Textile Design
BA (Hons)*

Fashion and Textiles at Derby has been ranked in the Top 20 in The Guardian University Guide 2019.

BA (Hons) Textile Design at the University of Derby achieved 95.8% overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2018. Our excellent specialist textile design and production expertise and facilities, combined with our staff expertise ensures you that this course is distinctive in offering a rich combination of traditional and advanced new technology. 

We provide strong links with the industry, with alumni holding design positions at Stephen and David Walters, Cristal Martin, Donna Karan and Boden. 100% of our graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing this course (HESA 2016). Artsthread, the largest student global website is the brainchild of a Textile graduate and the founder continues to support our students. There are excellent opportunities for internships and summer placements, through industry led projects and competitions. Student Sarah Briggs spent her summer employed as a design intern by Sophie Steller Studio.

Textile Design at Derby offers the three creative areas of Print, Knit and Weave. It is a place where traditional processes are not forgotten alongside new technologies. Our students design and develop fabrics for fashion, interiors and decorative surfaces. At the end of three years of study our graduates are ready to work effectively and successfully in all areas of the Textile Industry. Our new Chandos Pole St Fashion and Textiles ”hub” is an exciting place to learn in a contemporary and vibrant environment.

Some recent national successes and awards received by our students include:

• Selvedge Prize for Excellence in Knitwear
• New Designers First Prize Award (two awards)
• Bradford Textile Society 2016 thirteen prizes including The British Textile Designers Guild Award
• Selection for Texprint
• Selection for the Ratti Foundation (Milan)
• Scholarship from The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters
• David Nieper student Scolarship
• Selection for the ’John Lewis loves’ award
• Participation in the “Making it” conference
• Premiere Vision travel award
• Woolmark award

There are excellent opportunities for internships and summer placements. Textile Design student Sarah Briggs spent her summer employed as a design intern by a leading knitwear consultancy in London - Sophie Steller Studio. Her work formed part of an exhibition in New York and in Shanghai.

You'll exhibit your work in the final year Degree Show - that provides you with the opportunity to showcase your work, as well as make vital industry contacts. There is also the opportunity to show your degree work in London, at the New Designers graduate show.

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

You'll develop and realise your potential through a varied programme of studio-based projects, lectures, debates, competitions, live project work, group critiques, field visits, tutorials, technical demonstrations, written assignments, seminars and practical workshops.

A European professional and cultural fieldtrip is an integral part of the final year of study.

Facilities

All art and design courses are based at our Markeaton Street site where modern, purpose built studios and labs provide a modern creative space for our arts students. Markeaton Street encompasses Chandos Pole Street (home to our Fashion and Textiles courses) and Britannia Mill (home to Fine Arts). Students on any of our theatre related courses also get to study at Derby Theatre, and Dance students study at Deda.

Markeaton Street is a 15 minute walk from Kedleston Road, and is serviced by regular free site shuttle buses.

Explore our facilities through 360 views:

Markeaton Street

Chandos Pole Street

You'll develop and realise your potential through a varied programme of studio-based projects, lectures, debates, competitions, live project work, group critiques, field visits, tutorials, technical demonstrations, written assignments, seminars and practical workshops.

A European professional and cultural fieldtrip is an integral part of the final year of study. Typically you will visit Premiere Vision, Paris, a global fabric trade fair.

How you are assessed

Assessment is mainly 100% coursework and is fully explained once you have enrolled on the programme through our intranet information system. There is both formative and summative assessment, the former taking place in the form of group crits.

Degree Show

Every year students from the School of Arts celebrate their time at University by showcasing their work at an end of year Degree Show at Markeaton Street and across the City of Derby. The Show usually runs throughout June and is a fantastic opportunity for potential employers, friends, family, industry and members of the public to see exciting creations by the next generation of artists, designers, creators and makers from Derby. The Show takes the form of:

• An exhibition at Markeaton Street
• A Fashion and Textiles catwalk (usually at Derby Theatre)
• A Film Premiere (usually at QUAD)
• A one day Music show (usually at Derby Theatre)

For a glimpse of last year’s Degree Show take a look at our flickr photo album.

September 2019 typical entry requirements

Alternative entry qualifications:

• BTEC - DMM
• Access to HE Diploma 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Dist: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6

We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.

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.

2019/20 Fees

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

Additional costs and optional extras

Textiles is a global industry and offers you many opportunities to travel as part of your career. This course will prepare you for an exciting career in printed, knitted or woven textiles working as a designer and also in a variety of roles such buyer, merchandiser, stylist or illustrator in a wide range of organisations associated with the international textile industry.

Some graduates have gone on to work on a freelance basis in their chosen specialist field, establishing their own workshops, websites and companies. During your course you can take advantage of our mentoring schemes, which are designed to help young entrepreneurs to establish themselves. The University Careers department is particularly pro active in supporting students throughout the 3 years of study and guiding them into graduate employment. 

We also provide support for graduates starting out in the creative industries, through our incubation unit - Banks Mill. It offers studio workspace and business development activities, in a vibrant and thriving community of artists, designers and makers.

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.

Programme leader

Kay Bolderson

Contact us

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.

† Additional information about your studies

Download programme specification

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, state-of-the-art 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.

Included in your fees

• Unlimited access to specialist equipment in Textile studio and workshops
• Access to related areas such as printmaking workshops and relevant fashion workshop areas
• Additional access to wider University Arts’ facilities including equipment loan store and other facilities, such as digital print workshops
• Yarns supplied for both Knit and Weave coursework
• Print room processes - Screen making, dyes and pigments, fabric for 1st and 2nd year coursework
• Paper for Visual Studies course work
• Representation at a London Graduate Show
• Participation in University Degree Show and the opportunity to participate in the Graduate Catwalk show with professional models and VIP Reception provided

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

Drawing equipment - cost subject to specialist area

Drawing and materials for making

Mimaki Digital fabric printing (£25 - £35 per metre)

Printing of artwork A2/A3 Portfolio (approx. £5- £50)

Specialist materials in support of Graduate show - cost subject to specialist area

Materials in support of other final year projects - cost subject to specialist area

Student promotion materials (approx. £70)

Field trip to Paris for Premiere Vision, includes entrance to Premiere Vision (approx. £300)

Optional costs not included in your fees

Optional additional field trips in UK (approx. £30)          

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.

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