Fashion Design

Our Fashion Design students benefit from professional-standard facilities and strong links with industry names, with recent students working on briefs set by the British Fashion Council, Burberry, Warehouse and New Look.

Specialise in menswear, womenswear or fashion knitwear, and study a range of topics including fashion illustration, innovative concept development, pattern cutting and computer-aided design (CAD) for fashion and design development. Sustainability is a key focus and students have recently collaborated with researchers on zero waste pattern cutting and fabric repurposing.

Talented graduates have recently showcased their collections as part of various fashion weeks and events across the UK and worldwide in destinations such as Shanghai, Dubai and Hong Kong.

We are recognised as one of the country’s most sustainable fashion and textiles schools (Green Gown Awards, 2021) and one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2023 (CEOWORLD, 2023).

First year
Block 1: Inquire: Creative Contexts and Fundamental Technologies
Block 2: Connect: Application and Communication
Block 3: Product: Creative Design and Technologies
Block 4: Define: Digital Abilities and Design Cultures

Second year
Block 1: Enhancing Expertise
Block 2: Cultural Contexts and Realisation for Outerwear
Block 3: Creative Collaborations
Block 4: Surface Application and Promotion

Third year
Block 1: Innovation and Investigation
Block 2: Pre-Collection
Block 3 and Block 4: Major Project with Design Cultures

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments – rather than lots of exams at the end of the year – and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Structure
Critical thinking and research skills related to contemporary issues in the global fashion and textiles industry are integrated in each year, alongside career development skills and opportunities. Project briefs will enable you to produce work to a professional standard that responds to current industry demands and you will develop a personal portfolio that can be used to launch your career after graduation.

The assessments are designed to build on each other as you progress in your studies and you will have opportunities to receive feedback on your work throughout your learning journey. Assessment can be varied, but generally will take the form of a visual presentation either as a catwalk, or digital display.

Contact hours
In your first year you will normally attend around 18 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 18 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.