You'll have excellent placement opportunities at companies such as Asos, Alexander McQueen, Puma, Temperley, Aitor Throup, and more.
You'll have the opportunity to exhibit your final collection and your portfolios at the graduate fashion show at Derby Theatre. Students are given the opportunity to participate in competitions too. Recent successes from our BA (Hons) Fashion Design degree include Olivia Noble winning the David Nieper Scholarship Award 2019, Freya Whittaker, winner of the Fashanne Design Award 2018, Sarah Woodward was Midlands Emerging Designer winner 2015 and Nicole Wells won St Andrews Young Designer in 2015. We also successfully collaborate with industry to enhance the curriculum with cutting edge learning environments.
In year one you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of fashion design practice for the ready-to-wear market. In year two there is a greater emphasis on the commercial world. Independent study, throughout year three, provides a unique opportunity for you to advance your thinking and practice, through a self-managed process of risk taking, experimentation and resolution. Contextual Studies and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) runs consistently through all years, aimed at giving you a positive advantage within the fashion industries. As you develop your profile as a creative individual, you’ll experiment with ideas and techniques, working with increased independence.
You will study at our Chandos Pole Street building, a purpose built learning environment where you will have access to new specialist Fashion and Textiles facilities. These include light and airy studio spaces as well as industry-standard equipment and design facilities.
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 sometimes hard work but give you fantastic experience and are deeply rewarding. 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.
*Lucy Taylor with her collection ‘Convergence’ Photo by Beth Winsor from Cameo Lab Fine Art Photography
In the below video, Johanna reflects on her experience as an international student studying Fashion at Derby and the inspiration behind her final menswear collection:
Recent successes
You'll have the opportunity to exhibit your final collection and your portfolios at the graduate fashion show at Derby Theatre and participate in competitions. Recent successes from our BA (Hons) Fashion Design course include:
- Marina Mendes was awarded the winning collection from the University of Derby and Hertfordshire University Joint Catwalk Show at Graduate Fashion Week 2022 along with Lydia Strickler being awarded highly commended from the same show. Both collections joined the 'Best of GFW22 Collections' and Marina Mendes was also named as one of the new innovative designers to watch by The Guardian in a review of Graduate Fashion Week 2022
- Anika Vo winning the Menswear Design category and Parasto Qalandari winning the Womenswear Design category at the FASHANNE Fashion Designers of the Future Awards 2021
- Georgia Alligan winning the John Smedley category at the Campaign for Wool Student Design Competition 2020
- Lucy Taylor winning Midlands Young Designer of the Year, Midlands Fashion Awards 2019
- Olivia Noble winning the David Nieper Scholarship Award 2019
- Freya Whittaker, winner of the Fashanne Design Award 2018
- Sarah Woodward was Midlands Emerging Designer winner 2015
- Nicole Wells won St Andrews Young Designer in 2015.
Recent successes from our BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Marketing course include:
- Dominica Buonasorte winning the Sustainability category and Sofie Nikl winning the Commercial Design category at the FASHANNE Fashion Designers of the Future Awards 2021.
We also successfully collaborate with industry to enhance the curriculum with cutting edge learning environments.
Take a look at highlights from the Fashion Show...
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
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.
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.
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.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21 |
Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. You may be given the opportunity, within your offer letter, to submit a portfolio. If you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
Our graduates have gone on to careers 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/MDes Design.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us 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 usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
- Additional access to wider University Arts' facilities including equipment loan store and other facilities, such as digital print workshops or video editing
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The programme uses Adobe Creative Suite which is installed on all Macs in MS102 and MS012 at Markeaton Street and students are provided with an individual Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for home use
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To support their professional and skills development, students are provided with a subscription to LinkedIn Learning which offers over 13,000 courses and tutorials, including professional accreditations, in a wide range of creative, business & technology disciplines
- Basic materials such as fabrics and other fashion related construction materials are provided for set coursework tasks in Year 1 and 2
- Participation in University Degree Show plus a Graduate Catwalk show with professional models and VIP Reception provided
- Participation in London Graduate Fashion Week, access to specialist equipment in the fashion studio and related areas such as printmaking workshops and relevant textile workshop areas
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- USB Flash Drive, or external hard drive (could be up to approx. £20 depending on brand and storage capacity)
- A1 Portfolio (£20)
- A4 Sketchbook x 6 (approx. £5 each, approx. £30 total)
- Drawing materials: paints, inks, charcoal, compressed charcoal, eraser, ruler, scissors, paintbrushes, craft knife (approx. £60)
- Toolbox to keep drawing equipment in (approx. £20)
Optional costs not included in your fees
- Additional course-related publications (approx. costs £100)
- Specialist software/hardware (costs up to £1500)
- Travel for work placement opportunities (costs will vary depending on location)
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.
