13May
UndergraduateCourse summary
MA Textiles – Contemporary Dialogues at Swansea College of Art offers a unique opportunity to explore both the material and immaterial aspects of textiles in an exciting and thought-provoking way. As part of the MA Contemporary Dialogues portfolio, you will be encouraged to engage with contemporary issues and undertake material exploration, helping you develop your own creative identity. This course is designed for individuals keen to push boundaries, combining both critical and theoretical dialogues as essential components of your journey. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to work across a wide range of workshops, including photography, glass, ceramics, surface pattern and, of course, textiles. This interdisciplinary approachencourages you to experiment with both traditional textile techniques and new processes, exploring how different materials can enhance your work. Through collaborating with peers, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how textiles intersect with other art forms and industries, broadening your creative perspective. You will have the opportunity to work with both hand-made and digital textile processes, providing a balance between traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation. Writing and text can also be considered as forms of textile making and thinking, offering a creative way to reflect on your practice and develop new ideas. The course culminates in a student-led exhibition, providing you with a platform to showcase your work and reflect on your learning. These final pieces will demonstrate how your practice has evolved, combining material investigation with an understanding of the wider cultural and environmental issues affecting textiles today. This MA Textiles course will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the world of contemporary textiles, preparing you for a future shaped by textile innovation and social responsibility.
Modules
Throughout the course, you’ll explore the relationship between traditional and contemporary textile approaches, examining how different perspectives and practices can coexist. You’ll be encouraged to experiment with conceptual thinking, blending hand-made and digital textiles to push the boundaries of design. Compulsory Coexistent Perspectives (20 credits) The Thought Experiment (20 credits) Collaborative Dialogues (20 credits) Explorative Research & Praxis (60 credits) Confirmative Praxis (60 credits)
Assessment method
Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written practical and presented. There is a 4,000-word theoretical essay with a poster presentation in Semester 1, and a 5,000-word report in Semester 3, which accompanies the practical work. There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module. Summative assessment takes place at the end of a module, which includes a presentation of the work to the assessment team. A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course, which includes, among others: Tutorials These tutorials are held on a regular basis. In Semester 1, full-time/Year 1, part-time, each student sees and discusses his/her work with a member of staff as part of each module. In Semesters 2 and 3, full-time/Years 2 and 3, part-time, students work more independently and sign up for tutorials within, or across, their discipline, in addition to those scheduled when their work requires support. As a team, we ensure that every student in the final semester/year of the course is seen by at least one member of the academic staff each week. Group Tutorials/Seminars These are held on a regular basis, across all stages of the course, with one member of staff. They provide an excellent opportunity for students to share and exchange ideas with their peers in a structured manner, in addition to valuable input from staff. Informal & Formal presentations Some of the modules have a presentation of ideas as part of the module outcome and are an essential way of sharing ideas across the course. Presenting work informally to peers is also part of seminar teaching and a way of getting valuable feedback on the progress of the work. Exhibiting work At the end of the course, there is an opportunity, if appropriate, to show outcomes from the course in a curated exhibition. Students are also supported to create their own exhibitions during the middle part of the course if they wish to do so.
Entry requirements
2:2 honours degree or UWTSD recognised equivalent. We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Please note, this master’s programme does require practical and theoretical research as well as some academic writing. We arrange interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. Your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Acceptable Evidence of English
https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/apply/international-applications/english-language-requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £7800 | Whole course |
| EU | £16800 | Whole course |
| England | £7800 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £7800 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £7800 | Whole course |
| Wales | £7800 | Whole course |
| Channel Islands | £7800 | Whole course |
| International | £16800 | Whole 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
Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources which, in most cases, is sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs in the extension of their personal practice. Examples include purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining optional study trips, and paying for printing.
Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately £10 to visit local galleries and exhibitions, to £200 plus for overseas or longer UK study visits. These costs cover things such things as transport, entry to venues and accommodation, and are normally at reduced rates for our students.
Provider information
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
College Road
Carmarthen
SA31 3EP