Fashion

Study options

Award

BA (Hons)

Key facts

UCAS code:
W235
UCAS code:
W23A
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Full-time
Study option:
Full-time, with a placement year
Duration:
3 Years
Duration:
4 Years
Start date:
13 September 2021
School:
Digital, Technologies and Arts

Top 5 UK Fashion course

Guardian University League Tables 2020 (#3)

Optional one-year placement

Make connections in the industry

National and international trips

Visit studios, factories and exhibitions in New York and London

If you have a real passion for fashion, this degree will give you the creative, technical, academic and professional skills needed to take the fashion world by storm.

Fashion is an ever-changing industry that needs professionals who can respond to its challenges. On this course, you’ll gain the skills to analyse existing ideas and express yourself through unique, creative fashion designs that delight, shock and inspire.

Develop your knowledge and skills in broad a range of subject areas, including the fundamentals of the fashion business, creative design, visualisation and technical practices. Plus, you’ll have the chance to specialise in an area of your choice that will inform your future career choices. You’ll be encouraged to develop strong teamwork skills through collaborative projects with a variety of other courses across the University.

We ensure students are aware of the bigger picture within the fashion industry, so sustainability, ethics and diversity are explored in-depth in a module then encouraged throughout the course.

On graduating, you’ll already be ahead of the competition. Whether you intend to continue onto further study or straight into employment, be assured you will have all the skills and knowledge that you’ll need to take the next step.

To enhance your CV, You also have the option of choosing a one-year placement in industry (Sandwich).

Key features

  • 100% Coursework (No exams)
  • Small group sizes, ensuring you get enough contact hours with staff
  • Well equipped workshops with industry standard kit
  • Flexibility to negotiate modules to reflect your specialisms
  • Collaborative working with areas such as photography, film and journalism
  • Expand your technical skills to include digital fabric printing, laser cutting, wood, metal, ceramics, plaster and plastics
  • Access to the unique Betty Smithers Design Collection

Fashion is an ever-changing industry that needs professionals who can respond to its challenges. On this course, you’ll gain the skills to analyse existing ideas and express yourself through unique, creative fashion designs that delight, shock and inspire.

Develop your knowledge and skills in broad a range of subject areas, including the fundamentals of the fashion business, creative design, visualisation and technical practices. Plus, you’ll have the chance to specialise in an area of your choice that will inform your future career choices. You’ll be encouraged to develop strong teamwork skills through collaborative projects with a variety of other courses across the University.

We ensure students are aware of the bigger picture within the fashion industry, so sustainability, ethics and diversity are explored in-depth in a module then encouraged throughout the course.

On graduating, you’ll already be ahead of the competition. Whether you intend to continue onto further study or straight into employment, be assured you will have all the skills and knowledge that you’ll need to take the next step.

To enhance your CV, You also have the option of choosing a one-year placement in industry (Sandwich).

Key features

  • 100% Coursework (No exams)
  • Small group sizes, ensuring you get enough contact hours with staff
  • Well equipped workshops with industry standard kit
  • Flexibility to negotiate modules to reflect your specialisms
  • Collaborative working with areas such as photography, film and journalism
  • Expand your technical skills to include digital fabric printing, laser cutting, wood, metal, ceramics, plaster and plastics
  • Access to the unique Betty Smithers Design Collection

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Fashion

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Fashion

Work placements

You will attend a work placement between the second and final years of the course, our placement staff will work with you to identify a suitable location for your work placement. Please also note that you are responsible for any costs incurred in travelling to and from your work placement, and for any accommodation costs.

Course content

You’ll master the practical and technical skills used in fashion design, covering areas such as pattern cutting and computer aided design. You’ll also gain a solid understanding of design theory, exploring the history of fashion, fashion business and the wider cultural context of fashion.

Negotiated Studies modules will encourage you to further pursue your personal career ambitions in your chosen specialism.

Technical workshops including digital fabric printing, laser cutting, wood, metal, ceramics, plaster and plastics, will ensure your creative vision is not restricted.

Most excitingly, you’ll work on live industry projects for real companies – gaining work experience and boosting your portfolio.

You’ll master the practical and technical skills used in fashion design, covering areas such as pattern cutting and computer aided design. You’ll also gain a solid understanding of design theory, exploring the history of fashion, fashion business and the wider cultural context of fashion.

Negotiated Studies modules will encourage you to further pursue your personal career ambitions in your chosen specialism.

Technical workshops including digital fabric printing, laser cutting, wood, metal, ceramics, plaster and plastics, will ensure your creative vision is not restricted.

Most excitingly, you’ll work on live industry projects for real companies – gaining work experience and boosting your portfolio.

Academic year

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 30 academic credits with a smaller number of 15 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.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 30 academic credits with a smaller number of 15 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.

