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Year 1
The first year introduces you to art and design practices, learning specialist hand embroidery techniques and skills. As the year progresses, you'll work on set projects to explore contemporary approaches to the subject, including theory work to place your studies into context.
Research and Experimentation One
This introductory unit will enable you to explore a range of visual research methodologies, design processes and experimental approaches to drawing, fabric manipulation and mixed media materials; to inform your emerging practice of hand embroidery.RSN Technical Hand Embroidery
This unit will introduce you to the practice of hand embroidery, exploring a syllabus of Royal School of Needlework formal stitch structures and technical processes. This practical knowledge and learning will underpin all your future hand embroidery practice and directly inform the subsequent application to contemporary contexts. The unit is taught by RSN trained Tutors and you will learn specialist hand embroidery stitches, techniques and processes.There is a studio fee to ensure everyone has access to the same high quality materials for the Technical Stitch units. This will be approximately £180 for first year students and approximately £225 for second year students.
Hand Embroidery in Context
In this unit, you'll study hand embroidery within the wider cultural field. You will also be introduced to some key resources for hand embroidery including visits to galleries, museums and archives. Using key methodologies including critical reviews of exhibitions and material culture analysis you will be able to build your skills in observation, investigation and enquiry.Hand Embroidery Practice
The unit will introduce you to contemporary hand embroidery and textile processes taught through a series of practical workshops and studio based projects. This unit will enable you to fully utilise a range of new visual research and design methods for a series of designated project briefs; you will be expected to experiment widely. -
Year 2
The second year is an opportunity to direct your practice towards a specialist area of interest. You'll progress onto more advanced techniques, including Tambour embroidery, and work towards external competitions and projects. Your theory work will enable you to explore the wider area of textile practice.
Research and Experimentation Two
This unit will enable you to create a portfolio of ambitious and original visual and practice based research and experimentation. You'll be expected to further your knowledge of visual research methodologies, design development processes and experimental approaches to hand embroidery. This will inform your evolving practice of hand embroidery and enable you to begin to establish a context for your practice.RSN Advanced Technical Hand Embroidery
This unit aims to provide you with an advanced vocabulary of RSN hand embroidery, exploring a syllabus of hand embroidery techniques for a defined context. Building from the unit RSN Technical Hand Embroidery, this unit will teach you advanced RSN hand embroidery processes using specialist materials and equipment. The syllabus will be delivered through taught practical workshops with technical support during supervised time in studio/ workshop.There is a studio fee to ensure everyone has access to the same high quality materials for the Technical Stitch units. This will be approximately £180 for first year students and approximately £225 for second year students.
Textiles in Context
This unit enables you to position your own hand embroidery practice in relation to the wider textiles context. The unit addresses a variety of textile practices with regard to design and conceptual methodologies, design trends, textile production, mediation and consumption.Live Project
Provides you with the opportunity to develop a personal response to one or more ‘live’ or simulated project briefs which enable you to further advance your knowledge of hand embroidery. -
Year 3
In your third year, you'll engage with practice-based research led by proposal. You will complete a dissertation, whilst also developing a major project supported by professional practice. Your final collection and portfolio will be showcased in a selected exhibition.
Contextualising Practice
This unit consists of a period of sustained, individually negotiated academic research which directly informs and is informed by your hand embroidery practice.Research and Experimentation for Major Project
The unit provides you with the opportunity to critically examine and advance your practice and define the context of your practice in preparation for the double Unit ‘Major Project’. You will be required to complete a Student Learning Agreement (SLA) for this unit.Major Project
Your Major Project written proposal will be defined by the outcomes which have been produced and critically evaluated in the unit Research and Experimentation for Major Project. Your Major Project should be original, ambitious, and challenging, using concepts and techniques, which are at the forefront of your practice. This is a double unit and comprises 50% of the overall unit credits of Year Three. -
Fees and additional course costs
Tuition fees
The course fees per year for 2021 entry are:- UK students - £9,250
- International and EU students - £16,950 (standard fee)
- International and EU students - £16,270 (full early payment fee)
Additional course costs
For students studying at the Royal School of Needlework, there is a studio fee to make sure everyone has access to the same high-quality materials for the Technical Stitch units. This will be approximately £250 for first year students and approximately £350 for second year students. For more information please see the additional course costs for 2021 entry.Further information
Find out more about our course fees and any financial support you may be entitled to:These fees are correct for the stated academic year only. Costs may increase each year during a student’s period of continued registration on course in line with inflation (subject to any maximum regulated tuition fee limit). Any adjustment for continuing students will be at or below the RPI-X forecast rate.
Renowned for the creative expertise of its students and graduates, the Royal School of Needlework degree students have been selected to work on a number of high-profile commissions.
Our recent connections have included:
- Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen: hand embroidery for the wedding dress of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge
- Red Carpet Green Dress: hand embroidery for the Oscar dress worn by actress Naomie Harris
- Nicholas Oakwell Couture for the GREAT Britain campaign, an ostrich feather embellished couture gown modelled by Erin O’Connor and worn by Cheryl Versini-Fernandez at the UK X-Factor Live finals
- Hussein Chalayan for Paris Fashion Week
- Patrick Grant and E.Tautz for London Collections Men
- Giles Deacon for London Fashion Week
- Jasper Conran for London Fashion Week
- Liberty Art Fabrics Interiors and the V&A Museum of Childhood’s ‘Small Stories: At Home in a Doll’s House’
- Marks & Spencer and Oxfam ‘Love Mum – Shwop’ campaign.