The MA Historical Costume at Arts University Bournemouth invites you to explore the rich tapestry of dress history, design, and construction within a postgraduate framework. This master’s programme is ideal for those with a background in costume, fashion, textiles, theatre, or performance design, offering the freedom to investigate complex subject-specific ideas and individual practice within a cross-disciplinary context. You will develop a critical theoretical understanding of costume, challenging and redefining the relationship between historical artefacts and contemporary interpretations. This course supports ambitious practitioners aiming to push the boundaries of historical costume in the modern world through research, scholarship, and innovative creative proposals.
Studied full-time on campus over one year, this MA Historical Costume course allows you to tailor your studies to one of four strands: costume design for theatre, historical costume making, film design, or theoretical dress history, all underpinned by a historical element. You will engage in in-depth enquiry, research, and making, with opportunities to contribute to university productions or external film projects, fostering ethical and sustainable practice. Throughout your studies, you will work towards your Masters Project 1 (Exploration) and Masters Project 2 (Resolution), culminating in advanced skills in historical costume construction, design, and analysis, preparing you for careers in theatre, film, curatorship, or further PhD study.