MACreative Direction for Fashion and Beauty
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- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
Why study a creative direction for fashion and beauty master's degree at Solent University
Take charge and lead a wealth of fashion and beauty brands to success with your innovative and creative vision on this practice-based master's degree.
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022)
- £0minvested in our campus estate and facilities in the last five years
- Fantastic industry standard on-site facilities include photo studios and an infinity cove for all your shoots, film studios, make-up studios, camera loans, location lighting kits, and Mac suites with the latest industry software.
- The course is taught by academics with extensive industry experience, and students can leverage these industry links when they are looking for work placements as part of their professional development module.
- Learn from a wide range of guest speakers. Previously, speakers have been from many brands including, Vogue, GQ, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Mac, and L'Oreal and personalities, Ateh Jewel, Caryn Franklin, Perry Curties, Wayne Johns, Bruce Smith, Elaine Waldron, and Maria Bonet.
- Free creative arts career consultation is delivered by our careers advice service, Solent Futures, which is available to all Solent students and graduates for life, helping you to progress in your current career or discuss options for a change in career.
- This course is eligible for a Postgraduate Master's student loan from Student Finance England and can be used to cover costs (ie, accommodation, tuition fees) associated with postgraduate studies (it was up to £12,167 for 2023 entry).
- You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.
Course overview
Are you a fashion or beauty enthusiast with a creative flair? Do you have a passion for directing visual storytelling? If so, this master's course is designed just for you! This programme is tailored for those who are keen to make a career in the fashion and beauty industry as a creative director, brand director, art director, or curator. Whether you come from a fashion or beauty background, or you are bringing together skills from your own creative journey, this programme will provide you with the knowledge and practical experience you need to become a successful creative director.
Take charge and lead a wealth of fashion and beauty brands to success with your innovative and creative vision on this practice-based MA in Creative Direction for Fashion and Beauty. Global fashion and beauty brands are built on visual messages - from fashion shows, brand imagery and product design, to the carefully considered collaborations with artists and celebrities, and innovative creative directors that strategically and analytically bring a brand's vision and personality to life.
On this course, you'll gain all the knowledge and tools you need to take your place in the industry and explore a range of different aspects of creative direction, understanding the broad spectrum of creative roles that exist in this profession, including brand director and art director.
The course is specifically aimed at those currently working in the fashion and beauty industry who are aspiring towards art direction, or those who have studied a fashion or beauty related undergraduate programme who are looking to enhance, specialise and elevate their skills, strategy, commercial, and analytical thinking.
Throughout the course you'll build your knowledge in image making, brand development, media publishing, event production, e-commerce and advertising.
Partnership with:
Student work
Our creative degrees allow our students to develop a critical eye for design with a knowledge of different design approaches and problem solving techniques. Take a look at some of the great work they produce.
Course features
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Apply direct
You can apply direct to Solent University for this course
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
This course is for
This course is specifically aimed at those currently working in the fashion and beauty industry who are aspiring towards art direction. The course content is ideal for building knowledge in magazine publishing, event production, e-commerce and advertising.
What this course leads to
After graduation, students will be able to apply their knowledge to a range of areas within fashion and beauty. Graduates may find themselves working with fashion and beauty brands, magazines, retail businesses, media production companies or communications agencies in roles such as:
- Magazine publication
- Event production
- E-commerce
- Advertising
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Students on this course have access to amazing on-site facilities, including industry-standard photo studios and a state of the art infinity cove for all your shoots. You'll also be able to use film studios, and make-up studios, as well as camera loans, location lighting kits, and Mac suites with the latest industry software.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
Year one
Core modules
Visual Perceptions and Practice
As future creative directors and professionals in the fashion, beauty and creative industries, you will have an extensive knowledge and appreciation of visual culture: you will be producers as well as consumers of visual culture. The module focusses on a range of practical image making and critical skills, ideas, and methods to enable you to build your knowledge, critical thinking and research in response to visual forms, ideas, and environments relevant for fashion and beauty and use these to inform original and innovative photography/image making practice.
Creative Direction
This module enables students to develop skills in creative direction, taking into account every stage of the creative process leading to the production of a professional standard outcome for the fashion or beauty industries. This module provides the opportunity to develop a visionary outcome that is appropriate to a specific audience, brand identity, purpose and platform.
