Costume Design and Construction

Costume design and construction is a craft and creative discipline that sits at the heart of theatrical, film, and television production. A great costume does more than dress a character: it communicates who they are, where and when they live, and what they want, working in dialogue with lighting, set design, music, and performance to create a unified artistic experience. The designer must research the historical and cultural context of the production, develop a visual concept that serves the director's interpretation, and then work with constructors and suppliers to bring that concept to life within the practical constraints of budget, time, and the requirements of performance.

At Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, this four-year full-time programme teaches you to research, design, and construct costumes for performers of many kinds, across theatre, opera, dance, film, and television. You will develop skills in costume history, design drawing, pattern cutting, sewing, tailoring, dyeing, and the sourcing and adaptation of period and contemporary garments. Research is fundamental to costume design, and you will learn to investigate historical periods, cultural contexts, and character psychology with the depth needed to develop work that is both visually compelling and dramatically truthful.

You will also gain experience of the collaborative, deadline-driven environment of professional production, which is essential preparation for a career in the industry.

Graduates from costume design programmes work as costume designers, costume supervisors, cutters, costume makers, and wardrobe managers in theatre, television, film, opera, and dance. Many work as freelancers, developing a portfolio career across different productions and companies. Further study at postgraduate level in costume design, performance design, or theatre production is available for those who wish to develop their expertise or move into more senior design roles.