Students gain breadth of knowledge and understanding of the fashion Industry through the successful integration of studying fashion design and visual culture - theoretical studies.

Fashion Design is exciting, demanding and competitive. All aspects of design and theory are taught by experienced staff who are practising designers, researchers or theoreticians, who have a broad range of experience in the Fashion and Creative Industries.

You have the opportunity to undertake an optional Placement Year that runs from January to January in Year 2. If you take this module you will be awarded a degree with the title Fashion Design with Placement Year

You will work in an art and design environment in a building designed specifically for Architecture, Fine Art, Digital Arts and Visual Communication and Visual Theories. In the area of Fashion and Textiles, you will work with students on three other BA programmes: Fashion Futures, Fashion Design with Fashion Management and Printed Textiles Design.

You will be involved in the following activities with project work, sometimes working with established designers or industry professionals:

• Design creativity and design development
• Visual research, drawing and visual communication techniques
• Trend prediction and forecasting
• Fabric and colour research
• Retail Analysis
• Pattern cutting and toile making
• Garment construction
• Range planning
• Visual communication and portfolio presentation
• Digital Media

Level 1 EXPLORE / DISCOVER

Level 2 DEVELOP

LEVEL 3 / Final Year REALISE

The programme provides you with the opportunity to study fashion in a creative art school environment, delivered by a creative and professional staff team. The duration is three years, or four if you decide to do the optional year placement, It provides choice and flexibility in learning opportunities, and allows you to explore the discipline of fashion whilst developing your practice. 

Level 1 is about exploring and discovering creativity, fashion and design and may build on skills which you already have.  Two and three dimensional development is encouraged through an innovative and original approach, where fundamental skills will be introduced to enable you to explore creativity, research, materials, and processes. You will discover new approaches to pattern cutting, construction, fabric, colour and trend prediction, retail scouting, and digital media, together with exploring contemporary contexts in fashion theory and visual culture.

Level 2 allows you to develop and build on the skills gained at level 1 through a variety of exciting modules and options which develop your personal and professional practice.  You will develop your creativity through innovative cutting and design, and develop your discourse in fashion and visual media. The optional placement year is situated between Semester A and B, and is an opportunity to gain invaluable experience in the professional industry, working in a company which marries with your personal career trajectory. Semester B introduces couture, and the development of a future interpretation of the craft for the twenty first century, which is  underpinned by the development of your discourse on cultural issues impacting on fashion which will enhance your professional profile.

Level 3 allows you to realise your creative potential through external connections, competitions and extended learning opportunities, in order to prepare for a successful career in the fashion and creative industries or post graduate study. You have the opportunity to enter national and international competitions, and consolidate your theoretical knowledge in the production of a thesis on a specialist subject. You will either realise your own design potential in the production of a collection, or negotiate an alternative practical project with your tutor network. To compliment either choice is a module where you will devise your own exit strategy and negotiate your personal new horizon beyond graduation, whether in the creative industries or in post graduate education.

Fashion Design students work alongside students from BA (Hons)Printed Textile Design and BA (Hons) Digital Fashion in open plan flexible studios adjacent to the fashion production room and staff offices. There is a dedicated computer suite. The studios suit many purposes – design, pattern cutting, presentations, cat walk shows, exhibition and all types of delivery. This creative space is echoed throughout the School, where students from other disciplines (Architecture, Fine Art, Digital Arts and Communication and Visual Theories) interact with you on a daily basis.

Teaching and learning methods in the Fashion & Textiles Subject Area (Field) are varied. Most modules include lectures, seminars and tutorials, and some also involve student-led seminars or other forms of group work. Visits to museums, galleries and other relevant field work play an important part in the Fashion Design curriculum, and where appropriate there may be video and film screenings.

Teaching methods and learning outcomes of all Fashion & Textiles modules are commensurate with the level of study. Descriptions of the individual modules provide information of teaching formats, learning outcomes, assessment methods and relevant criteria.

All work is assessed regularly: Summative assessment is given at the end of each module formative assessment is given at regular tutorials, at the end of each module, and in the studio environment. Assignments are verified by an External Examiner, double marked and moderated. There are feedback and appraisal mechanisms in place to encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning, reflect on their learning and progression. There are no exams.

