Dare to lead

Fashion Textile Design BA (Hons)

Are you passionate about a career in the multibillion-pound fashion industry? This creative and dynamic course equips you with in-depth textile design expertise for the exciting world of fashion.

Overview

Take a look at this short clip of creations on the catwalk by our Fashion Textile Design students.

On this specialist course you will combine practical textile skills across print, stitch, embellishment and knit, with complementary fashion design skills in pattern cutting, construction, fashion illustration and digital portfolio promotion. 

You will have the freedom to determine your own creative direction to design and produce innovative and original textile products that have a clear fashion outcome.

We will help you to become an adaptable and forward-thinking textile design specialist with an understanding of responsible and sustainable design. You will learn to enhance the value, luxury, and craft of our traditional practice by embracing the digital technologies that are shaping the future of the industry.

Key features:

  • Combine and specialise in textile processes such as knit, print and mixed media alongside fashion design development and exploration. 
  • We are recognised as one of the country’s most sustainable fashion and textiles schools (Green Gown Awards, 2021) and one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2022 (CEOWORLD, 2022).
  • 92% of students were satisfied overall with the course (National Student Survey, 2022).
  • In the prestigious Bradford Textile Society Design Competition Awards 2022, our students received 15 prizes and commendations totalling nearly £2,500, more than any other university. DMU also received the Designer’s Guild Plaque in recognition of our outstanding work. 

  • Gain valuable work experience by undertaking a year-long placement. Past students have landed roles at Helen Lawrence, Tommy Hilfiger, G-Star and Disney.
  • Our graduates have gone on to work at established brands such as Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Ted Baker, French Connection, Next and Adidas Makers Lab.
  • The award-winning Vijay Patel Building houses our cutting-edge facilities including workshops for print, knit, plastics, 3D and digital textile printing, metal, wood and leather. Industry-standard facilities will allow you to explore new creative directions for fashion-forward, luxury and innovative design outcomes.
  • Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.

Student work gallery

See our student work

Student success:

Cutting-edge concepts by DMU fashion students recognised by historic livery company

DMU students take top prizes at renowned textile design awards

 

More courses like this

  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: WW2S

Duration: Three years full-time, four years full-time with a placement. Six years part-time.

Fees and funding: 

2023/24 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250.

Find out more about tuition fees and available funding.

Additional costs: Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs for this programme.

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement.

Fees and funding: 

2023/24 tuition fees for international students: £15,250

Additional costs: Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs for this programme.

Entry criteria

Typical entry requirements

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds.

  • Art and Design Foundation or
  • 112 points from at least 2 A ‘levels 
  •  BTEC Extended Diploma DMM
  • International Baccalaureate: 26+ Points or
  • T Levels Merit

Plus five GCSEs grades 9-4 including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above.

  • Pass Access with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit and GCSE English (Language or Literature) at grade 4 or above

We will normally require students to have had a break from full time education before undertaking the Access course.

  • We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GCSEs including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Interview and portfolio

Applicants with relevant qualifications will be invited to submit a portfolio of work. Please see our portfolio advice page for full details.

Non-standard applicants may be invited to attend an interview via MS Teams with a portfolio.

Applicants who receive an offer for this course for 2023 entry will be invited to attend an offer holder day. You’ll get to spend time with our teaching team, current students and be able to experience our fantastic facilities. Your email invite will be sent to the address you used to register when you applied, so keep an eye out and book to join us.

Structure and assessment

Education 2030

We want to ensure you have the best learning experience possible and a supportive and nurturing learning community. That’s why we’re introducing a new block model for delivering the majority of our courses, known as Education 2030. This means a more simplified timetable where you will study one subject at a time instead of several at once. You will have more time to engage with your learning and get to know the teaching team and course mates. You will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, and have a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life.

Read more about Education 2030
 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

Awards and memberships

 

First year

Block 1: Inquire

Block 2: Explore

Block 3: Connect

Block 4: Futures

 

Second year

Block 1: Develop

Block 2: Communication

Block 3: Contextualise

Block 4: Advance

 

Third year

Block 1: Consolidate

Block 2: Refine

Block 3 and Block 4: Resolve

 

Structure

The focus of your first year will be to ‘Investigate’ through a grounding in research, concept development, 2D illustration, basic technical skills and design development. The second year aims to ‘Develop’ your skills and knowledge, building on the foundation gained in the first year. Your third year will ‘Consolidate’ your learning by bringing together all the skills you have learnt into a final garment that reflects your chosen area of focus and individual design aesthetic. 

