BA (Hons) Costume Construction

The BA (Hons) Costume Construction programme at University Centre South Essex places an emphasis on the knowledge and use of both historical and contemporary pattern cutting, construction, textiles and finishing techniques. Students often study costumes in opera, dance, theatre, musical theatre, performance art, film and television.

Since 2015, the degree has been run in collaboration with the Royal Opera House in order to give access to some of the most beautiful costumes in theatre. The students have access to the ROH Costume Store and Collections Archives in Thurrock.

The final project for third year students is called the ROH Prize. The ROH Prize is a competition set by the ROH Costume Department for University Centre South Essex students students. The competition enables students to demonstrate their technical and creative costume-making skills, culminating in a final exhibition in the Linbury Foyer at the Royal Opera House. Two winners are announced each year.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

• Poppy Hillman-Crouch awarded for Creativity and Characterisation
• Rose Hibbert awarded for Technical Ability

Graduates of the programme have gone on to work at the Royal Opera House in a variety of roles as well as across the costume industry.

Scroll the gallery below to see some examples of students’ work.