Textile Sustainability and Innovation MSc

Course overview

The global textile and fashion industries are at a critical juncture, striving to balance sustainability with innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers whilst addressing urgent environmental and societal challenges.

Your MSc Textile Sustainability and Innovation programme will prepare you to become a specialist in sustainable textile solutions, equipping you with the expertise to drive innovation. You’ll develop an advanced understanding of textile technologies and processes, critically examine sustainability practices, and explore cutting-edge developments in polymers, recycling, and circular economy principles.

The programme provides you with technical knowledge of textile and apparel manufacturing technologies, as well as the commercial insight needed to navigate issues facing the global textile market. Through research-led teaching and practical experience, you’ll gain a deep understanding of contemporary innovations in textile technology, sustainability, and the role of innovation in addressing key industry challenges.

Specialist facilities

We have excellent facilities to help you make the most of your time at Leeds. Specialist facilities include state of the art equipment for polymer synthesis, fibre extrusion, yarn and fabric development (including woven, knitted and nonwoven) as well as a digital printing studio and a laboratory for materials testing and characterisation.

Since 2013, we have invested over £9 million upgrading our facilities including labs, workshops, studios and student spaces. The School is also home to the Future Fashion Factory project which supports innovation in the UK fashion and textiles industry. In 2018, we opened our 3D Weaving Innovation Centre which is leading the way in 3D weaving technology, design and production.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop skills and techniques in these facilities, particularly in relation to the research you will undertake for your dissertation.

Internship opportunity - from 2025/26

All School of Design masters students and final year undergraduate students can apply for our internships. Two successful candidates will work with the PACE creative team for six months after finishing their course. Find out more about our Professional Academy for Creative Enterprise (PACE).

The internship has helped me grow not only in technical skill but also in adaptability—qualities that are essential in a professional environment.

Lucy Clanfield, PACE Intern.

Find out more about Lucy Clanfield's experience.

Course details and modules

In the first semester you’ll build on foundational skills to develop your knowledge in textile and apparel design technology. You’ll also begin to critically engage with sustainability as a systemic issue, through analysing lifecycle assessments and explore the everchanging legislative and regulatory landscape within the sector. You will also learn advanced concepts in polymer science relevant to textile applications, exploring natural, synthetic and biodegradable polymers, and processing techniques such as fibre spinning and functional modifications.

In the second semester you’ll explore aspects of innovation within textiles and gain an in-depth understanding of the state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, considering the future. Building on the textile polymer knowledge gained in the first semester, you will also explore the range of textile recycling technologies developed within polymer science and their limitations, whilst gaining insight on circular business models like reuse and repair. You will also engage with technical fabrics for textile and apparel applications to understand their characteristics through laboratory based demonstrations and practicals. The importance of colour within textile product development will be explored through practical colour imaging session specific for textile applications.

Starting in the second semester, you’ll undertake a major research dissertation, under the supervision of a subject specialist, which will give you the chance to direct your own study, developing key skills in laboratory research and conducting independent research into a specialist area of your interest.

The Programme Leader for this course is Dr Eleanor Scott.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Textile Sustainability and Innovation MSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

Creative problem solving and design thinking methods are central our teaching in the School of Design. Your learning will be enhanced by a range of contemporary teaching methods which encourage active learning and are underpinned by inclusive and authentic learning activities, which may include team working, interactive sessions and industry facing scenarios. We follow a campus based blended learning approach; you’ll have a range of resources in the virtual learning environment which are accessible at all times, including videos and pre-work to help you prepare.

You’ll attend lectures which are carefully designed to invite engagement and participation, seminars enable you to delve deeper into key topics, lab sessions to practise and apply your learning.

Your module tutors have dedicated office hours, which means there’s always the opportunity to ask questions. Collaboration with staff and your peers is the foundation of our teaching and learning, giving students input into their learning journey.

Private study is important and is a space where you can reflect and critique materials from taught sessions, including further research, thinking, reading and writing. You will be guided through this process by your tutors to help you develop your knowledge and research skills. You’ll also have the ongoing support of your Academic Personal Tutor.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

On the MSc Textile Sustainability and Innovation you will be assessed through a variety of methods, these include essays and examinations as well as practical and project work, laboratory reports, literature reviews and presentations. This combination will develop and enhance your technical, professional, and transferable skills. You’ll also benefit from timely and explicit formative feedback from your tutors to help develop your learning. Formative assessment gives staff an opportunity to give you feedback on personal progress, in good time before a summative deadline.

In Semesters 2 and 3, you will undertake your Major Research Project which will require you to demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge of a related topic.

Authentic assessment means relevant assessment; relevant in terms of contemporary contexts and to your personal interests and future aspirations. The authenticity of assessment is an important consideration in how we design assignments and project briefs. This means that we think carefully about the relevance of assessment outcomes; in academic terms as well as your chosen career path, skill development needs and the future of work in your chosen discipline.

Dialogic teaching methods emphasise in-class discussion and support staff/student debate. This approach to teaching and learning enables staff to hear all student voices. While remaining considerate of module and programme learning outcomes, where relevant and beneficial, we strive to adopt a flexible approach to assessment design. This flexibility allows us to respond to student voice, maintain an agility that allows us to react to global, social and cultural change and respond swiftly to opportunities to devise projects with our industrial partners. We aim for all assessment to be relevant, meaningful and engaging.

