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A mannequin draped in a green, yellow, and red patterned fabric stands in front of a matching painting, both set against a white brick wall and wooden floor.
Abstract colours on fabric, featuring bold, sweeping brushstrokes in shades of red, pink, and brown.
A delicate, sheer, peach-colored ruffled collar with embroidered text 'let me rest' on the neckline and pink ribbon ties, hanging on a thin circular wire.

Textile Design MA

Combining creativity, craft skills and technological innovation, and develop and refine your expert knowledge of textile design.

Our MA Textile Design course offers a unique platform for students to explore their own practice through an integrated blend of experimental making, research, and technical skills development.

With a strong emphasis on experimentation and developing a deeper understanding of your practice, the experience is tailored to your individual interests. Whether your ambitions involve starting your own business or addressing sustainable issues, you are encouraged to be inquisitive and to imagine the transformative potential of textiles in enhancing everyday life.

Through hands-on exploration of materials, texture, colour, pattern, and construction, students engage with traditional craft skills reimagined for future applications. The course encourages you to push the boundaries of textile design through innovative uses of materials and processes, supported by guidance from experienced practitioners. Both individual and group tutorials are fully integrated to support each student’s creative vision.

You will engage with the latest advancements in textiles while also gaining strong traditional skills, helping you understand the direction and potential of your work. Collaboration is encouraged across the university — such as film, fine art, and fashion — allowing you to expand your practice beyond textiles and explore interdisciplinary relationships.

Research trips and visiting industry professionals enrich the learning experience. You will develop your practice further through internal and external exhibitions, as well as national competitions. Our ambition is to prepare you to be well-equipped to make a significant impact in the field of textile design, graduating with a personally crafted and fully developed creative practice.

  • A sheer blue fabric with vertical stripes hangs on a wall, featuring an attached translucent blue dress and a decorative lace panel running down the right side.
  • Blue circular shapes, greenish-yellow splatters, and loose red squiggly lines on a textured light background. The composition feels layered and organic.
  • A photograph of a rug cut into the shape of glutes. The rug depicts a landscape scene made from orange, mauve, purple and grey fabric
  • A photograph of a square tapestry made of several scraps of coloured fabrics, with visible stitching to create a patchwork effect.
  • A close up photograph of a tapestry made of several scraps of coloured fabrics, with visible stitching to create a patchwork effect.
  • Pink MA Textile Design stones and surface design by Victoria Paulley displayed in the MA Degree Show at Norwich University of the Arts
  • Repeating pink and violet pattern with mushrooms overlapping and tesselating
  • Close up of MA Textile Design work showing a pale grey fabric background with pale gold leaf pattern
  • Repeating pattern with bats
  • Text reads 'acts of gross indecency' and is overlaid on a background of dark green with floral vine embellishments and classical style sculptures, busts, and pottery
  • Long rectangular textiles piece hanging on a white wall, made of woven squares in cream and blue
  • MA Textile Design work showing a multicoloured circle on a white wall made of coloured twigs, surrounded by other natural twigs crossing over each other
  • MA Textile Design work of a highly patterned wall with a wooden female figure in front wearing clothes in the same patterns
  • White background with two small round figures with stick arms and legs and patchwork eyes
  • Black background with pink figures in a linear pattern across the rectangle

Why study with us

  • Advanced Technical Skills

    Develop expertise in both traditional and digital textile techniques, mastering processes such as dyeing, weaving, and digital textile production.

  • Interdisciplinary Approach

    Benefit from collaboration with students from other postgraduate programs, fostering a multidisciplinary environment and integrating diverse perspectives and approaches, essential for innovative textile design.

  • Professional-Level Resources

    Access specialised facilities such as the Textile Print & Dye Workshop, Constructed Textiles Workshop, and Laser Cutting. Our Munnings Drawing Studio, Design Studio, UV Printing equipment, and the Media Resource Centre provide comprehensive resources to support your creative and technical development.

  • Ethical and Inclusive Research

    Embrace an ethical approach to your work, focusing on sustainability, social impact, and inclusivity in textile design. The course encourages you to explore the role of textiles in addressing global challenges and promotes responsible design practices.

  • Professional Portfolio Development

    Develop a professional portfolio that showcases your textile design skills and creative vision demonstrating your ability to communicate complex ideas and research through design.

  • Innovative Problem Solving

    Engage with complex design challenges through project-based learning through critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of contemporary textile design.

Course Details

This programme is a one-year course including 30 weeks of direct teaching time and a 15-week final project. You will need to complete three units and one 60-credit Major Project (180 credits in total). All units on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. If you study part-time your modules will be split across two years.
For full course details including aims and assessment criteria, download the course specification.

Core Practice and Context (60 Credits)

This unit launches your Master’s study at Norwich University of the Art. It will explore the impact of social, economic, environmental, technological, and ecological factors on textile design. Engaging with the UNESCO 17 Goals for Sustainable Development, you will use this research to experiment with various textile techniques and materials. Through self-directed study, you’ll learn about sustainable practices, such as eco-friendly dyeing and material traceability, producing a curated collection of samples. The unit emphasises understanding industry influences and future trends, while encouraging critical evaluation of your work and peer practice. A Reflective Research Report, supported by workshops and peer discussions, will consolidate your learning journey and give you greater understanding of the range of pathways for practising designers in a rapidly evolving sector.

