A Foundation Degree is a higher education qualification that brings together experience and learning in the workplace with academic learning. It is a flexible professional qualification that is tailored to meet the needs of industry but also takes into account your skills and potential. The Foundation Degree in Textiles and Fashion places an emphasis on work related learning, which takes many forms including work experience, live projects, competitions, work related projects and placements. The Foundation Degree is relevant to a broad variety of people, particularly those who are:

• Returning to learning after a break.
• Are in work and want to further their prospects.
• Are unemployed and looking for a way into work.

Have recently completed studies such as A levels, AVCE, BTEC, GNVQ or NVQ Level 3, and are looking for a work related qualification with the option to transfer on to the final year of BA (Hons) Fashion Design or BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Placement Year, BA (Hons) Printed Textiles Design programme in the School of AVA, University of East London, (or other HE institutions).

The Foundation Degree in Textiles and Fashion Programme is delivered over two years on a full-time basis and over three years part-time study.

In the first year of the programme, you will be introduced to all the basic technical and creative skills you need to function effectively in the industry.  It is anticipated that students will be entering the programme with a range of backgrounds and abilities and it is hoped that year one modules will allow every individual an opportunity to level up their skill base where appropriate.  Year two is focused on personal development and work placement.  You will focus on self initiated projects within a defined modular framework which culminates in the final semester when you will produce a fashion /textile collection which is exhibited in a Graduate Show in London (this forms part of the final assessment process).

Throughout the programme you are introduced to an exciting range of professional shows / forums which relate to fashion textile industry practice.  The programme offers an annual 3–4 day visit to Paris with staff at the beginning of Semester B to coincide with the “Premiere Vision” Trade Show.  This study visit is a great insight into how the industry operates.

The Foundation programme has an industry focus and within each taught module you are introduced to aspects of professional practice within the industry.  The programme is supported by a range of visiting lecturers who work within the fashion / textile industry.

After graduation you have the option of progressing on to the final year of either the BA Hons Fashion Design or BA Hons Fashion Design with Placement Year, OR BA Hons Printed Textile Design at UEL, or seek employment in the textile or fashion industries.

The Fda Textiles and Fashion Programme delivery is studio based, through one to one and group tutorials. You have access to the relevant workshop resources to support the activity being delivered. (workshops are supported by knowledgeable technical staff from 9.00- 4.30 five days a week)

External visits for research, sourcing and observation, are integrated into every module and we take full advantage of the college’s convenient location close to London and all its amenities.

Module Leaders are responsible for the co-ordination, delivery and assessment of the Module, together with members of the teaching team.

Modules taught on the Foundation Degree Textiles and Fashion Programme are valued at 20 or 40 credits. Each Module is assessed at the end of delivery by members of the teaching team, and as part of the assessment process, you complete a reflective written appraisal, and a Module Evaluation Questionnaire, which is analysed, and informs the part of the content of the Programme Committee and the Review and Enhancement Process Report.

All assignments are double marked and internally verified by a member of the programme team.  You will  attend a work placement in year two of the programme and this activity forms part of the assessment for one of the modules.  The Fashion Textiles Subject Area has defined criteria by which all modules in fashion and textiles are assessed (fully explained in the Programme Hand book), and there is a strict hand in on time policy.  Coursework submitted after the relevant deadline will not be marked.

As part of the second year programme structure, you are required to undertake a work placement, relevant to a selected specialism within the Textile/Fashion industry. This is underpinned by two professional practice modules, Live External Industrial Placement, and ‘Professional Studies in Textiles and Fashion.’)

Preparation for work placement selection will begin in tutorial sessions prior to the commencement of year two.  Tutors will help you select a potential career focus by identifying their strengths within their practical achievement throughout the year one delivery, and also discuss areas of interest. This decision is an integral part of your career development and potential future practice. Whilst on placement, your progress and achievement is monitored by tutors who visit you in situ, and in liaison with the host company.  We have established work placements with the following companies -

• Phil Reynolds – Costume
• Arcadia Group – Evans
• Michelle Lowe Holder – Fashion
• Mirjam Rhoden – Textiles
• Judy Bentnick – Millinery
• Royal Opera House – Costume
• Nicola Killeen – Textiles
• Baxter Fawcett – Textile Design

Some of our graduates have gained full & part-time work with companies on completion of work placement.  

All modules and assignments are either practical, i.e. answering a specific design brief responding to a given problem (usually 2D or 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 and insight in problem solving.  A large number of assignments are supported by external visits to research and observe; all modules have a strong work based focus (either through identification of a specific skills base or a defined market or application).

