Program Overview

BA (Honours) Fashion Design with Foundation Year

Course summary

This course prepares you for careers and future study in fashion design, with a foundation year that provides the skills needed for the full course. You'll explore innovative technologies and sustainable fashion design systems, investigate current global fashion systems, and create individual design responses. You'll build confidence in a creative community and engage with real-world experiences beyond the University.

How you learn

Our courses are designed with key principles of engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing a supportive environment where you can thrive. You'll learn through:

• Studio practice
• Workshops and lectures
• Technical demonstrations
• Group and individual tutorials
• Creative reviews
• Live briefs
• Guest talks
• External visits and field trips

Modules

Year 1

• Foundation Projects — Developing Creative Practice
• Foundation Skills & Methods

Year 2

• Fashion Practice: Design Realisation & Portfolio
• Fashion Practice: Research & Design Principles

Year 3

• Advanced Fashion Practice & Production
• Digital Fashion Futures
• Future Now: Collaboration In Action

Year 4

• Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional Diploma

Final year

• Independent Fashion Project: Graduate Portfolio
• Independent Fashion Project: Research & Design Ideation

Future careers

This course prepares you for careers and future study in:

• Womenswear design
• Menswear design
• Category design
• Digital design
• Creative direction
• Creative pattern cutting
• Garment technology
• Product development
• Studio and production management
• Fashion illustration
• Styling
• Print design
• Academic research and teaching
• Fabric buying and development

Equipment and facilities

The ‘Studio’ is placed at the heart of the student journey, providing an incubator for collaboration, community and curiosity. You'll have access to:

• Industry-standard computer hardware and software
• Lock stitch and overlock machines
• Cover stitch machines
• Industrial steamers
• Heavy-duty hand and roller press
• Binding, buttonhole, and range of hardware
• Digital and screen-printing facilities
• Ultrasonic welder and taping machine
• Dress forms and mannequins
• Digital pattern cutting technology, Optitex and CLO-3D
• And on-site store for borrowing and buying materials and equipment

Where will I study?

You'll study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Entry requirements

• UCAS points: 80
• This must include at least 32 points from at least one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (to include a relevant subject, such as Art, Design and Technology, Textiles or Graphics).
• GCSE: English Language or Literature at grade C or 4
• Portfolio review: If your application is successful, you will receive an email inviting you to submit a link to your portfolio.

Fees and funding

• Home students: Tuition fees for 2026/27 are not yet confirmed. Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year).
• International students: Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £18,000 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)