Fashion Design

This degree will nurture your creativity through practical experience spanning tailoring to streetwear, and silhouette to textile experimentation.

Throughout the course you'll be supported to gain an in-depth knowledge of the fashion design process from initial concept, research and design development, through to the realisation of final design outcomes. With the freedom to explore both menswear and womenswear, you are encouraged to include print design and textiles into fashion design projects.

The academic team have a real focus on getting to know each student individually, and with a wide range of design briefs, from the highly creative to live commercial projects, you will be encouraged to push your creative design skills and develop your individual design identity - gaining an understanding of where you fit best in the industry.

You'll study advanced technical skills such as creative pattern-cutting, garment manufacturing, and digital print design in our industry-standard facilities which include specialist machine rooms, digital and sublimation printers, and a range of laser cutters.

Emphasis is also placed on developing professional visual communication skills, including fashion illustration, technical drawing, and mood board presentation, enabling you to build an exciting and industry-ready portfolio of design work.

To complement your studies and to gain professional industry experience, you'll be required to do a work placement. Past students have gained internships at House of Holland, Timberland, Alexander McQueen, Ted Baker and Marks & Spencer.

Work from our final year students across our fashion-related degrees is showcased at Graduate Fashion Week (GFW). In 2023, seven students have been shortlisted by the Graduate Fashion Foundation across a number of different categories at the GFW23 awards. Read more about the students and their work.

If you're looking to study our fashion design degree but don't have the relevant qualifications or experience, the art and design foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the art and design foundation year.

Who is this course for?
Solent’s BA (Hons) fashion design degree is for students who are passionate about fashion design; who are keen to advance their creative design ability, knowledge of fashion industry practice and develop advanced creative technical skills.

Applicants should have previously studied a creative art and design subject, and have a portfolio of design work that demonstrates their skills and love of the subject area.

What does this course lead to?
This course primarily prepares students for design and studio assistant roles in menswear and womenswear for a wide range of market levels, from the high street to high-end.

Graduates also have the relevant skills to go into print and textile design roles. Graduates have also entered into roles such as assistant buyer, production assistant, pattern-cutter, and trend forecaster.