Hand Embroidery BA (Hons)

When not attending timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. Each student engages with written reflective practice to compile an agreed action plan with their tutor.

Your study time is approximately 75% practice and 25% theory across each year of the course. Your practice and theory are closely aligned throughout the course with the opportunity to access the RSN Handling collection and Library.

Each year group has dedicated studio space and the studios are open from 9am daily with one late evening until 7.30pm.

This is a full-time course and due to the specialist nature of the practice of hand embroidery, we encourage 4.5 days a week attendance.

Workshops, demonstrations and lectures require full attendance, but there will be the opportunity for study visits and independent / directed study throughout your year.

All modules have a formative and summative assessment point.

Feedback and feed-forward take place using several formats – including weekly tutorial forms which introduce you to reflective practice and hone your time management key skills.

Studios are open from 9am and all taught sessions commence at 10am prompt. Formal taught workshops run from 10am to 4pm.

Attendance is full time for a minimum of four days per week. All students may be required to engage with weekend and evening work throughout their academic year.

There is an average intake of 20 students per year, enabling a high level of student / tutor contact time.

Work placements are actively encouraged but not mandatory; although it is the responsibility of individual students to source and secure such placements at times which do not impact on their learning. Through participation in this professional context, students are encouraged to reflect upon their own personal experience of working in an applied setting and focus on key aspects of this experience to inform both their theory and practice

At Level 4, students have the opportunity to participate in external competitions to build their awareness of the potential application of embroidery to design. They develop transferable skills and learn the challenges of working to an external timescale and design brief. Previous examples have included, The Worshipful Company of Glovers – Glove Competition and working with artists Musson+Retallick to create embroidered illustrations for a hot air balloon installation in Thamesmead.

Level 4 students have also worked to create bespoke embroideries for London Fashion Week for E. Tautz menswear. Students work to create digital portfolios throughout the programme to showcase their practice and level of attainment. At Level 4, students start to compile their own CV and prepare an introductory letter to potential employers for summer placement opportunities. By working with our technical team, students develop an awareness of materials, suppliers and costings.

At Level Five, students develop more advanced professional skills through working on high profile design competitions and with external clients. Opportunities for live projects are embedded in the curriculum when possible. Recent examples include Bradford Textile Society and Society of Dyers and Colourists where students have received named awards and commendations. Students have also had the opportunity to make work for external exhibitions including the Fashion & Textile Museum for the Royal School of Needlework 150th Anniversary and the Devon Guild of Craftsmen. This advanced level of practice supports the student to make informed choices as to the potential direction of their practice at Level 6 as well as reinforcing transferable skills such as timekeeping and quality of finish.

By Level 6, students are directing their practice towards a defined context as indicated by their proposal and outcomes for the RSN Graduate Collection module. The module RSN Graduate Portfolio is focussed on their intended career route, through the creation of an expanded portfolio of experimental and technical hand embroidery sampling. This outcome provides the student with a showcase of their creative ability and in a format to present to a future employer. The theoretical module, Professional Practice in Context enables the student to present an in-depth body of research exploring the context for their practice alongside the preparation of a bespoke graduate employment plan / report with artist statement, costing and pricing, business models and the development of professional communication skills to prepare them for interviews and presenting their work to a new audience.