Program Overview

BA (Hons) Textiles

The world of textiles is constantly evolving, and you can be part of that, reshaping both the design process and our conceptual understanding of the field. As a BA (Hons) Textiles student, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the expansive realm of textile design, fostering innovation and creativity.

Course Overview

We celebrate the rich heritage of textiles whilst highlighting future technological advancements and sustainable material practices, all with the aim of pushing the boundaries of textile innovation. You’ll begin with hands-on inductions into a variety of specialist workshops, providing you with a solid foundation in textile fundamentals on which to build as you progress through your journey with us.

Features and Benefits

• Globally recognised: We are ranked in the top 100 schools for art and design in the world (QS World Rankings 2025).
• Specialisation options: You can focus on your areas of interest through project options, giving you the opportunity to focus on print, weave, knit, embroidery, and mixed media.
• Creative facilities: You'll have access to our extensive range of workshops, encompassing both traditional and digital creative methods, with support from expert technicians.
• Academic excellence: Our teaching staff are practising textile practitioners and researchers who bring their knowledge and expertise to the course.
• Collaboration: You will take part in an innovative module offered to students across Manchester School of Art which encourages interdisciplinary study, collaboration, and external-facing projects.
• Scholarships available: This course has a scholarship available for 2025 entry. The Bernard and Frieda Clowes Textiles Scholarship offers an £18,000 cash bursary, to support students who have a household income of £25,000 or less.

Year 1

In Year 1, you will develop a broad understanding of textile contexts and the visual research, technical tools, and skills the programme requires. You will be introduced to creative attitudes to learning, working, and thinking.

Core Modules

• Making Textiles: This module introduces students to the fundamentals of textile design through practical inductions to specialist textile workshops.
• Making Sense: This module further develops students' understanding of specialist textile skills and techniques.
• Making A Difference: This module introduces students to the breadth of viable contexts within the expanded field of textile design.
• Future X: Kinship: In this module, you will explore your creative field through questions of belonging, encouraging you to consider relationships with the planet, people, and place.

Year 2

In Year 2, you will be able to determine your specialist pathway through the programme and develop the skills to articulate your ideas. There will be opportunities to engage with external partners and collaborate with students and staff from across the faculty.

Core Modules

• Future X: Symbiosis: In this module, you will tackle complex planetary challenges by working with students from different creative fields.
• Fashion Form Fabricate: This module introduces students to digital textile technologies to develop innovative material solutions.
• Textile Terrains: This module challenges students to explore how global issues shape the evolving landscape of textiles.
• Tacit Trajectories: This module encourages students to become responsible, human-centred designers by engaging in outward-facing opportunities.

Year 3

In Year 3, you will create a portfolio of work that showcases your practice, developing a deep understanding of the context of your work, and creating products and artefacts that reflect your specialism.

Core Modules

• Practice Testing: This module requires students to develop a self-authored project proposal that addresses global challenges and current design agendas.
• Practice Resolution: This module challenges students to investigate a significant creative, theoretical, technical, or business issue through a self-generated brief.
• Future X: Re-worlding: In this module, you will explore the boundaries of where your discipline intersects with other fields of practice as a catalyst for innovation.

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: 104-112 UCAS tariff points.
• IELTS score: IELTS score of 6.0 with no component less than 5.5, or an equivalent accepted English language qualification.
• UK students:
  • Level 3 qualifications: 104-112 UCAS tariff points.
  • GCE A levels: grades BCC or equivalent.
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma: grade DMM.
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points.
• International students:
  • IB Diploma: Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects.
  • IELTS score: IELTS score of 6.0 with no component less than 5.5, or an equivalent accepted English language qualification.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses.

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.
• Past textile graduates: Hold key creative positions in organisations such as Habitat, Paul Smith, Aardman Animations, and ASOS, or are self-employed as designers and practicing as artists. Some are in postgraduate education at the Royal College of Art, London College of Fashion, and at Manchester Metropolitan University. Many are teachers in schools and academics in universities and art schools in the UK and overseas.