BA (Hons) Costume Construction

University Centre South Essex

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 develop a broad skill set and work in a way that mirrors industry practice. They often study costumes across opera, dance, theatre, musical theatre, performance art, film and television.

Since 2015, the degree has been run in collaboration with the Royal Ballet and Opera in order to give students access to some of the most beautiful costumes in theatre and invaluable insights into professional production practices. The students have access to the RBO Costume Store and Collections Archives in Thurrock.

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

Marking 10 years

To mark the 10th anniversary of the programme, the Royal Ballet and Opera partnered with University Centre South Essex to curate an exhibition about the degree. The exhibition explored the course’s content, shared graduate career paths, and presented a variety of work completed by students over the years.

Gallery

A modern gallery space with wooden ceiling panels, large framed photos and text about the Royal Ballet and Opera Prize on the walls, a mannequin in a colourful dress, and a suit of armour displayed on the right.
Showcasing 10 Years of Partnership, Suit of Armour by Jack Day; RBO Prize 2025 Award Winner
A whimsical sculpture with red-and-white striped pants, oversized yellow shoes, and a metallic tub-like body decorated with plush, colourful objects, displayed indoors on a marble floor with a wood-panelled background.
Costume made by Kerry-Louise Childs for a personal project, Widow Twankey, Aladdin
A modern gallery space with wooden ceiling panels, large framed photos and text about the Royal Ballet and Opera Prize on the walls.
Showcasing 10 Years of Partnership, the RBO Prize and Costume Apprenticeships
A green ballet tutu with gold and black accents displayed on a black mannequin against a wood-panelled wall with warm lighting, on a wooden pedestal.
Costume made by Rachel Kidd for a personal project, Corps de Ballet, Wicked 
A mannequin displays an off-the-shoulder, knee-length, pale pink dress with puffed sleeves and floral appliqués, set against a wooden wall with the number 1 and warm lighting.
Costume made by Hannah Quin for a personal project, Corps de Ballet, Onegin

RBO Prize

The final project for third year students is called the RBO Prize. The RBO Prize is a competition set by the RBO Costume Department for University Centre South Essex 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.

RBO Prize 2025

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

  • Jack Day awarded for Creativity and Characterisation
  • Lucy Simpson awarded for Technical Ability

Gallery

Jack Day - Alice, Model: Erin Fortey, Photographer Jack Day
Lucy Simpson - Pink Flower, Model: Kathryn Fewings, Photographer: Grace Pictures
Megan-Grace Darby - White Rabbit, Model: Amelia Kutrowska, Photographer: Megan-Grace/ Ella Roffey
Amelia Kutowska - Cheshire Cat, Model: Klaudia Suder, Photographer: Amelia Kutrowska
Winter Willow - Lantern, Model: Scout Duffin, Photographer: Winter Willow
Libby Rose - Queen of Hearts, Model: Mia Olivia, Photographer Libby Rose
Jade Burnett - White Rabbit, Model: John Marshall, Photographer: Beccy Price
Erin Fortey - Queen of Hearts, Model: Daisy Pearson, Photographer: Jacob Jepps
Clare Rose - Alice, Model: Lucy Manning, Photographer: Clare Rose
Mia Olivia - Absolem, Model: Libby Rose, Photographer: Mia Olivia
Lucy Manning - Alice, Model: Jade Burnett, Photographer: Lucy Manning

RBO Prize 2024

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

Gallery

Carmen by Poppy Hillman-Crouch, Model: Rebecca Gill, Photographer: Terry Crouch
Escamilla by Rose Hibbert, Model: Lily Bowman, Photographer: Rose Hibbert
Frasquita by Corrine Beaumont, Model: Delga Martineau, Photographer: Corrine Beaumont
Escamillo by Delga Martineau, Model: Tomo Gale, Photographer: Delga Martineau
Carmen by Donna Stewart, Model: Poppy Hillman-Crouch, Photographer: Donna Stewart
Don José by Eden Davis-White, Model: Brandon Davis-White, Photographer: Eden Davis-White
Carmen by Kerry-Louise Childs, Model: Sarah Knight, Photographer: Kerry-Louise Childs
Escamillo by Lindi Dodd, Model: Gavin Dodd, Photographer: Lindi Dodd
Dancair by Lisa Dear, Model: Neil Dear, Photographer: Lisa Dear
Don José by Rebecca Gill, Model: Martin Gill, Photographer: Gavin Prior, Sophie Gill

Find out more

For further information on this degree course, please contact programme leader Emma Bowers.

Find out more about the courseEmail programme leader

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