Course units

On this pathway, you will use a range of methodologies to analyse sources, drawing upon approaches from cultural theory and material history among other disciplines. You will work with students from the other fashion pathways on projects, to enhance your understanding of design, communication, curation, and research, resulting in stimulating connections between theory and practice.  You will consider how global debate informs the communication of fashion, exploring how activism and promotional strategy can raise awareness of social and racial justice and the climate emergency. By examining the imperial 'stains’ of history, whilst diversifying the geographic scope of the fashion cultures, the pathway addresses the silences and erasures of the field of fashion histories and theories. Your knowledge will be enhanced through targeted projects and the guidance of lecturers who are specialists in their field. The whole course is a learning journey.

Stage 1
Unit 1: Introduction to the Fashion Programme and to Studying at CSM 
Unit 2: Exploding Fashion Histories 
Unit 3: Contact Zones 
Unit 4: Creative Unions

In Stage 1, all students arrive at CSM with different skills and experiences, which add richness to the course. This first year aims to improve your understanding and approaches to learning and will provide a base level of skills to enable you to be successful in your pathway. You will focus on the skills needed to communicate information effectively and will be introduced to resources which support your studies. Units 2 and 3 will provide a foundation in the generation and development of historical and theoretical fashion research. Collaborative approaches form the foundation of the CSM community, and you will work on both individual and team projects, within your own discipline and with other pathways. Creative Unions provides you with the opportunity to engage collaboratively with students from different disciplines at CSM. The unit introduces you to ways of thinking about cross-disciplinary, participatory practice to address common world challenges. Working in a small team you will identify a context where social and environmental issues arise and produce a collective response that seeks to activate positive and ethical change.

Stage 2 
Unit 5: Positioning and Professional Preparation
Unit 6: Theories and Approaches
Unit 7: Fashion Interpretations
Unit 8: Fashion Critical Studies

Stage 2 focuses on maintaining and developing the skills already learnt in first year, ensuring that students understand the different historical methods (and their surrounding methodologies) that we use to study fashion in global contexts. Students will read, analyse, discuss and apply key theories to fashion. They will consider these methods, theories and approaches within decolonial contexts and the broader framework of global histories. Unit 7 examines why medium matters to fashion.  Fashion histories and theories often neglect to consider the role that medium – painting, illustration, photography, moving image and film, digital media, exhibitions & archives – plays in communicating the social, cultural and political meanings of fashion. How have the definitions and critiques of fashion been endlessly reinterpreted through representation in different forms of media?  Unit 8 offers a range of research methods and approaches which will support you in undertaking more self-directed study. This may include visual and material culture, social theory and media studies.

Stage 3 
Unit 9: Group Project 
Unit 10: Literature Review
Unit 11: Thesis

Stage 3 gives you the opportunity to manage your own learning in the production of a 10-12,000-word thesis, while collaborating with your peers on a live product, often with an industry or community partner. Your final year focuses on the production of a thesis that represents your specialist skills and research interests, your career intentions and understanding of the media and audiences of fashion histories and theories.

Optional Diploma Year  

Industry Diploma in Professional Studies (DIPS)  
This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you will undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days. As well as developing industry skills, you will gain an additional qualification upon successful completion: BA (Hons) Diploma in Professional Studies. 

CCI Creative Computing  
Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you will graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Histories and Theories (with Creative Computing).  

CCI Apple Diploma  
Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Apple Development. This will give you an opportunity to become an accredited apple developer alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you will graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Histories and Theories (with Apple Development). 

Mode of study  
BA Fashion Communication runs for 90 weeks in full-time mode. It is divided into three stages over three academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.  You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.  

Credit and award requirements 
The course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each stage (level).  

 
On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons degree).  Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the stages for a BA are Stage 1 (Level 4), Stage 2 (Level 5) and Stage 3 (Level 6). To progress to the next stage, all units of the preceding stage must normally be passed: 120 credits must be achieved in each stage. The classification of the award will be derived from the marks of units in Stages 2 and 3 or only Stage 3, using a dual algorithm.  If you are unable to continue the course, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4 (or 120 credits), or a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) following the successful completion of Level 5 (or 240 credits).
 

Learning and teaching methods

The learning and teaching methods devised for this course include:  

• Project work  
• Interdisciplinary group and teamwork  
• Briefing documents or briefing meetings  
• Seminars, lectures or studio talks  
• Presentations, group or peer critiques   
• Studio demonstrations  
• Moodle
• Field study visits (external visits will be subject to availability due to distancing guidelines) 
• Peer learning and feedback  
• Independent study  
• Self-evaluation  
• Individual and group tutorials  
• Research skills

Selection criteria

We select applicants who can demonstrate current ability and potential to: 

Provide evidence of intellectual enquiry within their work: 

• Demonstrate relevant research skills 
• Evidence your ability to critically reflect and evaluate their achievements. 

Demonstrate cultural awareness and/or contextual framework of their work: 

• Evidence an interest in contemporary fashion design communication and promotion 
• Identify social and/or cultural influences on their work. 

Articulate and communicate intentions clearly: 

• Discuss their work in individual and group situations 
• Present their work appropriately and effectively. 

Demonstrate commitment and motivation in relation to the subject and the course: 

• Develop their own ideas and address both set and personal project briefs 
• Show willingness to collaborate 
• Show initiative. 

What we are looking for 
In this fast-moving global industry, it takes hard work, flexibility and passion to succeed. This course is aimed specifically at applicants who are passionate about fashion, but do not want to follow the design route: spirited, informed and mature individuals who want to be innovative, confident, responsible, informed, skilled and adaptable graduates who will become the fashion photographers, stylists, art directors, fashion-show producers, film-makers and public relations experts, bloggers and social networkers, on-line marketers, “traditional” writers, journalists, curators, commentators and theorists of the future.