The BA (Hons) Costume Construction at Coleg y Cymoedd is delivered in partnership with the University of South Wales and is taught at the Nantgarw Campus.
Students who study at Nantgarw will have access to the University facilities (including the library and student union) and they will be able to attend guest speaker talks, allowing an overall integrated experience.
This exciting and desirable course introduces students to the study of costume within historical and contemporary context with the acquisition of specialist skills such as pattern cutting, costume construction, dye and breakdown, and surface embellishment.
Students will need creative flair and an ability to use your research and design knowledge and creative skills to interpret ideas. The study of costume within its historical or contemporary context is an integral part of the course and research into period costume will provide reference and aid throughout the interpretative process.
Specialist areas such as corsetry and tailoring, will be introduced throughout the course extending and enriching your expertise. Alongside the skills you will gain the course will offer you an insight into the professional world of film and theatre with external industrial visits and work placement opportunities across a broad range of film television and theatre companies nationwide. Industry professionals will input specialist talks and workshops and contribute to collaborative projects. This hands on insight into the professional workplace will provide you with the experience of applying skills and knowledge in unison and working both within a team and independently in a professional environment.
Over the many years of running this course has produced award winning students and provides the industry with a highly skilled and experienced desirable graduate for the future workforce. The course has a much respected and recognised status and reputation in both education and professional fields alike.
A brief description of activities at each level of the course:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
The Degree in Costume Construction will introduce the student to costume construction within the areas of film and theatre. The student will gain an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature and scope of a production team and of the role of the costume maker.
The award will prepare them with the necessary skills to eventually become specialists in the field. The aim of the course is to educate and train an individual to the highest standard in this chosen specialisation. However, this educational experience must not rest solely on the individual’s ability to produce satisfactory work but also on an aptitude for the industry within which will eventually be employed. With this in mind it must also be an aim of the course to instil a greater understanding of industrial practices, preparing the individual for the workplace.
The course has been designed to reflect the true nature of the industry, to replicate its processes and practices in all theoretical and practical elements as far as possible and to satisfy the broad range of requirements of both students and employers.
Below is a list of some of the graduate opportunities and work placements undertaken by the costume student both during their time on the course and beyond.
UCAS Tariff – 104 points
A Level – Grades – BCC
BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – DMM
Access to HE Diploma – D: 15 credits, P: 9 credits
Relevant industry experience for mature learners. Please note that if you do not meet the grade criteria, then age and experience may be taken into consideration.
Apply direct
UCAS applications
Course code: W455
Institution code: W01
Campus name: Coleg y Cymoedd (Nantgarw)
Campus code: M
Course Fees and Funding
Course Fees for the BA (Hons) Costume Construction degree are £9000 for full time applicants.
There are grants that may be available. Eligible full-time student can claim a minimum grant of £1,000 they will not have to pay back, regardless of their household income, and means-tested grants of up to £8,100 will be available to those who need them most.
Students who wish to study at Higher Education level can contact Student Finance Wales for financial help with course fees, provided that they are living in Wales.
Please note: Fees are payable for each year of study. HE Fees are subject to change on a yearly basis.
For more information visit Welsh Government’s Student Money.
Equipment and Studio Fee
It is important that students have their own costume specific equipment i.e pattern making tools and sewing kit, and a working home computer or laptop to start the course as well as other basic equipment i.e. stationary, books etc.
Other cost considerations associated with the course might be: project specific fabric and haberdashery (although it is the course aim to reduce this cost for the student considerably by offering live projects where the cost is incurred by the collaborative partner or subsidised from the vast course stock).
Equipment loan is offered via a bookable system.
Studio fees are payable of £100 per year. These fees are to be paid at main reception during your Induction week where a receipt will be given to you as confirmation of payment. You must keep this receipt as proof of payment to collect your materials. Below is an example of the materials supplied as part of the studio fees. Part of the fee is used for servicing, maintenance, trips and part of the guest speaker programme.
01443 663 379
Block C, NC111, Nantgarw Campus
01443 663 379
Block C, NC110, Nantgarw Campus
“Deciding to dedicate three years to the BA Costume Construction course was one of the best decisions I have made. The course is comprehensive and dedicated to ensuring that all students reach their potential and leave with a wealth of knowledge and skills all completely relevant to the industry, whether that be on a busy film set, live theatre, the world of opera or simply running your own business. Without you realising, your problem solving skills develop, your love of costume grows and your sewing skills are honed to the highest level. These all ensure you are able to operate within the industry and make a valued and critical contribution. Once employers find out where you trained, you will never look back.”
“There was no question for me as to whether or not to do the course. I knew I wanted a full degree in this specialist area as I wanted a thorough training and time to gain the skills knowing I would stand more chance of finding work when I graduated. Having learnt so much during the first two years of the degree, my third year allowed me the freedom and independence to express myself creatively and refine existing skills. It is impossible to learn everything about costume making, even in three years but I was allowed to make the most of my time on the course by being given the freedom and opportunity to learn skills that I wanted to be able to take into industry such as tailoring, laser cutting and leather work. I feel I accomplished my best work during the three years I spent on the course and now I have a BA (Hons) to show for it too!“
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