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Fashion and Textile Design, Master of Arts (Art and Design)
The Fashion and Textile (FaTe) major emphasises the integration of creative practice and critical thinking to address real-world challenges in the field of fashion and textiles. Students work to create environmentally and culturally sustainable solutions while developing the skills necessary for leadership in an industry in transition.
Degree:
Master of Arts (Art and Design)
Application period:
1 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026
Language of instruction:
English
Duration:
2 years,
full-time
Eligibility:
Relevant Bachelor's degree
Field of study:
Art and Design
Credits:
120 ECTS
Organising school:
School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Tuition fees:
For non-EU/EEA citizens, €20000/y (Master’s studies)
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Description
How can fashion and textile designers drive a transition to more responsible futures? In what ways can textiles embrace change? How can fashion promote social and cultural diversity and justice? What if clothing could convey knowledge about environmental impact?
The studies in theFashion and Textile Design major foster hands-on exploration and conceptual development grounded in critical thinking and practice-based knowledge. The students are encouraged to explore multidisciplinary collaboration, new technologies and materialities to expand their creative thinking and innovate design methods and solutions at a high artistic and professional level.
Fashion and Textile Design is one of the three majors of the Master’s Programme in Design, others being Contemporary Design and Collaborative and Industrial Design. In addition, the Master’s Programme in Design collaborates closely with the Master’s Programmes in Creative Sustainability and International Design Business Management. All are two-year programmes, whereby students graduate with a Master of Arts degree in Design.
Aalto University is globally ranked in the top ten in the field of art and design by QS World University Ranking. The world-class teaching and facilities ensure that, upon graduating from the study option, graduates are able to:
Please see the intended learning outcomes of the study option at the Programme page.
Language of instruction
The language of instruction in the Fashion and Textile Design major is English.
Tuition fees and scholarships
The tuition fee for this programme is 20 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.
Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.
More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.
Structure of studies
The Master’s Programme in Design – Fashion and Textile Design major comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. Main compulsory studies are selected from the major’s study offering. Students participate in joint studies of the Department of Design and produce a master’s thesis (30 ECTS). In addition, students choose elective studies according to their Personal Study Plan.
The first semester starts with an introductory course on different approaches to sustainability in textile and fashion design, along with a practice-based course on experimentations in material or shape. In addition to the further compulsory programme, the first-year curriculum includes alternative and elective studio-based and project-based courses. During the second year, the students focus on their master’s thesis and supporting elective courses.
For more information about studies see Student guide under Curriculum
Fashion and Textile Design .
Master's Programme in Design
Specialisations
The specialisations in the Fashion and Textile Design Major are oriented towards material-led or shape-led practices in a commercial or experimental context.
The study plan builds on the knowledge gained in previous studies and encourages students to tailor their personal study path with offerings from other majors and programmes. The student's academic advisor assists in defining the scope and content of alternative and elective studies - including a possible minor or internship. Graduating within the two-year target period is achieved through careful planning of personal studies.
Internationalisation
Upon joining Aalto University, students are welcomed to an international community of competent, creative and responsible individuals. 15% of the students and 40% of the faculty in the University come from across the world, bridging students with the global design network. The School of Arts, Design and Architecture has strong connections to other leading design schools and universities across the globe. Students are encouraged to apply for internships and exchange studies and gain experience by participating in international competitions, exhibitions, conferences and trade fairs to further enrich their learning path.
Further study opportunities
Fashion and Textile Design graduates have the necessary knowledge to continue their studies towards a doctoral degree at Aalto University or at another university in Finland or abroad. Research groups at Aalto University, especially in the Department of Design, have been able to offer thesis topics that are integrated into ongoing research projects and provide research assistant opportunities for FaTe students.
Career opportunities
Master studies prepare graduates to advance their professional careers towards their personal interest and specialisation within the field. Graduates have the skills and knowledge needed to pursue professional careers in the fashion and/or textile design industries, related media, and education in a global setting. Some of our alumni work as fashion and textile designers and creative directors, and many establish their own businesses. Master’s studies also prepare students for a career in academic and corporate research.
Research focus
Design research in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture is at the international forefront of sustainable fashion and textile design, practice-based design, human-centred design and co-design. Our research environment fosters goal-oriented research, imaginative experimentation, critical debate and transdisciplinary collaboration.
Co-operation with other parties
Multidisciplinary collaboration between the six Aalto University schools is extensive. The School of Arts, Design and Architecture has a long tradition of successfully collaborating with external partners on projects and courses and maintains close relationships with various external stakeholders. We work with businesses, scientists, technologists, sociologists, policy makers, public sector organisations and communities of interest to create a more just and sustainable world.
Companies, research institutes, for-profit, not-for-profit and public organisations frequently reach out ÄűĂʵĽş˝ University as one of the leading design schools in Europe, to work with students on real-world societal problems and business opportunities.
