BA (Hons) Costume Construction

Course Information

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.

Overview

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.

What will I study?

A brief description of activities at each level of the course:

Year 1

Foundation pattern cutting and construction skills for male and female including contemporary and historical adaptations
Introduction to character for costume through dye and breakdown techniques
Introduction to character analysis and creation
Cutting and making costumes for production work through a live or simulated project scenario

Year 2

Intermediate pattern cutting and construction techniques for male and female including contemporary and historical adaptations within a timeline
Analysing costume for screen performance through written work
Analysing costume for screen performance through practical work
Cutting and making costumes for production work in a live external project scenario

Year 3

Advanced pattern cutting and construction techniques for historical costume interpretation
Proposal for the Major Project concept
Realisation of Major Project- final costume collection
Work placement linked to industry with relevant accompanying professional working practice elements

Progression

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.

On completion of the BA(Hons) Costume Construction Degree a vast array of employment opportunities exist on a freelance or employee basis within theatre television and film companies both within Wales and nationally. The course provides excellent links with industry and many openings into the workplace exist post-graduation to work as part of a production team in the role of costume trainee, costume maker, wardrobe assistant etc.

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.

Feature Films – James Bond, Star Wars, Thor
BBC – Dr. Who, Downton Abbey, The Young Victoria
Bad Wolf studios – His Dark Materials
Netflix – Sex Education
Pinewood Studios – various film productions
Marigold Costume Hire Cardiff
It’s My Shout BBC Graduate Trainee scheme – BAFTA award winning short films
Welsh National Opera
Film – Concrete Plans
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama collaboration
Merlin for BBC TV
Newport School of Film
Royal Opera House
Orbit Theatre Company-Shrek 2019, Madagascar 2017
World Skills Opening Ceremony – 02 Arena
Rhondda Cynon Taff- theatre productions eg, Annual Pantomimes
National Museum Cardiff
St.Fagans National History Museum
Jermin Productions 2019 – ‘Cinderella’
World Aids day Fashion Show December 1^st– annually
National Dance Company of Wales – Carmina Burana
Under Milk Wood – Chongquing, China 2012
Mappa Mundi Theatre Company
Welsh National Opera’s Youth Opera – Paul Bunyan – 2013
Rhondda Cynon Taff’s Flights of Fancy 2013
Clogau Gold – Television Advert

Entry Requirements

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.

How do I apply?

Apply direct

Apply now

UCAS applications

Course code: W455
Institution code: W01
Campus name: Coleg y Cymoedd (Nantgarw)
Campus code: M

Fees and Funding

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.

Calico, wadding and other basic materials
Basic haberdashery e.g pins, thread
One project per year specialist materials e.g corsetry boning or tailoring canvases / fabric
Subsidised travel and entry to events
Specialist workshop costs
Studio equipment upkeep
Contribution towards the cost of student exhibitions
Professional photo shoots

Staff Information

Emma Embling – Course Leader BA (Hons) Costume Construction

01443 663 379
Block C, NC111, Nantgarw Campus

emma.embling@cymoedd.ac.uk

Callan Matthews- Course Lecturer BA (Hons) Costume Construction

01443 663 379
Block C, NC110, Nantgarw Campus

callan.matthews@cymoedd.ac.uk

Facilities

Large Pattern Cutting studio with purpose build tables, machinery
Small studio with industrial sewing machines, irons and domestic sewing machines
Purpose built large sewing room with industrial machinery and additional industrial buttonholer
Dye room with washing machines and all specialist equipment
Industry equipped fitting room
In excess of 50 mannequins of different sizes, shapes and types
Individual storage provision
Large on site LRC with HE and Costume specific sections
Access to Apple Mac Suite
Access to PC Suite
Access to 3D and Print workshop (following training and at the discretion of the departments involved)
Additional learning support on site
Professional photographic studio to photograph costumes and garments for portfolio and promotional purposes

What our students say

Sian Brain

“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.”

Iona Duff

“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!“