The Course duration is 45 weeks full-time, structured in three units over five terms (which may vary in length) commencing in late October. The course sits outside the usual postgraduate framework as it normally shows in London Fashion Week on the official British Fashion Council schedule the only course to do so. For the latest coverage, visit Vogue.com.

Unit 1
Diagnostic Phase
(Weeks 1-20)

Throughout Unit One you will work on an individual independently managed Fashion research project which aims to develop further your ability to evaluate and apply appropriate research and investigative techniques when analysing contemporary Fashion and its professional and socio-cultural contexts. You will develop skills of analysis, criticism and synthesis in communicating your research outcomes.

Unit 2
Negotiated Phase
(Weeks 1-20)

This Unit has two phases: The Diagnostic Phase has a number of taught programmes which are designed to diagnose your abilities; it seeks to challenge assumptions and broaden creative thinking and awareness by equipping you with a wider knowledge of your specialist pathway and of the international aspects of the fashion industry.

The Negotiated Phase develops from its exploratory approach. Strong emphasis is placed upon creativity, individuality, personal development and enquiry. You will be expected to become more independent and experimental and to begin to initiate and manage your own projects through negotiation with the course team.

Unit 3
Independent Phase
(Weeks 21-45)

The skills, knowledge and critical perspectives acquired during Units One and Two support and inform the direction and choice of your self-initiated and managed Major Project in Unit Three through which you will demonstrate that you have achieved the Unit Learning Outcomes.

Pathway details

All MA students gain specific knowledge and experience of the fashion industry and develop their skills under the guidance of some of the most eminent and experienced current practitioners.

The pathways offered are:

• Womenswear Fashion
• Menswear Fashion
• Knitwear Fashion
• Textiles for Fashion
• Fashion Journalism
• Accessories
  

The Accessories pathway was created as a result of industry demand. The pathway responds to students needs, both those whose creative direction changes at the end of their undergraduate studies and wish to express their ideas through accessories and those who would join the course from a traditional accessories back ground and transform themselves through the high level core fashion approach.

On each pathway emphasis is placed on:

• research, market intelligence and industry awareness. It is the fundamental philosophy of this course that truly relevant, innovative design is not purely a creative activity involving designers in the artistic process, it has to be allied to the ability to analyse markets, the industry and society in general. The designer or journalist must not only be conversant with the broad fashion context but be able accurately to analyse and diagnose markets, design for or write about them and be able to communicate with colleagues and management
• presentation and communication skills. Students must not only create the right product for the market but also be good communicators who will be able to convince colleagues that their ideas are based on a real understanding and mature analysis on the market and the competition
• involvement in the debates generated by the Professional Speakers talks, projects and the inter-pathway critiques which formally support the development of critical and communication skills.

MA Fashion graduates have established notable careers as designers, directors and journalists worldwide, some have chosen to build reputations under their own labels.

Womenswear pathway graduates work in the following companies: Acne Jeans, Aquascutum, Adidas, Alexander Wang, Armani, Balenciaga, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Celine, Cerruti, Chanel, Chloe, Christian Dior, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Levis, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Marni, Nike, Prada, Pringle, Puma, Roberto Cavalli, Sonia Rykiel, Stella Mccartney, Top Shop, Versace. Own Labels Include: Alexander Mcqueen, Ashish, Basso And Brooke, Bora Aksu, Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, Michael Van Der Ham, Peter Jensen, Richard Nicoll, Roksanda Ilincic and Sophia Kokosalaki.
Menswear pathway graduates work in the following companies: Adidas, Balmain, Balenciaga, Burberry, Carol Christian Poel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Levis, Missoni, Neil Barrett, Phillip Lim, Puma, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Topman. Own labels include: Kim Jones, Peter Jensen, Griffin and Christopher Shannon.
Knitwear pathway graduates work in the following companies: Banana Republic, Chloe, Gucci, Issey Miyake, John Smedley, Liz Claiborne,Marks & Spencer plc, Ralph Lauren, Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent. Own labels include: Louise Goldin and Mark Fast.
Textiles pathway graduates work in the following companies: Chanel, Dries van Noten, Ghost, Louis Vuitton, Puma, Top Shop, Ungaro, Valentino, Versace. Own label include: Jonathan Saunders, Basso & Brooke, Eley Kishimoto, Louise Gray and Marie Katranzou.
Journalism pathway graduates work in the following companies: ID Magazine, Another Magazine, Dazed and Confused, Self Service, The Guardian, The Independent, The Sunday Times, Marie Claire, The Telegraph, Vogue, vogue.co.uk, Vogue USA, Vogue China.

Industry links

Students have benefited from collaboration with companies worldwide. They are expected to establish their own network of contacts and develop collaborations within industry as part of their project work whilst on the course.

A relevant good honours degree or equivalent professional experience; significant creative ability in Fashion Design, Textiles, Knitwear, Accessory Design or, for the Fashion Journalism pathway, a high level of writing skills with a strong interest in fashion. Mature students are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship

Each year all successful Home/EU applicants are considered for one of the course's five Giorgio Armani fees bursaries, three L'Oreal Professionel bursaries and three Puma bursaries. Other bursaries are also available. Go to our Scholarships page for further details.

English language requirements

All classes are conducted in English, so you will be required to have a fluent understanding of the language. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability. We strongly advise international applicants to take an IELTS test as soon as they consider studying in the UK. Minimum scores for entry on to all the MA Fashion pathways (except Journalism) are as follows:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.5
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): hand written test: 548-567, computer based test: 211-225

MA Fashion Journalism:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 7.0
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): hand written test: 568-587, computer based test: 226-240

We provide free tuition in English for international students and regular workshops in the language of art and design. We also offer a number of short courses that enable students from overseas to improve their portfolios and English skills before applying to their chosen course.

Portfolio advice

If you are applying for Womenswear Fashion, Menswear Fashion, Knitwear Fashion, Accessories or Textiles for Fashion you will be required to bring to interview a substantial portfolio of design work (a minimum of four projects). This should include extensive research and rough work, together with a toile/garment/printed or knitted length or 3D work, as appropriate for your pathway choice.

If you are applying for Fashion Journalism you are not expected to provide a portfolio at interview but you will be required to submit a written piece with your application prior to being selected for interview. This must be a well-presented piece of written work on a fashion topic (2,000-3,000 words). Evidence of research and market segment aimed at must be indicated and illustrations may be included where appropriate. Your piece of written work, application form and personal statement (see section five of the application form) must be sent with the application.

You can download an application pack and course information leaflet from the 'At a Glance' tab or request an application form from our Information Office: +44 (0)20 7514 7022, info@csm.arts.ac.uk. The application form contains detailed information on the application process. Please return your completed application to:

The Registrar, School of Fashion and Textiles, Central Saint Martins, 107 - 109 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DU.

If you are an International applicant please send your completed application to:

International Office, Central Saint Martins, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AP.

When to Apply

Due to the popularity of the Course we recommend that you return your application as soon as possible after the 31st of January but by the end of May at the latest.

It should be noted that you can submit your application after the closing date. However, if the Course is full it will be filed as a late application, and you will only be interviewed if and when a place becomes available.

Home/EU applicants who wish to apply for the Arts and Humanities Research Council
(AHRC) bursary should apply to the college before 1 March 2010.