Sustainable Fashion BA

Course overview

You can embrace intellectual and creative challenges by studying sustainable fashion. Combining theory and practice, this course produces critical and creative thinkers and practitioners.

You'll be encouraged to consider the interconnectedness of sustainability, business and technology, and the changing nature of consumption and consumer behaviour for fashion. You'll achieve this through research and developing an understanding of contemporary and historical discourse that will underpin your thinking.

This course offers a wide range of exciting experiences through industrial engagement, guest speakers, and optional Year in Industry. Collectively, they will equip you with vital skills to enter the world of the creative industries. 

By the time you graduate, you'll be able to choose from a diverse range of career paths, roles, and next steps within fashion, for example:

• Fashion Retailing
• Sustainable Manufacturing
• Green Product development
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Studying at a postgraduate level

Scholarships for 2024 Entry

The Clothworkers' Company are managing three scholarships for UK students to support textiles by funding technical education, skills development and innovative design.

Additional highlights

Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a number of optional modules in the School of Design in a range of related subjects. You could also choose some Discovery modules that are hosted across the university. These could include popular subject choices such as business management and sustainability.

The School of Design also offers all our students the opportunity to participate in the Study Abroad scheme or our very successful placement year (Year in Industry) between the second and third years.

For many students, the placement year is an ideal opportunity to experience the reality of fashion and sustainability.

Specialist facilities and support

Take a virtual tour of our facilities.

The School of Design offers excellent facilities and technical support for developing your creative skills. We have dedicated practice studios, workshops and specialist facilities: 3D Art & Design Studio; 2D Art & Design studios; Fashion Design studios; Knit and Weave studio; Graphic and Visual Communication studio; Photography and Film studio; Digital print studio; Laser cut studio; traditional printing studio; Design workshop; 3D workshop with 3D printing; computer clusters.

The School also provides a range of other support to enhance the student experience and prepare students for the workplace: essential learning materials; essential studio and workshop materials; dedicated software; cameras and video recorder on loan; free entry to Inside/Out lecture series; part of curriculum subscriptions (eg LSN, Special journals and periodicals); supporting a Degree Show; external promotion (eg New Designer, AD&D, Graduate Fashion Week); Yorkshire Fashion Archive and Membership to the ASBCI (Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing students); and Visiting Speakers, who are well known figures from industry or other institutions around the world.

Course details

You’ll explore the relationship between fashion and sustainability with a variety of immersive modules covering the lifecycle of materials, the environmental impacts of the industry, strategic sustainability solutions and more. We’ll teach you to become a creative thinker and critical practitioner, by combining theory and practice to study effectively. You’ll be equipped with a broad range of resilient skills that are adaptable within the ever-changing sustainable fashion landscape.

You'll be encouraged to consider the interconnectedness of sustainability, business and technology, and the changing nature of consumption and consumer behaviour in fashion. You'll achieve this through research and developing an understanding of contemporary and historical discourse that will underpin your thinking.

This course offers a wide range of exciting experiences through industrial engagement, guest speakers, and optional Year in Industry. Collectively, they will equip you with vital skills to enter the world of the creative industries. 

By the time you graduate, you'll be able to choose from a diverse range of roles and career paths across different aspects of the fashion industry, that could include:

• Fashion Retailing

• Sustainable Manufacturing

• Green Product development

• Corporate Social Responsibility

• Studying at a postgraduate level

Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a number of optional modules in the School of Design in a range of related subjects. You could also choose some Discovery modules that are hosted across the University. These could include popular subject choices such as business management and sustainability.

We also offer you the opportunity to participate in the Study Abroad scheme or our very successful placement year (Year in Industry) between the second and third years. For many students, the placement year is an ideal opportunity to experience the reality of fashion and sustainability.

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

For more information and a list of typical modules available on this course, please read BA Sustainable Fashion in the course catalogue.

