Fashion MA

Why choose this course?

We were ranked No. 1 in London and 6th in the UK for fashion in the Guardian University League Tables 2020.

The Fashion MA at Kingston University is a unique and innovative course combining the creative thinking of the Design School core beliefs with a very solid and 'creative' fashion industry focus.

With a heritage and specialism in womenswear, menswear, knitwear, digital or fashion artefact outcomes, the course combines industry standards with a creative and contemporary approach to fashion design developing a holistic and exciting approach to fashion design and beyond.

Our broad design community and positioning as a progressive and highly-rated design institution means that Fashion can actively collaborate and share ideas with others across the Design School.

Key features

The craft and skill of fashion is paramount and is developed through pioneering projects with industry practitioners from our team.

Within the curriculum the modules give you the unique opportunity to expand your current design thinking and methodology, experiment and transform your medium, and work in dynamic teams to exchange and create ideas.

The design team have diverse and relevant industry experience as well as the academic skills and experience needed to help nurture fashion design talent.

Guest speakers from our well-established industry links and partnerships are invited to talk directly to the students, sharing their knowledge, insight and experience, adding texture and depth to the students' understanding of the fashion machine..

Students have access to the wealth of high-tech workshops and facilities available at Kingston School of Art.

View the application portfolio advice.

Apply for this course

Mode	Duration	Attendance	Start date
Full time	1 year	2 days a week	September 2021
Full time	2 years including professional placement	2 days a week, plus placement year	September 2021
Part time	2 years	1 day a week	September 2021

Location

Kingston School of Art, Knights Park

Book an Open Event

Order a prospectus

2021/22 entry

If you are planning to join this course in the academic year 2021/22 (i.e. between August 2021 and July 2022), please view the information about changes to courses for 2021/22 due to Covid-19.

Changes to courses for 2021/22 due to Covid-19

Continuing students

Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2021/22 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2021/22. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas Course page.

Reasons to choose Kingston University

In Kingston's broad design community, you can connect and interact with designers from a wide set of disciplines. There is a wealth of high-tech workshops and facilities.
Kingston has well-established industry links and partnerships, enabling you work on live projects with collaborative partners, such as Raeburn.
There is the opportunity for work placements at prestigious design houses. Previous placements include Craig Green, Erdem, Eudon Choi, Martine Rose, JW Anderson, Proenza Schoeler, Haider Ackerman, Alexander McQueen, Preen, Per Gotesson, Mother of Pearl, Roland Mouret, Palmer/Harding, David Koma, Osman London, Orla Kiely, Clio Peppiatt, Emilia Wickstead, Roksanda, Studio Nicholson, Berthold, The Row, COS, Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, Gareth Pugh, Aitor Throup, Di Mainstone at Eye Beam New York, Aquascutum London, Sibling London, Clemency London, Holly Fulton, Philips Design, Tatty Devine, Wright Design, WGSN and Kei Kagami.

Fashion Show 2019

Our MA Fashion students showcase their work at the end-of-year show.

Fashion Show 2018

Our MA Fashion students showcase their work at the end-of-year show.

Examples of student work

What you will study

The fashion-based modules will encourage you to think creatively and will challenge you to apply your ideas and concepts to a series of briefs, some of which will arrive directly from industry sources and practitioners. The outcomes are non-prescriptive and should be driven by your ambitions and approach to fashion.

You will identify design narratives to inspire extensive research culminating in exciting, considered and forward-thinking design developments, challenging you to create new responses for fashion design. Addressing the contemporary culture of fashion, you will engage within important areas of development – social politics, economics, environments, sciences and technology futures – creating a clearer understanding of fashion context.

Modules

Optional placement year

The Fashion MA course consists of three Teaching Blocks. In Teaching Blocks 1 and 2 you will take two 30 credit modules. In Teaching Block 3 you will take one 60 credit module.

Core modules - Teaching Block 1

Designing Research

30 credits

The aim of the module is to give you an understanding of the design research tools and methods that are available to you, to inform and support the development of your practical study, and to provide the basis of your further study on your course. Practical research methods are explored, with an emphasis on the development of creative and evidence-based approaches to experimentation, and critical reflection on practical design work.

Fashion Context I

30 credits

This module enables you to develop a contemporary fashion portfolio at masters level. A series of fashion context briefs are provided to engage you in practical fashion skills, working towards a spectrum of physically fabricated and digitally generated outcomes. Project briefs are devised to interrogate fashion developments and trends, and engage you in exploring and debating the role of the body and its clothing in fashion futures. During the research phase of this module you will identify key themes to inform the next stage of your practice in the Fashion Context II module.

