Fashion: Design and Communication with Foundation Year

Why study Fashion: Design and Communication with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University?

• Introduces students to contemporary art and design practices, including art history and drawing, with a focus on the acquisition and development of core academic skills that are needed for successful transition into level 4 and completion of the degree

• 94% of students on this course were positive about the learning resources and facilities provided (National Student Survey 2025)

• Opportunities to study abroad or apply for art and design travel awards

• Specialise in either Fashion Design or Fashion Communication

• The programme is a member of the FTC (Association of Fashion and Textile Courses) as well as the Ethical Fashion Forum

About your course
The BA (Hons) Fashion: Design and Communication at Liverpool John Moores University offers you the opportunity to study either Fashion Design or Fashion Communication, while interacting within a creative, collaborative fashion environment.

The programme has been developed with two distinct pathways - each pathway benefitting from dedicated, separate studio spaces and teaching. The curriculum is delivered by specialists focused on their disciplines and close to the fashion community. Located in the award-winning John Lennon Art and Design Building, which puts creative practice at its heart. During your studies, you will have a wealth of opportunities available to you, from live projects and competitions to developing an industry standard portfolio.

Innovation sits at the heart of our course, and the city of Liverpool is a source of inspiration for students to grow and prosper as creative and forward thinking individuals. Following from Liverpool's tenure as European Capital of Culture in 2008, the city has flourished to become key destination for fashion and the visual arts. The School of Art and Creative Industries sits at the centre of the city's cultural renaissance and has forged close links with key arts organisations including Tate Liverpool, Liverpool Biennial and FACT.

Fashion Design and Communication tutors encourage an experimental individual approach to fashion, allowing you to create your own style within the framework of the course curriculum. This approach will enable you to progress into a wide-range of careers - from commercial and high-end design to self-employment, freelance work and postgraduate study. Students are able to work within their fields of choice building on a firm skillset to prepare them for careers in the industry.

In Fashion Design, students work from concept to final garment construction so they understand the process of design as well as the practical application. Research is essential to innovation and we embed fashion studies to further our students' individual interests. This knowledge is empowering and allows our graduates to work across a wide range of the fashion industry from High Street to Couture.

In Fashion Communication, students are able to work across the whole syllabus, from branding, PR, marketing, photography and styling. With knowledge from location sourcing to final layout and editorial, they are able to offer specialist companies a whole package of transferable skills to work on a broad range of projects.

Keep up-to-date with us by visiting our Instagram profile @wearefashion_lsad

Foundation Year
The first year of a four-year degree programme. A preparatory year of study that equips students with the necessary academic and practical skills for success in higher education, with the aim to introduce students to contemporary art and design practices, including those required to undertake studio-based projects at higher education.

Once students pass the Foundation Year they will progress directly onto the first year of the BA (Hons) programme. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

Please visit the Liverpool John Moores University website for detailed module information.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

If you choose the Fashion Design Pathway, you will be expected to produce research and design development including samples, toiles, garments, illustration, photography and blogs.

If you opt for Fashion Communication, you will also be expected to produce a body of research linked to a series of projects that could include Branding, Styling, PR, Blogs, Photography, Trends and Magazine editorial/s.

Other forms of assessment include written dissertation and reports, a personal development planning folder or a CV, biography, press release and/or blog.

Constructive feedback, whether formal or informal, is crucial in helping you to improve your performance and your tutors will always be on hand to help you evaluate your own work and assess progress.

Formative and summative feedback is given throughout the year at key points for each module.