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Undergraduate

Fashion Design BA (Hons)

What is Fashion Design BA (Hons)?

Develop your design identity in our new £2 million design studios. You’ll create your own market-focused catwalk collection, focusing on technical and making skills, sustainability and ethical design. With emphasis on responding to industry trends, you’ll learn how to visualise your ideas, articulating them through a range of visual communication forms and translate them into professional outcomes.

You’ll develop advanced skills in technical drawing, fabric sourcing, 2D design, 3D drape and pattern design, research, cutting and garment construction. In your second year you’ll begin preparing for your final-year catwalk collection that will showcase design signature, your technical abilities and your understanding of the innovation needed to compete in the fashion industry.

Make the most of fantastic industry links, including Superdry, Cotswold Collective, Clothes Show Live and Emma Willis. Fashion designers in lectures and workshops, live briefs and work placements offer you plenty of opportunities to prepare for your career.

Follow us on Instagram for the very latest Fashion Design updates from our staff and students.

Study style

Our students work closely with a range of professionals and undertake a work placement during second year with students recently working with
TMCollections (Portugal), Superdry, Paul Costello, Dirty Byrd, Special Olympics and Feather Studios.

You’ll benefit from industry panel critiques and get feedback from fashion designers, garment technologist and print designers from national and international manufacturers and retailers. You’ll have opportunities to get involved with prestigious fashion events such as London Fashion Week, Clothes Show Live, Graduate Fashion Week and New Designers.

Through a combination of taught modules, collaborative practical projects, live briefs and creative assignments, you’ll become an independent thinker with the ability to visualise your ideas and articulate them both two and three dimensionally.

Get Fashion Design BA (Hons) course updates and hear more about studying with us.

Entry requirements

    • 96 – 120 UCAS tariff points, CCC – BBB at A levels, MMM – DDM at BTEC, or a Merit in your T-Level.

      Entry to this course is by interview. Check out our Interview Guide to learn what to expect and help you prepare.

    • We welcome applicants with a pass in a relevant Foundation or Extended Diploma (Level 3 or 4).

    • English Language or Literature and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.

    • This course is available with an integrated foundation year to help you prepare. A degree with an integrated foundation year starts your studies with a year spent learning the skills required to progress onto a full honours degree. You will develop valuable study skills, communication, team work and problem-solving techniques which help to build your confidence and prepare you for the rest of your course.

      Typical offers
      48 UCAS tariff points, DD at A levels, PPP at BTEC or a Pass in your T Level.

      GCSEs
      Grade C/4 in English Language/Literature and Mathematics, or equivalent (e.g. Level 2 Functional Skills).

    • We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.

Course modules

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Fees and costs

See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.
Start date Location UCAS code Fee (UK)
per year
Fee (international)
per year
Sep 2023 Park, Cheltenham W230 £9,250 £15,450
Sep 2024 Park, Cheltenham W230 TBC TBC

Ready to apply?

Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work as:

  • Fashion Designer
  • Surface Pattern Designer
  • Pattern Cutter
  • Garment Technologist
  • Fashion Promotions
  • Brand Consultant
  • Fashion Stylist.

Industry links

We have fantastic industry links with Superdry; bespoke shirt designer Emma Willis; TMCollections; Clothes Show Live; Graduate Fashion Week; New Designers; SIT Select Showcase; Art Couture Painswick (previous judges include Grayson Perry, Lily Allen and Sienna Miller); Gloucestershire Business Show.

Our visiting lecturers have worked for Paul Smith, Jasper Conran, Debenhams, Bairdwear, Courtaulds, Weird Fish, George and Next.

Work directly with top fashion brands 

Superdry is collaborating with the course to provide expert industry advice, live briefs and practical experience through work placement opportunities for our students.

£2 million investment in new studios and equipment

Learn in purpose-built studio space with state-of-the-art technology. This includes design and production studios with industry-standard sewing machines, pattern-cutting tables and Mac computers.

Showcase your work at big fashion and arts events

Get involved with London Fashion Week, Clothes Show Live, Graduate Fashion Week, New Designers, SIT Select Showcase, Gloucestershire Business Show, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Arts Couture Painswick and the University of Gloucestershire Festival Fortnight Fashion Show.

Trips and experiences

You’ll have the opportunity to get involved with London Fashion Week, Clothes Show Live, Graduate Fashion Week, New Designers, SIT Select Showcase, Gloucestershire Business Show, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Arts Couture Painswick and the University of Gloucestershire Festival Fortnight Fashion Show.

Placements

Our students work closely with a range of professionals and undertake a work placement during second year with students recently working with TMCollections (Portugal), Superdry, Paul Costello, Dirty Byrd, Special Olympics and Feather Studios.

As part of your course you can gain valuable experience on an optional placement year.

  • Duration – 12 months, full-time (minimum 35 hours a week)
  • Location – popular destinations include the UK, USA, China and Europe
  • Visa – you may need a visa if you’re on placement abroad
  • Finance – your tuition fee is reduced for your placement year – and you can still apply for a maintenance loan and get money advice
  • Placement support – we’ll help you find a great placement and get the most out of the experience

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