Fashion

You will be able to study the following qualifications in this subject: 

• Level 1 UAL Diploma Art, Design and Media?(1 year) 

• Level 2 UAL Diploma Art and Design?(1 year) Fashion Pathway 

• Level 3 UAL Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice (2 years) Fashion & Textiles Pathway 

 Our Art and Design level 1 and Fashion level 2 introduces you to traditional and technical skills, so you build a broad, confident skill set rather than specialising too soon. You'll learn traditional techniques such as observational drawing, sewing skills and textile print processes alongside using creative digital tools, developing real technical control over materials before deciding where your interests lie. At level 3 our Fashion & Textiles course teaches you to design, make and finish garments and fabric professionally, using industry techniques and equipment. Art, Design and Communication covers fashion design, garment construction, pattern cutting and textile techniques including print, dye and stitched textiles. You'll get hands-on time with industrial and specialist sewing machines, pattern blocks and print equipment, building practical making skills alongside your design ideas.

Sketchbook and research work runs alongside practical making throughout, so you learn to plan a design properly before cutting fabric — just as you would for coursework, competitions or further study portfolios. 

Modules include: 

• Fashion: Over two years you will become proficient in garment design, pattern drafting and cutting, garment construction, technical construction and fashion photography, all to a professional standard. 

• Textiles: Explore a wide range of experimental techniques, from knitting and weaving to embellishing, machine embroidery and surface printing, applying these skills to your fashion designs. 

• Drawing: Develop your traditional and digital drawing skills through observation techniques, mark making, still life, life drawing and fashion illustration, helping you visualise your creative ideas. 

• Digital Fashion: Learn to create mood boards, fashion flats, digital fashion illustrations, pattern designs and fashion GIFs, along with other techniques to design and promote your fashion and textiles work. 

Work experience 

Real-world context 

We co-design parts of the course with fashion and textile industry specialists, so what you learn reflects real creative practice. You'll gain experience of working in a professional context, creating design and made work for clients including community groups, and private and public organisations — building the confidence, experience and relevant portfolio that support your next step. Trips and industry visits also enrich your cultural and creative knowledge. 

 Gaining real industry experience is an important part of the course. We’ll support you in finding work placements and our tutors have excellent links with employers. We also invite professionals and organisations to set live briefs, deliver masterclasses, and share insights into the career paths you might take. 

Our students have gained experience with design organisations, local trade and fashion shows, and independent designers. They’ve modelled in fashion shows, created design collections, collaborated with pattern cutting teams, and completed live briefs resulting in a wide range of creative outcomes. 

You'll leave with a collection of finished samples and garments, strong technical sewing and pattern-cutting skills, and a good understanding of the design process — ready for Foundation, degree-level Fashion or Textiles study, or an entry-level industry role. 

Where it can take you 

Fashion Designer · Textile Designer · Costume Designer · Pattern Cutter · Stylist · Further Creative study at BA Hons level 

You’ll be continuously assessed throughout the course to measure what you’ve learned from each module and assignment.

To prepare you for a successful career in the fashion and textiles industry, many assessments reflect real industry standards. You may be asked to pitch ideas, present professional planning documents, create products for specific target audiences, or collaborate with an employer on a live brief to deliver a final outcome.

For each project, you’ll produce a portfolio of evidence, formally assessed by your tutors at key points during the year. One-to-one tutorials will review your progress, set stretching targets, and help you continually improve.

Your final grade will be based on your Final Major Project, where you’ll bring together the skills and techniques you’ve learned to design and create a piece of your choice. This project will be assessed by your tutors, moderated externally, and exhibited for peers and staff to see.

Our Level 2 Fashion and Textiles course is designed as a pathway onto our Level 3 course. After completing Level 3, you can progress to university, an apprenticeship or full-time employment.

Possible career routes include: children’s wear design, contour design, costume design, fashion buyer, fashion design, fashion forecasting, fashion marketing and merchandising, fashion photography, fine art textiles, garment technologist, knitwear design, pattern cutting, print design, stylists, surface pattern design, textiles design and weave design.

Many students choose to continue their studies at higher education level, progressing to courses such as fashion design, textiles in practice, costume design, contour design, surface pattern design and fashion business and merchandising.

Previous students have secured places at leading universities and specialist institutions including: Arts University Bournemouth, Birmingham City University, Leeds College of Art, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, London College of Fashion, University of Huddersfield and University of Westminster.