Fashion Design (with Foundation Year)

The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that has a huge impact on our world today. The benefits are vast, and a great industry giant such as fashion needs innovators who think beyond the structural norms that have followed fashion design through time.

We will teach you to understand the historical context of the creative industries so that you can become innovators and disruptors for the greater advancement of fashion design itself.
With an eye on sustainability, ethical materials, cultural awareness and diversity in our society, you can become fashion designers of influence and fledging stars in a highly saturated market.
We encourage you to be different and harness your own creative diversity. We'll give you tools that will prepare you for the wider fashion industry and knowledge of how you can progress on your journey.

A foundation year at the University of East London (UEL) is more than just an extra year—it’s your pathway to success. It helps you adjust to university life, build confidence, and develop essential skills for levels 4-6 of your chosen degree. With dedicated support, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to thrive in your studies and future career while becoming part of a supportive community.

Foundation Year: Mental Wealth and Professional Fitness - Creative and Technology Industries Study Skills (Core), Creative and Technology Industries Data Skills (Core), Media and Communication Skills (Core), Creative Industries in Practice (Core)

Year 1: Technical Skills & Innovation (Core), Fashion Practice (Core), Fashion Contexts and Research (Core), Fashion Process (Core), Fashion Enterprise 1 (Core), Mental Wealth: Professional Life - Business of Fashion 1 (Core)

Year 2: Technical Applications (Core), Creative Fashion Practice (Core), Theory of Fashion (Core), Process and Identity (Core), Fashion Enterprise 2 (Core), Mental Wealth: Professional Life - Business of Fashion 2 (Core), Optional placement between Years 2 and 3 (Optional)

Year 3: Applied Innovation (Core), Advanced Creative Practice (Core), Final Major Project: Theoretical Identity (Core), Final Major Project: Realisation (Core), Fashion Enterprise 3 (Core), Mental Wealth: Professional Life - Business of Fashion 3 (Core)

For more information about individual modules, please visit our course pages via the link below.

Coursework will include practical outcomes, e.g. garment construction, technical sewing files, reports and presentations. Coursework includes essays, research files, sample and development portfolios, practical design development, group and seminar presentations and a final-year project.

The approximate percentages for this course are:

Year 1: 50% coursework, 50% practical, 0% exams
Year 2: 50% coursework, 50% practical, 0% exams
Year 3: 50% coursework, 50% practical, 0% exams
You will have the opportunity to gain feedback from your lecturers, peers and our industry partners. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.