Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services Costume
Overview
1 year full time
1 year
February
February
All the materials needed for a career in costume design
Turn your passion for theatre and fashion into a costume-making career. Our Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services CUA50420 (Costume) is a hands-on course that prepares you for employment in costume designing and costume making, as well as a career working in costume wardrobe departments. The demand for personnel to work in all areas of costume design, making and maintenance both on screen and on stage has never been so high, and opportunities to build a career are plentiful.
Hone your creative skills
In this immersive and highly practical course, you will spend the year designing, constructing, making, and altering a variety of costumes. Gain expertise in novelty and period costume making, millinery, tailoring, costume history, and film and television wardrobe. Taught at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Prahran campus, you will be among the hustle and bustle of a lively creative arts community. Melbourne Polytechnic’s costuming facilities have individual work stations equipped with modern sewing machines, a wet area for costume dyeing, designing and cutting tables and materials and costume storage.
Your teachers have specialised skills and ongoing contracts in the industry, and as a result, you will have the opportunity to work on industry related events. Melbourne Polytechnic’s dramatic arts program has enduring industry connections with small and large-scale theatre companies such as Arts Centre Melbourne, La Mama, Carlton Courthouse, Red Stitch Theatre Company, Victorian Opera, The Australian Ballet, and the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA).
A future that’s a great fit
As a graduate, you will have the skills to set up your own business as a freelance costumier. You will also be qualified to work in the theatre, film and television industries - as well as in the broader clothing and fashion industries - making and designing costumes, period and character costumes, creating hats and headpieces, as well as securing jobs in running wardrobe departments.
Career Pathways
Where will the Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services CUA50420 (Costume) take me?
Graduates will be skilled to work in the Creative Arts Industries as costume designers and makers, millinery assistants, wardrobe technicians, sewers, makers of wearable art and setting up a business.
- Location Wardrobe Manager
- Stand-by Wardrobe on film sets
- Theatre Wardrobe Manager
- Costumier
- Costume Construction
- Costume Coordinator
Study Pathways
You may wish to take your costume studies further into higher education and a Bachelor of Production, or pursue other courses in fashion or production design. For further study options, discuss with Melbourne Polytechnic teaching staff.
Course Details
Delivery methods
You will be expected to complete a certain number of hours of industry related experience throughout the year. You can organise this yourself or Melbourne Polytechnic staff will help you organise it. Alternatively, you can collaborate with the staff to set up your work placement. Details of industry hours will be determined at the commencement of the course.
Blended delivery (combination of face to face learning on the Prahran campus, remote delivery, self-directed learning and project work including performances and productions).
- Performances and Productions
- Computer Lab
- Costume Studio
- Work placements
- Project work
How you will study
Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.
On-campus
Interactive learning in a face-to-face environment. Classes will be held at a Melbourne Polytechnic campus or partner institute. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.
Assessment Methods
A combination of observation, written assignments and project work, with small and large scale events based learning. The course is designed to engage students in hands-on practical learning wherever possible. This may be delivered on campus, online or in the related industry where possible. Consequently, assessments will vary throughout the course, depending on the unit. As required by the training package, employability skills will form part of the assessment of the qualification, including communication, teamwork, problem solving, initiative and enterprise, planning and organising, self-management, and learning and technology. It is anticipated that learning activities and assessments will involve working with students and staff from other Dramatic Arts courses.
Units of Study
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Hours |
| BSBLDR522 | Manage people performance | Core | 70 |
| BSBPMG541 | Manage complex projects | Core | 60 |
| BSBWHS521 | Ensure a safe workplace for a work area | Elective | 60 |
| CUACOS405 | Develop expertise in pattern development for costume | Elective | 80 |
| CUACOS501 | Make period costumes | Elective | 160 |
| CUACOS502 | Make character costumes | Elective | 80 |
| CUACOS503 | Create theatrical millinery | Elective | 140 |
| CUACOS507 | Construct costume corsetry and undergarments | Elective | 100 |
| CUACOS508 | Cut and drape complex period costumes | Elective | 100 |
| CUACOS510 | Realise costumes | Elective | 60 |
| CUACOS515 | Coordinate costume manufacture | Elective | 60 |
| CUACOS516 | Manage an off-site costume department | Elective | 60 |
| CUACOS519 | Design costumes | Elective | 100 |
| CUAIND512 | Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge | Core | 60 |
| CUAPPR515 | Establish and maintain safe creative practice | Core | 40 |
Fees & Costs
| Government subsidised fee | Non-subsidised fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | $14300 | $20950 |
| Maximum annual amenities | $250 | $250 |
| Total payable | $14550 | $21200 |
| Per year | $22800 |
| Per semester | $11400 |
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Materials
Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department.Fees explained
The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.
The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.
Additional expenses
The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:
- $250 for full fee-paying students; and
- $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.
Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.
Students are supplied with haberdashery items, boning materials and fastenings for corsets and calico to create working toiles for all major costume pieces.
Book an interview
Requirements
- Apply through VTAC or direct to Melbourne Polytechnic
- Attend an interview
- More than a basic level of sewing preferred
To assess applicants meet Entry Requirements - It is required that candidates undergo an interview on the Prahran campus before offer of a place can be made and submit:
- Resume or CV which includes evidence of technical skills and previous experience in sewing, costume making, or design.
- A written statement with the reasons for wanting to undertake course.
- Photograph of themselves – head and shoulders only.
- A Folio of photographs, or drawings, or examples of sewing work or costume creation.
To enter this specialist qualification, individuals must provide evidence of their technical abilities in sewing, costume or clothing construction, or design, and the ability to:
- develop solutions in at least one area of the costume solving process.
- Produce examples of work, demonstrating skills in costume making – design, or sewing.
- Respond effectively to workplace challenges and requirements in line with current industry standards.
- Apply knowledge of trends and traditions in costume design or making.
These skills and knowledge may have been acquired through personal or work experience, or through formal study at secondary or tertiary level.
Academic: Australian Year 12 equivalencyEnglish: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall, Pearson PTE Academic 50 overall, or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency.
Other: An interview is required before an offer can be processed. More than a basic level of sewing preferred.
Next Steps
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.
After you complete that form we will send you an email with a link to an application form webpage. If you don’t receive the email, check your spam and junk folders.
Complete the application form on the application form webpage.
You will be required to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.
We’ll ask you to attend an interview to ensure that this is the right course for you.
Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend an enrolment appointment over the phone or on campus.
For Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas, you may be eligible for a VET Student Loan. Read more about them here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
When we receive your application, the International Office will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your application and provide you additional instructions.
If you'd like to speak to one of our International Office staff directly, call 1300 635 276
We're Victoria's Large Training Provider of the Year
Study with Melbourne Polytechnic, proud winner of Victoria’s 2024 Large Training Provider of the Year! Recognised for our innovative programs, industry partnerships and commitment to student success, we’re here to help you build the skills for a thriving future.
Recognising Organisations
Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.