BA (Hons) Fashion Design Degree

Course Content

Learn the essentials of fashion—illustration, design, pattern cutting, sewing, textiles, and CAD—while mastering both 2D and 3D techniques. You’ll explore sustainable slow fashion, working with ethical fabrics, end-of-roll materials, and innovative textiles like cactus-based vegan leather through industry collaborations. Along the way, you’ll tackle live briefs, build a standout portfolio, and finish with a full fashion collection that launches you into the industry.

Teaching Method

We use a variety of teaching methods, including: 

• practical and creative studio-based workshops
• discussions
• lectures/seminars
• tutorials
• small group study
• self-directed study
• study trips

Key Features

• Master core fashion skills—illustration, design, pattern cutting, sewing, garment making, and textiles.
• Experiment with 2D and 3D techniques, from tailoring to textile printing.
• Create a full fashion collection in your final year to showcase your talent.
• Validated by UAL, this degree blends creativity with industry focus, preparing you for a career in sustainable fashion.
• Access state-of-the-art studios, CAD software, exhibition spaces, and specialist facilities—from textile print rooms and laser cutters to sewing workshops and photo studios.

Year One

In your first year, you’ll build the essential skills for design success—mastering tools, garment construction, and safe studio practices while developing strong organisation and time management.

You’ll dive into visual research, trend analysis, and consumer insights to create purposeful garments and sharpen your design communication through both traditional and digital methods.

Hands-on exploration includes 3D draping, advanced pattern cutting, and construction techniques to bring your ideas to life, alongside cultivating independent work habits and self-evaluation for a confident design approach.

You’ll also research ethical production, explore zero-waste techniques, and experiment with organic sourcing, while enhancing IT and project management skills for efficient workflows.

At the same time, you’ll build a solid foundation in design theory, history, and social contexts, developing critical thinking through lively discussions, debates, and independent projects—all setting you up for a creative, responsible, and future-focused career in fashion.

• Unit 1: Fashion Techniques and Processes
• Unit 2: Research and Design
• Unit 3: Cultural and Contextual Studies
• Unit 4: Creative 2D Practice
• Unit 5: Creative 3D Realisation
• Unit 6: Sustainable Practice

Year Two

Year 2 is all about sharpening your craft and stepping closer to the fashion industry. In the first half, you’ll advance your technical expertise—diving into tailoring, mastering bespoke cutting techniques, and weaving sustainability into your designs. You’ll also learn how to design for the market, with a focus on consumer needs and the latest technologies.

The second half is dedicated to building your professional identity. You’ll refine your interpersonal and self-promotion skills, gain valuable work experience, and explore career opportunities through industry connections and research. Finally, you’ll strengthen your critical thinking and research abilities, bringing it all together in a self-directed project that showcases your growing independence and creativity.

• Unit 7: Bespoke Tailoring -Emotionally Durable Design
• Unit 8: Design for Industry
• Unit 9: USP and Self-Branding 
• Unit 10: Advanced Cultural and Contextual Studies

Year Three

In your final year, you’ll showcase everything you’ve learned by creating a bold, research-driven fashion collection rooted in sustainability and innovation. Alongside this, you’ll refine your professional portfolio, sharpen your brand identity, and master industry-standard tools to present your vision with confidence. Career-focused workshops and collaborations with models, photographers, and stylists prepare you for the leap into the fashion world. You’ll also complete a self-directed research project, proving your independence, creativity, and readiness to thrive as a professional designer.

and present their findings in a dissertation format. Individual feedback and tutorials will provide ongoing support throughout the research process.

• Unit 11: Final Collection
• Unit 12: Portfolio
• Unit 13: Career Planning 
• Unit 14: Creative and Critical Research Project (Dissertation)