BA Performance Costume
About this course
BA (Hons) in Performance Costume, a drama degree focused on costume design and making for stage and screen. Core topics include Research Methods. The course culminates in a written dissertation and a final body of practical costume work. The first year introduces sewing, textiles and construction skills alongside drawing for character skills, life drawing and illustration, and designing costumes for text and character. The second year expands the design process through practical tutorials in pattern cutting and sewing, set design and model making, life drawing, textiles, and computer skills, while producing a design book and making one costume. The third year builds advanced pattern cutting through historical pattern cutting, a Design and Screen Cultures course, and the creation of two costumes from design work including a historically-inspired piece. The final year involves selecting independent concepts and projects, completing a written dissertation, producing a design book for each project, and making two costumes from personal design work.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 12%: 22 offers from 177 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 100%
- Assessment and feedback: 96%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 97%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 12 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Skilled trades occupations: 20%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 20%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 15%
- South East: 10%
- Scotland: 55%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 60%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Foundation course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 25%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- designing costumes for text and character
- sewing, textiles and construction skills
- drawing for character skills, life drawing and illustration
- develop a greater understanding of the design process through practical tutorials in pattern cutting and sewing
- be introduced to set design and model making and a variety of skills workshops
- make one costume from your design work
- learn to produce a design book, as a means of editing and showcasing your design work
- take courses that include life drawing, textiles and computer skills
- develop your pattern cutting skills through the study of historical pattern cutting
- make two costumes from your design work, one of which will be historically-inspired
- take a further Design and Screen Cultures course
- select your own concepts and projects to design for in your final year of study
- develop confidence in research methods and the expression of ideas through your ability to consider your theoretical and practical work in its context
- complete a written dissertation
- consolidate your practice and research through the production of a final body of design and costume work
- design for two projects of your choice in consultation with your tutors
- produce a design book for each project and make two costumes from this personal design work
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Performance Costume at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £24,500 after 15 months, £22,000 after 3 years, £27,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,000 and £36,000. The £27,000 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Drama.
What do graduates of BA Performance Costume at University of Edinburgh do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Performance Costume at University of Edinburgh?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Performance Costume at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 162 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Performance Costume at University of Edinburgh?
12% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 22 offers from 177 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Performance Costume at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Performance Costume at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.