Leather Technology (Professional) MSc

Key Facts

  • Level

    Postgraduate

  • Duration

    Full Time: 1 year
    Part Time: 2 years

  • Starting

    January

  • Fees UK 23/24

    Full Time: £8,010

  • Fees International 23/24

    Full Time: £16,500

  • Location

Get in touch


For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

international@northampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1604 893981

Engage with ICLT

Will Wise

Overview


The leather industry is packed with exciting career opportunities and this Leather Technology (Professional) MSc course is an excellent route in if you have a science or technology background. It’s also a great way to expand your knowledge and skills if you are already employed in the leather industry.

Leather is returning to prominence as alternatives struggle to achieve comparable performance and/or they are derived from non-renewable carbon-based materials. Scientific advances combined with environmental responsibility have transformed the leather manufacture industry into a modern scientific process, creating a highly sustainable material with high value in many sectors such as sports, automobiles, luxury goods and fashion.

Find out more about the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies.

Updated 14/03/2024

Highlights


  • Leather Technology MSc students get access to a brand new on-site working tannery and laboratories
  • Unique to the University of Northampton
  • Additional bursaries and scholarships available for leather students.

Course Content


  • Our unique Leather Technology (Professional) MSc will give you the opportunity to enhance your technical skills. We encourage you to develop intellectual creativity and we will provide you with the skills you need to research advanced technologies. You will learn how to discern the differences between technical and entrepreneurial issues, relating them to the needs of the leather industry. We are one of the foremost centres for leather education in the world and we are dedicated to delivering theoretical and practical education at the highest standards.

    On the leather technology masters course, you will have the chance to work in our tannery with industry and academic experts. Our staff carry our research in various leather subjects, achieving our reputation as a world-leading institute in the field of leather. You will focus on the science and technology of leather manufacture in a way that will prepare you for senior tannery positions. As you develop a critical mind, this leather masters course is an excellent base for a move into Research and Development departments in chemical companies, tanneries and brands, or into an academic career.

    We frequently invite industry leaders to meet and teach you, covering current technical and commercial aspects of leather, covering farm to fashion, including many of its fascinating end uses.

    Our masters in leather technology course is flexible to meet your needs. As well as compulsory modules and a research dissertation, you will also be able to choose one or two modules to tailor studies to suit your interests and career aspirations.

    Northampton graduates have been at the forefront of these changes making our leather alumni one of the best bodies in the industry. When you finish this leather masters course, you can expect easy access into senior industry positions. This course is ideal for corporate continuing personal development (CPD) and is delivered so that you are only away from your work for three months, January to March. During this period, the theory and practical elements are taught intensively, allowing you to return to work while you continue with your assessments and research. Alternatively, you can study in the traditional manner, over an entire year on-site at the University of Northampton.

    Methods of Learning

    Theoretical lectures and seminars are reinforced by practical examples, case studies and industry guest lectures. Our virtual learning environment allows you and course tutors to exchange ideas as well as submit assignments from home.

    Assessments

    You will be assessed through a range of methods including practical reports, seminar files, reflective portfolios, presentations and a dissertation.

    Modules

    Module information for the leather technology msc can be found in the Award Map.

  • Applicants will normally hold a recognised first or second class honours degree from a UK university or international equivalent in a relevant subject area. Students with lower level qualifications or qualifications in a different subject area, but relevant experience in the leather industry will also be considered on an individual basis

    If you do not meet our standard entry requirements for the leather technology msc, it is possible to undertake the first twelve weeks as a training course only (no assessment is required and you will be issued with a “Certificate of Attendance” by the University of Northampton). This non-credit bearing option is called the ‘Professional Leather Development’ Course; for further information about this course please visit the Professional Leather Development page. To apply or find out more, please email  iclt@northampton.ac.uk.

  • 2023/24 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £8,010
    • International: £16,500
    Additional costs
    • £150 to cover PPE (one white lab coat, one blue lab coat, wellington boots and gloves), spray gun and contribution to raw material costs
    • Student Membership to the Society for Leather Technologists and Chemists (six journals per year and free attendance to the Annual Conference) This is optional and costs £26.50
    2022/23 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £7,650
    • International: £15,000
    Additional costs
    • £100 to cover PPE (one white lab coat, one blue lab coat, wellington boots and gloves) and contribution to raw material costs
    • student Membership to the Society for Leather Technologists and Chemists (six journals per year and free attendance to the Annual Conference) This is optional and costs £26.50

    Postgraduate loans
    If you are starting a postgraduate leather Master’s course in 2022/23 or 2023/24 either full-time or part-time* you may be able to apply for a  postgraduate loan through Student Finance England.

    *Please note that the maximum period of study allowed for part-time courses is two years.

     

    For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Careers and Employability


When you graduate from this leather masters degree, you will find yourself in exceptionally high demand from employers. We routinely see 100% of our graduates entering employment with more requests from employers than we have graduates to fill their vacancies.

Roles include technical management, higher education and government bodies, as well as materials production and chemical industries.

We are one of the foremost centres for leather education in the world and we are dedicated to delivering theoretical and practical education at the highest standards.

Find out more about our Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses or Short Courses.

Facilities


This leather masters course is not offered anywhere else in the UK as we are the only UK university to integrate leather technology with subjects such as fashion, marketing, business and the environment. We are proud to house a brand new on-site working tannery for practical leather making as well as laboratories to enable leather testing and teaching modules to cater for career choices in technology, business and marketing of leather.

Industry-led practical workshops and seminars in technology and supply chain knowledge are delivered by international experts. You will benefit from continual networking with potential employers within the industry.