Fashion BA (Hons)

UCAS code W235

Duration

3 Years

4 Years

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Our graduates have gone on to work with the likes of Superdry, Mint Velvet and ASOS. Now you could be taking the fashion world by storm too.

Fashion is an ever-changing industry that needs professionals who can respond to challenges. On our course, you’ll learn creative design, technical practices and the business skills to turn your ideas into success.

You’ll also have the chance to specialise in an area such as fashion marketing, design, promotion, styling, content creation, fashion buying or merchandising.

Live projects and collaborations are an important part of the course, helping you to build your brand, CV and portfolio. Our students have also carried out placements across the industry, including with Vivienne Westwood, Max Mara, Craig Green and Next.

We cover the skills you’ll need as a designer or technologist – from pattern cutting and CAD drawing to digital fabric printing. We also explore sustainability, ethics and diversity.

And on the business side, you’ll understand costings, production and distribution. From haute couture to ready-to-wear, you’ll understand markets, industry trends and key players.

Fashion is an ever-changing industry that needs professionals who can respond to challenges. On our course, you’ll learn creative design, technical practices and the business skills to turn your ideas into success.

You’ll also have the chance to specialise in an area such as fashion marketing, design, promotion, styling, content creation, fashion buying or merchandising.

Live projects and collaborations are an important part of the course, helping you to build your brand, CV and portfolio. Our students have also carried out placements across the industry, including with Vivienne Westwood, Max Mara, Craig Green and Next.

We cover the skills you’ll need as a designer or technologist – from pattern cutting and CAD drawing to digital fabric printing. We also explore sustainability, ethics and diversity.

And on the business side, you’ll understand costings, production and distribution. From haute couture to ready-to-wear, you’ll understand markets, industry trends and key players.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Fashion

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Fashion

Work placements

You will attend a work placement between the second and final years of the course, our placement staff will work with you to identify a suitable location for your work placement. Please also note that you are responsible for any costs incurred in travelling to and from your work placement, and for any accommodation costs.

Course content

First year:

You’ll explore current hot topics in the industry and the shift towards embracing greener and more ethically-aware processes and products. We’ll also look at fashion from the 19th century to the present day.

You will cover how the fashion industry works and how ideas are communicated – from leading design houses through to low-cost high street and online brands.

There will be practical design work in response to a range of briefs. The technical skills you will develop include pattern cutting, garment construction and CAD drawing.

Second year:

We’ll explore topics such as trend forecasting and market segmentation – ideal if you want to specialise in these fields. You’ll look at the key skills needed for other roles as well. It could include designing, manufacturing, buying, marketing and distribution.

You will produce a portfolio of work that reflects your chosen specialism. There will also be a substantial industry-facing fashion project, where you will put your knowledge into practice.

You’ll also build professional skills through working on your CV, presentation and interview simulations, and developing your online presence.

Third year:

You will research an industry-based brief, write a proposal outlining your ideas, and produce a timeline for the project. It will also involve exploring design and prototype sampling and the equipment and materials you’ll need.

You’ll plan and implement a professionally staged event. This will enable you to use your creativity and skills such as organisation, time management, team-working and problem-solving.

There will be a structured portfolio presentation, where you’ll reflect on your professional fashion practice and share your insights.

First year:

You’ll explore current hot topics in the industry and the shift towards embracing greener and more ethically-aware processes and products. We’ll also look at fashion from the 19th century to the present day.

You will cover how the fashion industry works and how ideas are communicated – from leading design houses through to low-cost high street and online brands.

There will be practical design work in response to a range of briefs. The technical skills you will develop include pattern cutting, garment construction and CAD drawing.

Second year:

We’ll explore topics such as trend forecasting and market segmentation – ideal if you want to specialise in these fields. You’ll look at the key skills needed for other roles as well. It could include designing, manufacturing, buying, marketing and distribution.

You will produce a portfolio of work that reflects your chosen specialism. There will also be a substantial industry-facing fashion project, where you will put your knowledge into practice.

You’ll also build professional skills through working on your CV, presentation and interview simulations, and developing your online presence.

Third year:

You will research an industry-based brief, write a proposal outlining your ideas, and produce a timeline for the project. It will also involve exploring design and prototype sampling and the equipment and materials you’ll need.

You’ll plan and implement a professionally staged event. This will enable you to use your creativity and skills such as organisation, time management, team-working and problem-solving.

There will be a structured portfolio presentation, where you’ll reflect on your professional fashion practice and share your insights.

Academic year

The course operates on a modular basis, typically the majority of modules are 20 and 40 academic credit modules. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The full-time course has one start point in September.

The course operates on a modular basis, typically the majority of modules are 20 and 40 academic credit modules. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The full-time course has one start point in September.

