Program Overview

BA (Hons) International Fashion Design (Top-Up)

The BA (Hons) International Fashion Design (Top-Up) is a one-year course for those who’ve completed a relevant HND or two years of undergraduate study and want to progress to a full degree. You’ll build on your existing skills with a focus on employability, sustainability, and global fashion practices. Through live briefs, industry collaborations, and hands-on projects, you’ll gain experience in designing innovative fashion products using both traditional craftsmanship and digital technologies.

Course Overview

You’ll study alongside students from across our fashion design courses, working in a collaborative, international environment that reflects the industry. This approach supports creative development while expanding your understanding of global markets and cultural contexts.

Features and Benefits

• Accelerated learning: This is an ideal degree if you want to top up your existing qualifications and achieve a BA (Hons) degree in just one year.
• Seamless progression: On successful completion of the programme, you can progress directly onto a masters degree at Manchester Fashion Institute.
• Industry engagement: You will have the chance to engage with employers and promote your work through live events, displays and simulated real world scenarios such as mock interviews or pitches.
• Real-world exposure: A strong focus on industry, with industry visits, field trips to related businesses and organisations and input from guest speakers and industry experts throughout the programme.
• Advanced facilities: You will have access to outstanding technical resource and studio environment boasting industry standard equipment and machinery.
• Diverse collaboration: Opportunity to work alongside a student group with diverse experiences and educational and cultural backgrounds.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

• Teaching Excellence Framework: We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.
• UK Fashion and Textile Association: We are currently a UK Fashion and Textile Association Education Partner, facilitating greater connectivity between education and industry to support and infrastructure that is responsive to current and future industry requirements.
• Association of Fashion and Textiles Courses: We are currently members of the Association of Fashion and Textiles Courses, to promote and develop fashion and textiles through academic debate, education and research.

Year 1

Core Modules

• Fashion Design and Technology Innovation: This module requires rigorous design research and development and the application of innovative manufacturing and finishing techniques through investigation, sampling and prototyping.
• Major Project: This module is an opportunity to cement a personal design identity and produce an exit portfolio. Specialist expertise within Womenswear, Menswear or Sportswear may be emphasised – these students will be awarded a Bracketed Award as part of their final degree. Students not selecting aligned options will receive a non-bracketed award.

Option Modules

• Sustainability Project: This module focuses on the pluralistic issues of sustainability, sustainable development, and sustainable initiatives for the fashion industry. You will explore a variety of sustainable strategies and practices across different markets and study how sourcing affects the environment, human welfare and climate change identifying strategies that embrace a circular economy.
• Sustainable Global Strategy: You will examine global business strategies in the context of sustainable thinking by identifying and pursuing sustainability opportunities not only for the good of the world but in terms of value creation. Sustainability has gone beyond reputation building to an active agenda and future vision of a complete circular economy. This module enables you to develop knowledge of sustainable global strategies that can be adopted by organisations, with emphasis on the circular economy and apply critical thinking to explore new opportunities and strategic directions.

Study and Assessment

• Study: Year 1: 30% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 70% independent study
• Assessment: Year 1: 100% coursework;

Entry Requirements

• IELTS score: 6.0 overall with no individual element below 5.5
• Portfolio: We will ask for a portfolio of your work as part of your application
• UK students:
  • Level 3 qualifications: For entry to the course you will require: Grade C/4 in GCSE Maths and English. 240 CATS credits at Level 4 and 5 with a minimum average score of 50%. HND Completed with a grade of Merit. An academic reference from your current institution.
  • Level 2 qualifications: Grade C/4 in GCSE Maths and English.
• International students:
  • IELTS: 6.0 overall with no individual element below 5.5
  • Country-specific entry requirements: Find your country for specific entry requirements

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses. You can find information on 2025/26 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students. All fees stated may be subject to change for the 2026/27 academic year.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Explore your options and build sought-after skills: Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting your own business.
• A career as unique as you: The unique mix of specialist pathways that this programme offers will enable you to locate your own practice and ambitions firmly within international industry and social contexts. The course encompasses cultural and business awareness and offers you the opportunity to promote your work through showcases and simulated real-world scenarios such as mock interviews or pitches. You will exit the course with a strong portfolio of work and have the opportunity to progress directly into postgraduate level or secure employment.