Professional body accreditation

Accreditation is the approval of a programme, giving holders of the programme's award exemption from the academic requirements for a Textile Institute professional qualification.

Professional body accreditation

Accreditation is the approval of a programme, giving holders of the programme's award exemption from the academic requirements for a Textile Institute professional qualification.

Fashion - Designing for the future

Fashion - Designing for the future

Video

Fashion students Chloe and Masuma talk about their work on industry briefs tackling 21st Century issues of fast fashion and sustainability.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Fashion Hot Topics 30 credits
Fashion In Context 30 credits
History And Theory Of Fashion 15 credits
Technical Processes Of Fashion 15 credits
Visualisation 30 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Fashion Business 15 credits
Fashion Industry Ready 30 credits
Fashion Negotiated Study 45 credits
Life After Staffs 15 credits
Pattern Cutting 15 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
Portfolio And Promotion 30 credits
Professional Fashion Practice 15 credits
Realising Your Fashion Fmp 45 credits
Research, Analysis And Communication Assignment 15 credits
Underpinning Your Fashion Fmp 15 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Fashion Hot Topics 30 credits
Fashion In Context 30 credits
History And Theory Of Fashion 15 credits
Technical Processes Of Fashion 15 credits
Visualisation 30 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Fashion Business 15 credits
Fashion Industry Ready 30 credits
Fashion Negotiated Study 45 credits
Life After Staffs 15 credits
Pattern Cutting 15 credits
Year 4 compulsory modules
Portfolio And Promotion 30 credits
Professional Fashion Practice 15 credits
Realising Your Fashion Fmp 45 credits
Research, Analysis And Communication Assignment 15 credits
Underpinning Your Fashion Fmp 15 credits

Entry requirements

Typical UCAS offer: 112

Typical UCAS offer: 112

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

Fashion - A degree with global appeal

Fashion - A degree with global appeal

Video

International students talk about why studying Fashion in the UK was the choice for them.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

GO

Facilities

Betty Smithers Collection

A vast assortment of vintage 20th-century pieces giving you a rare opportunity to study how garments are constructed.

 

Laser Room and Digital Printer

The Laser Room is now widely used by all areas as it can cut or etch a variety of materials, accurately and repeatedly. The area also includes a 3D printer.

Fashion workshop

Our fashion workshop contains: Lock stitch, Overlockers, Cover stitch, Blind hemmer, Walking Foot (Heavy materials), Pressers, Pattern cutting tables. Sample size mannequins including men's and plus size and CAD pattern cutting - Gerber Accumark (digitiser & plotter).

Careers

Our degree offers you the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of fashion. You then negotiate your specialism, depending on your personal interests, which means graduates from our Fashion degree are likely to find work as:

  • Fashion Designers
  • Pattern Cutters
  • Garment Technologists
  • Stylists
  • Trend Forecasters
  • Illustrators
  • Buyers
  • Merchandisers
  • Fashion Writers
  • Bloggers/Vloggers
  • Events Managers
Fashion - Being creative on and off campus

Fashion - Being creative on and off campus

Video

Fashion students talk about the challenges of solutions of studying a creative subject during current restrictions.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The teaching on this course is firmly rooted in studio practice. You develop your skills across a wide range of project-based activities, which take place within a studio setting appropriate to the subject. Sometimes you will work in whole groups, sometimes you will working in teams, with presentations of your work to your peer group and the academic staff. At other times during your study, you will be working on individual self-initiated projects. During projects, there will be tutorial sessions with academic staff where you explore your practice in more detail.

In addition, you take part in lecture and seminar activities which allow you to explore the contextual and professional background to the projects you are undertaking. These are led by your lecturers and also guest tutors from industry who bring their specialist insight into the sessions. You also participate in technical skills instruction sessions with Technician Instructors enabling you to enhance your making and digital skills across a wide range of techniques and approaches.

The teaching on this course is firmly rooted in studio practice. You develop your skills across a wide range of project-based activities, which take place within a studio setting appropriate to the subject. Sometimes you will work in whole groups, sometimes you will working in teams, with presentations of your work to your peer group and the academic staff. At other times during your study, you will be working on individual self-initiated projects. During projects, there will be tutorial sessions with academic staff where you explore your practice in more detail.

In addition, you take part in lecture and seminar activities which allow you to explore the contextual and professional background to the projects you are undertaking. These are led by your lecturers and also guest tutors from industry who bring their specialist insight into the sessions. You also participate in technical skills instruction sessions with Technician Instructors enabling you to enhance your making and digital skills across a wide range of techniques and approaches.