You will participate in specialist workshops and inductions provided to enhance your skills. These workshops will include such subjects as pattern cutting, draping, 3D workshop inductions, computing and communications. Guest lecturers will bring an industry perspective to the projects which will be supported by workshop sessions.

Core modules - Teaching Block 2

Fashion Context II

30 credits

Building on the curriculum of Fashion Context I, this module enables you to develop and refine your fashion portfolio, and to enhance your skills set. A series of fashion context briefs are provided to engage you in practical fashion skills, working towards a spectrum of physically fabricated and digitally generated outcomes.

You will engage with a series of industry and academic thought leaders, to articulate your fashion practice and to build a professional network around your practice. You are encouraged to network and create professional relationships to better inform your practice, be this via workshop participation, brief mentorship schemes, work experience or networking events.

Creative Futures

30 credits

This module is based on the assumption that the best jobs/careers in the creative industries do not exist – they are invented from individual creative ambitions. The module explores how this can be approached in practical terms. The programme of study encourages you to develop a personal and critical approach to your future career, and how this can inform the development of your individual major project for the Major Project.

Core modules - Teaching Block 3

Major Project

60 credits

The Major Project is the capstone module of the MA and most significant piece of work that students deliver on a Master's programme. The capstone project enables students to synthesise and apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the course and it provides them with the opportunity to craft their own approach to the field through critical-theoretical and/or creative, practice-based research. The Major Project can accommodate research projects developed through a range of academic and professional contexts depending on the motivation and interests of the student. It can be presented either as a dissertation or as a portfolio comprising a chose medium or media with a critical commentary. The Major Project can also provide a platform from which students can launch the next stage of their careers. Based on ideas of material thinking and creative practice the taught elements of the module provide students with a strong understanding of different aspects of contemporary practice of value to both academic and professional environments.

Work placement scheme

Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the work placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Tier 4 visa.

Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.

Optional modules

Professional Placement

120 credits

The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates professional placement learning, following completion of 120 credits. It provides you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject-specific professional skills in your chosen subject. You may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for your subsequent major project module, and would be expected to use it to help inform your decisions about future careers.

The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

In order to apply, you'll need:

A good first degree in fashion design or a related subject, product design, graphic design or fine art.
A portfolio, which we'll discuss at interview. Interviews can take place locally or online.

Fashion MA portfolio information for applicants

A good portfolio for an application to MA Fashion at Kingston School of Art should include:

Evidence of research. This is fundamental to the design process and there should be strong evidence that you can gather interesting visual research that develops the concept and narrative of your design work.
Evidence of process. Process work is evidence of how the final outcomes of a project are arrived at. This could and should include evidence of research work, sketchbook work, 3D work, design drawing. How you think and work as a designer is communicated with this work.
3D work. The MA Fashion course at Kingston School of Art believes in thinking through making. This means that ideas and designs are explored through, and developed by, making in 3D. It also means that what you make can inform the design work, rather than the 3D work being a reaction to drawn ideas.
Design drawing and thinking. How do you communicate your ideas during the process of the project. These are your ‘every day' design drawings that you produce as part of a design project.
Evidence of considered use of colour and fabrics. How do you develop a palette of fabrics and colours for a project?
Technical drawings of clothes.
Examples of illustrations exploring different styles and use of different techniques.

For help in preparing your portfolio see our short courses:

Teaching and assessment

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically involves reading and analysing articles, regulations, policy documents and key texts, documenting individual projects, preparing coursework assignments and completing your PEDRs, etc.

Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the University's online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

At Kingston University, we know that postgraduate students have particular needs and therefore we have a range of support available to help you during your time here.

Your workload

40–50% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity.

Scheduled teaching and learning: 270 hours
Guided independent study: 1,200 hours

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.

How you will be assessed

Assessment typically comprises 100% practical coursework (eg portfolios, fashion artefacts such as toiles and fully realised garments, reports and self-assessment).

You'll be assessed via:

design projects realised in 2D and 3D outcomes;
written submissions supporting your studio practice;
presentations to staff, your peers and creative stakeholders;
a major project mastering your practice.

The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows:

100% coursework

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 45 students and group sizes are normally 10–12. However this can vary by module and academic year.

Who teaches this course?

This course is delivered by Kingston School of Art, which has its roots in the studio-based approach of Britain's art school system (the original School of Art was founded in the 1890s).

