About the programme
The Costume Craft Programme is a fully funded, intensive educational opportunity that delivers a sustainable and interdisciplinary approach to developing skills for the costume making industry.
Through the generous support of our partner, Amazon MGM Studios, the programme covers all tuition, materials, and travel required for work experience. In addition, students receive a monthly bursary of £1,500 to support the cost of living throughout their studies.
The programme takes place at The King’s Foundation headquarters at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It focuses on hands-on craftsmanship and technical production skills craft skills relevant to the costume industry. The craft forms include:
- Leather Craft Skills
- Embroidery
- Natural dying and fabric care
- Sewing and construction techniques tailored to screen and stage costume
- Wool / Natural Fibre knowledge
- Principles of Harmony
- Mentorship programme from Industry experts
- Sustainable practice within costume making
- Business skills
Key dates
Course dates: September 2025 – April 2026
Application deadlines
- Application date: Sunday 6th July 2025
- Second application date: Monday 21st July 2025
We appreciate that the summer can be a very busy period for those who have recently graduated and wanted to offer a second deadline for applications however please note that priority will be given to those for the first deadline and would give any successful applicants more time between the start date to organise moving to Scotland.
Therefore, we do advise that you get your applications in for the first round of applications; however, we will offer any remaining spaces out to those applicants in the second round.
Deadline 1:
Applications close 6th July 2025 (round 1)
Interview dates : 17th / 18th July 2025 (applicants that have successfully progressed onto the interview stage will hear by 10th July) Please note interviews will take place at Dumfries House in Scotland.
Deadline 2:
Applications close 21st July 2025 (round 2)
Interview date: 12th August (applicants that successfully progressed onto the interview stage will hear by 1st August) Please note interviews will take place at Dumfries House in Scotland.
The course start date is 8th September 2025.
Teaching and learning
The programme is studio-based, and we require students to have a collaborative approach to teaching and learning. As this is a fully funded postgraduate-level programme, provided through the generosity of our partnership with Amazon MGM Studios, we have high expectations regarding studentship, studio etiquette, productivity and outcomes.
Taught sessions will encourage students to develop their own learning style, create new ideas and learn specialist techniques, as well as featuring group discussions and tutorials. Peer-on-peer support and a positive, collective learning experience are essential requirements of students.
Students will be given the opportunity to reflect upon gained knowledge and skill training during personal tutorial sessions. We encourage students to reflect on their achievements and performance through on-going personal evaluation.
Tutorials, critiques and/or work reviews form an integral part of the programme, and students will see a variety of guest tutors throughout the programme. Students will be supported by a project manager, throughout the duration of the programme.
Self-directed sessions are scheduled throughout the programme and should be used effectively. Students are encouraged to prioritise and time-manage their own learning schedule around the timetabled schedule.
Programme structure
The Costume Craft Programme is divided into two main phases, spanning September 2025 to April 2026:
Phase One – September 2025-December 2025
Students develop a broad range of technical and craft skills relevant to the costume industry. These include sewing production for screen and stage, traditional embellishment techniques, surface decoration, and dyeing. This phase will also include an industry work placement with a UK-based costume house or studio.
Phase Two- January 2026 – April 2026
The programme culminates in an independent project, where students design and produce a costume-led outcome that reflects their specialisms and personal interests.
What the programme includes
- Specialist skills training from The King’s Foundation tutors.
- The opportunity to develop a unique portfolio, designed to improve your technical dexterity, skill, accuracy and design development.
- Industry visits and research days to gain inspiration from the Dumfries House Estate and explore UK costume and textile heritage.
- Access to beautifully appointed studios, free materials and intensive, expert tuition by various established industry specialists and educators in the UK.
- Opportunities to develop your personal career plan and further refine your portfolio and presentation skills for a career in the Costume Industry.
- Application of textiles and sewing techniques to a professional standard.
- Travel and accommodation for work placement.
- A bursary of £1,500 per month towards the cost of living.
Location
Dumfries House
The duration of the programme will be at Dumfries House based in Cumnock in East Ayrshire in Scotland. You will be required to relocate to Scotland for the duration of the programme.
Dumfries House is around 30-minute drive from local large towns such as Ayr or Kilmarnock, with bus routes to the estate’s outskirts. Please note that by utilising public transport this will also require a short walk through the estate (around 20 minutes) to the Textile Centre location.
You may also consider accommodation in nearby towns such as Cumnock, Auchinleck, New Cumnock, or Ochiltree. Having access to a car may be beneficial for those based in these more remote locations.
Glasgow is another option, located approximately one hour by car. Trains and buses are available, but services may be limited. The nearest train station is Auchinleck.
You are required to find your own accommodation for the programme, we will endeavor to support you in your search for accommodation.
How to apply
Apply using our online application form.
This programme is for recent graduates within the last three years from courses at Degree / HND level within the following focus:
- Textiles (embroidery or print)
- Fashion Technology
- Theatre Costume
Applicants are required to complete:
- Digital application form
- Submit a short video
- Written submission
- Upload your digital portfolio.
What to include in your short video:
- Your short video should be an introduction of yourself, your practice and your personality.
- Your video should be a summary of your application and outline why you are interested in pursuing or developing a career in embroidery and are committed to undertaking an intensive training programme.
- We would like you to talk through a key piece from your portfolio, reflecting on technical process, design development and creative influences.
- We would like you to outline areas of technical skill and design that you would like to develop and how you feel this programme could assist with your future career development.
- We recommend you record your video on a laptop or a phone while sitting at a desk, somewhere well-lit and quiet.
- Face forward and look into the camera.
- If you are using notes, try to use these as prompts rather than reading a script.
- Try to be relaxed and show us your personality.
- Please send this to us as an MPEG 4 video file, via We Transfer to future.textiles@kings-foundation.org Please ensure your name is in the title of the video and mark your email Costume Craft Programme.
What to include in your written submission:
Please include a short-written submission that shares with us your favourite piece of literature – a book, play, poem or song.
Please include:
- why you have chosen this particular piece.
- Which character you would create a costume for.
- How you interpret the character through costume in terms of silhouette, movement, colour, texture and material.
What to include in your digital portfolio:
Your portfolio should include 15–20 pages showcasing your, inspiration, creative process, technical skills, and final projects.
- Your portfolio should have a clear visual identity that reflects your personal style
- Include examples of your research. This can extend beyond costume and include broader influences such as art, design, fashion and textiles.
- Include mood boards, photography, visualisations, and developmental work that reveal your creative journey
- We would like to see a combination of work in progress as well as images of final outcomes.
- Your portfolio should reflect your personality and design style. Please explain any narratives and recurrent themes in your work.
- This is a professional education programme, where developing design ideas and technical skills are integral parts of the programme. The program will be an intensive learning journey and so we also would like to understand how you problem solve. We are interested to see how your work has progressed or evolved – this can be shown through a series of prototypes or unfinished sample hats.
- Please annotate your images to explain your work, share inspiration and information.
Short list candidates
A shortlist of candidates will be selected by a panel of The King’s Foundation Directors, staff, and expert tutors. This shortlist will be reviewed by a panel from MGM/Amazon, who will invite selected applicants to interview.
Interview Process
A shortlist of candidates will be selected by The King’s Foundation team and reviewed by Amazon MGM Studios. Selected applicants will be invited to attend an in-person interview.
Location: The Textile Centre at Dumfries House, Scotland
Interviews will include:
- A 40-minute portfolio presentation
- A tour of the studios
- A Q&A session with the panel
The interview panel will consist of tutors and staff from The King’s Foundation.
