First year:
You’ll explore hot topics in the industry and the shift towards greener and more ethically-aware processes and products. Another module explores the history of fashion, which you can tailor to your interests.
You’ll cover how the industry works and ideas are communicated – from leading design houses through to commercial high street and online brands.
The technical skills you’ll develop include pattern cutting, garment construction and CAD drawing. It will involve designing a fashion print, constructing a garment out of the fabric and then undertaking a professional photo shoot to evidence your design in the best way possible.
Second year:
You will produce a portfolio of work that reflects your exploration within the various industry sectors, with a focus on your area of specialism if desired. There will also be a substantial fashion project to help get you industry-ready. For this, you’ll be working with a real industry brief, taking your ideas from concept to product development. It could involve anything from creating a new collection through to a marketing campaign.
You’ll also build professional skills through working on your CV and mock interviews for an internship or junior role.
Third year:
For your major project (FMP), you’ll devise a concept and identify your market and consumer. Depending on your pathway, it could involve designing and producing a collection, creating textiles using trend forecasting, or a fashion film. Your FMP will showcase your skills and interests to the fullest, with the option to combine multiple disciplines.
You’ll plan and implement a professionally staged event and/or product. This will enable you to use your creativity and skills such as team-working and problem-solving.
There will be a structured portfolio presentation, where you’ll reflect on your professional fashion practice and share your insights.
Academic year
The course operates on a modular basis, typically the majority of modules are 20 and 40 academic credit modules. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The full-time course has one start point in September.