Today, for most courses, learning still takes place in our specialist studios, each subject area having its own fully-equipped studio, where you take part in classes, tutorials and critical reviews with fellow students. This strong studio culture also ensures regular interaction between students and tutors.

For non-studio-based courses, learning takes place in classroom-based seminars, tutorials and lectures, alongside site visits to museums, galleries, auction houses and other creative professional environments.

Postgraduate students may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Our students are encouraged to engage closely with the diverse businesses that make London one of the most important centres for the creative industries. Our industry connections mean we provide unique study opportunities, such as:

the chance to have your work seen by eminent members of your profession;
'live' projects, site visits and placements in prestigious companies or institutions; and
project work and workshops with visiting lecturers and industry specialists.

Our excellent reputation means that industry leaders regularly visit our student shows to see the best of the new talent.

Anthony Bednall

Head of Department

Mr Richard Sorger

Course leader

Neil Adams

Dr Azadeh Fatehrad

Maria .E. Piene

Mrs Marianne Tournay

Fees for this course

2022/23 fees for this course

Home 2022/23

MA full time £10,640
MA part time £5,852

International 2022/23

MA full time £22,900
MA part time £12,595

2021/22 fees for this course

Home 2021/22

MA full time £10,450
MA part time £5,748

International 2021/22

MA full time £17,800
MA part time £9,790

Tuition fee information for future course years

If you start your second year straight after year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.

If you take a break before staring your second year, of if you repeat modules from year 1 in year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.

Fees for the optional placement year

If you choose to take a placement as part of this course, you will be invoiced for the placement fee in Year 2. Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme and the costs for the placement year.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to, or be required to, buy your own copy of key textbooks.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet you can use around campus and in halls of residence. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses.

Printing

In the majority of cases coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees.

Travel

Travel costs are not included but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses and halls of residence.

Funding and bursaries

Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:

If you are an international student, find out more about scholarships and bursaries.

We also offer the following discounts for Kingston University alumni:

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Facilities

There is a wide range of facilities at our Knights Park campus, where this course is based. The Fashion department has dedicated workshops of both digital and analogue machines to enable the production of high quality work. The Fashion archive houses an eclectic collection of historical and contemporary garments that you can use for reference and inspiration.

Kingston School of Art's workshops and studios are open for creative exploration and offer you plenty of opportunities to collaborate on projects and share ideas, whether you are studying or researching. Building on this open approach, there are many adaptable studio and workshop spaces, alongside active breakout spaces.

At the heart of Knights Park campus are new, professional-standard workshop facilities, which include:

3D workshop, with ceramics, concrete, resin-casting, plastics, metalwork, woodwork and a bronze-casting foundry, as well as a Big Build space for Architecture, set design and large scale model making
Animation and post production studios
Digital Media workshop
Fashion (knitting and sewing workshops), with digital and analogue facilities, plus a working dress archive which includes pieces from 1750 to the present day
HackSpace (for collaborative, creative, solutions-focussed projects)
Letterpress and printmaking workshop, with digital and analogue facilities, to experiment creatively
Moving Image workshop, with studios, editing suite, and industry-standard equipment
Photography workshop, including studios, colour, and black and white darkrooms, processing facilities

All our facilities are open access, meaning you can use them whenever you want, and irrespective of what degree you're studying.

The University also has its own on-site galleries, including:

Dorich House - the former studio home of the sculptor Dora Gordine and her husband the Hon. Richard Hare, a scholar of Russian art and literature. Now Grade II listed, the building was completed in 1936, to Gordine's design, and is an exceptional example of a modern studio house created by and for a female artist.
Stanley Picker Gallery - one of the leading examples of a university gallery in the UK. Its public activities are dedicated to the research, commissioning and presentation of innovative new practice across the fields of art, design and architecture for general, academic and specialist audiences.
project spaces at Knights Park campus, which you can book for the exhibition of large-scale work.

Resources in London

Kingston is just a 30 minute train journey away from central London. Here you can access world-famous museums and galleries.

Take a virtual tour of Knights Park campus

After you graduate

Many of our recent graduates are setting up their own businesses internationally (China, Brazil, Korea), freelancing across the creative industries, and gaining positions in world leading design houses. Employers of recent Kingston MA Fashion graduates include- Craig Green, Urban Outfitters, AllSaints, French Connection, Victoria Beckham, Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel, McQ Alexander McQueen, Tommy Hilfiger, Matthew Williamson.

Recent graduates have also gone on to work as lecturers at Middlesex University, De Montford University, Bucks New University.

