MA Fashion Innovation and Realisation
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 1 year
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
About this course
LJMU's Fashion Innovation MA provides a thorough understanding of industry design, technology and commercial practice within the fashion industry.
- Expand your knowledge of fashion design or communication, and contribute to the wider field of fashion through research-based critical work.
- Develop innovative fashion practice through guidance from academics, businesses and industry entrepreneurs
- Work within an interdisciplinary, flexible and modular programme of study
- Develop your work in state-of-the-art workspaces and facilities
- Benefit from extensive networking and collaboration opportunities in fashion and related industries
- The 2022 Liverpool School of Art and Design MA Online Degree Show
- View and engage with work produced by masters students from the Liverpool School of Art & Design
LJMUs Fashion Innovation & Realisation MA is a programme with collaborative practice and discovery at its core. The programme aims to recruit Home and International students who are ready to challenge the fashion industry socially, ethically, culturally and politically forming individual project proposals which define existing practice and broaden its scope and ambition by addressing real-world issues which extend beyond graduation. Students from both traditional fashion design and communication undergraduate programmes as well as those who have undergraduate qualifications in non-traditional subjects, but have a real passion for fashion are equally encouraged to apply. It is this diverse cohort which provides the rich postgraduate community within LJMU.
The programme aims to raise awareness of practical applications within fashion, and introduce students to resources and workshops which can provide the platform necessary for innovation and the realisation of individual practice and self-initiated project/s. The MA is designed to develop real world skills and establish which area of fashion students wish to focus on as the programme progresses. This allows students to explore Fashion, Innovation and Realisation project briefs in unexpected forms. The MA also aims to outline research which is happening in transdisciplinary areas, and to develop research skills and relevant approaches to practice as well as the critical techniques required to support students final project. Students will, be expected to develop a personal practice that challenges traditional perspectives within fashion disciplines, whilst at the same time engaging with internal and/or external partners. A particular emphasis will, be placed on acquiring and developing existing skills and to provide opportunities to enhance and apply them within an appropriate fashion context.
Read about a recent MA student's experience in establishing her credentials in the sustainable fashion industry
Alongside the current Fashion Innovation and Realisation staff the MA will introduce key industry partners and collaborators of international reputation via the LJMU Luminary Lecture series and UG visiting speaker programme. There will also be a number of opportunities to collaborate with students and staff from the Schools other MAs in Art in Science, Fine Art, Graphic Design & Illustration, Urban Design and Exhibition Studies, particularly during two modules shared by all the postgraduate taught programmes. Learning takes place predominantly through the creative and critical exploration of research focused Fashion Innovation and Realisation projects where the programme will encourage you to work across other disciplines and reflect on previous practice to offer fresh perspectives. Tutorials, seminars and workshops will take place in the John Lennon Art & Design Building (JLADB); a RIBA award winning Art School in the heart of Liverpools Knowledge Quarter. You will benefit from state-of-the-art workspaces and facilities, as well as external key partnerships with Tate Liverpool, Biennial, FACT and cultural organisations such as; Walker Art Gallery, Bluecoat, Baltic and Fabric District.
Additional funding is available for this programme via the Susan Cotton Travel Award and the Michael Pugh Thomas and Julia Carter Preston Legacy postgraduate study awards.
Hear from our students
Hear from two recent graduates who talk about their experiences studying on this unique MA in fashion.
Mihaela's story
Mihaela Giuiu chose to study at LJMU because the course is focused on innovation and encourages collaborations. She thinks collaborations are important and through the course wanted to explore wearable technology and understand how it works. "I wanted to integrate technology in design, more specifically technology to improve security in accessories. I designed a biometric lock for zippers and the application for it - a backpack. Essentially my MA has two projects - a hiking backpack and a biometric lock. The MA has been truly enriching. I had a boost of confidence, got to meet extraordinary people and made invaluable industry contacts and friendships. Importantly, when it comes to wearable technology, a subject I didn't know much about, I came to have a better understanding of it, explore and acquire skills (new software, engineering, research) needed to perform in this new branch of fashion. After all this I think I understand myself as a designer better and I have a better idea of where I want to go. To me this MA was not a course or a project, it was a journey."
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.
Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
The majority of teaching takes place on Monday and Tuesday, via a modular programme of study.
Teaching methods
This programme offers a blend of theory and practice. It will enable you to focus on your own specialist area of fashion, in disciplines such as communication, editorial, branding, campaign, trend prediction, retail solutions, photography, language, design, garment production, textiles and fabrication development. Teaching is individually tailored around each student. Weeks are divided between tutorials, seminars, studio supervisions and workshops.
Applied learning
The MA has been developed specifically to allow individuals to build relevant real-world projects which challenge and/or find solutions for issues within the broader field of fashion.
You will be encouraged to innovate through a series of self-initiated and taught components - including studio and collaborative practice - before completing a major project around your chosen specialism. You will also have opportunities to undertake field trips to further enhance your learning experience.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Assessment takes place via a variety of methods including, progress review, presentation, group critique, written and practical work. The high levels of seminar and tutorial contact allow for a considerable amount of formative assessment and feedback prior to the summative assessment for each module. Programme assessment seeks to replicate professional industry practices
Where you will study
Liverpool School of art and Design is housed in the RIBA award winning John Lennon Art and Design Building in the Mount Pleasant Campus and offers extensive studio spaces, lecture theatres and a dedicated public exhibition space.
Course tutors
Kayla Owen
Programme Leader
As a PhD researcher, cross discipline aspects of materials, techniques and processes have been central to my work. I am currently working predominantly with leather and non-leather. Exploring the notion of €˜Second Skin: Deconstructing the Fashion Leather Aesthetic' investigating the interface between new advancements in leather production, developments in manufacture processes and the possible impact of these on the fashion leather aesthetic and the sub cultures that have emerged as a result.
As a PhD researcher, cross discipline aspects of materials, techniques and processes have been central to my work. I am currently working predominantly with leather and non-leather. Exploring the notion of €˜Second Skin: Deconstructing the Fashion Leather Aesthetic' investigating the interface between new advancements in leather production, developments in manufacture processes and the possible impact of these on the fashion leather aesthetic and the sub cultures that have emerged as a result.
Kayla is an Academic, Fashion Designer and PhD researcher who has worked in the fashion industry and academia for almost twenty years, both in the UK and abroad. She has designed and manufactured fashion collections, shown on catwalks and exhibited 2D and 3D work nationally and internationally. Most recently presenting a paper on Community ID at the Zonemoda 'Be Cool' Conference, Rimini, Italy.
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Professor
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Studying for a postgraduate research degree enhances your employability in a number of ways. It also enables you to focus on specific areas of interest and expand your subject knowledge ready for employment within a range of related sectors within the fashion industry, including freelance and self-employment. Alternatively, there is the option for further study at PhD level, or you could take up a teaching role.
"The Liverpool School of Art and Design provides a space for aspiring fashion professionals to evolve and apply their practice in a professionally relevant environment, technically equipped to produce fully formed, relevant and exciting creative contributions to industry."
Kayla Owens, Programme Leader
Tuition fees and funding
- Fee:
- £8,965
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.