This programme is for anyone with a passion for costume and a strong interest in the performing arts. If you have found yourself excited by costume in theatre, film, opera, musicals or dance, and longed to be involved in the creation of memorable and exciting images through costume, then this course is for you. 

Costume students are creative thinkers, inquisitive and open to new ideas, they are natural problem solvers and good communicators. You don’t need to be proficient in pattern cutting skills just yet, but if you want to be a Performance Costume student, you will be open to learning these skills.    

From the start, as a student of Performance Costume, you’ll be immersed in an exciting programme of discovery. You’ll explore the role of art and design in a modern society and, in particular, the role of costume design in the performing arts.  

The Performance Costume programme offers specialist training in both Costume Design and Making for stage and screen. You’ll learn how to respond to text, music and performance concepts and to develop designs for costume that are simultaneously innovative and supportive of the performer’s role. You’ll develop a repertoire of core skills, ranging from research, design for character, textiles, millinery, computer skills and illustration to pattern cutting and costume construction.

There are many career opportunities for our graduates including costume designers, costume makers, costume assistants, costume supervisors for the screen and stage industry. 

The professional skills and abilities developed on the programme prepare our graduates for a rewarding career path in the creative industries. Our graduates have an excellent track record of employment across the world including: Dune, Wheel of Time, Shadow and Bones, Downton Abbey, The Father, Game of Thrones, Outlander, The Crown, the Royal Opera house, Scottish Opera, National Theatre, Northern Ballet and the V&A. 

If you'd like to study on an undergraduate programme at Edinburgh College of Art, you must apply through UCAS. You can find out how to do this on the University of Edinburgh website, where you'll also be able to: 

• See the structure of the programme and what you will study each year
• See detailed entrance requirements for each programme on the Degree Finder
• Get information on what to expect after you apply
• Find out about fees
• Find out where to go for further advice and guidance.

You can find information and guidance about submitting a portfolio for entry in 2025 on our undergraduate portfolio guidance page. 

Undergraduate portfolio guidance | Edinburgh College of Art