Fashion Design Top-up

Completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject? Top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design.

With a focus on craftsmanship and innovation, we will equip you with a broad and practise-based knowledge of fashion design, experimentation, pattern cutting and construction to enable you to create your individual collections. If you want to make your mark on the fashion industry, start with this course.

Why Study BA (Hons) Fashion Design Top-up at BNU?
A degree for you
A top-up degree is the equivalent of the final year of an undergraduate degree, and offers a chance to deepen your knowledge, skills and understanding of your subject, while also getting an internationally-recognised qualification.

If you have completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject, you can choose to top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree.

Industry-level facilities
We are extremely proud to be able to offer industry-standard studios, technical machines and high-quality equipment to our fashion and textile-based courses.

You will master materials, both through traditional methods and using digital software. This includes an in-house fabric and yarn store, screen printing facilities, a dye laboratory and sewing and garment production facilities.

In our professional-working studio you’ll have you own workspace which you’ll be able to turn into your own personal area, where you can bring your designs to life and surround yourself with inspiration.

We also have specialist technicians and demonstrators on site to support and share their knowledge with you, when and if you need it.

As well as this you may also have the chance to access to our photography studios where you’ll be able to work collaboratively with photography and hair and make-up students to build your portfolio, and network like you would in the industry.

Taught by industry
Led by a dedicated and experienced course team, you’ll benefit from their industry knowledge and the industry links they bring to the course. You’ll get direct access to guest lectures, who are specialists in the sector, and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and networking opportunities.

What will I study?
On our BA (Hons) in Fashion Design Top-up programme, you’ll explore the many twists and turns of fashion, as well as how to research and develop ideas to produce exciting and innovative fashion. The course cultivates new ways of making and thinking.

Creativity, innovation, holistic thinking and the development of your unique style are at the core of this fashion degree programme. The course aims to develop your knowledge and skills in fashion design on both an artistic and professional level. You will be encouraged to research, interpret and develop your own appreciation of the use of traditional techniques, new technologies, materials and innovative design solutions.

During your time with us, you’ll learn approaches that will enable you to understand the design process from concept, through design to production and product placement. You’ll delve into the core fundamentals, including 2D and 3D, advanced pattern cutting, manufacturing processes, illustration and processes and materials workshops.

Upon graduating from this fashion design degree you’ll have developed your aesthetic style, which will then lead on to the completion of a final capsule collection, and an industry ready portfolio and promotion package - all of which is shown at our end of year summer show, which both industry and friends are invited too.

Course Modules

Year One
Core Modules
Professional Practice
Final Collection
Contextual Report

To achieve the full BA (Hons) in Fashion Design you will need to complete a final collection, a contextual report as well as undertake a Professional Practice module.

The final collection and contextual report will allow you to investigate a topic important to you within fashion design. You will cover the whole research process, undertaking empirical investigation and analysis.

The Professional Practice module gives you the opportunity to undertake work-based learning or answer live industry briefs, gaining the practical and transferable skills you need for your career in the creative industries.