Fashion Design with Foundation year

If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year – which has been designed to encourage exploration and experimentation.

This course also allows you to specialise in and receive a different named award – BA Fashion Design (Digital) – which includes emerging fields such as avatar and games design.

How you learn Our courses are designed with key principles of engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing a supportive environment where you can thrive.

You learn through:

Applied learning Your course has been designed to embrace real-world challenges and provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to be successful.

We do this by developing your expertise in collaboration with the professional creative and cultural sectors – with commercial and creative practitioners, commissioners, clients and arts organisations.

Work placements You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements before your final year. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.

Previously, students have worked with Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Reiss and ASOS. You may also be able to work or study abroad with the possibility of funding through the Turing Scheme.

Live projects You’ll work on live briefs set by commercial organisations, presenting you with real-world challenges and giving you invaluable insights into industry life.

Previously, students have worked with teams at Ted Baker, Amanda Wakeley, Adidas and Vivienne Westwood, with awards including cash prizes or industry work placements.

Field trips Study trips within the UK and abroad take you out of the studio and immerse you in new environments, from workshops and conferences to galleries and special collections.

There’s also the option to enhance your studies further with our optional field trips. Previous trips have included a visit to Burberry’s HQ, exclusive talks from global companies such as Tommy Hilfiger, and trips to leading fashion, textile and design museums.

Students can also apply for funding through the Turing Scheme to support a study exchange or placement outside of the UK.

Competitions and exhibitions We support and encourage you to enter national and international competitions such as The Fashion Awards and the RSA Student Design Awards. Our students are regular finalists and winners of competitions, having an immediate and significant impact on their professional reputation.

At the end of your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work in our annual Future Now Festival of Creativity – to which we invite VIP guests, employers, businesses, influencers, friends and family, and the general public. The festival is widely attended and is hosted in the city centre. You’ll also be able to curate and exhibit your work on our online Gallery.