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Fashion Design - BA (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

Our BA Fashion Design Course will provide you with a comprehensive fashion design education. The course encourages innovation in both design skills and technical craftsmanship with a focus on sustainability, system thinking and socioeconomic practice....

  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Available with Professional Placement year

Open to International Students

Overview

Our BA Fashion Design Course will provide you with a comprehensive fashion design education. The course encourages innovation in both design skills and technical craftsmanship with a focus on sustainability, system thinking and socioeconomic practice. We will provide you with international opportunities and integration with our industry partners to empower you to explore your individuality, creativity, and future employability.

You will work with industry experts and a dedicated team of academic researchers and practitioners. A decolonised curriculum structures the innovative approach to 2D and 3D design resulting in diverse experts of your craft.

Within your first year of study, you will explore pure fashion design skills through a fundamental grounding in garment knowledge, construction, materiality, fabric and fibres analysis, tailoring and drape delivered in an atelier environment. In your second year you will discover systems thinking in relationship to Fashion design and our course’s structure will allow you to strategically balance between physically traditional and virtually digital craftmanship. Your final year of study provides you with the opportunity to express your individual design methodology in one of many creative formats, including a collection of garments, fashion products, material research and digital design technology.

We will guide you with the decision of taking a placement year between your second and final year of study. Our dedicated internal careers team will support you through this process. We are proud that our recent cohorts have taken year placements with renowned designers such Paul Smith, Christopher Kane and Craig Green as well as industry super brands such as Superdry, NEXT and Adidas. We let you choose your design identity and tread your own design path.

Our Fashion Design Course has built a reputation for students entering the industry as original, creative, independent thinking employable designers. Our award-winning graduate portfolios and fashion collections are showcased on international, digital, and local west-midland based platforms. You will study on a programme that is specifically designed to produce job-ready graduates with transferrable skills that can form and reshape our industries.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

The course equips you with the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes to succeed in a wide range of careers in the fashion industry.

Your first year will introduce you to a number of fashion topics, helping you to develop a good foundation of fashion knowledge and skills, in both design and technical areas.

Your second year helps to strengthen your personal and professional development in relation to your own career goals. You will also have the opportunity to study abroad during this year.

An optional placement year takes place between years 2 and 3, providing an opportunity for an internship in industry. 

Your final year, gives you the opportunity to specialise in women’s or menswear.  You will focus on your own individual area of practice and produce garments that reflect your personal direction as a creative fashion design graduate. 

The course blends individual creativity and commercial realism, and you will be able to apply your skills and knowledge of the professional design process, from concept to product.

Professional Placement Year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.

My time at BCU has been amazing. My favourite part of my uni experience was my Final Major Project which I got to express myself and network with lots of people and industry. The university has supported me through my degree and I wouldn’t have been able to get my degree and achieve my best without them.

Rachel Hunt-Pearce

Why Choose Us?

  • You will have opportunities to take part in exciting social events and competitions with industry giants and leading retail businesses such as Freetrain and Harvey Nichols, which will help you secure professional experience and gain important commercial awareness.
  • We have excellent links with regional and international brands such as Burberry, John Lewis, SuperDry and Rab, which give the course colour and contemporary relevance.
  • You can enjoy a vast archive of fashion publications dating back to the 1930s and develop digital skills within Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Clo 3D, essential industry tools within the global fashion industry.
  • You will have the chance to showcase your final year work to industry leaders looking for talent at national and regional events.
  • We provide excellent international opportunities such as our students being able to attend New York Fashion Week and collaborating with global brands like Turtlehorn.

Open Days

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Open Day: 24 November 2024

Book your place

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

Applicants will also need to submit a good portfolio.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 3 years
  • £17,690 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the University or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Key subscriptions 

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library. 

Specialist software 

You will be able to access free licences for specialist software such as CLO3D and Lectra.  

Free Adobe Creative Cloud licence 

Students studying on this course can request a free licence to install the entire suite of applications on up to two personal devices. 

