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Art History: Dress and Textile Histories at University of Glasgow - UCAS

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2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

This Masters provides you with the skills to research and interpret everyday clothing, fashion and textiles in historical contexts. The programme introduces you to theoretical and object-based approaches through a combination of taught and research-based components, showing you how historic dress and textiles can be studied both in their own right and as a means to understand the past. Close links with local and national archives, libraries and museums, including Glasgow Museums and the Victoria & Albert Museum, means the programme offers you a unique insight into the study, curation, interpretation and preservation of historic dress and textile collections. WHY THIS PROGRAMME

  • Alongside our own specialist in-house staff, you’ll also meet visiting experts in dress and textile history, art history, historical dress curation, and cultural heritage and design. Together, they’ll demonstrate how dress and textile histories can be studied and applied in professional contexts.
  • Glasgow is the ideal city in which to study dress & textile history because of its vibrant local textile heritage and close links to national institutions. You will have the chance to engage with and learn from locally and nationally significant collections including the Scottish Business Archives at the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Museums and National Museums Scotland.
  • The core and optional courses give you the opportunity to conduct archival and object-based study for a range of chronological periods, offering hands-on experience and practical research skills.
  • The work placement option enables you to develop your professional expertise within the heritage sector.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE You will:
  • Take three core courses
  • Take three optional courses
  • Research and write a dissertation
Semester 1: September to December
  • CORE 1: Framing Dress and Textile Histories
  • CORE 2: Research Methods and Skills
  • One optional course
Semester 2: January to March
  • CORE 3: Applying Dress and Textile Histories
  • Two optional courses
Optional courses Optional courses may include, but are not limited to:
  • Shaping Modern Artefacts: Material Form and Function
  • Understanding Textiles: Technology
  • Victorian Visions: Dress and Textiles, c.1837-1901
  • Material Cultures
  • Ethics for Artefacts: Modern Materials
  • Work Placement
  • Level 5 course in History of Art
  • Level 5 course from those available within the College of Arts & Humanities subject to the approval of the programme convenor
Please note that not all optional courses run every year. Dissertation Dissertation Programme alteration or discontinuation CAREER PROSPECTS The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract. The attributes you gain from the programme will be attractive to employers from museums, the heritage sector, art dealers and auction houses. Other potential career paths include theatre, film and television production as a costume researcher or designer. The programme also offers an excellent foundation upon which to progress to PhD study and an academic career. Listen to our Sound Tracks Podcast with alumni Kirsty Hassard: Knowing Your Value & Shining In the Competitive Museum Sector

How to apply

International applicants

International applicant information can be found via gla.ac.uk by searching for 'international'.

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Arts or Humanities (including Textile or Fashion Design) is preferred but we may consider other backgrounds. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of qualifications. Suitable experience could include roles in cultural heritage (such as museums, galleries, or archives), working with curators, exhibitions, or cataloguing. Professional qualifications may also be taken into account. Please provide a professional reference related to your work experience. Please include a short personal statement of around 500 words outlining your interest in this programme and a current CV. We also require an academic writing sample of 2000-3000 words.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

All fees are published on the University of Glasgow website. https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/feesandfunding/

Sponsorship information

Sponsorship and funding information can be found via gla.ac.uk by searching for 'scholarships'.

Art History: Dress and Textile Histories at University of Glasgow - UCAS