We encourage design research practice during our Fashion MA programme and several of our students go on to develop their postgraduate practice at MPhil and PhD level.

Work placements and student competitions

Since the course started in 2008 our students have carried out internships at prestigious companies such as Aitor Throup, Alexander McQueen, Aquascutum London, Berthold, Clemency London, Clio Peppiatt, COS, Craig Green, David Koma, Di Mainstone at Eye Beam New York, Emilia Wickstead, Erdem, Eudon Choi, Gareth Pugh, Haider Ackerman, Holly Fulton, Hugo Boss, JW Anderson, Kei Kagami, Martine Rose, Mother of Pearl, Orla Kiely, Osman London, Palmer/Harding, Paul Smith, Philips Design, Preen, Per Gotesson, Proenza Schoeler, Roksanda, Roland Mouret, Sibling London, Studio Nicholson, Tatty Devine, The Row, WGSN and Wright Design.

2019 saw MA Fashion student Camilla Ceccardi shortlisted for the ‘URBN Design Day 2019', resulting in her being offered a design position at Urban Outfitters, USA.

2017 saw MA Fashion student Dardana Djantio Etchike win the international ZARA/Inditex ‘Shape the Invisible' competition with a prize of 20,000 Euros.

Hanbyeol Lee (Baylee), a Fashion MA student, worked as a fashion design intern at Craig Green, a menswear designer with accolades such as British menswear designer at the Fashion Awards 2016 and more. This was her integrated work placement as part of the two-year postgraduate course.

What our students and graduates say

Without a doubt, my years at Kingston and, in particular, the push, belief and nurture I received from Richard Nott, defined the designer I am today.

Perhaps even more than this – at a time when I had no idea if I was good at anything – he saw something in me that I had long-felt was a rampant over-sensitivity towards the world. He transformed that into something that still feeds me today. Gratitude doesn't come close.

Helen Storey

You were expected to work unbelievably hard, which I enjoyed.

The competition was fierce; the tutors were passionate, tough and encouraging.

The friends I made and the special moments we had, I'll never forget.

I loved every minute – so many good parties!

John Richmond

This Fashion MA programme and year taught me a lot about myself, my priorities and what I am capable of. I can say I am proud of the work I created with the help of my tutors, who give great advice for going further in the world of fashion.

The focus on creating a strong portfolio makes me feel ready to apply for the various positions I am interested in.

I learned what it means to be a fashion designer and feel my design method and language evolved with every term to the next level.

This postgraduate course delivers and helps you to become the person you are meant to be. I am ready for the next bigger steps.

Student feedback

The Fashion MA course at Kingston School of Art has inarguably been my most creatively successful academic experience in London. I have been taught by experienced and dedicated tutors who always provided a perfect balance between guiding me in the right direction and letting me maintain creative control over my creations, resulting in a challenging yet fruitful and enjoyable experience.

The portfolio of work I have built on this course is the best one I have produced so far. Additionally, the fashion department pays close attention to finetuning each student's portfolio to fit the industry requirements and provides a lot of assistance with regards to placement and job search, which I found particularly helpful for international students.

The help has definitely made me feel more prepared for what comes after this course.

Overall, I am having a lovely time here.

Student feedback

The MA Fashion tutors will push you forward according to your design style and stimulate your infinite potential in the learning process.

The course will cover many different directions, which will be very helpful for your future career development. At the same time, it also provides many resources to help students realise their ideas.

Student feedback

The course is very intense and the structure is well constructed. My speciality has improved tremendously, but also my mental world had been bigger and more interesting.

The best thing about the course is the tutors. They are very professional and kept pushing me forward and inspired me a lot.

And I benefited from the lectures and from the successful designers and the experts working in fashion industry. I got lots of useful advice and ideas about my future career from them.

Student feedback

Links with business and industry

Students from our Fashion MA worked on live projects with industry. In 2019, London-based design studio Raeburn provided the brief; Christopher Raeburn has established his eponymous brand with sustainable and intelligent fashion design for a global audience. The RÆMADE ethos in particular has pioneered the reworking of surplus fabrics and garments to create distinctive and functional pieces.

Alongside this, a highly collaborative spirit informs luxurious, handcrafted and award-winning products with integrity and purpose. This innovative approach, with an unusual balance of high concept, accessibility and wearability, is applied to menswear, womenswear, luggage and accessories.

With its RÆBURN Lab in the heart of east London, RÆBURN is stocked in the best stores globally and receives media coverage worldwide.