Specialist equipment 

This course requires specialist equipment. You will have access to a wide range of fashion and textiles machinery and equipment in our Parkside building.

Project materials (mandatory) 

Students will need to invest in materials for developing and producing their portfolios. The cost will vary depending on factors such as the quality and quantity of materials chosen by the student. However, an estimated budget could range from £50 to £200 or more, depending on the type of portfolio desired (digital or physical) and the materials used (such as high-quality paper, printing costs, binding materials, etc.).

Media consumable items (mandatory) 

For a BA Fashion Design course, students may require various consumable items to facilitate their learning and creative processes. Here's a list of potential consumables along with estimated costs:

  1. Fabric: Different types of fabric for practicing sewing techniques, creating prototypes, and final projects. Cost varies widely depending on fabric type and quality, but an average estimate could be around £200-£500 per semester.
  2. Thread: Various colours and types of thread for sewing and stitching garments. Estimate around £50 per semester.
  3. Trimmings: This includes buttons, zippers, snaps, hooks, and other fasteners used in garment construction. Estimate around £50-£100 per semester.
  4. Pattern Paper: Large rolls of pattern paper for drafting and creating garment patterns. Supplied by the University.
  5. Drawing and Sketching Supplies: Sketchbooks, pencils, markers, pens, and other drawing materials for fashion illustrations and design concepts. Estimate around £50-£100 per semester.
  6. Sewing Machine Supplies: Needles, bobbins supply for sewing machines used in the classroom. Estimate around £50 per semester.
  7. Trimming and internal structure and Embellishment Supplies: Ribbons, lace, shoulder pads, fusing and other decorative/internal elements for adding form and silhouette to garments. Estimate around £50-£100 per semester.
  8. Prototyping Materials: Toile fabric or inexpensive fabric for creating prototypes and mock-ups of designs before using final materials. Estimate around £100-£200 per semester.

These are rough estimates, and actual costs may vary based on factors such as location, course requirements, and personal preferences in materials. Additionally, costs may fluctuate depending on the specific projects assigned throughout the semester.

In addition to the consumable items mentioned above, for a BA Fashion Design course we emphasize sustainable and zero-waste practices, here are some additional items that students may use along with their estimated costs:

  1. Upcycled and Repurposed Materials: This could include old garments, fabric scraps, or other materials sourced from donations or thrift/vintage stores for use in design projects. Since these materials are often donated or repurposed, costs can be significantly reduced, sometimes even to zero.
  2. Sustainable Fabric: Organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and other sustainable fabrics may be encouraged for use in projects. While these fabrics may sometimes be more expensive than conventional options, their use aligns with the sustainable focus of the course. Estimate around £200-£500 per semester for sustainable fabric purchases.
  3. Natural Dyes: Natural materials like plant extracts, vegetables, and fruits for creating dyes instead of synthetic alternatives. Cost can vary depending on the availability of materials, but it's often lower than purchasing synthetic dyes. We have numerous workshops and a Natural Dye growth garden free for students to engage with.
  4. Reusable Sewing items: Encourage the use of reusable sewing details such as metal snaps instead of plastic ones, wooden buttons, or recycled zippers. While the initial investment may be slightly higher, the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits are significant.
  5. Waste Reduction Techniques: Teach students techniques for minimizing waste in their design process, such as pattern optimization, zero-waste pattern cutting, and creative use of fabric scraps. These techniques not only reduce material costs but also promote sustainable practices.

By incorporating these sustainable and/or zero-waste approaches, students can reduce the financial burden associated with purchasing new materials but also contribute to environmental conservation efforts and develop skills that are increasingly valued in the fashion industry.

Specialist equipment (mandatory) 

This course requires the purchase of the following equipment, costing £75+.

