Fashion Design Innovation BA

Fashion Design Innovation combines creation with reading and writing to generate critical and creative thinkers and practitioners. By studying this course, you will be both intellectually and creatively challenged.

Through a mix of research and learning specifically about contemporary and historical discourse, you'll have the theoretical basis to back your creative thinking. Your final year dissertation is as important as your final year project on this course.

You'll have the freedom to creatively express yourself in diverse ways, exploring innovative fashion and textile design solutions that respond to the needs of modern consumers.

In addition, you can tailor your course to suit your interests by choosing exciting optional modules from inside and outside the School of Design.

You'll have access to live briefs, guest speakers, and an optional Year in Industry. All of these and more will equip you with the skills you need to enter the world of the creative industries.

There is an opportunity to choose optional modules from within the School of Design throughout your course. However, you can also pick from many options from across the university called Discovery modules; popular subject choices include business management and sustainability.

All students are offered the opportunity to participate in the Study Abroad scheme during the second or third year. You could also undertake a placement year during this time through our Year in Industry - this is an ideal chance to experience the reality of the fashion and textiles industry.

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 (Adobe CC; PointCarre, Solid Works, Cinema 4D, Lectra, etc); cameras and video recorder on loan; free entry to Inside/Out lecture series; compulsory field trips part of assessment; part of curriculum subscriptions (eg LSN, Special journals and periodicals); costs of Degree Show (infrastructure, course catalogue and exhibition set-up); external promotion (eg New Designer, AD&D, Graduate Fashion Week); Yorkshire Fashion Archive and Membership to the ASBCI (Fashion Design Innovation and Fashion Marketing students); and Visiting Speakers, who are well known figures from industry or other institutions around the world.

At the University of Leeds, we approach fashion design differently. We believe that creative expertise is best refined through a critical engagement with real-life problems and ideas, using essential research and analysis skills. We believe this is a skill that produces the very best designers.

Creativity always has a clear context. Based on this understanding, our students and staff enjoy pushing ideas, skills and knowledge to the limit.

Our well-equipped studios and purpose-built facilities will allow you to develop your understanding of the fashion design process. You'll benefit from a course that incorporates the latest digital technologies with traditional manual skills in line with industrial standards.

You'll develop creative and practical skills that enable you to create beautiful, responsibly produced, and innovative fashion and textile products. Throughout your studies, you'll also learn how to consider the industry's impact on matters such as sustainability, diversity, inclusion and employability.

During your first year, you'll learn about the history, culture, and technology behind fashion design, and you'll develop research and analysis skills. These will help you produce reflective essays in response to modern and historical design perspectives.

From here, you'll build a foundational understanding of visual research and design development, garment construction in addition to basic structured and printed textiles. You'll learn about diverse market sectors and how to source the necessary information you need to create high-quality fashion products for retail.

In your second year, you'll start to develop specialisms in either structured or printed textiles in your studio practice. You'll be able to apply these skills in your design and practical work to provide you with valuable hands-on experience working to industrial standards. Most importantly, you'll learn about more advanced ways of conducting research in fashion design.

All of this will prepare you for your final year, where you can apply all the practical and academic skills learned. You will be tasked with producing several large practical projects for exhibition at our degree show, as well as putting together a professional design portfolio. In addition, you'll need to write a separate dissertation that explores a fashion or textiles topic of your choice.

Course structure

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

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

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

Creative practical work is assessed using visual presentations, portfolios and journals. Written exams, essays and other written responses to assignment briefs may also form part of the assessment. Methods of assessment will vary depending on the modules you choose.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB including art/design subject or media. Excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.

If you don’t have an art or design-related subject but you are taking Media Studies A-level, we may also consider your application based on a high grade at GCSE in Art/Design and a portfolio of recent and relevant work.

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

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview and a piece of written work may be required.

• BTEC

  DDM including Art/Design

• Cambridge Pre-U

  M1, M1, M2 including M1 art/design or media.

• International Baccalaureate

  34 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 5 in Visual Arts and 4 in English.

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 including art/design or media.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR B in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers OR AABBBB in Highers.

• Other Qualifications

  Art Foundation course: Whilst we welcome applications from students who have completed an Art Foundation course it is not a requirement for entry and doesn’t usually count towards entry requirements.

  In exceptional cases, we may make you an offer conditional on achieving an Art Foundation qualification: we may consider your application if you’re taking a validated Art Foundation course and have ABB or above at A-level not including Art or Design.

  Extended Project Qualification: If you’re taking the EPQ, we may make you an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. In this case that would be BBB, plus EPQ grade A.