Year 1
Compulsory modules

Sustainable Fashion (20 credits) - This module explores the changing dynamics within the fashion industry due to the pressure for greater sustainability. The module will consider the broad nature of sustainability and the fashion industry to show the challenges faced by fashion as well as highlight how the industry has reacted to these challenges. This module will explore how graduates can influence consumers, organisations and society’s view of sustainability through their individual and professional decisions.

Fashion Lifecycle 1: Materials and Process (20 credits) - This module introduces the concept of sustainable analysis via the early lifecycle stages of a product. By considering the sustainability issues of the manufacturing of textiles (raw materials, production processes, dyeing and finishing) the module builds on the programme themes for considering sustainability in terms of environment, society, business and culture. This module provides the technical foundation for understanding the full fashion lifecycle and important sustainability issues at each stage of the life cycle from design choices through to material selection and fabric manufacturing.

Fashion Lifecycle 2: Products, Users, End of Life (20 credits) - This module extends the concept of sustainable analysis via the full lifecycle concept of a product introduced in Fashion Lifecycle 1. In this module the sustainability of fashion products and the industry is explored for the garment manufacturing, distribution, usage and end of life stages of the lifecycle. This module provides the technical foundation for understanding these stages of a fashion product and supports the programme themes of environment, society, business and culture.

The Fashion Industry (20 credits) - You'll be introduced challenges and opportunities for sustainable fashion within the modern industry, focusing on how environment, society and business are intimately related. The module will provide you with a description of the key operations within the industry in terms of its structure, different sectors, business models, and the supply chain. As 80% of the environmental and social impacts of a product are ‘locked in’ during the product development process, you'll also explore this process and roles of the functions that manage product development. The module will also explore the economic drivers that influence decision making within brands and retailers to provide the business context for sustainable fashion.

Design Studies: Foundation (20 credits) - This module provides opportunities to develop the foundational skills of scholarly research, academic writing and critical thinking. You’ll be immersed in key issues and debates informing the changing values and future of design and consider how these have been influenced by social and historical forces. It will equip you with the skills to read and understand academic texts and apply theoretical ideas to your own design practice. You’ll also be introduced to research methods for finding and analysing texts and images.

You’ll develop your awareness of the complexity of challenges that design and society faces and an ability to analyse the relevance of and make connections between the contexts, issues and subject fields that will shape your future studies and professional careers.

Optional modules

(20 credits each)

• Photography
• Colour and Design
• Fashion Branding
• Creative Thinking
• UoL Discovery Modules

Year 2
Compulsory modules

Sustainable Product Development (20 credits) - You’ll apply the knowledge and skills you have developed through the course to the development of the perfect sustainable product. You’ll apply the core themes of environment, society, business and culture, and will employ the concepts and technologies to create a blueprint for sustainable fashion products. This module goes beyond simple product design by incorporating product development tools to create a detailed specification and to include analysis of the product to quantify the reduction in product footprint and to show how ethical considerations have been addressed.

Green Processes (20 credits) - This module will review the environmental and social impacts of key processes involved in the conversion of raw materials into the finished product for fashion (clothing) products and then present new developments that can be used to minimise those impacts. New developments will be critically considered within the constraints of the business environment and the function of the product. Existing best practice and new innovative approaches to textile processes are included for raw materials, yarn and fabric production, coloration and finishing and garment manufacturing.

Strategic Fashion Management (20 credits) - To create a new design idea and develop it into a successful new product, not only requires an understanding of the design process and the technology that can deliver that design, but also requires a board understanding of the wider fashion industry. Business models, costing structures, retail theory and supply chain dynamics are important components of industry, and particularly important for the fast moving and global fashion industry where consumer and society are powerful influences, and where many of the current impacts are considered to be negative for the environment and local communities around the world. This module will explore how current management theories are applied to the fashion industry to negotiate the many factors that influence the market.

