BA in Hand Embroidery

Why choose this course?

This highly-specialist BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery course is taught at the prestigious Royal School of Needlework (RSN), based at Hampton Court Palace.

The study is in small year groups. The average intake is just 20 students per year, enabling a high level of student/tutor contact time. Attendance is full time and all students may be required to engage with weekend and evening work throughout their academic year.

Hand embroidery techniques taught in the first and second year at the RSN, are unique; no other provider in the world offers such teaching and learning. Students are expected to engage with experimental approaches to visual research and design, which underpins and informs all hand embroidery practices.

The course provides a learning environment where the knowledge, views and values of all students help to shape the learning environment. Studio-based learning is by project, with individual and group tutorials and reviews enabling the individual views and knowledge of each student to be valued equally. Students are encouraged to challenge their creative ideas and individual outcomes through our supportive tutorial feedback process.

We encourage students to become creative problem-solvers and to share their knowledge and expertise through participation in external enhancement projects. Students are expected to engage with experimentation and enquiry to inform their theoretical and creative practice. The design of the curriculum connects theoretical and practice-based learning through thematic projects and learning opportunities.

A programme of tutorials, lectures and seminars, facilitates experiential learning through the investigation of objects, and materials, making and creative risk-taking. Our specialist technical team guide students through the materials, processes and equipment necessary to build their specialist knowledge throughout the course.

Reasons to choose Kingston University

• This is the only full-time BA (Hons) degree programme specialising in hand embroidery in Europe.
• All students will develop the knowledge, vocabulary and skills of hand embroidery through thematic projects, developing discipline-specific skills in RSN hand embroidery techniques.
• The programme teaches students in small groups to enhance the quality of their educational experience.
• A programme of external speakers, as well as museum and gallery visits, is scheduled each year and made available to all year groups.