Apply to master’s programmes
Study-option-specific Evaluation Criteria in Master's Admissions 2026
Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master’s Programme in Design - Fashion and Textile Design (FaTe) will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
Phase I
| Artistic and/or design practice (1) | |
| What is evaluated | Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments |
|
What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Artistic and design skills and insights, ability to create fresh and inventive design solutions individually and in teams, vision and creative thinking​, conceptualisation skills, ability to open the design processes behind featured projects, design skills and technical competence relevant to the field |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Portfolio |
| Suitability (1) | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Motivation, commitment​ and goal-orientation, creative thinking,​Vision​, Focus of the studies in the programme, writing and language skills​ |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter |
| Relevance of previous studies | |
| What is evaluated | Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of art and design or completed equivalent studies in the field of fashion, clothing and textile design. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Academic performance | |
| What is evaluated | Grades of the previous degree(s) |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of art and design or completed equivalent studies fashion, clothing and textile design. Following course grades are emphasised: artistic and design skills, theoretical competence, bachelor thesis. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Other areas of competence | |
| What is evaluated | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Study time​, work experience, internships​, activity in studies, competitions, exhibitions etc.​ |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Curriculum vitae |
Phase II
| Suitability (2) | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Communication and language skills​, suitability and talent for the field, Readiness to challenge own learning and thinking, motivation for the field, commitment and study plan |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Interview |
| Artistic and/or design practice (2) | |
| What is evaluated | Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Originality, ability to open the design processes behind featured projects, vision and creative thinking​ |
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Portfolio The portfolio submitted in the first phase will be the base for evaluation. |
The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases:
Phase I
In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Artistic and/or design practice (1)
- Suitability (1)/Motivation letter
- Relevance of previous studies
- Academic performance
- Other areas of competence
Descriptions of the selection criteria can be found in the above tables.
Only the applicants who ranked highest in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.
Phase II
Part of the applicants are invited to the second phase. The invitation to the second phase is sent to the applicants at latest seven days in advance. Selected applicants will be invited to an interview, which will be conducted online.
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria
- Suitability (2)/Interview
- Artistic and/or design practice (2)
Descriptions of the selection criteria can be found in the above tables.
The interview is intended to evaluate the applicant’s potential to complete the studies successfully.
The final selection decisions will be made based on the evaluation conducted in Phase II.
The documents required from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website: /en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes. In addition, applicants to this study-option are required to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
In the portfolio, applicants display work that shows their artistic expression and design skills. The portfolio must contain diverse samples of the applicant’s previous artistic, professional and/or scientific activity, yet the maximum number of cases presented in the portfolio can be five (5). The art and design work can be provided as illustrations or drawings, photographs of slides and technical drawings.
The work contained in the portfolio must be catalogued, listing at least the title and/or theme, materials used, size, purpose and year of completion of each piece. The catalogue must also detail where and when the work has been exhibited, displayed or published and whether the work is based on individual or group work. The applicant's contribution to the work should be stated in case the work has been completed in a group. The applicant’s name, address, phone number, and the degree program applied for must be indicated clearly on the portfolio.
The portfolio should be uploaded as a single PDF-file. Maximum size for the portfolio is 30 MB and it can include maximum of 14 pages, larger ones will not be evaluated, even if the system allows uploading larger ones. Name the file as: Portfolio-surname-firstname.pdf. The intake committee will only evaluate the material displayed in the PDF file. Links to external material (e.g. website) or video material will not be considered during the intake process. The portfolios may be examined on a laptop display of ca. 14”. It is highly advisable to use e.g., 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio.
The submitted portfolio will be used to demonstrate competence in both Phase I and Phase II of the selection process.
Motivation letter
Write a motivation letter explaining your reasons for applying for this major and your particular interest(s) in the field as well as your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.
Describe your strengths and interests, your vision of design, fashion, clothing and textiles aspects related to your work, and your creative goals. You should also include your study plan indicating your core interests.
The motivation letter should answer to the following questions:
1.Why do you want to study in the Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design major at Aalto University?
2.What are you aiming to do after completing the master’s programme?
3.What is the role of the master’s programme for your professional development?
The maximum length of the motivation letter is 2000 characters, including spaces.
Curriculum vitae
The application must include the applicant’s CV with personal data, educational background, work experience, exhibitions, publications and articles, awards and grants, study trips and positions of trust.
Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
Eligible applicants for the programme have earned a Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) or completed equivalent studies.
Language of application documents
All the application documents should be submitted in English.
Learn more about fashion and textile design at Aalto
AaltoTEXTILES is a network linking all textile-material related activities within design, technology and business at Aalto University
Aalto fashion is a creative community that explores fashion in its diverse expressions. The platform showcases the works of Fashion BA and MA of Aalto.
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Contact information
Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.
arts-admissions@aalto.fi
Admissions Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.
admissions@aalto.fi