BA (Hons) Fashion Design

BA (Hons) Fashion Design students are based in studios housing resources which reflect those typically used in the fashion industry; our large studios are equipped with a range of industrial sewing machines, digital design and pattern cutting facilities, and presses that you would expect to see in a professional garment production setting. Printmaking facilities include flat-bed and vacuum-bed screen-printing for textiles and paper, using a variety of print media, digital textile printers and a large dye laboratory.

Students are able to borrow photography equipment including digital SLR cameras for still and moving image, lighting and a range of support equipment, which can be used in our lighting studios or off-site. Digital print resources enable professional-standard, large-format digital printing and print finishing. Large format (up to A0) printers are available, capable of printing over a metre wid.

Computer suites house networks of Apple Mac computers featuring regularly updated, industry-standard software for a wide range of creative applications that support all our courses including: image creation, scanning, editing and manipulation; and 3D scanning and 3D printing. All our suites use equipment consistent with that used in the creative workplace. A purpose-built specialist library is open to all students and includes Digital Collections to enhance the learning experience, and special collections of artists’ books, photobooks and illustrated books as well as the University archive. Self service facilities are available throughout, supported by a dedicated and experienced team of library staff.

The fashion industry is ever diversifying and there are many opportunities for our fashion design graduates. Typically, careers include positions in fashion design, product development, design studio assistant roles, fashion buying, trend prediction, visual merchandising, garment production and technology, and pattern cutting. Some graduates choose to take on freelance work, or set up their own company. Graduates may also continue to postgraduate study, including onto our MA Fashion.

Creative thinking is at the core of all our courses and the ability to develop creative solutions in a variety of professional contexts is in demand across a range of careers. Our courses embed research, communication, writing and presentation skills. Along with an ability to collaborate with others and a high level of cultural awareness, our graduates are also able to create possibilities for career progression in the wider creative economy as part of other industries.