Professional Development
This module, which focusses on the fashion, beauty and creative industries around the world, will equip students with advanced skills to enable them to research the industry they seek to work in and to critically analyse opportunities. Students will be supported to produce a career development plan including an element of work-based learning or professional research practice.
Master's Project: Proposal and Development
This module will focus on planning and preparing an academic proposal for your master's project or thesis. You will be taught how to successfully define, research and prepare for a substantial project that will bring to life research in interdisciplinary creative practice. Traditional research-based skills and knowledge will be explored in relation to contemporary research methodologies.
Master's Project or Master’s Dissertation
In this module students will design, execute and present an individually demanding piece of work that deploys a systematic and in-depth understanding of the skills and debates relevant to creative direction for fashion and beauty.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
Learn transferable skills
You will be supported to develop a range of transferable skills throughout the course. This includes programming, project management, problem-solving, analytical skills, technical writing, teamwork, communication and presentation skills.
These transferable skills empower you to work in a range of different industries after graduation. The course will also equip you with research and academic skills helping those who wish to pursue a PhD or an academic career.
Why choose a career in creative direction for fashion and beauty?
The UK is the third largest apparel and footwear market worldwide, after China and the United States, with a market size of approximately £57.92 billion pounds. (Euromonitor International). Learn the skills, build your portfolio and find your place among the half a million people already working in the fashion and beauty industry right here in the UK.Â
The fashion industry is constantly evolving and offers huge employment opportunities for talented graduates, both in the UK and overseas.Our graduates go on to a range of exciting careers, and graduates may find themselves working with fashion and beauty brands, magazines, retail businesses, media production companies or communications agencies in roles such as magazine publication, event productio, E-commerce or advertising.
Our course teams maintain excellent links with industry, enabling you to benefit from live briefs and the opportunity to engage with industry professionals through guest lectures in order to gain valuable industry insight – all boosting your future employability.
Throughout your studies you will also have the chance to cross-collaborate with students all of Solent’s creative courses – including image makers, designers, stylists, make-up artists, writers, film makers, media and marketing, as well as students with a more business and management focus. This provides excellent networking opportunities and the chance to gain insight into different areas of the fashion industry.
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Partnership with:
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
Research and knowledge exchange
Research doesn't just live in publications and journals - the effects of groundbreaking research can be found everywhere you look. That's why research at Solent has always been firmly rooted in industry needs and real-world application.
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Research at SolentTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,125 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,780 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 other costs were:
Optional costs
- Hard drive, hot show, memory card, styling materials, competition entry, and research travel.
- Optional trips: £250-£1,000 (various)
Alumni discount
Solent alumni are eligible for a 20% reduction of tuition fees if returning to study a postgraduate course.
Find out moreBursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Discover Solent University Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Find out what Southampton has to offer Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
An honours degree at 2:2 or higher.
- Applicants will be required to send a portfolio and may be contacted by video call.
- Alternatively, applicants may be considered with industry experience in one or more areas of the fashion industry, including retail, management, design or a related field.
We welcome applications from creative individuals who are passionate about the industry, have a creative flair and are able to think innovatively, as well as those who are able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
To be considered for the MA Creative Direction for Fashion and Beauty programme, we would expect applicants to have a bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience. We also look for evidence of creativity and innovation, whether that be through a portfolio of work, a personal brand/blog, or other relevant creative projects.
We are particularly interested in applicants who have a keen eye for detail, are able to develop a strong visual identity for a brand, and have a deep understanding of the fashion and beauty industry. Applicants should be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
In addition to the above, we are also looking for applicants who have a strong desire to learn and to develop their skills further. This programme is challenging and requires dedication, hard work, and commitment. Therefore, we are looking for applicants who are motivated, ambitious, and willing to go the extra mile to achieve their goals.
If you are passionate about the fashion and beauty industry and have the drive and determination to succeed as a creative director, brand director or art director then we would love to hear from you.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our 2023 course entry statement document.
An honours degree at2:2 or higher
Your application checklist
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. However, we strongly recommend you apply at your earliest convenience.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- A personal statement.
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.5 overall with no component score below 5.5
- TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Study options
Make your application
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
