BA (Hons) Fashion Studies
When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements
Why choose this course?
We have a great relationship with the creative industries, so you can be sure of excellent contacts to help with your project work, sponsorship, work placement and jobs. There's a valuable placement element to the programme and this is designed to give you an unbeatable experience and get you ready for a very rewarding career.
About the course
Fashion Studies was developed to provide creative individuals like you the opportunity of diversifying into a variety of areas within the competitive fashion industry. We've deliberately built a programme that offers you the flexibility to move into either a design or practitioner environment.
Here at Derby we promote innovation - this extends to the way we consider the development of programmes of study. That means that you will be working in a vibrant, interesting environment where new thinking is encouraged, indeed, expected.
Studying fashion design at Derby gives you the opportunity to decide which design aspect your studies will be biased towards, while maintaining your options for a future career in the design industry, by allowing you to develop your own interests in specialised design areas such as: styling, buying, merchandising, pattern construction, designing menswear / womenswear / childrenswear, marketing and promotion.
The first semester of your first stage is taught alongside the BA (Hons) Textile Design students where you will gain invaluable skills such as knit and print, pattern cutting and manufacture. Cloth and Culture and the Professional Studies modules continue through to the final year giving you a positive advantage within Fashion and Textiles. This
integration of skills and knowledge has producedinnovative and creative designers within both cohorts.
Take a look at "A day in the life of a fashion stylist" to give you more of an idea.
Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...Your career
We've got an excellent record for employment and great links with industry. Over 85% of our graduates over the past six years have found jobs in a broad range of careers, within a year of completing the course.
You could get a career in: fashion design, textile design for fashion or interiors, knitwear, sportswear and accessories design, fashion forecasting, illustration, PR, marketing, media, buying and merchandising, photographic styling...and lots more!
What our students say
"My collection aims to promote the British manufacturing industry through fabrics, which include oilskins, tartan checks and Harris tweeds. Most of the materials in the collection have have been sourced from the UK. My inspiration comes from iconic British brands such as Burberry, Barbour and Laura Ashley. The print is inspired by the English country garden and the garments combine traditional fabrics with modern processes such as disperse dyeing." - Laura Fox
How you'll learn
Students develop and realise their potential through a varied programme of studio based projects, competitions, live projects, group critiques, field visits, tutorials, technical demonstrations, written assignments, seminars and practical workshops.
How you're assessed
100% coursework
Fieldtrips
Students have the opportunity to study abroad through our well established link with Hame Polytechnic/Wetterhoff in Finland.
A Paris Study visit is undertaken in February each year, students from all stages of the programme are welcome to attend, Stage 3 students purchase fabrics for collections with staff assistance and all students attend Premiere Vision, fashion fabric fair and various exhibitions across the capital. Study visits to London and other major British cities are a regular occurrence, as is attendance at Designer Forum events across the region.
Work placements
All second year students on our BA (Hons) Fashion Studies course have the chance to take a year out to do a placement year, before returning to complete their final year. Read more about placements and where some of our previous students have gone.
Anything else?
We will be accepting applications up until the 24 March 2010 however we would encourage you to apply by the 15 January 2010.
Click here to find out more about about applying for the second or third year of the course.
Start dates
If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in:
- September 2010 (part time only, if available)
- September 2011
See a list of courses we are still taking applications for in September 2010.
If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in:
- September 2010
- September 2011
UCAS code
W221
Fees *
UK/EU students
- Full time: £3,290 (per year)
- Part time: £270 per single module (you usually take 24 of these modules in total)
International students
- Full time: £8,500 (per year)
*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2010 and August 2011. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year and there may be extra costs eg for exams, trips or special modules.
Course length
Full time: 3 years, or 4 years with Year Zero, 5 with optional placement year (University Diploma in Professional Practice).
Part time: available by negotiation
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are usually 180-240 UCAS points from A levels or equivalent ...
