Heriot-Watt University - Edinburgh Open Day (September)
26 Sept 2026, 09:00
Edinburgh
Design for Textiles (Fashion, Interior, Art)
- Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
- 4 Years
- Full-Time
- 13 September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Scottish Borders
Course summary
Learn practical and academic skills working with some of the finest printing, weaving and knitting facilities anywhere in the UK. Our studios and workshops provide a professional creative space, where you’ll benefit from the real hands-on learning opportunities that come with access to our industry-standard facilities, equipment and space.
This highly creative course covers fashion and furnishing fabrics, accessories, wall coverings, gallery pieces, greeting cards, gift wrap and stationery products. It aims to encourage independent learning and development towards your selected pathways in printed and constructed woven, printed and knitted textiles. The combination of general textile lectures with those covering innovation will boost your knowledge in both traditional and cutting-edge approaches.
We place an emphasis on fabric making that responds to a brief. Many of the projects you’ll work on will involve recognised design studios and companies like leading colour forecast company Trend Bible and leading USA fabric producers Cotton Inc. Our students even have the opportunity to work with Old Navy to design prints for a specific sector, in a competition where the winner can secure a three-month paid placement in San Francisco as part of their internship scheme.
The way the course underpins your design skills with technology and marketing expertise means you’ll develop the highly sought-after skillset that employers are looking for, particularly in the woven and knitted textile industry. Many of our graduates have gone on to work for companies in Scotland, UK and the USA, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Paul Smith and Gap.
Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees
How to apply
Apply by
13 January 2027
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W232
- Institution code:
- H24
- Campus name:
- Scottish Borders
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelBCC
For entry to Year 2: BBC.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish HNCPass
HNC Pass in relevant subject for entry to Year 1.
For Year 2 entry: HNC in a relevant subject with B in graded unit.
Scottish HNDPass
HND in a relevant subject with a C in the graded unit for entry to Year 1. For Year 2/3 entry: HND in a relevant subject with BB in the graded units.
Scottish HigherBBBB
GCSE/National 4/National 5
It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)
Scottish Advanced HigherABB
plus A
BBBB at Higher for entry to Year 2
International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgrammeOffer: 29
For entry to Year 2: A total of 30 points required.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DMM
in a relevant subject for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: DMM in relevant subject.
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information on the entry requirements for these.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A level BCC
For entry to Year 2: BBC.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
Scottish Higher BBBC
GCSE/National 4/National 5
It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent).
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
Additional entry requirements
- Portfolio
- Selection is by application and submission of a portfolio, which will demonstrate your aptitude to textiles through use of colour, texture, rhythmic pattern-making and a logical design process. The ability to produce observational work in the form of both controlled and gestural drawing, painting and relief work should also be shown. Applicants are invited to submit a digital portfolio before the end of February. Late submissions may be accepted, please contact portfolios@hw.ac.uk for more information. If upon review of a portfolio it is deemed appropriate, we will contact an applicant for interview. Online portfolio feedback sessions with an academic will be offered following your submission. What to include in your digital portfolio: Your application must include a portfolio of 10 to 15 carefully curated pages in PDF format. Please ensure that the images used in your submission are high resolution and of good quality. These images should include examples of past work and must include evidence of the following: Research and investigation: To show the level of your engagement in visual investigation and research and how well you apply and integrate it within a design project. This could be through the medium of notetaking, sketches, photographs, painting, collages and so on. Design development: To show your ability to explore and develop ideas in a creative and critical way; and your level of skill and ability in the use of different visual methods and techniques to express development. We want you to show a strong evolution of your work and ideas. Visual communication and presentation: To clearly communicate and visually express a few of your most successful design projects from start to finish in a professional way.
English language requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not been educated previously in the English language must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English Language tests that we currently accept as proof of English Language ability including our own English Language programmes, can be viewed on our website.https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/entry/english-language-requirements.htm
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
We realise that not everyone has an equal opportunity to evidence their full potential from school or college qualifications alone, so we use all the information you provide on your application form to assess both your current achievements and potential to thrive at university. Our minimum entry levels apply to MD20, POLAR 4 Q1 and care experienced students. Students from other widening access backgrounds may get an adjusted offer which is slightly lower than our standard entry requirements.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for Heriot-Watt University - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £9790 | |
| Scotland | £1820 | |
| EU & International | £20080 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Subject to confirmation
Course contact details
Admissions Office
Email:studywithus@hw.ac.uk
Phone:0131 451 3376
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS
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