Applying

Entry requirements

You’ll need a bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification, preferably in a textile, sustainability or innovation related degree specialising in one of the following subjects indicated under ‘Textile, sustainability or innovation related subjects’.

We will also consider applicants with relevant experience, with an interest in textile sustainability and innovation, or coming from an area of expertise to which design, management, science, engineering or environment is complementary such as the ones listed under ‘Other areas’.

We’ll also consider your application if you have a 2:2 degree combined with relevant experience, such as in employment, an internship, or a year in industry; we’ll also consider applicants without a formal degree who hold a relevant professional qualification, such as from The Textile Institute or Society of Dyers and Colourists.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines so please do not hesitate to apply if your subject is not listed.

All applicants will be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form to explain why you wish to study this particular course and your career plans. Relevant professional experience may also be considered. We may request additional documentation to inform our decision.

Textile, Sustainability or Innovation related subjects

• Business
• Business Management
• Chemistry
• Colour Design
• Colour Science
• Communication Design
• Corporate Communications
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Design
• Design Management
• Economics
• Engineering
• Environmental Design
• Fashion Design
• Fashion Innovation
• Fashion Marketing
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Industrial Design
• Information Management
• Innovation Management
• Interior Design
• International Business
• Management
• Marketing

Other Areas

• Accounting
• Advertising
• Anthropology
• Architecture
• Fine Art
• Geography
• Graphic Design
• Visual Communication Design

International

Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.

You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you intend to apply for funding, we advise you to submit an application for your chosen course as early as possible and at least one month before any scholarship deadline.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you'll need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying (please submit an official English translation where the original is not in English)
• Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form
• A full up-to-date CV
• Any previous UK CAS, visa and BRP documents if you’re an international applicant who has previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4/ Student Visa.

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Personal Statement Requirements

Please summarise your reasons for applying to this particular programme of study. Your response can include details of your previous study/work experience relevant to the programme and career ambitions. Your response can provide us with important information on your suitability for the course, so please complete carefully.

Please explain why you have chosen to apply for this Masters course at the University of Leeds by answering the following questions in separate numbered paragraphs:

• What areas of this course particularly interest you and why? Have you studied these before? Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular Masters course
• Why do you want to study this course at Leeds? Please comment on aspects such as available resources at the University and in the city, research specialisms within the school or academics you would like to work with.
• What potential themes have you considered for dissertation research?
• How will studying for this course help you to achieve your longer term goals?
• Why do you see this course as a particularly valuable subject to study?
• What skills and experience do you have that have prepared you for this course? You may like to give details of any final year work/projects you have previously undertaken, relevant work experience etc.

Relevant work experience might include: textile design, textile manufacturing, product development, garment technology, textile technology, crafts, design (product, interior, fashion), film, TV, radio, photography, IT - software, computer services, publishing, museums, galleries, libraries, music, performing and visual arts.

Next Steps

Where further information to support the assessment of your application is needed, we may ask for a recent sample of written work.

We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

Support for part-time and mature learners

The Lifelong Learning Centre provides support for mature and part-time learners across the University, including advice on how to apply to university and support throughout your studies.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

This course is taught by

School of Design

Contact us

Postgraduate Administrator

Email: PGT-Admissions-Design@leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £16,000 (Total)

International: £32,750 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There are additional costs of study that students need to cover. We estimate that these additional costs could be as described below, but this amount may vary depending on how you decide to respond to university briefs and the range of materials and techniques you decide to adopt.  

Equipment and material costs  

Students also need to cover costs of copying and supplying their own basic materials (eg pens, pencils, notebooks). The programme doesn’t require students to provide other materials to comlete the programme successfully.

Computers and digital equipment  

To ensure you can make the most of your studies at Leeds, you’ll need to make sure your laptop meets the system requirements for your course.  

Some of our courses require the development of work using Adobe Creative and other relevant software. If required by your programme, the School will provide you with a free Adobe CC account when you arrive. We also use a blended learning model where you’ll need to access course materials and video conference using a computer or mobile device (eg laptop, tablet, smartphone). Costs for a laptop will vary depending on the exact specification. You should expect to pay between £800–£2,500.   

If you’re buying a new laptop for your studies, then we recommend that you wait until you’re registered as a student so that you take advantage of discounts given to university students. Delaying purchasing also allows you to find out from your programme leader what you need and what you do not need. Depending on your circumstances you can benefit from a laptop loan or further support from our Financial Assistance Fund.  

You’ll also have access to further digital equipment in our studios and using our loan scheme. But, you may decide to purchase your own equipment which will result in additional optional costs. Examples are: Drawing tablet (£50–£500); Digital camera (£200–£1500); etc.  Read more about additional costs.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans, scholarships and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.

The Clothworkers' Company are generouly funding scholarships for UK students on this programme, to support vital textiles technical education, skills development and innovative design. Alternatively you may be eligible for an International Excellence Scholarship or Leeds Masters UK Scholarship.

Career opportunities

This degree will equip you with a diverse range of knowledge and professional skills. Career opportunities include sustainability management roles in fashion and textile industry and retailors, textile innovation and/or product development, fashion buyers, textile management, technical consultancy, garment technologists, testing laboratory professionals, technical marketing and support, colour technologists, retail and supply chain management, textile technology/engineering positions, project scientists and quality assurance. You could also choose to continue with postgraduate research at PhD level.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.