BA (Hons) Fashion

This course is available to international students

If you do not achieve the typical entry points required, you may want to consider studying this course with foundation year.

During the first semester of your first year you'll be taught alongside the BA (Hons) Textile Design students where you will gain valuable skills such as knit and print, pattern cutting and manufacture. Contextual Studies and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) will continue through to the final year giving you a positive advantage within the fashion and textiles industries. This integration of skills and knowledge has produced innovative and creative textile and fashion designers.

We encourage all second years to take a work placement in industry, which will also give you an additional qualification - the Diploma in Professional Practice.  Placements are hard work but give you fantastic experience. We have previously had students placed at a wide variety of companies including, Marks & Spencer, Temperley London, Erdem, Mother of Pearl, Preen, Aitor Throup, Tommy Hilfiger and Roksanda, amongst others.

Students applying from one of the University of Derby's Partner Schools or Colleges are guaranteed a place or interview if students meet the minimum entry criteria for their chosen course and apply by the January deadline date.

Please note, minimum entry criteria includes everything in an application, including a strong personal statement, a good reference and where asked for, a portfolio.

You'll be taught by a variety of learning and teaching methods which include: - problem solving, reflective practice, analysis of given problem with synthesis of solution, portfolio building, group work, the use of influences files, report writing, group critiques, negotiated learning, presentation and demonstration. 

Employable Graduates – we’re ranked 15th highest amongst all UK universities and 12th for English institutions with 96% of graduates in work or further study within six months of completing their degree: HESA 2016.

You'll study a total of 120 credits per year. This will be made up of single or double modules.

Stage one

You'll study modules such as:

• Introduction to Fashion and Textiles
• Visual Studies for Fashion and Textiles
• Contextual Studies 1
• Technical Fashion

Stage two       

You'll study modules such as:

• Directed Projects in Fashion
• Contextual Studies 2
• Fashion Exploration
• Fashion Placement

Diploma in Professional Practice (optional)

You'll study modules such as:

• Applied Professional Practice
• Contemporary Issues in Professional Practice

Stage three

You'll study modules such as:

• Contextual Studies 3
• Negotiated Study in Fashion
• Fashion Direction
• Independent Study in Fashion

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Selection is based on a portfolio interview, after which you may be required to complete a Foundation Diploma or Year Zero before progressing to the degree course

• Interview Advice
• Portfolio Advice

Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.

UK/EU Students

• Full-time students applying in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.

International students

• Full-time students applying in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.

Information for international applicants

Applying for an undergraduate degree

2017/18 Fees

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

2018/19 Fees

Fees for 2018/19 entry are still being decided, so please check back later in the year for more information.

Assessment is 100% coursework based including practical production and oral presentation work, along with written assignments. In the final year, you’ll have the opportunity to write an extended essay on a subject of your choice and work on self-negotiated and independent creative projects.

How you will learn

The programme makes use of field trips in a number of ways to inform and inspire students. Putting students in direct contact with significant cultural and commercial organisations and events, expands learning and understanding of the fashion world. Placements play a key role here too and in addition, create opportunities for students to network.

The programme regularly invites guests from industry to make a contribution to student learning. Guests from industry come in to deliver lectures, participate in tutorials and deliver external projects to students on a regular basis each academic year. 

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will be communicated after enrolment on your 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.

You'll get lots of opportunities to showcase your work and get yourself noticed.  Some of our students took a collection to London Alternative Fashion Week.

You could also go on to study our MA in Fashion and Textiles.