Study options

Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

For applicants

Would you like to develop your vision and professional career as a costume designer? Are you interested in studying Costume Design at the forefront of the field?

Aalto University’s Costume Design master studies nurture the future costume design professionals for theatre, dance, musicals, circus, film, television, and related fields such as games, animation and immersive experiences. The programme explores costume design from a practice-based perspective that stimulates new concepts and ideas. During master studies, you will develop your artistic expression, conceptual thinking and professional skills through hands-on experience in film and performing arts productions, working with directors, scenographers, sound and light designers, cinematographers, actors, and dancers. You will also have opportunities to be part of international events, exhibitions and festivals.

Degree:

Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Application period:

28 Nov 2024 – 27 Dec 2024

Language of instruction:

English

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Art and Design

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €20000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

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HOW TO APPLY

Description

Master studies in Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film focus on the students’ personal development in costume design in all areas of live performance, film, screen and digital media.

The studies promote creative enquiry and collaboration, theoretical and critical thinking. The programme advances the students’ professional competence as costume designers in the fields of their interest, through building a dynamic artistic vision and a research-oriented approach. Students expand their creative and technical skills, and work in artistically demanding productions. The studies emphasize the importance of personal time management and stress tolerance.

Teaching includes collaborative artistic work, communicating ideas, leading costume teams, entrepreneurial, time and budget management skills. The learning is based on a combination of hands-on practice, experimentation, and costume theory. The studies are continuously enriched and updated by latest developments in the professional field, novel design practices, new technologies and cutting-edge research.

The students’ personal strengths are taken into consideration in planning their individual study paths. If interested, students can enrich their research skills, with the option to pursue doctoral studies.

The studies are part of the Master’s Degree Programme in Film and Television. Courses and productions are regularly organised in collaboration with the University of the Arts/Theatre Academy, as well as with external institutions, individual artists, and professional companies.

Please see the intended learning outcomes of the study option at the Programme page.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction in the Master’s Programme in Film and Television, Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film major, is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 20 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

Master studies in Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film are structured as follows:

Programme joint advanced studies (10 ECTS), which include collaboration, working life, and research skills.
Advanced compulsory studies in Costume Design (30 ECTS), which focus on personal artistic expression, creative explorative enquiry, conceptual and critical thinking, history, theory and research in various areas of costume practice.
Advanced optional studies in Costume Design (20 ECTS), which include courses in special areas of costume design, materials, techniques, sustainable practices, technology and digital design, and the development of designer-oriented concepts. Also, advanced collaborative courses with film directors, cinematographers and production designers focusing on concept development and experimentation; artistic collaboration with dancers, choreographers and other performance designers jointly organised with the Theatre Academy (Uniarts); international projects and independent productions.
Elective studies (30 ECTS), which may include courses from any Aalto University department or other courses jointly organised with the Theatre Academy (Uniarts).
A Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS), which is a research-oriented work in which students apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme on an artistic, theoretical or applied research topic. Theses always include a written component, and may also include an artistic component (project, production or other work of art).

Students can also choose to do an internship in the field or exchange studies abroad.

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.

Courses and curriculum

Specialisations

Each student creates their Personal Study Plan (PSP), which is a practical tool to define a student’s own study path, compiling an optimal selection of courses that are aligned with the student’s interests and programme requirements. PSP is also a useful tool for students to keep track of their studies. At best, it shows where students are with their studies and sets concrete milestones for them to follow.

Internationalisation

Students are encouraged to complete part of their studies in international exchange programmes or internships, as well as participate in major international events and projects such as exhibitions, festivals, and competitions. Support for international activities is based on the student’s Personal Study Plan, subject to application.

International visiting teachers frequently contribute to the programme, and incoming exchange students enrich the learning and student networking. The studies are also enriched and updated by the international mobility of the teaching and technical staff.

Further study opportunities

The programme offers research studies that provide the foundation to continue to doctoral studies.

Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture offers doctoral studies in the fields of architecture, art, design, media, film and costume design. For more information about our research groups visit the following link.

Career opportunities

Costume Designers play a key role in the performing arts, film, television, and related industries in any performance context involving costume.

