MA Fashion Communication: Histories and Theories

Course start: January 2024 / Application deadline: October 25, 2023.

MA Fashion Communication is part of the Fashion Programme at Central Saint Martins and offers three pathways: MA Fashion Communication: Fashion Image, MA Fashion Communication: Fashion Journalism and MA Fashion Communication: Histories and Theories.

MA Fashion Communication: Histories and Theories offers an academic approach to the study of fashion, which assesses its cultural, historical and global significance. Fashion is explored as object, image, text, idea, practice and experience through the critical lens of art history, sociology, geography, literature, politics and anthropology.  The course develops your research and analytical skills, allowing you to contribute to the emerging field of Fashion Studies and debates in other disciplines, as well as to develop as active and critical communicators within the industry itself. 

Why choose this course at Central Saint Martins
The course has opportunities for joint projects with other programmes across the College, as well as with international media and fashion brands. MA Fashion Communication has extensive links with industry both in the UK and on a global stage. The course team is made up of high-profile academics and industry professionals. As part of the Fashion programme, you will have access to students on MA and BA Fashion, providing first-hand experience of how fashion designers work.

Fashion’s state of mind: Lethaby Gallery exhibition
The MA Fashion Communication class of ‘22 revealed a cross-section of fashion at a time of unprecedented disruption, reflecting the new mood post-pandemic, amid climate and economic collapse, political warfare, contested equalities and social discontent, as well as what it means it means to work in this global and hyper-connected industry. The exhibition showcased work by studnets in repsonse to four major themes - ​Embodying Experience, ​Representing Communities, Talking Futures and ​Confronting Fashion. 

Diamond Abdulrahim, graduate of MA Fashion Communication: Histories and Theories, is an award-winning strategist, writer and creative consultant. Working across advertising, branded content, film and arts programming with expertise in fashion, luxury and its intersections across contemporary youth culture. She says:

“Fashion from an academic research perspective, I think, is in an exciting place that is constantly challenging its own biases, limitations and forgotten voices. Fashion on an industry level I’d say is a lot more complacent. I think it really needs more people who can challenge how it operates from the inside out. People that perhaps haven’t inherited the same romanticised ideals about it and can offer different perspectives, whether that’s in professional backgrounds, lived experiences or areas of specialism.

I’m lucky to be a part of the pilot of The Outsiders Perspective programme and hope that by marrying my research experience and marketing background with new commercial knowledge it can go some way to building what the fashion industry of the future looks (and acts) like.”

Read more about the students, their work and the exhibition. 

Course length and mode of study
One year full-time (45 weeks over 12 months). You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.   

Applications
Applications are reviewed until the course is full. Your application will only be considered after you have successfully completed an online application and submitted the required documents. Full details of entry requirements can be found on the course pages of our website.    

A note to applicants from the US: University of the Arts London participates in US federal student aid programs which means that US applicants may be eligible for federal loans to help cover the cost of study.