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Fashion

BA (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · 21/09/2026 · UndergraduateThe Northern School of Art

Course summary

Across three years, you’ll develop the creative, digital, and practical skills needed to thrive in diverse fashion industries—from launching your own label to working with luxury global brands.

Our curriculum blends sustainable design, marketing communication, art direction, and fashion styling with cutting-edge digital technologies like 2D and 3D simulation software. You'll collaborate with peers across disciplines, tackle client-led briefs, and participate in national and international competitions. This hands-on, practical approach ensures you graduate with a strong portfolio and the confidence to position yourself in the competitive fashion landscape.

In your final year, you’ll refine your specialism, whether in design, styling, or fashion marketing, culminating in a graduation project that reflects your unique vision. Supported by passionate staff, industry-standard facilities, and meaningful placement opportunities, you’ll join a close-knit, inspiring community ready to nurture your journey as an emerging fashion professional.

We don’t just teach fashion—we empower you to shape its future.

Modules

Year One - Fashion Communication & Design
In your first year (Level 4), you will be introduced to the core skills and design techniques required of the world of fashion. You’ll explore fashion communication, styling and design approaches to fully integrate you into the fast-paced and exciting possibilities the fashion industry has to offer. This year focuses on developing your technical ability as well as and your communication skills, and overall awareness of the global fashion industry.

• Experimentation
• Redesign and Style
• Product Visualisation
• Product Realisation
• Fashion Marketing

Year Two - Development and Exploration
Your second year (Level 5) builds on this foundation, allowing you to develop more advanced, industry-standard skills and a deeper understanding of the fashion sector. You will begin to define your specialist areas of fashion, whether this is through design, communication, style or an even mix of them all, through live briefs and self-directed projects, while building a professional portfolio that reflects your distinct fashion specialism. During this stage, you are also encouraged to seek relevant work experience or external collaborations where suitable opportunities arise.

• Advanced Product and Promotion
• Industry Specialisms
• Fashion Futures
• Creative Discussion

Year Three - Consolidation and Expertise
In your final year (Level 6), you will consolidate your skills, experience, and creative identity to prepare you to enter the global fashion industry. Working on self-initiated collections and projects, you will refine your practice and explore your future professional direction. This year provides the opportunity to realise your creative ambitions, demonstrate independence and originality, and prepare for a successful transition into fashion industry and related areas, or further study.

• Specialist Practice 1
• Specialist Practice 2
• Professional Futures and Final Show
• Dissertation and Report

Assessment method

In course assessment. Each module is assessed on completion and given a percentage mark.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W232
Institution code:
C71
Campus name:
The Northern School of Art
Campus Code:
H

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

International applicants

We do not currently accept students from outside of the UK. However, we can accept applications from those have evidence of pre-settled status to live, work and study in the UK. Please contact admissions@northernart.ac.uk for more information.

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 96 - 112 points

UCAS tariff points can be made up of a mixture of Level 3 qualifications.

A level - CCC - BBC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM - DMM

Access to HE Diploma

Successfully complete Access to HE Diploma

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Successfully complete Foundation Diploma

T Level - Pass (C and above)

Your potential is our main focus when assessing your suitability for the programme you have applied to. Because of this, we take into account all aspects of your application and not just your academic profile.
If you are a mature applicant (i.e. 21+ years), we will place more emphasis on your portfolio and the skills and experience you can demonstrate at interview.
Your portfolio, which you bring to interview, is an integral part of the assessment. It should demonstrate your current skills, interests and knowledge where appropriate.
It is also expected that you will bring evidence of written work to interview and/or have a Level 2 qualification in English/Literacy.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
https://northernart.ac.uk/study-with-us/hartlepool-campus/supporting-you/how-to-apply/
Portfolio
https://northernart.ac.uk/study-with-us/hartlepool-campus/supporting-you/how-to-apply/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Due to the creative nature of our programmes, we treat all applications on their own merit and welcome anyone who has the ability and aspirations to achieve at higher education. Applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate their potential to us by showing their portfolio at an interview. If you are predicted points below the stipulated range, or if you have any other qualifications or professional experience, please get in touch as we still may be able to consider you.

Learn more on the The Northern School of Art website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course and 8 other creative arts and design courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

82% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

85 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

95 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

As with most creative programmes delivered at higher education, this programme will have additional costs such as material and basic tools and contribution towards educational visits to ensure successful completion of the programme. The School offers financial support packages to help with this, whether this be through means-tested bursaries and/or grants. In addition, the School offers subsidised resale of course materials, free use of studios etc. More detailed information is provided at the interview stage; however, if you require this sooner please contact interviews@northernart.ac.uk

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