  • Pattern Master – clear plastic
  • Tailors Awl – Stiletto
  • Tracing Wheel
  • Tape Measure: Metric/Imperial - 150cm
  • Dressmakers Shears: 23cm: Soft Handle – Fabric ONLY
  • Scissors: Embroidery: Pro Cut: 10.8cm/4.25in
  • Pins: Straight: Silver: 32 x 0.6mm: 50g (Pins: Straight: Silver: 32 x 0.6mm: 50g)
  • Wrist pin cushion
  • Fabric Tailors Chalk Pencils set of 3 colours
  • Seam Ripper, steel point, plastic handle

Exhibitions (mandatory) 

Students may be required to enter Graduate Fashion Week. 

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Placement expenses (optional) 

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home. 

Field trips (optional) 

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost. 

Gallery visits (optional) 

It is advisable for all Creative Arts students to visit exhibitions, galleries and other creative and cultural institutions and events depending on your own individual area of interest. Travel and entry costs may be associated with this. 

Personal equipment (optional) 

For personal equipment, it is advised that students own a computer or laptop capable of running design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), CAD software (such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks), and other relevant programs used in fashion design.

The recommended specifications for the computer or laptop include:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or macOS Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher (or equivalent AMD processor) RAM: 8GB or higher Storage: SSD (Solid State Drive) with at least 256GB of storage capacity
  • Graphics Card: Integrated or dedicated GPU with at least 2GB VRAM
  • Display: 13-inch or larger with a minimum resolution of 1920x1080 pixels
  • Ports: USB ports (preferably USB-C), HDMI or DisplayPort for external display connectivity

Having a computer or laptop with these specifications will ensure that students can efficiently work on design projects, complete assignments, and engage with course materials.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK students

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS

  1. Register with UCAS
  2. Login to UCAS and complete your details
  3. Select your course and write a personal statement
  4. Get a reference
  5. Pay your application fee and submit your application

Guidance for International students

There are three ways to apply:

1) Direct to the University

You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.

2) Through a country representative

Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.

3) Through UCAS

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.

Portfolio guidance

If you receive an offer to study this course, you will be required to submit a portfolio. We ask that this is submitted within four weeks of receiving your offer.

Please see our portfolio guidance page for tips on putting your portfolio together.

Portfolio guidance

If you receive an offer to study this course, you will be required to submit a portfolio. We ask that this is submitted within four weeks of receiving your offer.

Please see our portfolio guidance page for tips on putting your portfolio together.

Personal statement

UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*

The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

  • Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
  • Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
  • Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
  • School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
  • Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Worried about Personal Statements?

If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.

Get personal statement advice

*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.

Course in Depth

Year one

In your first year you are introduced to a broad range of fashion studies theory and technical skills, building a sound base for further study in years two and three.

You will learn design skills such as CAD, live fashion drawing, fashion illustration, fashion flats, styling and photoshoots. Alongside this, you will gain theoretical skills, such as contextual studies in fashion and related art and design.

You will also gain the skills that you need to solve practical problems and create presentations.

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Year two

In your second year, you will develop more advanced research, design development, presentation and technical skills, with a view to gaining work experience that will enhance your skills and employability upon graduation.

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.

Professional Placement Year (Optional)

In order to qualify for the award of BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Professional Placement Year a student must successfully complete the following module.

Year three

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Download course specification

Download now

This course is ideal if you intend to pursue a creative career in fashion design and related industries. Our previous graduates work within companies including H&M, Victoria Beckham, Marks & Spencer and Erdem, as well as many other international brands.

Within the first year you will be introduced to the fundamental skills needed to work within the fashion industry including fashion theory, commercial and conceptual design, trend research and garment development.

During your second year, you will develop these skills to a more focused and advanced level, before applying for work experience within your chosen sector of the industry, with the option of a professional placement year between the second and third years of study.

In your final year, you will design and produce a collection of garments plus associated portfolio work for your major project, with a focus on either the menswear or womenswear market sectors.

On successful completion, you will graduate with a portfolio-based final outcome relevant to your individual career aspirations.

Download our lookbook to see examples of student work

Employability

The course is ideal if you intend to pursue a creative career in fashion design and related industries. Throughout the degree, you will develop the fundamental skills needed to work within the fashion industry, equipping you with the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes to succeed in your creative practice.