Work placements and internships

Students on the course have interned and been placed at a variety of prestigious design houses. Recent highlights include:

Craig Green (Menswear Design Internship) – MA student Hanbyeol Lee has secured a paid placement with the company after a successful design internship. Roxy Shi has also secured a placement at Craig Green;
J.W. Anderson (Product Development Internship) – Students Charlotte Victoria Nichols and Andrea Lopa were placed in the product development department;
Cos (Womenswear Pattern Cutting Internship) – Paid pattern cutting placement for Haeun Jun;
Hugo Boss (Womenswear Design Internship) – Paid placement for Ardelle Fawehinmi based in Germany;
Paul Smith (Menswear Design Internship) – Student Yoon J Joo was placed with the menswear team;
Per Gotesson – Student Yusun Lee was invited to stay on part time as a pattern cutter, as well as working at design company Martine Rose;
Mother of Pearl (Womenswear Design Internship) (Sustainable Womenswear Label) – Yubing Han.

Research areas

Kingston School of Art has a well-established research culture that encourages activity across a wide range of visual, spatial and material practice and culture. This rich spectrum includes practitioners, theorists and historians engaged in the creative and performing arts, curating, design, architecture, fashion, film, and town planning.

Our aim is to foster a stimulating environment that encourages an exchange of ideas within and across the disciplines. Support from the public sector includes the Department of Trade and Industry, the Arts Council, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

There is also the option to study research-specific fashion and body themes through our Fashion MA by Research, MPhil in Fashion and PhD in Fashion.

Excellence in art and design research

Changes to courses for 2021/22 due to Covid-19

Course information (changes for 2021/22 entry)

Composition of the course

Unless government advice instructs otherwise, Study Abroad programmes will take place in 2021/22. The safety of all our students is paramount, therefore, as per normal practice, all Study Abroad activities must also be approved by the University's insurers to ensure that students are adequately protected during their period abroad. We will provide updates as the pandemic situation stabilises and/or further government advice is released.

Changes can be made to courses as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area and in response to feedback from students and other key stakeholders. Any such changes made to the composition of the course will be highlighted to students by email before enrolment.

Modules

Changes can be made to modules as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area and to provide a high quality student experience. Any such changes made to module titles, module summaries and/or availability of modules will be highlighted to students by email before enrolment.

Length of course

We expect to deliver the course within the planned timescales to enable successful students to progress through and graduate from the course without delay.

In exceptional circumstances the sequence of learning and teaching activities may be changed in 2021/22, e.g. moving those modules which can be delivered more effectively to the first teaching block and moving back those – such as practical modules and placements – which may be more difficult to deliver due to some ongoing restrictions.

In some cases, it may be necessary to delay placement modules which may then impact the length of the course. In these circumstances the University will guide students through the appropriate options available to ensure students are able to make informed choices.

Entry requirements (changes for 2021/22 entry)

We have not changed entry requirements as a direct result of the pandemic.

Entry requirements for international students

We have not changed entry requirements for international students as a direct result of the pandemic.

Teaching (changes for 2021/22 entry)

Changes to the way the course will be delivered

As we transition from the pandemic restrictions, we expect to steadily increase the proportion of on-campus teaching. We will continue to provide a proportion of online learning, as experience has shown that this enriches and supports the student learning experience.

If the pandemic affects teaching and learning activities in 2021/22 more than we currently anticipate, the proportion of online learning will increase. However, unless a lockdown is enforced, we will ensure that all courses provide a reasonable percentage of their teaching and learning activities on campus.

Should your circumstances prevent your attendance at on-campus sessions, you should still be able to engage with your course remotely in a way that allows you to progress. Where this is not possible, for example on courses with high practical content, your course team will be able to advise you on the options available to you.

Changes to teaching in the event of a further lockdown or adjustments in government advice

The University will continue to closely monitor government announcements and advice in relation to the pandemic and, where required, will take any necessary action in order to comply with such advice.

In the event that a further lockdown is enforced in 2021/22 the University will aim to deliver the course fully online once more. The majority of our courses are prepared to be delivered fully online if the situation requires it. Where the quality of the student experience may be compromised, or the course is unable to be delivered fully online, the University may need to suspend the delivery of that course until a time that it can be delivered. Students will be supported in these situations to ensure they are able to make the right choices for their particular circumstances.

Changes to the overall breakdown of scheduled teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours for Year 1

Changes to the overall breakdown of scheduled learning and teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours were not and will not be made as a direct result of the pandemic.

