BA (Hons) Fashion Branding with Communication

Year One — You will study multiple branding theories, concepts, processes, creative communication tools and applications employed by the industry, including the historical contexts, fashion culture, visual language, and consumerism. You will start developing your own voice, ideas and creative practice through individual and group projects. Research skills, lateral thinking and creative imagination are central to all units.

Year Two — You further develop your skills with a specific focus on future concepts and innovative, creative branding strategies. Exploration of applied theories to digital applications, social media platforms and multi-platform branding will further enhance your approach to branding and communication. Creative concept development will be supported through the study of consumers’ shifting relationship with brands and luxury, the emergence of new global consumption communities, online communication and identity formation, and trend forecasting of styles and ideas. Live projects and competitions will expand your external contacts and enhance your professionalism, confidence, experience and employability.

Year Three — You will consolidate your in-depth knowledge of developing fashion branding strategies and communication campaigns to produce a creative and professional portfolio. The self-directed final year takes a holistic approach through a body of research that is supported by reflective and critical writing. This culminates in the realisation of a graduate folio which reflects your individual philosophy and career aspirations as a fashion branding professional and creative thinker/communicator.

Work experience covers a broad range of activities and students are encouraged to undertake work placements during their time at university. As wellas guidance from the course team our Careers, Employability and Enterprise team offer support that enhances employability skills and underpins
engagement with industry.

Students worked with Mindless Magazine and Katie and May boutique on live briefs, and on an international collaboration with Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico.

Click here to view the course specification

Career opportunities include creative direction, fashion branding, brand management, fashion buying, set building, fashion promotion, fashion advertising, marketing and PR, event management, styling, fashion editing and writing, concept development, curation, visual merchandising, and social media management. Graduates may also progress to postgraduate study.

We’re looking for students with the best potential to succeed - irrespective of their background. That’s why we welcome a wide range of qualifications and experience.

Click here to view our entry requirements

A well presented portfolio says a lot about an applicant, their vision and their work. Our guidance is not meant to limit your creative statement and should act as a guide only.

In general terms however we would expect a combination of the following:

• Examples of drawing and colour usage
• Experimental mixed media/material samples
• Examples of design/idea development
• Examples or photographs of 2D and 3D work
• Critical diary, notebook, essay etc.

At this stage in your career we would much rather see experimental and innovative developmental work rather than all finished work. We would like to see a personal and well presented portfolio; there is no need for heavy card and plastic sleeves. We do not need to see all the work you have produced - around 20-30 samples in your main portfolio would be ideal.

We also run a range of daytime and evening portfolio development courses specialising in preparation for further and higher art and design education. For more information on current courses please click here.

We want students who are enthusiastic about fashion branding and communication and are interested in the creative application of theory concepts. We want students who have an awareness of current issues in the industry and are passionate about making a shift.

When you arrive at reception you will be met by a member of the course team who will take you to the interview location. You will be part of a small group of applicants who have been given the same half day interview slot.

We will provide a short overview of the course and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. You will then have a 15 minute personal interview with a member of the course team.

Since we interview several students in one half day session, you should be prepared to be in the University for up to two and a half hours. If you have had to travel long distances and have a train pre-booked, please let us know in advance and we will try to arrange the timing of your interview so you can get away in time.

Undergraduate degree courses at Leeds Arts University are delivered and supported through a range of teaching and learning strategies. Courses are made up of modules, these are elements of study that are taught and assessed separately. Each module carries a clearly identified credit value, the accumulation of which will allow you to progress to the next level of the course. 100 hours of learning are expected for every ten credits of the course. Each level (year) of the course is made up of 120 credits and therefore requires 1200 hours of learning. This equates to 40 hours of study per week throughout the academic year.

For every 100 hours of study, approximately 25 hours are delivered as taught or staff-led sessions and the remaining hours are a combination of other types of supported learning and independent study.

For further information visit Undergraduate teaching & learning at Leeds Arts University.

Tuition Fees

Our current fees are listed here

Other Costs

Further costs of study are related largely to the costs of materials and depend very much on how individual students choose to respond to University briefs. At the start of the first year you will be provided with a starter kit of equipment and materials that will help you during the first few months of the course. You will be provided with basic materials to help you complete set briefs. As you progress through the course, you will incur additional costs depending on the level and complexity of the work you are making and the materials you use.

The costs below are the result of asking our students to state how much they spend during the year and creating an average, as such they are indicative only.

Equipment & Materials

• Level 4 (First Year) General art materials, items for styling purposes and printing are needed throughout the course and will be dependent on personal practice - £150-£200 (approximately)
• Level 5 (Second Year) As above - £150-£200 (approximately)
• Level 6 (Third Year) Extended practice module related costs - £400 (this is only an estimation, as costs of level 6 modules are entirely dependent upon individual students’ direction)

Computers & Digital Equipment

Our course is offered using a blended learning model which means you will need to access some course materials and video conference using a computer or mobile de-vice (eg laptop, tablet or smartphone). If you are intending to buy a computer for your studies we suggest that you wait until you commence your studies. You will quickly find out what you need and what you don’t need. The Course Team will be able to offer you advice on what to buy and where to purchase it from based on your creative needs and budget. If you do not have access to a mobile device and are unable to afford one you may be eligible for further support from our hardship fund, more information can be found here.

Educational Visits & Offsite Activities

Due to current travel restrictions and the uncertainties caused by the pandemic no residential trips are planned for the autumn 2020 term. This situation will be assessed and reviewed as the course progresses so that opportunities for educational visits further afield can be explored. Costs for such trips are in addition to other costs but attendance is not mandatory.

We provide support for undergraduate students dependent upon their financial circumstances. Visit Undergraduate Financial Support for further information.

Click here to view our Terms & Conditions

Click here to view the Key Information for this course

We are delighted to welcome undergraduate visiting and exchange students from Europe and around the world who would like to spend a semester or a full academic year taking credits from our exciting range of courses. You will be fully integrated into the academic and social life of the University during a period of full-time supervised study and your credits transferred back to your home institution.

You can join us through programmes such as Erasmus+, individual university partnerships or as an independent applicant. Please see here for more information and how to apply.

Leeds Arts University students interested in spending some time overseas can find information on the international opportunities available during your course here.

Questions? Contact international@leeds-art.ac.uk

Please apply direct to the University for our BA (Hons) Fashion Branding with Communication course using the links below.

If you need any assistance completing the form please contact the Admissions team at admissions@leeds-art.ac.uk or call us on 0113 280 8000.