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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 1
Provides you with the underpinning research, visual and design skills necessary to inspire, inform and extend your hand embroidery practice.Introduction to RSN Technical Stitch
Introduces you to the practice of hand embroidery, exploring a syllabus of formal stitch structures. These include canvas work, blackwork, crewelwork, silk shading and foundation goldwork.
There is a studio fee to ensure everyone has access to the same high quality materials for the Technical Stitch units. This is approximately £130 for first year students and approximately £60 for second year students.Textiles in Context 1
Contextual frameworks for textiles within fashion, interiors and textile arts will be introduced in order to locate your practice within the wider cultural field. You'll also be introduced to some key resources for your understanding of the critical and contextual aspects of textiles, including London and UCA museums and archives.Application for Fashion, Interiors, Textile Art
Introduces you to methods of structuring a 500 word personal research proposal in response to a set project brief. You'll be expected to utilise your knowledge of hand embroidery processes in relation to the disciplines of fashion, interiors or textile art. -
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 2
Builds from the knowledge and experience you've gained. This unit enables you to develop and further your knowledge of visual research methodologies, design development processes and experimental approaches to stitch which will inform your evolving practice of hand embroidery and direct your work towards a defined outcome.RSN Technical Stitch for Fashion, Interiors, Textile Art
Provides you with an advanced level of practical skills in hand embroidery. You'll explore a syllabus of stitch structures including whitework, raised work and advanced goldwork.
There is a studio fee to ensure everyone has access to the same high quality materials for the Technical Stitch units. This is approximately £130 for first year students and approximately £60 for second year students.Textiles in Context 2
Encourages you to position your own practice in fashion, interiors and textile art by recourse to a variety of theories, contextual frameworks and critical evaluations. It introduces a variety of research methods to facilitate independent study towards coherent, self-reflective argument in written form.Live Project
Provides you with the opportunity to develop a personal response to one or more 'live' or simulated project(s) to advance your knowledge of hand embroidery practice within the areas of fashion, interiors or textile art. -
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.
Research and Experimentation 3
You'll begin this unit by preparing and presenting an illustrated PowerPoint proposal of 500 words with supporting bibliography/literature review. This will be presented to staff and peers and will communicate the key elements of your conceptual, practical, technical, aesthetic and theoretical intentions for the unit.Combined Dissertation or Critical Reflection
A substantial period of sustained, individually negotiated research on a subject that's likely to be related to the contextual and/or theoretical concerns of your discipline or chosen area of practice, towards the provision of structured written argument.Major Project for Fashion, Interiors, Textile Art
Your major project should be original, ambitious, and challenging, using concepts and techniques which are at the forefront of your discipline. The final outcome/collection/portfolio/artefact will be located within one of the following areas: fashion, interiors, textile art or a related area. You will conclude the unit by presenting a resolved and professionally presented outcome/collection/portfolio/artefact. -
Fees and additional course costs
Tuition fees
The course fees per year for 2019 entry are:- UK and EU students - £9,250
- International students - £15,500 (standard fee)
- International students - £14,880 (full early payment fee)
The fees for 2020 entry have not been confirmed but will be listed here as soon as possible.
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 £180 for first year students and approximately £225 for second year students. For more details please see the additional course costs for 2019 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.