MA Sustainable and Ethical Fashion
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Please note that whilst we are accepting applications, this course is subject to validation.
Challenge Fashion. Create Change.
This Masters will equip you with the knowledge to become an expert in ethics and sustainability, anticipating the demands of the future fashion industry.
MA Sustainable and Ethical Fashion is a flexible course, suited to those who wish to work both academically and with an industry focus. You will have room for exploring new ideas, as well as practical applications, that bring positive change to the fashion industry. You will challenge fashion by fulfilling a self-directed project relevant to your professional trajectory. A design background is not required.
Our partnerships with industry organizations, including the , the British Fashion Council, and the UKRI research group, focus on exploring the environmental impact of fashion. These collaborations foster a space for innovative thinking and knowledge exchange, enhancing our curriculum. As a result, you are well prepared to secure high-profile employment both in the UK and internationally upon graduation. This course collaborates with local businesses like and well-known brands such as to provide valuable, real-world experience.
You will have access to premium facilities, including an MA Fashion Design studio, a photography studio, an industrial machine room, a print room, and a knit studio.
This full-time, research-driven course responds to significant industry, consumer, and political demand for graduates who can effectively address global challenges in our ever-changing world.
See other similar courses you may be interested in: MA Fashion Design
Research Power - Art and Design at Northumbria is ranked 4th in the UK for research power (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 6 places compared to 2014.
Top 20 University - Art & Design at Northumbria is ranked 17th in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2024, rising 4 places since last year.
ϲ is the largest provider of postgraduate taught education in the North East and the 9th largest provider in the UK. *HEIDI PLUS Student FPE 2022/23
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants with appropriate work experience and/or a relevant professional qualification will be considered.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit
Full UK Fee: £9,700
Full International Fee: £19,350
Scholarships and Discounts
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
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The School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries is a leading centre for supporting and energising creative practice and academic study. Our inter-disciplinary research and experiential education is committed to the betterment of people, place, cultures, and societies. Our programmes are defined by the way we collaborate with communities, industry, and external partners to inform curriculum, your learning and contribute to wider society.
You will graduate with the expertise and knowledge required to become a world-class designer and design change-maker.
Throughout the year, you will have the opportunity to engage in a range of events such as conferences and guest lectures to help further your knowledge and build networks to further your future career aspirations. You will also work on industry-led, collaborative projects that practically reflect the nature of working within the design industry.
Our graduates have followed different career paths, including research-focused roles like Ph.D. positions and sustainable fashion researchers, as well as exciting opportunities in fashion design, product development and sustainability compliance within fashion brands.
Marilla Cate
Graduated 2023.
Seasalt: International Product Compliance and Sustainability
Find out more
Erica Singer
Graduated 2024.
Sponsored PH.D in Sustainable Fashion.
Upon graduation, you will emerge as a highly employable Sustainable and Ethical Fashion graduate. Our course nurtures forward-thinking, confident, and skilled graduates who possess extensive knowledge of sustainable and ethical practices, self-led learning, collaboration, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities. Consequently, our graduates are consistently sought after for a diverse range of positions in the fashion industry, including Designer, Researcher, Product Developer, Technical Manager, Garment Technician, and Fashion Entrepreneur.
Together, though your self-led project, we help you to develop your skills for the future you aspire to.
Erica Singer
What is the role of community in post-growth fashion, and how can providing space for knowledge exchange influence consumer behaviours?
Bridget Upton
Improving the sustainability and durability of performance swimwear through fabric innovation and consumer knowledge.
Anna Stout
Understanding the scope of the fashion design process as well as the methods and strategies utilised when considering sustainability.
Krishma Sabbarwal
How can I upscale my slow fashion brand while utilising textile waste and offcut fibres, taking inspiration from my heritage and ancient culture of upcycling, reusing, and remaking?
Our skilled and experienced team has expertise in Sustainable and Ethical Fashion, from design through to product life extension strategies. We create engaging projects through our academic and professional connections and involve you in research initiatives like our Repair Hub and research group.
The Sustainable and Ethical Fashion MA course offers an immersive learning environment. You have access to two large, dedicated studio spaces known as the 'MA Fashion Lab', equipped with Macs running the latest creative software, industrial pattern cutting tables, with a large industrial sewing room on the floor below.
The workshops are designed to industry standards, allowing for both traditional and digital pattern cutting methods, as well as access to printed textiles, constructed knitwear, photo-labs, laser cutting, and 3D printing.
Skilled technical staff are available to assist you in making the best use of these facilities.
Additionally, the 24/7 library contains a comprehensive collection of fashion design references, accessible through the 'Blackboard' eLearning Portal, to support seminar preparation and independent research.
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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