Fashion Design

About this course
At Winchester School of Art, our BA Fashion Design course empowers you to explore your creative identity while tackling real-world challenges. Whether you're passionate about sustainability, digital innovation, or redefining fashion narratives, this course gives you the tools to make your mark. You’ll work in collaborative studio spaces, blending traditional craft with cutting-edge digital techniques. As part of a renowned art school within a research-rich Russell Group university, you'll benefit from world-class insights, resources and extended collaborative community. For example, the first-year Fashion Futures module explores emerging trends such as climate-conscious design, wearable tech and inclusive fashion—helping you understand fashion’s evolving role in society.

You’ll also join a community of graduates working at leading brands including Alexander McQueen, Burberry, JW Anderson, Stella McCartney, and more. 92% of our graduates were in employment or further study within 15 months (Graduate Outcomes 2022/23, published in 2025).

Key features of the course

• A future-focused curriculum co-designed with industry experts

• Access to vintage archives (Victorian to 1980s) for hands-on inspiration

• Opportunities to collaborate on live briefs with brands and showcase your work at Graduate Fashion Week

• Connections with the British Fashion Council (BFC), UKFT, and a global network of creatives

Student Support
You’ll be guided by industry-experienced tutors and supported with wellbeing resources and inclusive teaching practices.

Further Information
The BA Fashion Design is a three-year, full-time course at Winchester School of Art. You can also apply to add a year abroad or in industry, extending your degree to four years. The course is a member of UKFT, BFC, and Graduate Fashion Week (GFW). For details, visit our course page.

Over the three years of this Fashion Design course, you will build your skills in fashion design by exploring themes and applying skills that are relevant in the industry.

Year 1: Foundations in Fashion; Fashion Design Principles & Materials; Embedding Context into Practice; Fashion Futures
Year 2: Broadening Sustainable Fashion Practice; Integrating Fashion and Society; Fashion Industry; Collaborate
Year 3: Final Project and Preparation; Contemporary Context; Professional Communication; Professional Planning

You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning through student-selected year in employment or year abroad.

For a full list of modules available please visit the course page.

As well as undertaking studio-based creative projects, you’ll learn through practical workshops, lectures, seminars, one-to-one tutorials and group tutorials. Through studio assignments you’ll develop the research and hands-on skills that are essential for industry.

You’ll receive formative feedback throughout the course, enabling you to identify strengths and areas for improvement before your work is formally assessed.

You’ll be assessed on your coursework, which will include your portfolio, final major project and pieces of academic and reflective writing. Students who take the industry placement option are required to complete a project and write a report, and we receive a report on each student’s performance from the placement company. If you take the study abroad option, we will assess the work you do while at the overseas institution.