Research Methods (20 credits) - The purpose of this module is to introduce you to a range of critical issues, theories and methods pertinent to design research today. You’ll be able to identify a research area and test potential methodologies for the Level 3 Dissertation. We’ll equip you with the skills to become independent researchers by inspiring you to understand how research shapes design processes and introducing them to a wide variety of theoretical resources and research methods. The module will be delivered using a blend of in-person lectures and seminars and online workshops.

Marketing Creativity and Innovation (20 credits) - This module explores the way in which consumer relevant products/services or enterprises are conceived, developed and marketed. The module considers the role of innovation in developing competitive advantage for an organisation. Market factors are explored and the tension between organisational objectives and market demand is discussed. The module concludes with the consideration of designing for the future. Key theories from contemporary design research fields, which may include subjects such as innovation, sustainability and neuromarketing will be introduced.

Optional modules

(20 credits each)

• Photography
• Colour and Science
• 20th Century Fashion History
• Design for Sustainability
• Consumer behaviour and Neuromarketing
• UoL Discovery Modules

Year 3
Compulsory modules

Fashion Revolutions (20 credits) - This module explores how the fashion industry is in a constant state of flux and how a number of external forces are driving the constant evolution of the industry. The forces driving change are categorised into three key themes; new technology, changes in consumer attitudes and behaviour and sustainability. These forces are explored and their impact will be considered in the context of their effect on the fashion industry, its mode of operation and how organisations react to these changes. This module will provide you with a mix of lectures and seminars to develop your awareness and perception of global and macro trends across the fashion technology landscape. You’ll explore how they can develop your innovative skills to harness technologically developments to exploit new markets or respond to new challenges, especially those associated with the sustainability. This module will use case studies from industry to show how fashion technology has evolved and innovated to meet the needs and challenges of the global society.

Major Research Project (40 credits) - In your final year, you’ll carry out an academic research project, building on the research and analytical skills developed throughout your studies. You’ll select from a range of project types, enabling you to focus on a subject of specific interest, developing the skills required for your future career. 

Sustainable Fashion Strategy and Innovation (20 credits) - This module extends your understanding of sustainable fashion in terms of the triple bottom line (environmental, social and economic) by engaging you in a process of critical analysis for the industry. You’ll be challenged to explore the industry objectively and to identify how the industry could or should be developing strategies to embrace environmental and social sustainability within ethical business models. This module studies new initiatives and cutting-edge approaches to sustainability to provide the tools for a strategic review that meets the programme themes of environment, society, business and culture.

The Sustainable Product (20 credits) - This module provides you with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have developed through the programme to the development of the perfect sustainable product. Through this process you will apply the core programme themes of environment, society, business and culture, and will employ the concepts and technologies to create a blueprint for sustainable fashion products. This module goes beyond simple product design by incorporating product development tools to create a detailed specification and to include analysis of the product to quantify the reduction in product footprint and to show how ethical considerations have been addressed.

Optional modules

(20 credits each)

• Fashion Styling and Photography
• Brand Communications
• Collaborative Marketing

Learning and teaching

Creative problem solving and design thinking methods are central our teaching in the School of Design. Your learning will be enhanced by a range of contemporary teaching methods which encourage active learning and are underpinned by inclusive and authentic learning activities, including team working, creative sprints and industry facing scenarios.

We follow a campus-based blended learning approach, you’ll have a range of resources in the virtual learning environment which are accessible at all times, including videos and pre-work to help you prepare. You’ll attend lectures which are carefully designed to invite engagement and participation, seminars which enable you to delve deeper into key topics, workshops to explore problem solving and tutorials to discuss your coursework progress.

Collaboration with staff and your peers is the foundation of our teaching and learning, giving you input into their learning journey. Some of your core modules will be studied with classmates from other design disciplines, here you will benefit from our community of learners, to contribute their diverse perspectives, and to encounter those of others, with global industry practices in mind.  Your module tutors have dedicated office hours, which means there’s always the opportunity to ask questions.