All modules are delivered via project based studio tasks with the exception of FT2101 Live External Industrial Placement’, which is assessed via the host company feedback report. This module has integrated delivery with FT2102 Professional studies in Textiles/ Fashion.

The Fda Degree in Textiles and Fashion is a collaborative venture between South Essex College and The School of AVA at UEL.  This partnership gives you the opportunity to take full advantage of the many state of the art resources on UEL’s Docklands Campus, including the Learning Resource Centre, and the Print Design Bureau (FabPad), together with staff in the Fashion Textile Area, expert in many aspects of fashion design, cutting, construction, and trend prediction, and printed textiles.

The Textile/Fashion department at SEC has a strong staff team, expert in many areas of the fashion textile industry, and a well established work placement programme to which the Foundation Degree will be attached. Many past full and part time students have been offered permanent employment opportunities as a result of undertaking a placement..  These employment opportunities have been in many different aspects of the fashion textile industry.

• Textile design for fashion
• Designing clothes
• Communicating ideas visually and verbally
• Working with fabrics and new materials
• Developing your individuality
• Being inspired by visual culture
• Becoming aware of the textile / fashion industry and how it works

• A challenging and innovative programme of study
• Working with your peer group, members of staff and visiting industry professionals
• Being introduced to new concepts, ideas and techniques in Fashion & Textiles
• Learning about the current, contemporary and future textile / fashion scene
• Evaluating your working methods and challenging your practice by using new technology – digital photography, video, IT and CAD

To experience a wide range of working methods relating to textile / fashion design and learn how to design and produce creative and commercially viable outcomes, the Foundation Degree in Textile and Fashion is for you. This course focuses on work based learning and industry practice. Therefore fashion/textile industry projects underpin the delivery of the programme throughout year one and two delivery.

The Programme has a strong textile bias.  You learn to develop concepts and outcomes in a creative design / craft studio environment with tutorial support from practitioners from all aspects of the design industry. Potential career pathways are also wide ranging, previous students have gone on to work in the commercial Fashion sector, couture and high fashion designer/makers, accessory design, textile / craft design and theatre costume design.

You are encouraged to undertake every practical task with reference to industry practice, this is supported by regular trips to professional trade shows like ‘Premiere Vision’ and involvement with industry sponsored competitions such as the ‘Hand and Lock award for Embroidery.

During year two of the programme, you will undertake a personalised self directed programme of study which is centred around your future professional practice. Opportunities to explore and define potential career pathways are provided in the module ‘Researching and Designing a Collection’. Throughout the Programme you will be encouraged to formalise a personal approach to design, in order to create a confident, focused, resourceful design graduate.

After completing levels one and two, students can progress on to one of the undergraduate programmes in the School of AVA at UEL, BA Hons Fashion Design OR BA Hons Fashion Design with Placement Year, (4 years) OR BA Hons Printed Textile Design,  or apply for work in the textile / fashion industry for example: printed textile design for fashion or interiors; theatre costume design; accessory design; knitwear design; running creative workshops for adult learners; textile artist, fashion designer; fashion designer maker; and CAD design for fashion and textiles.

On enrolment you are allocated a personal tutor, who will normally be one of the tutors involved in the delivery of the programme. In induction week, each student has a one to one tutorial with their Tutor; where location, availability and the types and levels of support offered will be discussed.

It is the role of the personal tutor to provide support and advice on practical and personal issues, in addition to feedback on work and academic progress. If there are issues that need to be sorted, the personal tutor is your ‘first port of call’. If you are identified as having special needs or requiring learning support, you will be referred to Learner Support Services located in G block to identify the type of support you require, and initiate the process.  An accessible Counselling service; ESOL Support; Communications for the Deaf; Sexual Health Services; links to other agencies offering support in areas of drugs and alcohol abuse, mental health and homeless crisis support are available in Learner Support Services.  Appointments can be made personally or via the personal tutor.

Students have many opportunities to work on live projects led by Industry Practitioners.  Some examples of projects previously undertaken are Theatre Costume Design and Production for the Royal Opera House Thurrock and promotional illustrations for the Royal Horticultural Society Hyde Hall.  These projects offer students the opportunity to exhibit their work externally and build those vital first links into the industry.

Visits to professional trade shows and exhibitions, such as the fashion/textile trade show Premier Vision, are organized throughout the programme.  Visiting industry speakers/lecturers are also invited in to speak to students on a wide range of subjects.

The close proximity of the FDa Degree course to London allows the students to take full advantage of the many galleries and exhibitions in the area.