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 an alternative 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 alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications, please visit our international equivalencies page to find out more about entry requirements for your region.

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.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

Documents and information you’ll need

If you don’t have an A-level in a related art or design subject, you’ll need to submit a portfolio of recent and relevant art/design work. Please email at least six images of recent work to designundergrad@leeds.ac.uk at the time of your application to UCAS – the email subject line should include your name and UCAS ID number.

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 Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2022/23
For UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 the fee will be £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students for 2023/24 have been agreed by the UK Government and will remain at the current fee level of £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 should be available on individual course pages from September 2022.

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.

We expect that you will have to pay for the printing and production of visual and written coursework. Toile fabrics are provided at wholesale costs, but in final year you may wish to use a particular fabric. We encourage you to find sponsorship if possible.

There are optional study trips abroad which will involve an additional cost: details will be provided as these are arranged.

Additional cost information

<p>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.</p><p><strong>Equipment and material costs</strong></p><p>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, etc.) and more course specific materials (eg sketchbooks, specialist papers, specialist fabrics, sculpting materials, specialist tools, etc.), as well as print portfolios.</p><p>The approximate cost of these items in recent years has been:</p><p>• Level 1 – £100 - £170<br />• Level 2 – £100 - £150<br />• Level 3 – £200 - £600</p><p><strong>Computers and digital equipment</strong></p><p>Our course requires the development of work using Adobe Creative and other relevant software. 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 £500 - £2,500. You might also consider buying an external drive to back-up your work on a regular basis, which may incur another additional £50 - £150. Alternatively you can choose to store your work using cloud storage or your personal M:Drive, provided by the University.</p><p>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 (eg Apple, Adobe Creative, etc.). Delaying purchasing also allows you to find out from your programme leader what you need and what you do not need. In case you cannot afford a laptop, you may be eligible for further support from our <a href="https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/10231/university_financial_assistance_fund">Financial Assistance Fund</a>.</p><p>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 are: Drawing tablet (£50 - £500); Digital camera (£200 - £1500); etc.</p><p><strong>Study and field trips</strong></p><p>The School of Design pays for all compulsory field trips that are part of the curriculum and/or assessment. There may also be opportunity for optional study trips and the need for individual field-based projects / trips. Costs will depend on the project / courses undertaken, and on the nature and location of each trip, and can therefore range between £100 and £750.</p><p><strong>Degree show, extra exhibitions, and competitions costs</strong></p><p>Your Degree Show will require extra production costs, which will vary according to individual projects. If you’re given the opportunity to showcase your work outside the School of Design, this will require additional production costs, as well as travelling, accommodation and subsistence costs.</p><p>You might also have opportunities to submit to competitions and may want to subscribe to online networks, which may cost up to an additional £100 per year.</p><p><strong>Reading materials</strong></p><p>You’ll have access to a good supply of books, academic journals, periodicals, etc., that are available in the University libraries. You’ll also have online access to an extensive range of reading resources. You might decide, however, to purchase required books that are recommended on your course.</p>

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.

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.

Your professional and practical skills are central to the degree, and they will prepare you for an exciting career in the fashion industry. If you take an industrial placement year, you’ll also have valuable experience for your CV. Because Leeds offers you the chance to study academic modules that put your practice into context, you’ll also develop a range of transferable skills that appeal to all kinds of employers.

You’ll become a confident communicator with excellent presentation skills, as well as being an analytical problem-solver with strong research skills. You’ll have great visual, critical and commercial awareness, as well as an in-depth understanding of consumer profiles and trends in a fast-changing market.

Graduates have pursued a wide range of careers in the fashion industry including; design, pattern cutting, garment technology, buying, trend forecasting, PR and journalism. They’ve gone to work for companies including Abercrombie & Fitch, BMB Menswear, Esprit, George, New Look, Next, River Island, Ted Baker, Tommy Hilfiger, Warehouse, French Connection, H&M, Karen Millen, Dunhill International, Christopher Kane, Amanda Wakeley, Betty Jackson and Paul Smith.

Find out more about how we prepare you for your future career.

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 at the Careers website.

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 placement

Our Year in Industry is an opportunity available to all Fashion Design Innovation students. It’s great for your personal and professional development, and some students have even been offered permanent roles at the company where they completed their placement.

A Year in Industry is not only a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of working in your chosen industry or field of expertise before you graduate, but it is also 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.

Whilst 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.

Students have worked in designing, buying, pattern cutting, PR, visual merchandising and other roles for companies like ASOS, Amanda Wakeley, Monsoon, Christopher Kane, WGSN, Mark Jacobs, River Island, Alexander McQueen and French Connection.

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