Fashion Design with Business Studies

A Brighton Fashion Design with Business Studies degree prepares you for a range of rewarding career paths including roles in fashion design, product development, merchandising, fashion consultancy or as founder of your own business.

Art and Design at Brighton is ranked in the top 20 in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Studying here at Brighton, you’ll be part of a creative community that helps you grow, no matter what your background. This course is packed with opportunities to build real-world experience, including a paid placement after year two and hands-on learning with specialist facilities including stitching machines, pressing and fusing equipment, Clo3d software and industrial sewing machines. Our inclusive approach to learning will help you go further; we’ll make sure you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.

Here at Brighton, we have an excellent reputation in the fashion industry for producing creative, innovative and hard-working graduates – our alumni have worked at organisations including Burberry, Victoria Beckham, River Island and Calvin Klein.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Excellent industry-standard technical facilities and spacious studios with expert technicians on-hand to help you develop practical skills.

• Sustainability is one of our guiding principles and is embedded into all your learning.

• Explore textile and material innovation through a fashion lens, with access to specialist studios for printed, woven and knitted fabric production.

• Business studies are integrated throughout the degree, meaning you will leave ready to enter the business of fashion, whether that’s starting your own company or working as part of a team within international brands and design houses.

• Talks from industry professionals throughout your studies will give you both business insight and creative inspiration.

• An optional placement year gives you the chance to put your learning into practice in a professional environment, strengthening your portfolio and industry contacts.

• Learn in a creative, diverse and supportive community right in the centre of Brighton.

Why Brighton is a great place to study Fashion Design with Business Studies
Brighton is a city with creativity at its heart, making it the perfect setting to study Fashion Design with Business Studies. Home to independent fashion brands, art galleries and design festivals, the city offers endless inspiration and opportunities to engage with the creative community.

Our long heritage in art and design education means you’ll be part of a vibrant network of makers, with access to exhibitions and industry connections that extend beyond campus. Living and studying here gives you the chance to explore new ideas in a supportive, open-minded city known for its culture, innovation and craft.

Named one of the best cities on the planet and third best city in the UK by Time Out, Brighton is also a bustling hub for music, media and technology.

Course Modules

Year 1
You’ll build a strong foundation in fashion design, both creative, research and technical skills. You’ll learn the fundamentals of pattern cutting, draping and garment construction, while exploring the cultural and commercial contexts of fashion.

Core modules
Market Research and Business in the Creative Industries
Fashion Fundamentals
Design and Make
Personal Design Development
Design and Culture Under Scrutiny

Year 2
You’ll broaden your knowledge of fashion contexts and market sectors through diverse projects. You will also be encouraged to develop individual areas of specialism and build a personal body of design work for your professional portfolio.

Core modules
Preparing for and Engaging with Business
Fashion Concepts, Contexts and Market Awareness
Fashion Design Specialism
Creative Collaboration in the Fashion Industry
The Clothes and Fabrics of Society

Optional Placement Year
You can gain valuable industry experience and earn money on an optional placement year, returning to your final year with confidence, hands-on experience and valuable contacts. Our students have completed placements at brands including Alexander McQueen, Jaeger, COS and Alexander Wang.

Final year
You will develop a personal piece of research and experimentation to inform the design and creation of an original collection of outfits. You will also produce a professional portfolio of design work, a research essay and a business or marketing plan.

Core modules
Design Management and Business Plan
Historical and Critical Studies Research Project
Fashion Design Major Project
Professional Portfolio