In your first and second year, you will learn in regular timetabled practical workshops, inductions, lectures, seminars, group tutorials, one-to-one tutorials, practical and theoretical talks. Most of your study time will be in practical workshops or studios. In your third year there is a greater emphasis on independent study and one to one tutorials.

The assessments are designed to build on each other as you progress in your studies and you will have opportunities to receive feedback on your work throughout your learning journey. Assessment can be varied, but generally will take the form of a visual presentation either as a catwalk, or digital display.

Critical thinking and research skills related to contemporary issues in the global fashion and textiles industry are integrated in each year, alongside career development skills and opportunities. Project briefs will enable you to produce work to a professional standard that responds to current industry demands and you will develop a personal portfolio that can be used to launch your career after graduation. 

Our expert course team covers a range of multi-disciplinary specialisms such as fashion print, fashion knitwear, stitch and embellishment. You will also have the opportunity to meet and network with our many visiting lecturers from industry, who have included Phoebe English, Jane Bowler, Kat Marks and Sarah Williams.

 

Contact hours
In your first year you will normally attend around 21 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 21 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.

 

Ranked as one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2022 (CEOWORLD, 2022) and in the top 10 in the UK for 'career after 15 months' (The Guardian University Guide 2022), our innovative and widely-respected courses help prepare students for fulfilling futures in this fast-paced industry.

Green Gown Award

The School of Fashion and Textiles won the Next Generation Learning and Skills Award in the Green Gowns Awards 2021 and received global recognition in the International Green Gown Awards 2022. These awards are the gold standard for sustainability in universities around the world and this puts DMU at the forefront of sustainable fashion and textiles education in the UK. Sustainability is at the heart of our curriculum and teaching, empowering our students to be agents of change within the industry.

UK Fashion and Textiles Association

We are members of the UK Fashion and Textiles Association which ensures our teaching stays up to date with the latest developments in the sector and provides valuable industry links that enhance our courses.

green-gown
UKFT partner logo

Facilities and features

Art and design facilities

Our award-winning Vijay Patel building has been designed to provide the space and facilities where all of our art and design students can develop their ideas and flourish. 

The creative industries require imaginative graduates who can develop new ideas and products. Students use our sophisticated and contemporary workshops, labs and studios to experiment and test in the same way they will in industry, while the open and transparent spaces in the building encourage collaboration between disciplines. In doing so, the building prepares students for industry and helps develop them as future leaders in their respective fields. 

Take a look at our stunning showcase of the building at dmu.ac.uk/aad.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

 

Campus Centre

The home of  De Montfort Students' Union, (DSU) our Campus Centre offers a welcoming and lively hub for student life. Conveniently located at the heart of campus, it includes a convenience store, a Subway and a Starbucks. Here you can find the DSU-owned charitable accommodation service Sulets and DSU’s shop, SUpplies, selling art supplies, stationery and clothing, and printing and binding services. The building is also home to the DSU officer team. 

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
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Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Previous students have taken up placements with both independent designers and big brands such as Helen Lawrence, Hussein Chalayan, Adam Andrascik, Colbalt and G-Star.

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Elizabeth Walecki undertook a year-long work placement with Cobalt, one of the world’s largest knitwear suppliers and her designs impressed the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters who awarded her a £2,500 bursary.

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DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.  

Students on this course have benefitted from visiting the global trade show Première Vision in Paris, alongside experiencing the city’s rich cultural and architecture. Second and final-year students also have the chance to gain valuable international industry exposure by showcasing their work at Première Vision.

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Graduate careers

You will develop technical, creative, research and  transferable skills to equip you for a wide range of roles in the fashion and textiles industry.

Our graduates have been successful in forging careers from freelancing and working in design agencies, to developing their own businesses, or working for brands such as Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Ted Baker, Next, French Connection Adidas and Jaguar Land Rover. Covering a range of activities including design, studio management, quality control, buying, product development, e-commerce, marketing and promotion.

We aim to equip you for a fast paced and changing industry by encouraging adaptability, independence, responsible design thinking, multi-tasking, problem solving and professionalism, alongside the practical implementation of your creative insight and new ideas.

We are committed to developing well-rounded creatives and 100% of our students are in work or further study after graduating, according to the 2020 Graduate Outcomes Survey.

Take your next steps