Professional body accreditation

Accreditation is the approval of a programme, giving holders of the programme's award exemption from the academic requirements for a Textile Institute professional qualification.

The Textile Institute logo depicting the name and a crest with two birds and a shield.

Upon the recommendation of the Professional Qualifications Committee the Governing Council of The Textile Institute agree to accredit this programme as fulfilling the academic requirements for the Associateship of the Textile Institute.

Professional body accreditation

Accreditation is the approval of a programme, giving holders of the programme's award exemption from the academic requirements for a Textile Institute professional qualification.

The Textile Institute logo depicting the name and a crest with two birds and a shield.

Upon the recommendation of the Professional Qualifications Committee the Governing Council of The Textile Institute agree to accredit this programme as fulfilling the academic requirements for the Associateship of the Textile Institute.

University climbs up the League Tables

News

Staffordshire University has welcomed its improvement in two major League Tables – one of which recognises its commitment to social diversity.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Fashion Hot Topics 40 credits
Fashion In Context 40 credits
History And Theory Of Fashion 20 credits
Technical Processes Of Fashion 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Fashion Business 20 credits
Fashion Industry Ready 40 credits
Fashion Negotiated Study 40 credits
Life After Staffs 1 20 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Fashion Fmp 60 credits
Fashion Research And Analysis Report 20 credits
Life After Staffs 2 20 credits
Professional Fashion Practice 20 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Fashion Hot Topics 40 credits
Fashion In Context 40 credits
History And Theory Of Fashion 20 credits
Technical Processes Of Fashion 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Fashion Business 20 credits
Fashion Industry Ready 40 credits
Fashion Negotiated Study 40 credits
Life After Staffs 1 20 credits
Year 4 compulsory modules
Year 4 compulsory modules
Fashion Fmp 60 credits
Fashion Research And Analysis Report 20 credits
Life After Staffs 2 20 credits
Professional Fashion Practice 20 credits

Entry requirements

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

  • GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

All applicants are individually assessed via a portfolio review

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

  • GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

All applicants are individually assessed via a portfolio review

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

GO

Facilities

Careers

Our degree offers you the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of fashion. You then negotiate your specialism, depending on your personal interests, which means graduates from our Fashion degree are likely to find work as:

  • Fashion Designers
  • Pattern Cutters
  • Garment Technologists
  • Stylists
  • Trend Forecasters
  • Illustrators
  • Buyers
  • Merchandisers
  • Fashion Writers
  • Bloggers/Vloggers
  • Events Managers

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The teaching on this course is firmly rooted in studio practice. You develop your skills across a wide range of project-based activities, which take place within a studio setting appropriate to the subject. Sometimes you will work in whole groups, sometimes you will working in teams, with presentations of your work to your peer group and the academic staff. At other times during your study, you will be working on individual self-initiated projects. During projects, there will be tutorial sessions with academic staff where you explore your practice in more detail.

In addition, you take part in lecture and seminar activities which allow you to explore the contextual and professional background to the projects you are undertaking. These are led by your lecturers and also guest tutors from industry who bring their specialist insight into the sessions. You also participate in technical skills instruction sessions with Technician Instructors enabling you to enhance your making and digital skills across a wide range of techniques and approaches.

The teaching on this course is firmly rooted in studio practice. You develop your skills across a wide range of project-based activities, which take place within a studio setting appropriate to the subject. Sometimes you will work in whole groups, sometimes you will working in teams, with presentations of your work to your peer group and the academic staff. At other times during your study, you will be working on individual self-initiated projects. During projects, there will be tutorial sessions with academic staff where you explore your practice in more detail.

In addition, you take part in lecture and seminar activities which allow you to explore the contextual and professional background to the projects you are undertaking. These are led by your lecturers and also guest tutors from industry who bring their specialist insight into the sessions. You also participate in technical skills instruction sessions with Technician Instructors enabling you to enhance your making and digital skills across a wide range of techniques and approaches.

Assessment

You are assessed in this course by a range of different types of coursework and practical activities. The assessment task for each module will vary dependent upon its content but may include:

  • A portfolio of completed artwork, professionally presented in the format required by the assignment, project or brief.
  • Workbooks, sketchbooks etc., documenting the process of generating, developing and resolving thoughts/ideas, and demonstrating the influence of research on practical work.
  • Research books, folders, dossiers, etc. documenting the gathering, sorting and presentation of research material.
  • Technical Exercises demonstrating your skills and competencies using particular equipment and/or techniques.
  • Written essays or reports, in which you are exploring the contextual or professional background to a specific project.
  • An individual or group seminar presentation and/or the accompanying material which you have used to create the presentation.