Collaborative Challenge (30 credits)

This unit focuses on addressing contemporary and evolving issues in the textile industry, including sustainability, new technologies, and inclusivity. It promotes a creative, cross-disciplinary approach, encouraging students to experiment with a variety of textile techniques and methods that challenge and expand their current practices. In a supportive environment, students collaborate on projects that may involve real-world applications aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals or live briefs from external clients. The emphasis is on teamwork, critical thinking, and developing a unique design voice, guided by tutors with industry experience. The unit culminates in a group submission and an individual reflective summary, highlighting independent study, practical skills development, and engagement will give you greater understanding of the range of pathways for practising designers in a rapidly evolving sector.

Project Design and Development (30 credits)

This unit is designed to develop essential skills for designing and executing a creative or research project in the textile field. It offers a comprehensive range of tools and approaches to equip students for major projects and potential future research, including doctoral or industry pursuits. The unit introduces various research methods from the arts, humanities, and social sciences, tailored to the unique needs of textile projects. Through a combination of independent study and expert-led tutorials, students will gain a thorough understanding of project planning, ethical considerations, and the use of both digital and analogue tools. By the end of the unit, students will produce a contextual review, a detailed project plan, and an ethics review, laying the foundation for their major project. This preparation helps establish a distinct design voice, setting the stage for professional success in the textile industry.

Major Project (60 Credits)

This unit forms the culmination of your Master’s study in which you will design, develop, and execute a major project. The project offers a chance for an in-depth, self-directed study supported by talks, group sessions, and individual tutorials. You’ll develop skills in selecting research methods and engaging with stakeholders, aiming to communicate your creative vision to varied audiences. The project requires creating and evaluating a professional-level body of work, grounded in the historical, theoretical, cultural, and economic contexts. As the project progresses, you will work independently, regularly consulting your supervisor to refine your project’s format and outcomes. This process will help you push the boundaries of your specialism, offering new insights and demonstrating your expert knowledge of textile design.

Download course specifications

Textile Design MA Course Specification (opens in a new window)

Learning and teaching

The course is delivered through a variety of engaging learning and teaching methods.

  • Lectures

  • Seminars

  • Tutorials

  • Technical labs

  • Independent and group work

Assessment

Our assessment methods will vary based on the unit you choose and provide a comprehensive measure of your learning and progress. These methods may include:

  • Critically reflective essay
  • Course work
  • Presentations
  • Learning journal
  • Reflective evaluation
  • Body of creative work
  • Reflective research report
  • Team project evaluation
  • Major project
  • Supporting documentation

Some of the people you’ll be working with

Meet all staff

Our Facilities

Look around our city-centre campus, and you will find studios, media labs, and creative spaces in 13 buildings that sit among the cafés, bars, independent galleries and shops of Norwich’s cultural quarter.

View all facilities

Typical career paths

  • Textile Designer
  • Textile for Fashion Design
  • Interior Design
  • Print Design
  • Illustration
  • Conservation
  • Product Design
  • Styling
  • Branding/Marketing
  • Materials Production
  • Further/Higher Education
  • PhD Study

The UK’s creative sector is thriving, contributing £111.7 billion annually to the economy and offering over 2 million jobs.

Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)

Entry Requirements

Entrants should normally have achieved a BA (Hons) / BSc Degree of 2:1 or above (or its equivalent), in a subject related to your proposed course of study.

Applicants who hold a Degree from another discipline may also be considered for entry, subject to the submission of a satisfactory portfolio of art, design or media-related work in support of their application.

Those with industry experience or relevant skills from non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including individuals currently employed. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact us for guidance before applying.

English language requirements (International/EU)

If English is not your first language, IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. we also accept other English language qualifications.

International Qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our international pages.

Fees and funding

Home

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year

  • Full time: £10,400
  • Part time: £6,500 per year

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK
(home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

The rules for inflation on fees in subsequent years depend on the type of fee status and level

For Home and overseas postgraduate degree students starting in 2025, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.

Funding your study

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience. Find out more about scholarships and funding.

International

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year

  • Full time: £18,860

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK
(home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

The rules for inflation on fees in subsequent years depend on the type of fee status and level

For home and overseas postgraduate degree students starting in 2026, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.

Funding your study

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students. To find out more and see if you’re eligible, please visit the scholarships for international students page.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert employability team, access to workshops and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

Textile Design MA Course Costs (opens in a new window)

How to apply

Home

Applications to our postgraduate courses should be made directly to Norwich University of the Arts using a Postgraduate Application Form.

Applications should be returned to admissions@norwichuni.ac.uk

Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details.

International

Postgraduate applicants can only apply directly by completing the below online application form or emailing the downloadable form to ioadmissions@norwichuni.ac.uk

Online Postgraduate Application Form (opens in a new window)
International Postgraduate Application Form (opens in a new window)

International students requiring a visa should apply as soon as possible in the year they wish to start. Email our International Team for more information. Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details

A photograph of a seminar room at Norwich University of the Arts, where an academic is giving a welcome presentation to visitors at an Open Day.

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