A typical week in your first year may include eight to 12 hours of in person and online study, one to four hours of specific workshop and studio activities, regular personal tutor sessions and private study. You’ll also have the ongoing support of your Academic Personal Tutor.

Private study is important at university and a potentially significant change from the way you have been taught previously. This is space where you can reflect and critique materials from taught session, including further reading, writing, designing and making. You’ll be guided through this process by your tutors to help you develop your knowledge and research skills. The ability to work independently is key skill to your development as creative professional and thinker.

There is an active visiting lecturer programme, formed on industry and academic experts, including School of Design alumni.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods, these may include visual 2D and 3D responses, portfolios of text and image, blogs, short videos, presentations as well as more traditional essays, reports and occasional exams. Some of your assessments will be based upon collaboration with your peers. This collaboration could be in the development of artefacts, proposals and/or various forms of visual and textual communication in response to problem-based issues.

The nature of assessment will change as you progress through your course:

• at Level 1 assessments focus on your understanding and acquisition of new knowledge and practical, digital, academic and professional skills

• at Level 2 assessments focus more on establishing how well you understand, analyse and apply this new knowledge and new skills in relation to real-world, local and global settings

• in your final year study becomes more self-directed with forms of assessment often being negotiated and agreed with tutors

Throughout each year of study, it is to be expected that you’ll find that assessments are progressively more challenging. To support you as you navigate assessment at the different levels of study, we provide formative as well as summative assessment. Formative assessment gives staff an opportunity to give you feedback on personal progress, in good time before a summative deadline. Given the range of assessment types in any one level of study, formative assessment and feedback enables you to reflect upon your personal progress and establish which forms of assessment allow you to play to your strengths.

Authentic assessment means relevant assessment; in terms of contemporary contexts and relevant to your personal interests and your future aspirations. The authenticity of assessment is an important consideration in how we design assignments and project briefs. This means that we think carefully about the relevance of assessment outcomes; not only in academic terms but also in terms of your chosen career path, skill development needs and the future of work in your chosen discipline. Where appropriate, there will be an element of choice in your assessment. Some projects will allow you to choose the focus and format of your submission.

Dialogic teaching methods emphasise in-class discussion and support staff- / student debate. This approach to teaching and learning enables staff to hear all student voices. In turn, for some modules, this in-class dynamic may facilitate and inform the co-production of assessment tasks. Co-production of assessment tasks means that staff and students work together to devise fair and inclusive assessment; both formative and summative. This allows staff to consider the requirements of a module alongside opportunities to allow students to harness their strengths.

While remaining considerate of module and programme learning outcomes, where relevant and beneficial, we strive to adopt a flexible approach to assessment design. This flexibility allows us to respond to student voice, maintain an agility that allows us to react to global, social and cultural change and respond swiftly to opportunities to devise projects with our industrial partners. We aim for all assessment to be relevant, meaningful and engaging.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

GCSE: 5/6 A-C (or 4+) including English.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

This course is designed for students whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university (also known as widening participation backgrounds) and who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry to a degree.

The course will give you the opportunity to be taught by academic staff and provides intensive support to enable your development of academic skills and knowledge. On successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress to your chosen degree course. Find out more about the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £26,500 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional cost information

There are additional costs of study that students need to cover. We estimate that these additional costs could be as described below, but this amount may vary depending on how you decide to respond to university briefs and the range of materials and techniques you decide to adopt.

Equipment and material costs

Students need to cover the cost of printing their work during the course, including specialist print workshop costs. Students also need to cover costs of copying and supplying their own basic materials (eg pens, pencils, cutting tools, paper, ruler) and more course specific materials (eg sketchbooks, specialist papers, specialist fabrics, sculpting materials, specialist tool), as well as print portfolios.

The approximate cost of these items in recent years has been:

• Level 1 – £100 - £170
• Level 2 – £100 - £150
• Level 3 – £200 - £600

Computers and digital equipment

To ensure you can make the most of your studies at Leeds, you’ll need to make sure your laptop meets the system requirements for your course.