Costume Designers have a wide range of career opportunities across various industries, including live performance (theatre, opera, dance, musicals, circus, performance art, ceremonies and special events), film (feature films, short films, docu-fiction), television (TV series, miniseries, TV movies), music videos, commercial productions such as advertisements, and other screen and media projects, promotional events, festivals and celebrations. Career opportunities also include digital costume design in related fields such as games and animation, digital media platforms, immersive and virtual reality experiences for users at various events, contributing to current and emerging creative industries.

Students are supported to plan their own future professional path from the beginning of the Master studies with personal study plans and individual guidance. The studies jointly organised with other programmes, external institutions, individual artists, and professional companies provide a unique opportunity for networking and collaboration with professionals from other fields, opening potential future cooperation and partnerships.

Research focus

Research in Costume Design is framed within the Costume in Focus (CiF) research group. The research in this programme is linked to several focus areas in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Additional information about research related to this programme can be found at the Department of Film website.

Co-operation with other parties

Master studies in Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film has an established collaboration with the Theatre Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts). There are also frequent partnerships in projects with external institutions, individual artists, and professional companies.

Aalto University and the departments involved in the programme collaborate with many high-quality universities worldwide.

The student can take advantage of the studies within other Aalto University Schools, studies within other universities as well as the major's international connections and student exchange possibilities.

Evaluation criteria 2027

The applicants are first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.

The applications to the Master’s Programme in Film and Television - Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film are evaluated based on the following criteria:

Assessed area	Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements.
Admission requirements	The prerequisite for admission to the major in Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film is a bachelor’s degree in the same field or in a relevant field of study, or equivalent skills and knowledge.
Method of demonstrating competence	Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s), or official work experience records

Assessed area	Demonstration of artistic experience in the field of costume design in at least one of its areas of practice (theatre, film, television, opera, dance, commercials, etc. – for a complete list see the study option description).
Admission requirements	Applicants present a portfolio that shows diverse samples of the applicant’s artistic and professional activity. The portfolio must contain costume sketches and production photographs that demonstrate the applicant’s artistic expression and design skills. The work contained in the portfolio must include: full credits, the title of the work, type of project (theatre, film, etc.), year and place where the work was produced/presented, and the role of the applicant in the project. The applicant’s name, email and phone number and the degree programme applied for must be indicated on the portfolio cover. The portfolio should be in digital format uploaded as a single PDF file.
Method of demonstrating competence	Portfolio (digital)

Assessed area

Other work experience, other acquired knowledge/achievements mentioned in the Curriculum Vitae (e.g. publications/articles, non-formal education, competitions, awards and grants, study trips, memberships)

Admission requirements

Applicants should demonstrate the range of their prior activity, work experience and other acquired knowledge. Applicants are expected to demonstrate experience in costume design. Other interests, achievements and experience are also taken into consideration.

Method of demonstrating competence

Curriculum vitae

The study option does not consider recommendation letters.

Phase I

Assessed area

Applicant’s further suitability to the study option based on motivation, artistic vision and objectives, communication skills, and commitment for advanced studies.

Admission requirements

Applicants must write a motivation letter explaining the reasons for applying to the Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film major. The letter should explain the applicant’s personal strengths, areas of interest, artistic vision and objectives, teamwork experience, their learning goals, and their expectations and motivation for advanced studies. The letter should also indicate a possible topic for the Master Thesis.

Maximum length of the motivation letter is 4000 characters excluding spaces (approx. one A4 page)

Method of demonstrating competence

Motivation letter

Phase II

Assessed area	Applicant’s further suitability to the study option based on motivation, artistic visions and objectives, communication skills, and commitment for advanced studies.
Admission requirements	Applicants are invited to an interview in which they provide further insights regarding their motivation for applying to the Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film major, their particular interests in the field, their artistic visions and personal development objectives, their work experience and prior design work, their goals and expectations related to the MA studies in Costume Design, as well as their commitment plans for the studies.
Method of demonstrating competence	Interview by the selection group

Assessed area	Grades of the previous degree(s) and pace of studies, or extensive work experience in the field of costume design.
Admission requirements	A bachelor’s degree in Costume Design or in a relevant field of study, or extensive work experience in the field of costume design.
Method of demonstrating competence	Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s), or official working experience records

Evaluation process

The selection process for those who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises two phases:

In the first phase, students are evaluated based on their application materials according to the criteria listed below. In the second phase, the most suitable applicants are invited to an interview, from which a smaller subset of applicants will be offered a study place. Applicants accepted to the programme may be required to take supplementary studies.

