Master´s Programme in Fashion Studies
The master program is a two years theoretical program taught only in English of 120 hp/ECTS and give you the degree Master of Arts in Fashion Studies from Stockholm University.
The master program prepares students for doctoral studies in Fashion Studies and related fields. Furthermore, the program can lead to employment within the broad fashion field, such as fashion journalism, fashion analysis, fashion marketing, financial analysis within the fashion industry and design profession with theoretical basis.
The first year of the master program deals with representations of fashion from a historical perspective as well as studies of fashion as material culture. Furthermore, students are introduced to relevant theories and methods within this academic field. Fashion as an industrial phenomenon is also in focus in order to highlight the diverse aspects of the topic. The students will equally have to attend an optional course at other departments during the first year of the master program.
The second year considers the methodology and theory for the upcoming thesis. Fashion's connections to various consumer culture theories are also part of the field of knowledge in fashion studies and intend to broaden the understanding of the distribution and marketing of fashion. Students attend also a proficiency course that enables them to deepen a certain area within their studies. The second year of the master program ends with an individual written thesis in academic English and at a high scientific level.
What your degree will consist of
In the end you should end up with 120 ETCS distributed as follows:
82,5 Credits (ECTS) in the mainfield Fashion Studies on advanced level (second cycle) including Master Thesis in Fashion Studies 30 ECTS
Within the 82,5 Credits in Fashion Studies following three courses are - apart from the thesis - to be seen as mandatory and very important for the degree:
- FS1704 History of Dress 7,5 ECTS / Dräkthistoria, AN, 7,5 högskolepoäng
- FS1807 Theoretical perspectives on Fashion 7,5 ECTS / Teoretiska perspektiv på mode, AN, 7,5 högskolepoäng
- Fashion and Sustainability (FS1810) 7,5 credits
Research Methods in Fashion Studies (Methodology) (15 ECTS) From Fall 22 this course is reduced to 7,5 credits: FS1806.
FS1806 Qualitative methods in Fashion Studies, 7,5 ECTS
15 Credits (ECTS) of two mandatory Faculty Courses on advanced level (second cycle) 7,5 ECTS each.
22,5 ECTS in optional subject - for instance courses that may enrich your master thesis work (usually three 7,5 Credits courses) of which 15 Credits may be on Bachelor Level (first cycle).
Year 1
Scientific Methods and Research Ethics (Faculty Course 7.5 ECTS)
Fashion as an Industry or other Advanced Course in Fashion Studies (7.5 ECTS)
Theoretical Perspectives on Fashion (7.5 ECTS)
Consumer Culture Theory and Fashion or other Advanced Course in Fashion Studies (7.5 ECTS)
Fashion and Materiality (FS1408)
Fashion and Sustainability (FS1810) 7,5 ECTS
Year 2
Independent project
You apply online and upload requiered documents, nothing to be sent to us via regular mail.
Below is described what you need to do and check but basically it comes down to three steps:
- Read the section How to apply
- Make sure your documents are in order - fill in the forms
- Apply and upload at universityadmissions.se or antagning.se
International applicants:
Applicants with Foreign Study Merits must upload following documents
- Bachelor's degree certificate/diploma and
- transcripts from your undergraduate studies - instructions at universityadmissions.se >>
- Proof of English language skills - instructions at universityadmissions.se >>
- Letter of Intent
- Extended Abstract
Use these Templates for the following Mandatory Documents:
Extended Abstract template * docx, 140.9 kB.
Letter of Intent template dotx, 138.6 kB.
Upload Letter of Intent and Extended Abstract written in English- to universityadmission.se no later than deadline for application as stated at universityadmissions.se for Fall semester. (ca Jan 15)
*The Extended Abstract is of your undergraduate thesis or equivalent academic research paper written in English
Swedish Applicants (Svenska sökanden):
Använd dessa mallar för följande obligatoriska dokument:
Extended Abstract template * docx, 140.9 kB.
Letter of Intent template dotx, 138.6 kB.
Upload Letter of Intent and Extended Abstract written in English- to antagning.se no later than deadline for application as stated at universityadmissions.se for Fall semester. (ca Jan 15)
*The Extended Abstract is of your undergraduate thesis or equivalent academic research paper in English
Dina meriter
Most applicants with Swedish study merits (svensk gymnasieskola, högskola och universitet etc.) will have their merits retrieved automatically. Older merits may need to be submitted by post. Please review your merits and read more about how your merits are retrieved at www.antagning.se
APPLICATION ROUND DATES
All applicants: October 15 - January 15
This Programme has one round only for all applicants!
Admission Results
Early April
The below links will only display results during open application rounds
universityadmissions.se >> (English)
antagning.se >> (Swedish)
Applicants with Foreign Study Merits must upload following documents at universityadmissions.se
- Bachelor's degree certificate/diploma and transcripts from your undergraduate studies - instructions at universityadmissions.se >>
- Proof of English language skills - instructions at universityadmissions.se >>
Selection process
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, Social Sciences, or equivalent.
Students with technical or practical degrees (Textile Engineering or simliar) do not meet the academic prerequisites without additional relevant theoretical studies in Humanities or Social Science.
Students in their last year of undergraduate studies are eligible to apply. Admitted students MUST present a bachelor's degree upon registration to enroll. Follow instructions from University Admissions in Sweden on how to document your eligibility. Degree copies may need certification, please follow instructions from University Admissions in Sweden on how to submit your documents.
English Language Requirements
The English language entry requirement is the equivalent of English language studies at an upper secondary level (post-16) in Sweden, known as English course B or 6. There are three ways of meeting the requirements:
- Through Upper Secondary studies (high school)
- Through previous university studies in English
- Through language tests (TOEFL, IELTS Academic, and others)
Since rules are subject to change, please see visit the University Admissions website for details on how to meet our English language requirements.
Selection
If the number of applicants exceed the number of seats, applicants will be ranked. Applicants will be selected based on the quality of their previous academic studies, dissertation project or sample of written academic work, Letter of Intent. All parts will be considered and weighed together into a comprehensive assessment of the applicant’s merits.
- The quality of the submitted text in regards to scientific writing, theoretical and empirical knowledge and the relevance of the research topic for the field of Fashion Studies.
- The combination of courses in different (or same) subjects included in the Bachelor’s degree and performances in these courses (grades).
- Letter of Intent
Waitlist Procedures and Policy
Waitlisted applicants are very rarely admitted. Contact master@ims.su.se if you are reserve 1-5.
Required supporting documentation
| International applicant | Swedish applicant | |
| Letter of Intent* | Letter of Intent* | |
| Extended Abstract* | Extended Abstract* | |
| Degree Certificate | Check your merits are in order - antagning.se and student.ladok.se | |
| Transcript of Records | ||
| Proof of English Skill |
*use our templates/forms included on this site
Meet our students
Meet Nora Veeman who studied Master’s programme in fashion studies at Stockholm University.
Nora combines her passion for fashion in both teaching and writing
Meet Eeke Oosterhof in Master's Programme in Fashion Studies
General queries regarding admission and selection process
Students office:
master@ims.su.se
Questions regarding the education, course etc
Student Counsellor:
studievagledarefashion@ims.su.se