Some of our courses require the development of work using industry standard specialist software. As/if required by your course, the School will provide this to you when you arrive. We also use a blended learning model where you’ll need to access course materials and video conference using a computer or mobile device (eg laptop, tablet, smartphone). Costs for a laptop will vary depending on the exact specification. You should expect to pay between £1000 - £2,500.

If you’re buying a new laptop for your studies, then we recommend that you wait until you’re registered as a student so that you take advantage of discounts given to university students. Delaying purchasing also allows you to find out from your programme leader what you need. Depending on your circumstances you can benefit from a laptop loan or further support from our Financial Assistance Fund.

You’ll also have access to further digital equipment in our studios and using our loan scheme. But, you may decide to purchase your own equipment (from Year 1 or as your studies progress) which will result in additional costs. Examples include a drawing tablet (£50 - £500) and a digital camera (£200 - £1500).

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Clothworkers’ Scholarships

Affordability route

The School of Design offers a limited number of Clothworkers’ Affordability Scholarships. The Affordability Scholarships provide students with £3,000 a year, for 3 years, towards their study. An additional sum of £2,000 is also awarded at the start of the programme for the purchase of a laptop.

The scholarships do not have to be paid back and are in addition to the financial support you can receive from the government (such as the tuition fee loan or maintenance loan).

Undergraduate means-tested scholarships are available to selected UK students from low-income households, who also meet the eligibility criteria and are entering Leeds as full-time, level one undergraduates in the academic year 2024/25.

Applications for the scholarship open mid-February and the deadline is end of May. Please check back in February for further details on how to apply, or visit the Personal Circumstances Scholarship webpage.

Academic achievement route

All UK fee paying students who apply to this programme are considered for a Clothworkers’ Academic Achievement Scholarship. The Scholarships provide students with £2,000 a year, for 3 years, towards their study and are based on academic achievement.

There is no separate application process and the decision will be based on applicant’s equal weightage to GCSE (or equivalent) results and Predicted A-level (or equivalent) results.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Design

Contact us

School of Design Undergraduate Admissions

Email: designundergrad@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

This degree is designed to equip you with a wide range of skills that are highly desirable to employers in the fashion industry and the wider sustainability community, as well as providing transferable skills, flexibility, resilience which are desirable across many professional careers. In the School of Design, as well as providing you with research led, industry informed subject-specific knowledge, we aim to equip you with the best possible skills for a variety of careers. System thinking, combined with excellent research and criticality skills are increasingly valued across a wide range of sectors; therefore, your degree from the University of Leeds opens opportunities across disciplines and multiple industries, as well as in your course-related specialism.

You’ll have an understanding of the role of sustainable strategies and how these can be translated a design into a workable practical solutions for products, businesses, industry and society. You'll be able to put all of this into the global context of the people who make fashion products and the consumers who wear them using tools such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

With the holistic knowledge of product development, fashion technology, the supply chain and the industry provided by the programme, you will be equipped to succeed in a range of different careers with clothing brands and retailers, sustainability specialists and policy makers. These roles could include buying, product development, technology, retail and supply chain management among many others.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

You have the chance to spend a year working in industry after their second year of study. The industrial placement is great for your personal and professional development, and some students have even been offered permanent roles at their placement companies.

A Year in Industry is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of working in your chosen industry or field of expertise before you graduate and a chance for you to put the knowledge and skills you have gained during the first two years of your degree into practice. You can spend a year immersing yourself with one organisation or try a multitude of placements to explore different organisations and career paths.

While on placement you could be in a fast-paced creative agency, or a high-end fashion design company, an international retailer, a product manufacturer or an art practitioner developing their latest exhibition. Whatever option you decide to do you’ll be expanding your skillset, creating your professional network and developing your professionalism all of which will help you to secure graduate employment in the future.

Read more about our Year in Industry in the School of Design.