This programme offers an optional one year industry placement, which is situated between semester A and B in Level 2. The modules prior to the placement help to prepare you for this experience, and staff work with you to marry your career aspirations with a  host company. You are tutored by the module leader through the year through Face book and on line support. Actual visits to the premises (where possible) may be made by the Module Leader.  Students are encouraged to help source their own placements.  It is possible to negotiate two shorter placements of 6 months with your tutors.

All assignments are Problem based. Projects are either practical, i.e. answering a specific design brief responding to a given problem, (visual with 2D and 3D outcomes) or theoretical, i.e. have a written outcome. They are designed to enable and encourage you to develop individual, creative, academic potential and demonstrate individuality, flare and insight in research. There will be opportunities to work in groups to develop and learn skills. Project work is an important part of the module, and contributes fully towards the assessment.

The programme is sited in a new purpose built Architecture and Visual Arts building on the University’s landmark Docklands Campus. This is in turn, situated in the creative heartland of London, and an area of intense new media activity adjacent to Excel, Canary Warf, City Airport and the new international rail terminus for Europe at Stratford.

The Programme has strong links with Industry and education both in the UK and internationally, ranging from Trend and Forecasting Agencies, Design Studios, Media and Press Offices, and several collaborative links with international Universities and Colleges.

Programme Staff are well connected within the Fashion Industry and Education, with some working as practitioners and consultants in both fields.

• Exploring design and creativity
• Communicating ideas visually verbally and digitally
• Discovering and exploring with fabrics and new materials
• Developing your individuality
• Planning and organising ranges
• Developing garments – both cut and construction
• Being inspired by visual culture
• Becoming aware of the fashion industry and how it works
• Making decisions
• Working within a group or team or on your own

• Exploring design through clothes
• Communicating ideas visually and verbally
• Discovering the properties of fabric and new materials
• Developing your individuality
• Developing garments through cut and construction
• Exploring visual culture and fashion theory
• Developing an awareness of the fashion industry through professional practice.
• Realising your creative potential
• Realising your professional goals
• Working within a group or a team or individually

• To be part of a challenging and exciting programme, which offers a range of choices and opportunities
• To develop your practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge
• To be equipped with the right skills to join other practitioners in the fashion industry
• To participate in group and team work, organising events both internally and externally
• To be prepared to meet the future challenges of the fashion and creative industries
• To work in an area that will contribute to the future of fashion.
• To be challenged and excited by visual culture
• To contribute to the fashion environment and the visual media

You will have the opportunity to develop your skills and interests, focus on your strengths and recognise your ambitions and goals. Our graduates usually gain employment in many sectors of the Industry, or become successful entrepreneurs. We have strong links with our alumni who hold senior positions in the industry, supporting our students and graduates in finding work via internships and continued involvement.

The broad range of destination possibilities includes

• Designer / Design development
• Design Co-ordinator
• Pattern Cutter
• Fashion Technologist/Sourcing
• Product Development
• Business start up / Entrepreneur
• Visual Merchandiser
• Retail Management
• Range Planning
• Public Relations/promotion
• Press and the media
• Events organisation
• Provides access to work in the cultural industries

* The programme equips you with a range of transferable skills. Therefore our graduates are able to apply their talents to a range of careers in the creative industries which may not be listed above.

The University provides a comprehensive range of support services for students which includes: residential / student finance advice / careers advice / study skills development / IT learning resources. The programme provides strong personal tutor guidance and professional advice related to the practice and area in general. Visiting designers, researchers, and professionals will visit the programme regularly, and study trips to working environments (both UK and Europe) are important components. There are modules in research methods and practice, and an employability module in level 2 prior to the industrial placement. You will have the opportunity to enter national and international competitions sometimes as part of the programme, and sometimes as extra to the curriculum.

The East London environment offers excellent access to galleries, libraries, museums and art collections, shops and retail. The proximity to a wide range of creative industries enables regular visits from industry professionals from all subject disciplines.

Trips are organised regularly to specific and relevant points of interest in London and beyond.