Interactive Materials & Advanced Processes for Smart Fashion and Textiles
Explore smart, responsive and interactive materials alongside advanced fabrication processes for innovative fashion and textile applications.
Course content
September Intake - Scottish Borders
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Design Thinking
- Fashion and Textiles - Experimentation and Research
Optional September
- Textile materials and sustainability
- Sustainable Design & Management
Mandatory January
- Fashion and Textiles Development and Practice
- Research Methodologies
Optional January
- Design Technologies
- Business Enterprise
Mandatory May
- Masters Design Collection
January Intake - Scottish Borders
Year 1
Mandatory January
- Fashion and Textiles Development and Practice
- Research Methodologies
Optional January
- Design Technologies
- Business Enterprise
Mandatory September
- Design Thinking
- Fashion and Textiles - Experimentation and Research
Optional September
- Sustainable Design & Management
- Textile materials and sustainability
Mandatory Second January
- Masters Design Collection
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Teaching staff
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £10,864 | £5,432 |
| International | £20,456 | £10,228 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Alumni Discount - 20% fee discount
A 20% discount is applicable to postgraduate taught courses across all of our global campuses for all Heriot-Watt alumni who have previously been registered for one year or more on a Heriot-Watt degree programme.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent. A portfolio, or other supporting evidence that demonstrates an understanding of design-led processes and outcomes. Examples may be fashion and/or textiles design, but other evidence demonstrating a broad base of creative practice is equally considered. Evidence of creative-related experience from a work environment is also encouraged. Please include your CV as part of your application.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Student life
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