You are assessed in this course by a range of different types of coursework and practical activities. The assessment task for each module will vary dependent upon its content but may include:

  • A portfolio of completed artwork, professionally presented in the format required by the assignment, project or brief.
  • Workbooks, sketchbooks etc., documenting the process of generating, developing and resolving thoughts/ideas, and demonstrating the influence of research on practical work.
  • Research books, folders, dossiers, etc. documenting the gathering, sorting and presentation of research material.
  • Technical Exercises demonstrating your skills and competencies using particular equipment and/or techniques.
  • Written essays or reports, in which you are exploring the contextual or professional background to a specific project.
  • An individual or group seminar presentation and/or the accompanying material which you have used to create the presentation.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

Throughout the modules you take on your course you are provided with formative, developmental assessment opportunities, which are carried out in tutorial and critique situations. Feedback is usually provided to you orally, with a written record kept either by the tutor or by you. This is sometimes produced as the result of peer or self-assessment exercises.

All modules also included formal or “summative” assessment tasks and the grades from the formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission.

Throughout the modules you take on your course you are provided with formative, developmental assessment opportunities, which are carried out in tutorial and critique situations. Feedback is usually provided to you orally, with a written record kept either by the tutor or by you. This is sometimes produced as the result of peer or self-assessment exercises.

All modules also included formal or “summative” assessment tasks and the grades from the formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission.

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements. 

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements. 

Year 1

24% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
76% of time in independent study
0% of time in work based learning

Year 2

24% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
76% of time in independent study
0% of time in work based learning

Year 3

24% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
76% of time in independent study
0% of time in work based learning

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

Year 1

17% practical assessments
83% coursework
0% written exams

Year 2

17% practical assessments
83% coursework
0% written exams

Year 3

20% practical assessments
80% coursework
0% written exams

Staff

You will be taught by an expert teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teaching training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Holly Nancarrow-Hassall

Senior Lecturer

Holly has a strong knowledge of industry standards and gained experience covering all elements from fabric testing, and digital and manual pattern cutting and is currently developing the use of AI and VR within fashion education.

Holly's profile

Angela Devoti

Senior Lecturer

Angela is a Design and Visualisation Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Fashion course here at Staffordshire University. She teaches across a variety of modules including Design, Visualisation and History and Theory of Fashion.

Angela's profile

Fiona Wilson

Senior Lecturer

Whichever course you choose, you'll learn from highly experienced lecturers and perfect your craft in our fully equipped workshops and studios, all to ensure that when you graduate, you'll be well prepared for employment.

Fiona's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BA (Hons)-Full-time
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £16,750 per year of study

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BA (Hons)-Full-time
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per year of study £16,750 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:

Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.

The use of all workshops, studios and specialist technical facilities and hire of equipment relating to the course of study.

 

 

Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.

The use of all workshops, studios and specialist technical facilities and hire of equipment relating to the course of study.

 

 

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:

The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.

Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course.

The cost of materials for the development of a student’s individual practice and work. Additional costs vary dependent upon student’s own choice of materials and approach to their practice.

Optional personal insurance when borrowing equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment etc. for extended period of use off campus [Approx £50-£100]. It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance.

The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.

Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course.

The cost of materials for the development of a student’s individual practice and work. Additional costs vary dependent upon student’s own choice of materials and approach to their practice.

Optional personal insurance when borrowing equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment etc. for extended period of use off campus [Approx £50-£100]. It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by reading our additional funding web pages, or visiting www.gov.uk.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

Work by Rebecca Adjei and Mailie Dennis

Work by Flavia Nistor

Work by Tsz Yin Chiang

Over the last four years, the course has involved two sets of learnings, practical and theory.  The practical included technical construction, draping and pattern cutting, and theory was based on fashion history, business, and sustainability.  Invaluably I have also gained a lot from the time spent with the fashion lecturers, they have been a joy to work with.

Nunika Khungar

2024

Coming here I’ve realised Fashion is more than just designing and making, there’s also styling, marketing etc. One thing that is really good about this course is they help you find your path.

Recca Adjei

Graduate

I think a degree was the best thing to do because I'm able to gain more skills. I'm able to meet new people and network and able to be in an environment where I know that the industry I want to do is what's catered towards me.

Busola Gbaja

Graduate

“The course starts from basics and gets everyone up to a good level in pattern cutting, construction, illustrations and CAD. We learn this while doing projects which means you get stuck in right from the beginning. The amount I have learnt already is crazy! The staff know their subjects really well so the teaching is great, but they are also good at encouraging you individually to achieve new things.”

Lizzie Bishop

Fashion student

It’s not just sewing machines. We also get to use wood, metal, plastic, and resin to really explore areas.

Emily Lowndes

Fashion Student

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus BA (Hons) Full-time 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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