BA (Hons) Fashion

Foundation Year: Learn the foundations of fashion and creative design 

Our Foundation Year gives you the creative, technical and academic foundations needed for degree-level study in the UK. Through practical projects, research and creative exploration, you’ll build confidence, develop key skills and begin creating a portfolio of work.
 
Visual Culture
Explore how art, design and media communicate ideas and influence the world around us. You’ll develop visual analysis and critical thinking skills while learning how cultural, social and technological influences shape contemporary creative practice.
 
English for Academic Purposes, Research & Study Skills
Build the academic skills needed for university study, including research, critical thinking, academic writing and presentation. You’ll learn how to communicate ideas clearly, evaluate sources and develop confidence in your academic practice.
 
Final Major Project
Complete a self-directed creative project that brings together the skills you’ve developed throughout your Foundation year. From initial research and experimentation all the way through to a finished outcome, you’ll demonstrate your creativity, problem-solving and readiness for degree-level study. 

Year 1: Learn the principles of fashion design and creative development

In Year 1, you’ll build a strong foundation in fashion design, combining creative exploration with practical garment development skills. You’ll learn how to research, develop and communicate original design ideas while gaining experience in pattern cutting, construction, illustration and visual presentation. Alongside studio practice, you’ll explore the cultural and historical influences that continue to shape contemporary fashion. 

Introduction to Fashion Design 
Develop the creative and research skills that underpin successful fashion design. You’ll explore contemporary design practices, materials, colour and sustainable approaches while learning how to generate innovative ideas and transform them into informed design concepts. 

Fashion Visual Communication 
Learn how to communicate fashion ideas through drawing, illustration, digital design and portfolio presentation. You’ll develop your own visual style while building the skills needed to present concepts clearly and professionally using both traditional and digital techniques. 

Creative Cutting and Construction 
Build essential garment development skills through pattern cutting, sewing and construction techniques. You’ll learn how to transform two-dimensional design concepts into finished garments while exploring both technical accuracy and creative experimentation.

Introduction to Fashion History and Theory 
Explore key moments, movements and ideas that have shaped fashion throughout history. You’ll examine fashion within its wider social, cultural and political context while developing critical thinking, research and analytical skills that support your creative practice. 

Year 2: Develop advanced design skills and industry experience

In Year 2, you’ll refine your creative identity while developing more advanced technical and professional skills. Building on the foundations established in Year 1, you’ll explore tailoring, draping and collection development through increasingly ambitious projects. You’ll also gain valuable industry insight through professional practice and work placement opportunities, helping you prepare for a career in the global fashion industry. 

Creative Drape Practice 
Develop sophisticated draping techniques and experimental design methods while exploring historical and global influences on fashion. You’ll investigate sustainable approaches to design and learn how emerging technologies, including AI, can support creative development from concept to visualisation. 

Professional Practice 
Prepare for life in the fashion industry by developing professional, entrepreneurial and employability skills. Through industry engagement and work placement experience, you’ll gain insight into professional fashion environments while building the confidence and knowledge needed to manage your future career. 

Theories of Culture, Identity and Communication 
Examine the relationship between fashion, culture and society through contemporary debates and critical theory. You’ll explore topics including identity, representation, consumption and ethics while developing research skills that support both your design practice and future academic work. 

Year 3: Create your final collection and prepare for a career in fashion 

In your final year, you’ll bring together everything you’ve learned to produce ambitious, self-directed work that reflects your creative vision and professional aspirations. Focusing on collection development, research and portfolio building, you’ll refine your individual design identity while preparing for employment, freelance practice or postgraduate study. 

Professional Portfolio 
Build a professional portfolio that showcases your design skills, creative development and industry experience. You’ll evaluate your strengths, define your career goals and develop the materials needed to present yourself confidently to employers, clients or postgraduate institutions. 

Final Major Project: Collection 
Develop and realise your own fashion collection from initial concept through to final presentation. Drawing on self-directed research and experimentation, you’ll create a body of work that demonstrates your technical expertise, creative identity and understanding of contemporary fashion practice through pattern cutting, garment construction, styling and presentation. 

Applied Fashion Research Project 
Undertake an independent research project exploring an area of fashion that aligns with your interests and career ambitions. You’ll develop advanced research, analysis and critical thinking skills while producing a substantial piece of work that demonstrates your expertise and understanding of contemporary fashion issues.