Fashion Design (Extended Degree)

If you want to pursue a creative degree at Arts University Plymouth but feel you have yet to acquire the experience and range of skills necessary, our Extended BA programme will prepare you for entry to one of our BA (Hons) undergraduate courses.

What is Extended BA?
Our Extended BA (Hons) Degrees offers a unique four-year route for students aiming to delve into the diverse realm of art, design, and media. This programme provides an initial exploratory year, where you'll cultivate insight into various creative skills and approaches, laying a robust foundation before advancing to a specialised degree of your choice. Whether you're returning to education after a hiatus or entering without formal qualifications, our Extended BA equips you with the requisite skills, knowledge, and experience to secure a place in our full undergraduate program.

Our Intensive Extended Degree program is a dynamic blend of lectures, workshops, and practical studio sessions designed to challenge and inspire. Our diverse student body spans from fresh-faced eighteen-year-olds to seasoned creatives in their seventies, fostering a rich collaborative environment. With the freedom to take risks and experiment, you'll develop a diverse skill set through hands-on experimentation with materials, processes, and methodologies. This transformative journey hones critical skills essential for degree-level study, expanding your proficiency in drawing, visual research, contextual studies, digital imaging, and design methods. Gain invaluable experience in a supportive atmosphere that encourages creativity, collaboration, and innovation.

BA (Hons) Fashion Design provides a comprehensive design education for actively engaged fashion thinkers and makers who are looking to influence change within the fashion industry.

From future forecasting, concept and design development and creative pattern cutting through to the creative direction of compelling marketing campaigns, you’ll explore fashion as one of the largest employers in the UK’s creative industries. The course is designed for forward-thinking individuals who seek to challenge assumptions, take creative risks and communicate their individual style through their work.

At a glance

• Degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Design

• UCAS codes: 3-year degree W290 / 4-year extended degree W234

• Typical UCAS points: 104–120

• Studio focus: fashion thinking, making, design development, creative pattern cutting and individual design identity

Entrepreneurship, industry links and live opportunities

Driving entrepreneurship with well-established local, national and international industry links, the course creates a broad range of opportunities for students with embedded business training and live opportunities.

Fast-paced and student-centred, the course provides learning experiences that nurture your creative potential, support your individual design identity and prepare you to work with confidence in a rapidly changing fashion industry.

Why choose this course?

Our philosophy is to develop students as visionary, empathetic and provocative fashion thinkers and skilled makers who can confidently challenge the conventions of a rapidly changing fashion industry.

You’ll benefit from an innovative, human and planet-centred design curriculum that is supported by an actively engaged and diverse team of tutors and professionals.

The fashion system requires a revolution for fashion creatives. As an Arts University Plymouth graduate you will be ready to reframe the challenges of the sector and empowered to lead systems change in the industry.

Careers and future opportunities

Career opportunities include: Fashion Designers, Knitwear Designers, Stylists, Buyers, Tailors, Fashion Illustrators, Pattern Cutters, Trend Forecasters, Visual Merchandisers, Studio Managers, Garment Technologists, Production Coordinators, Merchandisers and Lecturers.

Course Modules

The first year of an Extended Degree is not a qualification in its own right, but when you successfully complete it you are guaranteed a place on our full undergraduate programme.

You’ll develop confidence in your use of drawing, visual research, contextual studies, digital imaging and design methods, and you’ll have the chance to experiment with a range of materials, equipment, processes and software.

As the year goes by you’ll specialise in your chosen undergraduate subject (illustration, graphic design, fine art, etc.), helping you to become a confident, independent and creative artist, designer or maker.