In Phase I, the applications are evaluated based on the following criteria

Relevance of previous studies
Artistic and/or design practice
Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements
Suitability/Motivation letter
Academic performance

Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements and are ranked highest in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to Phase II in the selection process.

In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria

Relevance of previous studies
Artistic and/or design practice
Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements
Suitability/Motivation letter
Academic performance
Suitability/interview

Final selection

The final selection decisions will be made based on the evaluation conducted in Phase II.

Documents required by the study option

This study option (master’s programme) requires two sets of documents from their applicants:

Obligatory application documents detailed on the Apply to master’s programmes webpage
Documents required by the study option listed below

The Curriculum vitae (CV) should include the applicant’s work experience and other acquired knowledge or achievements related to costume design. Applicants are expected to demonstrate experience in costume design in at least one of its areas of practice (theatre, film, television, opera, dance, commercials, etc. – for a complete list see the study option description). Other interests, achievements and experience are also taken into consideration (e.g. publications/articles, non-formal education, competitions, awards and grants, study trips, memberships).

The study option does not consider recommendation letters.

Document language: English

Maximum length of the motivation letter is 4000 characters excluding spaces (approx. one A4 page).

Document language: English

Applicants present a portfolio that shows diverse samples of the applicant’s artistic and professional activity. The portfolio must contain costume sketches and production photographs that demonstrate the applicant’s artistic expression and design skills. The work contained in the portfolio must include: full credits, the title of the work, type of project (theatre, film, etc.), year and place where the work was produced/presented, and the role of the applicant in the project. The applicant’s name, email and phone number and the degree programme applied for must be indicated on the portfolio cover.

The portfolio should be in digital format (electronic portfolio) and it should be uploaded as a single PDF-file onto the application system before submission of the application.

Maximum size for the portfolio is 1.0 GB. Name the file Portfolio-lastname-firstname.pdf.

Document language: English

Checklist of all application documents

Obligatory application documents required from all applicants:

Bachelor’s degree certificate
Transcript of records
Authorised translations (if applicable)
Degree certificate and transcript of records of another higher education degree (if applicable)
Copy of a valid passport or an official identification card (does not apply to Finnish citizens)
Proof of language proficiency
Copy of your fee-exempting residence permit card in Finland (if applicable)

Documents required by this study option:

Portfolio
Motivation letter
CV

Remember to check the detailed instructions for the obligatory application documents, including the language requirements, on the Apply to master’s programmes webpage.

HOW TO APPLY

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Contact information

Learning services of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.

arts-admissions@aalto.fi

Admissions Services

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.

admissions@aalto.fi

Updated: 28.8.2026
Published: 14.9.2018

Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Degree:

Application period:

Language of instruction:

Duration:

Eligibility:

Field of study:

Credits:

Organising school:

Tuition fees:

Checklist of all application documents

‘Costume designers can add significant value to animated films’

A new boom in Finnish cinema (external link)

Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Degree:

Application period:

Language of instruction:

Duration:

Eligibility:

Field of study:

Credits:

Organising school:

Tuition fees:

Table of contents

Description

Language of instruction

Tuition fees and scholarships

Structure of studies

Specialisations

Internationalisation

Further study opportunities

Career opportunities

Research focus

Co-operation with other parties

Evaluation criteria 2027

Relevance of previous studies

Artistic and/or design practice

Other areas of competence

Suitability

Academic performance

Evaluation process

Phase I

Phase II

Documents required by the study option

CV (Curriculum vitae)

Motivation letter

Portfolio

Checklist of all application documents

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‘Costume designers can add significant value to animated films’

A new boom in Finnish cinema (external link)

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