Assessment

You are assessed in this course by a range of different types of coursework and practical activities. The assessment task for each module will vary dependent upon its content but may include:

  • A portfolio of completed artwork, professionally presented in the format required by the assignment, project or brief.
  • Workbooks, sketchbooks etc., documenting the process of generating, developing and resolving thoughts/ideas, and demonstrating the influence of research on practical work.
  • Research books, folders, dossiers, etc. documenting the gathering, sorting and presentation of research material.
  • Technical Exercises demonstrating your skills and competencies using particular equipment and/or techniques.
  • Written essays or reports, in which you are exploring the contextual or professional background to a specific project.
  • An individual or group seminar presentation and/or the accompanying material which you have used to create the presentation.

You are assessed in this course by a range of different types of coursework and practical activities. The assessment task for each module will vary dependent upon its content but may include:

  • A portfolio of completed artwork, professionally presented in the format required by the assignment, project or brief.
  • Workbooks, sketchbooks etc., documenting the process of generating, developing and resolving thoughts/ideas, and demonstrating the influence of research on practical work.
  • Research books, folders, dossiers, etc. documenting the gathering, sorting and presentation of research material.
  • Technical Exercises demonstrating your skills and competencies using particular equipment and/or techniques.
  • Written essays or reports, in which you are exploring the contextual or professional background to a specific project.
  • An individual or group seminar presentation and/or the accompanying material which you have used to create the presentation.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

Throughout the modules you take on your course you are provided with formative, developmental assessment opportunities, which are carried out in tutorial and critique situations. Feedback is usually provided to you orally, with a written record kept either by the tutor or by you. This is sometimes produced as the result of peer or self-assessment exercises.

All modules also included formal or “summative” assessment tasks and the grades from the formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission.

Throughout the modules you take on your course you are provided with formative, developmental assessment opportunities, which are carried out in tutorial and critique situations. Feedback is usually provided to you orally, with a written record kept either by the tutor or by you. This is sometimes produced as the result of peer or self-assessment exercises.

All modules also included formal or “summative” assessment tasks and the grades from the formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission.

Fashion illustrator hosts masterclass at Staffs Uni

Fashion illustrator hosts masterclass at Staffs Uni

Video

Successful fashion illustrator Jessica Bird visited the University fresh from London Fashion Week to host fashion masterclasses with Fashion students.

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements. 

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements. 

Year 1

23% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
77% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Year 2

23% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
77% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Year 3

21% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
79% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

Year 1

22% practical exams
78% coursework
0% written exams

Year 2

22% practical exams
78% coursework
0% written exams

Year 3

6% practical exams
94% coursework
0% written exams

Staff

You will be taught by an expert teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teaching training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Rachel Heeley

Senior Lecturer

Rachel set up her own fashion label which she sold in The Fashion & Textile Museum London. She is very interested in fashion communication and has worked on many collaborative projects, styling her own work and other designers' work.

Rachel's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 13 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per year of study £14,000 per year of study

For the course starting on 20 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per year of study £14,000 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

International students: Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course, as long as you complete it in the normal time-frame (i.e. no repeat years or breaks in study).

A BA (Hons) Film/Fashion Student Collaboration

A BA (Hons) Film/Fashion Student Collaboration

Video

Check out some of the final films that were produced when students from some of our BA (Hons) Film courses and BA (Hons) Fashion course teamed up.

Included in the fees:

Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.

The use of all workshops, studios and specialist technical facilities and hire of equipment relating to the course of study.

 

 

Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.

The use of all workshops, studios and specialist technical facilities and hire of equipment relating to the course of study.

 

 
Not included in the fees:

The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.

Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course.

The cost of materials for the development of a student’s individual practice and work. Additional costs vary dependent upon student’s own choice of materials and approach to their practice.

Optional personal insurance when borrowing equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment etc. for extended period of use off campus [Approx £50-£100]. It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance.

The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.

Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course.

The cost of materials for the development of a student’s individual practice and work. Additional costs vary dependent upon student’s own choice of materials and approach to their practice.

Optional personal insurance when borrowing equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment etc. for extended period of use off campus [Approx £50-£100]. It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by visiting: www.gov.uk

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

“The course starts from basics and gets everyone up to a good level in pattern cutting, construction, illustrations and CAD. We learn this while doing projects which means you get stuck in right from the beginning. The amount I have learnt already is crazy! The staff know their subjects really well so the teaching is great, but they are also good at encouraging you individually to achieve new things.”

Lizzie Bishop

Fashion student

It’s not just sewing machines. We also get to use wood, metal, plastic, and resin to really explore areas.

Emily Lowndes

Fashion Student

I feel like I’m a better person, my designs are way better then they used to be. Ambition? To be a fashion designer as iconic as Gucci or Balenciaga.

 

Kimberley Marshall

Fashion student

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BA (Hons) Full-time 13 September 2021 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Social media

Top 250 Young University

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020

Rated Gold for Teaching Excellence

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold logo
Shortlisted for University of the Year

Times Higher Awards 2020
Top 15 for Teaching Quality

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021

Top 15 for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021

Midlands University of the Year

Midlands Business Awards 2020