Program Overview

---

Overview

The BA (Hons) Fashion Communication is a fashion-focused visual design course. We combine art direction, styling, graphic design, film, animation, photography, journalism, events, and trend forecasting for fashion. We brand, style, write, shoot, package, and direct. As an interdisciplinary course, we communicate to consumers in both the real world and the metaverse, driven by creative storytelling. We are not mere followers; we are pioneers, embracing a forward-thinking mindset that positions us at the forefront.

Our focus is on developing fashion communicators with exceptional craft skills, ready to influence the industry with strong future-proofing capabilities. Our students are at the cutting edge of contemporary fashion communication, working within the metaverse while maintaining a strong foundation in print design and live events, meeting the fashion industry's highest standards of visual communication.

We challenge conventions by seamlessly blending design, art direction, and promotion to convey ideas and concepts. Envision yourself art directing and orchestrating magazine covers, fashion shoots, directing fashion films, music videos and shaping brands visual identities with strategic finesse.

Rooted in our love of tradition and craft, we are equally committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability for a better world. As global citizens, we champion principles addressing climate issues, racial equality, and social justice. We are not just fashion creators; we are advocates for positive change.

We pride ourselves at being at the core of the fashion industry and influencing its future. Our teaching team is made up of industry specialists and we have a proven track record of working with top brands and influential industry practitioners. We are an award-winning course that shapes fashion communicators that can work in teams, as individuals as well as nurturing entrepreneurs and future proofers.

In this nurturing environment, pastoral care is at the core of our ethos. We care about your growth as an individual, fostering a supportive community where your well-being matters. Our commitment extends beyond the academic, ensuring that you not only succeed in your creative pursuits but also feel valued and supported on a personal level.

What's covered in this course?

We challenge conventions by seamlessly blending design, art direction, and promotion to convey ideas and concepts. Envision yourself art directing and orchestrating magazine covers, fashion shoots, directing fashion films, music videos and shaping brands visual identities with strategic finesse.

Rooted in our love of tradition and craft, we are equally committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability for a better world. As global citizens, we champion principles addressing climate issues, racial equality, and social justice. We are not just fashion creators; we are advocates for positive change.

We pride ourselves at being at the core of the fashion industry and influencing its future. Our teaching team is made up of industry specialists and we have a proven track record of working with top brands and influential industry practitioners. We are an award-winning course that shapes fashion communicators that can work in teams, as individuals as well as nurturing entrepreneurs and future proofers.

In this nurturing environment, pastoral care is at the core of our ethos. We care about your growth as an individual, fostering a supportive community where your well-being matters. Our commitment extends beyond the academic, ensuring that you not only succeed in your creative pursuits but also feel valued and supported on a personal level.

Why Choose Us?

• The foundation year will enable you to explore all of the different degree pathways to help you choose the right course ready for the step up to degree.
• On the foundation course you will be part of a community, building your knowledge of the equipment and facilities available, getting to know staff and your fellow students through social events and our end of year exhibition.
• You'll get to work on international industry competitions, such as L’Oreal Brand Storm.
• You'll enjoy a vast archive of fashion publications dating back to the 1930s.
• You'll have the opportunity to showcase your final-year work to industry leaders at events such as Graduate Fashion Week in London and our Arts, Design and Media (ADM) Faculty degree show in Birmingham.
• You'll have the chance to visit international fashion cities such as London, Berlin, Copenhagen and New York.

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• 80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
• GCSE and other level 2 requirements: This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Please see A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below.

A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements

• Qualification| Entry requirements
  • A Level / AS Level |
    • A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (or equivalent)
    • AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
    • A maximum of four subjects will be considered
  • Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate) |
    • 80 UCAS Tariff points
    • Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
    • Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • T Level | Pass overall (C or above on the core) All subjects accepted but Digital Production, Design and Development; Media, Broadcast and Production preferred
  • Access to HE Diploma | Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Arts, Media and Publishing subjects preferred but other subjects also considered
  • OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications | 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications | 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • WJEC Level 3 qualifications |
    • 80 UCAS Tariff points
    • Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) | Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
  • Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher | 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
  • Welsh Baccalaureate | 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma | Pass overall
  • Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media) | Pass overall

International qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall
• EU / International students: Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 years
• Fees: TBC
• Apply via UCAS

International students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 years
• Fees: TBC
• Register interest

Course in Depth

Foundation year

• In your Foundation Year, you will gain a grounding in a variety of skills from each of our degree pathways, including blog writing, textile techniques, branding, creating garments and more. You will be able to explore the Fashion and Textiles workshops and CAD suites to pursue your individual interests.
• In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Developing a Narrative 20 credits
  • Understanding Fundamental Processes 20 credits
  • Introducing Trends 20 credits
  • Brand Development 20 credits
  • Signature Project 40 credits

Year one

• In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Creative Industries: Connections 20 credits
  • Art Direction for Print and Journalism 20 credits
  • Future Thinking and Idea Generation 20 credits
  • Visual Storytelling 40 credits
  • Fashion Metaverse 20 credits

Year two

• Year two modules build upon your knowledge and skills gained in year one, and apply this to a more external focus, including industry competitions and internships, thus allowing you to focus on your professional and career goals.
• In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
  • Creative Industries: Industry Futures 20 credits
  • Art Direction for Branding and Promotion 40 credits
  • Fashion Film with Styling 40 credits
• In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
  • Work Placement 20 credits
  • Industry Project 20 credits
  • Independent Creative Entrepreneur 20 credits

Year three

• In your final year you will focus on the area of the fashion industry you intend to work in. You are able to tailor your final-year projects to an area of the industry you're most interested in, and supports your career ambitions.
• In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Creative Industries: Development and Enquiry 20 credits
  • Final Major Project 40 credits
  • Craft & Make 20 credits
  • Commercialisation & Portfolio Prep 40 credits

Employability

Enhancing employability skills

• Employability is embedded throughout the course with relevant skills, such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, being taught as well as professional skills such as copywriting, creative narrative, trend forecasting and brand strategy.
• Graduates from this course have gone on to work in roles that use these skills within the creative industries.

Placements

• Students have taken internships within a wide range of fashion companies, such as fashion publications GQ, InStyle magazine, Grazia magazine and Suitcase magazine. Others have gained experience with Selfridges, ASOS and Topshop.

Graduate jobs

• The type of industry job roles that graduates would move in to could include: art direction and creative direction, styling, photoshoot production, magazine production and editorial content, brand management and fashion graphics, social media content creation and management, trend forecasting, journalism and copywriting for brands and magazines, and fashion film creation.

Facilities & Staff

Our Facilities

• Fashion and Textiles courses are based at our Parkside Building, which is part of our multi-million pound City Centre Campus development in the heart of Birmingham's Eastside development.

Our staff

• Louise Martin: Lecturer in Foundation Year Fashion and Textiles
• Natalie Martin: Course Leader in Foundation Year Fashion and Textiles