Textile Innovation & Sustainability

Learn how you can engineer novel textile solutions to address environmental and ethical concerns and change the textile industry for the better.

Fast fashion, environmental concerns and labour exploitation are huge challenges facing the textile industry today. That’s why the next generation of socially aware innovators are in high demand.

This course will empower you to drive sustainable textile innovations to help unravel global issues in the industry.

You’ll grasp the fundamentals, before specialising in areas you’re interested in, like social design, fashion management, or digital design and printing.

You’ll come to fully understand how technology feeds into the craft of innovative and sustainable textiles. Discover how textile firms are sourcing new materials and techniques to engineer innovative products to meet global demand.

There’s a huge need for environmental alternatives to today’s materials and solutions. You’ll explore how the shift to sustainability and reuse is changing the landscape of the textile industry. After your course, you’ll be able to play your part in designing the ethical processes and sustainable products of the future.

Student profile: Fionn O'Neill

"Learning from lecturers who are involved in leading research and innovation within sustainable fashion gives such valuable insight into what the future of the industry will look like."

Fionn O'Neill, BA Sustainable Fashion

Why study at Leeds

• Secure your future: Future-proof your career by embracing the latest textile innovations.

• Get industry backing: Apply to study your course under a scholarship with the UKFT.

• Learn in expert facilities: Test your skills with our spaces and professional-grade tools, like our state-of the art equipment for polymer synthesis fibre extrusion, yarn and fabric development, digital printing studio, and laboratory for materials testing and characterisation.

• Year in industry: Gain invaluable contacts and real-world experience with the industry.

Rankings and awards

• 6th in the UK for Art and Design, Complete University Guide 2026

• 53rd in the world for Arts and Humanities, QS World Rankings by Subject 2026

Where this degree could take you

As a graduate, you have a huge range of potential careers open to you, including but not limited to:

• fashion buyers

• garment technologists

• colour technologists

• project scientists

• quality engineers

• R&D engineers

Our graduates have gone on to work a variety of companies, including:

• Amey

• Bradbury Lewis

• Bridal Apparel

• Carrington Textiles

• Cherry Red Advisory

Careers support
Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.