Master's Programme in Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design

Study objectives

The programme deepens and extends the students’ skills in fashion, clothing and textile design on a high artistic and professional level, strategic thinking as well as creating fashion concepts coordinating and leading design processes. Students develop their creative vision and management skills for fashion, clothing, textile and collection design. The design process includes the whole path from concept and initial design to marketing and sales. Creativity and new forward-thinking ideas are emphasized on every step of the process. At the core of the programme is the understanding of the fashion system and its impact on society and business. Basic and applied understanding of sustainable issues in fashion and textile area is provided. Students are challenged to explore the possibilities of new technologies, new materials and innovative design solutions in both physical and digital media.

Skill outcomes

Students learn to combine design, commerce, industry and research based approaches. Artistic and creative problem-solving strategies and techniques in mastering silhouettes, structures, materials and colours are a part of the studies. Students learn an experimental and conceptual approach to creating fashion, clothing, textile, surface and colour concepts and collections of a high international standard.

The programme emphasises the understanding of different cultures and encourages students to innovate and re-think current practices in fashion as well as design business and industry. Entrepreneurial and sustainable thinking as well as multidisciplinary co-operation and communication in product development are essential skills.

Academic skills

The students learn to analyse the practices and phenomena in fashion, clothing, textiles and design. The programme fosters students’ presentation skills in writing and visualisation. Students gain an understanding of design research methods and learn to apply them in creative, academic, societal and business contexts. The programme also provides students with skills needed in doctoral studies.

Tuition fees

15 000 € for non EU/EEA citizens in programmes instructed in English. Further information is available on Scholarships and Tuition Fees page (aalto.fi).

Career opportunities

The graduates have the skills and knowledge needed to sustain a professional career in fashion, clothing, textile, and design business and industry, media and education. The master studies prepare the students for a career in academic and corporate research.

Content of the studies

Fashion as a phenomenon is extended beyond clothing and textiles to include the production and consumption of other types of products and services. Knowledge in fashion, textiles, materials, and structures can be deepened to lead to multidisciplinary projects. Joint studies help the students to learn skills beyond their own field. The programme cultivates a fashion-driven approach and provides students with working methods that prepare them for careers of high international and professional level.

For further details on the education content, see the study guide for academic years 2018-2020.

For more information on the Fashion and Collection Design programme, please visit fact.aalto.fi.

Internationalisation

Students are encouraged to apply for international exchange studies or internship. In addition, they are expected to gain experience in international competitions, exhibitions, conferences, and trade fairs.

Programme-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria

What we look for in an applicant?

The programme seeks students with skills to understand processes and structures, an ability to create innovative design solutions individually and in teams, with personal and artistic insight, ideation skill, goal-orientation and motivation.

Eligible applicants for the programme have earned a Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) or completed equivalent studies.

Evaluation criteria

The criteria we use to evaluate the applications in the first stage are

• Motivation letter, 0-5 points
• Portfolio, 0-10 points
• CV, 0-5 point
• Transcript scores, 0-2 points

In addition to these, in the second stage the evaluation criteria also includes

• Interview, 0-5 points

First stage and required application documents

In the first stage of the admission the selection committee evaluates the applications based on the application documents. Study Option’s specific requirements for the application documents are listed below. Please also note requirements for the application documents presented in the general application instructions. Attach each application document to the electronic application form in PDF form.

Portfolio

In the portfolio, applicants display work that shows their artistic expression and design skills. The portfolio must contain diverse samples of the applicant’s previous artistic, professional and/or scientific activity, yet the maximum number of cases presented in the portfolio can be five (5).

The art and design work can be provided as illustrations or drawings, photographs or slides and technical drawings.

The work contained in the portfolio must be catalogued, listing at least the title and/or theme, materials used, size, purpose and year of completion of each piece. The catalogue must also detail where and when the work has been exhibited, displayed or published and whether the work is based on individual or group work. The contribution of the applicant in the work should be stated in case the work has been completed in a group. The applicant’s name, address and phone number and the degree program applied for must be indicated clearly on the portfolio.

The uploaded PDF-file should not exceed 100 MB. The intake committee will only evaluate the material displayed in the PDF-file. Links to external material (e.g. website) or video material will not be considered during the intake process.

CV

The application must include the applicant’s CV with personal data, educational background, work experience, exhibitions, publications and articles, awards and grants, study trips and positions of trust.

Motivation letter

Write a motivation letter explaining your reasons for applying for this programme and your particular interest(s) in the field as well as your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Describe your strengths and interests, your vision of design, fashion, clothing and textiles aspects related to your work, and your creative goals. You should also include your study plan indicating your core interests.

The motivation letter should answer to the following questions:

1. Why do you want to study in the Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design MA programme at Aalto University?
2. What are you aiming to do after completing the master’s programme?
3. What is the role of the master’s programme for your professional development?

The maximum length of the letter of motivation is 4000 characters.

Language of application documents

The application documents must be submitted in English.

Second stage

Part of the applicants are invited to the second stage. The invitation to the second stage is sent to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance.

Selected applicants will be invited for a face to face interview. The interviews can be conducted over Skype or telephone if necessary. The interview is intended to evaluate the applicant’s potential to complete the studies successfully.

Read more Fashion Clothing and Textile Design (FACT) community on their website