‘Scheduled learning and teaching' includes teaching delivered online, either live or recorded/on demand.

Timetable

Your individualised timetable for teaching block 1 (i.e. up to December 2021) should be available by the end of August. Timetables for teaching block 2 (i.e. from January 2022) will not be available until the autumn. We make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible.

In 2020/21 it was agreed that scheduled learning and teaching could take place on any day of the week between 9am and 9pm, to maximise the time available for teaching in order to accommodate smaller group sizes and social distancing. This meant we sometimes had to use Wednesday afternoons and enrichment week for additional teaching slots. If we need to accommodate smaller group sizes and social distancing in 2021/22 we expect to adopt a similar approach. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Assessment (changes for 2021/22 entry)

The experience of delivering courses in 2020/21 under the various Covid-19 restrictions has enabled us to better prepare and plan the delivery of our courses in 2021/22. We are confident the course can be delivered as planned and, therefore, do not anticipate having to make any further changes to the course, i.e. to the overall methods of assessments, in response to issues arising from the pandemic. However, if this becomes necessary, the changes will be highlighted to students via email before enrolment.

Changes are made to modules, including how they are assessed, as part of normal enhancement processes to keep our modules up to date with current developments in that subject area and in response to feedback received from students and other key stakeholders. Any changes to the overall methods of assessment for Year 1 of the course will be highlighted to students by email before enrolment.

If social distancing or lockdown restrictions are in place in 2021/22, online alternative options to formal on-campus examinations, including practical examinations, will be made available to students where possible.

Staff (changes for 2021/22 entry)

No changes are expected to the general level of experience or status of staff involved in delivering the course.

Staff are engaged in Continuous Professional Development activities to develop their teaching expertise, as part of the normal enhancement processes, to ensure that course teams have the required breadth of expertise.

Fees, funding and additional costs (changes for 2021/22 entry)

Tuition fees

There will be no changes to published tuition fees for 2021/22.

Additional costs (e.g. field trips, materials, equipment, etc.)

As we transition from the pandemic restrictions, we expect to be able to increase student access to on-campus facilities. Students will therefore have access to University computers and library facilities.

If, due to an increase in social distancing requirements or the enforcing of a lockdown, it becomes necessary to significantly increase the proportion of teaching delivered online, students will need a personal laptop or computer and access to the internet to participate in online teaching and learning activities. Students who are able to travel will have access to computers on campus, however, it should be noted that access to on-campus facilities might be restricted if social distancing requirements are enforced.

The University is committed to supporting students who are unable to access suitable technology to ensure equity of access in a blended delivery mode.

Funding

There will be no changes to any existing University funding arrangements for 2021/22. Currently there are no indications from the UK government that there will be any changes to government funding arrangements.

Fees and funding for international students

There will be no changes to published tuition fees or funding arrangements specifically relating to international students for 2021/22.

Work placements and field trips (changes for 2021/22 entry)

We are anticipating that placements (including work and clinical placements) and field trips included as part of the course will go ahead in 2021/22. However, to ensure students gain maximum value from placement activities, it may be necessary to reschedule them to later in the year, when any impacts from the pandemic restrictions are minimised.

Any proposed changes to placements or field trips would go through the University's agreed processes where the impact of the change will be carefully considered.

In the interests of the health and wellbeing of our students, all placement arrangements must be approved by the University's insurers and the appropriate risk assessments made before students are sent on a placement.

Courses which require placements or field trips to be completed in order to pass relevant modules will have contingency plans in place in the event that a placement or field trip cannot be completed due to another lockdown or more stringent social distancing measures.

Award, qualification and accreditation (changes for 2021/22 entry)

Qualification

No changes will be made to the qualification awarded, e.g. BSc (Hons), MSc, etc., as a direct result of the pandemic.

Changes can be made to courses, including the qualification awarded (although very rare), as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area. Any changes made to the qualification awarded for the course will be highlighted to students by email before enrolment.

Accreditation

The experience of delivering courses in 2020/21 under the various Covid-19 restrictions has enabled us to better prepare and plan the delivery of our courses in 2021/22. We are confident the course can be delivered as planned and in accordance with any professional body requirements. We do not anticipate making any further changes to courses in response to any issues arising from the pandemic and which would put at risk any professional body accreditation status.

Additional (changes for 2021/22 entry)

International students should maintain awareness of the UK government's and their home country's government's advice on possible travel restrictions. The University will closely monitor advice and guidance published by the UK government and assess its impact on our international students. Appropriate advice and guidance will be provided as and when required.