You will have the opportunity to apply for work experience in your chosen sector of the industry during your second year, with the option of a professional placement year between the second and third years of study. On successful completion, you will graduate with a portfolio-based final outcome relevant to your individual career aspirations.


Graduate jobs

Graduates from our course progress to gain jobs within many of the major high end and high street companies, both within the UK and overseas. You’ll find Birmingham City University alumni working in Adidas, Marks & Spencer, Erdem and Victoria Beckham.

As well as womenswear and menswear designers, the BA (Hons) Fashion Design can also allow you to find employment as the following: accessories designer, art director, academics and teachers, activewear designer, brand managers, buyer, content creator, curator, childrenswear designers, costume designer, 3D designer, denim designer, digital operations, data analyst/insights, display designer, e-comms developer, fabric buyer/developer, factory sourcing, graders (pattern), homeware designer, influencer/talent management, interiors for retail, jewellery designer, knitwear technician, lingerie/intimates designer, merchandiser and digital designer.

Destinations:
  • Paul Smith
  • Reiss
  • Ted Baker
  • WGSN
  • J.Lindeberg
  • H&M
  • Adidas
  • The V&A
  • Gym Shark
  • MA Central Saint Martins
  • MA Royal College of Art
  • MA London College of Fashion


Placements

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, between the second and third year of your degree, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Our students have previously secured placements with major fashion brands including H&M, Next, Amanda Wakeley, Mary Katrantzou and Iris Van Herpen.


Links to industry

The College of Fashion and Textiles works with local, national and international businesses to enhance student learning through placements, workshops, live briefs and guest lectures from industry professionals.

Working in industry

Throughout our course we actively encourage collaboration sponsored and live projects with the fashion industry. We have worked with Paul Smith, Burberry, George and Rab. These collaborations underpin our delivery and add value to the curriculum within the course. Industry links include: 

  • The British Fashion Council
  • The National Trust
  • Harvey Nichols
  • The Commonwealth Games
  • River Island
  • Superdry
  • The Couture Company
  • London Royal Ballet
  • Carrier Goods
  • Gym Shark
  • Hades Knitwear
  • Katie Jones

International

Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

Facilities & Staff

Parkside article photo

Our Facilities

Fashion and Textiles courses are based at our Parkside Building, which is part of our multi-million pound City Centre Campus development in the heart of Birmingham's Eastside development.

Our staff

Joseph Turvey

Course Director and Senior Lecturer, BA (Hons) Fashion Design

Joseph Turvey is a British fashion designer known for his eponymous menswear brand, His work has been presented through renowned platforms such as Fashion East, London Fashion Week, Capsule Paris, and Shanghai Fashion Week.

More about Joseph

Sabine Lettmann

Senior Lecturer

Sabine started teaching fashion design in 2015. Since then, she teaches diverse fashion design related subjects with an emphasis on sustainability across different fashion programmes in Germany, Denmark and the UK including BA and MA level. She also shares her work through workshops and guest lectures and has been invited to contribute to fashion...

More about Sabine

Sian Riley

Lecturer in Fashion Design and Level 4 Co-ordinator

Sian studied her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear from the London College of Fashion, before completing her Master’s degree in Fashion Design and a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education at Birmingham City University.

More about Sian

Dean Fallon

Senior Lecturer in Fashion Design

Dean is a full-time Fashion Design Lecturer at BCU and Teaching Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), with lecturing experience since 2012. Furthermore, Dean’s career outside of teaching spans over a decade, from design roles for High St suppliers and independent labels, to Creative Director of an independent streetwear brand.

More about Dean

Lucinda Holbrook-Hase

Pattern Cutting Lecturer / Level 5 Co-Ordinator

Lucinda is a Pattern Cutting Lecturer and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) with 7 years lecturing experience in HE. She began teaching fashion design and pattern cutting in 2008 at both further education and vocational education courses.

More about Lucinda