E-textiles and Wearable Technologies (MSc)

Award
Master of Science
Typical Offer
2:2 degree View full entry requirements
Duration
1 year
Course Type
Full-time
Campus
Winchester
Next course starts
September 2026

About this course

On this MSc in E-textiles and Wearable Technologies, you'll build in-depth knowledge and practical experience in e-textiles and key application areas, such as wearable technologies. The content you'll study has been informed by over 15 years’ research in e-textiles and is further supported by the course leader. You’ll learn about advanced manufacturing techniques and the materials that are used in e-textile development, while establishing skills in design and innovation.

University of Southampton is the leading UK University in e-textile research. This course, located at Winchester School of Art, combines the attributes of both scientific and design thinking. You'll develop your abilities in electronics, textiles, design, and e-textiles clothing, and expand your academic and entrepreneurial experience. Through embedded partnerships, your learning will be informed by industry standard technologies and case studies throughout the year.

On this course, you'll have:

  • access to a dedicated teaching lab
  • lectures and seminars from industry and design experts
  • real world project briefs
  • workshops in industry-standard technologies
  • mentoring from specialist technical assistants and lab staff

Throughout your studies, you'll explore societal and environmental issues surrounding e-textile development and applications. This course also covers key themes like sustainability, energy, data security and research ethics. You’ll be encouraged to apply a user-centred design approach and develop your e-textile practice in a way that will benefit society.

Using digital tools, such as Photoshop, Shima Seiki Apex4, illustrator, and Clo3D, you'll create pattern designs and technical illustrations. You'll also learn about technical and sustainable textiles, as well as the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and e-textile business models.

You'll use a range of advanced design, manufacturing and testing tools for:

  • experimentation
  • physical sampling and prototypes
  • virtual sampling and simulation

E-textiles are transforming sectors like workwear, medicine, and sports. For example, wearables such as electrically heated workwear can support workers in extremely cold environments. Biomonitoring garments with textile-based sensors capture vital signs, offering insight into cardiovascular health. Football players can wear clothing with GPS and sensing technology that monitors their performance and health. 

As an E-textiles and Wearable Technologies MSc graduate, you could go into sectors like design, engineering, e-textile material science, and wearable technologies. Your studies on this course will ensure that you have the expertise to be successful in these areas and many others. The skills you'll learn when working together across disciplines will be essential for collaborating effectively within your chosen sector.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course lead will be Dr Marie O'Mahony, who has more than 20 years' experience in academia and industry across Europe, North America, and Australia. Her specialism is in advanced e-textiles, wearable technology, sustainability and future trends. She is the author of 6 books, 5 of these with Thames and Hudson, relating to the impact of technology on textiles.

In addition to her role in academia, she is strongly embedded in the E-textile and advanced textile industry. Her clients include LOPEC, InteraXon, the German Institutes of Textile and Fibre Research Denkendörf (DITF), Nike, and many others. She is also a member of the Winchester School of Art E-textiles Innovation Lab and the E-textiles Network. 

You can view Marie's staff profile for more information.

Course location

This course is based at Winchester.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.