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Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Undergraduate BA (Hons)
Fashion
Embrace your creative passion and prepare for an exciting career as a specialist in fashion design with skills in 2D and 3D design, research and communicating your ideas
Course Overview
-
3W10 -
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
3 Years -
20 Sep 2021
Create fashion designs and explore experimental approaches to garment making and design. We will show you how to challenge the limitations of fashion and understand its role in society.
As part of your course you’ll:
- Learn to create designs in response to different trends, market forces and technical innovations
- Work on arts and industry-informed briefs and live projects to create a portfolio of professional design and making skills
- Develop a strong understanding of the cultural, ethical and environmental concerns in the contemporary fashion industry
- Concentrate on 2D and 3D skills, and understand how to communicate ideas to manufacturers both here and abroad
- Explore 2D work using computer-aided design (CAD) for a professional finish
- Explore fabric and form to ensure applicable 3D outcomes are achieved
- Study key areas including research of ideas, design and the articulation of ideas
We’ll give you a designated studio space in our award-winning Broadcasting Place building - home to many of our creative courses - and you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with other innovative thinkers in subjects like fine art, graphic design and architecture.
Fashion is one of the world's biggest industries and we passionately believe it’s about more than just the commercially driven production and promotion of new collections. It’s a reflection of society, identity and culture, and is also a powerful protagonist for change. You’ll learn to challenge the limitations of fashion as the manifestation of temporary consumer trends.
We are committed to providing a course that responds to your own personality, interests and creativity. You’ll study a range of briefs to develop a portfolio of professional skills that will open doors to a range of careers in fashion.
You’ll also have the opportunity to impress the public and industry by exhibiting your work at the end of your final year. See examples of Fashion Marketing students' work in the Leeds School of Arts Festival.
Guest Lectures
We often run a number of guest lectures and workshops throughout the year, both on campus and in conjunction with external organisations. The INSIDE/OUT lecture series brings together some of the most exciting names from the fields of art, architecture, design, fashion, film, music, performing arts and beyond. You can catch up on previous lectures by visiting the Leeds Arts Research Centre site.
Why study Fashion at Leeds Beckett University...
- Gain from your tutors' extensive industry knowledge and professional networks, including renowned design Matty Bovan who is a senior lecturer on the course
- The course's 'sandwich year' option has allowed many of our previous students to gain industry experience and boost their employment prospects
- Benefit from the School's close links to design and creative businesses in the Yorkshire region, throughout the UK, and beyond
- Study within Leeds School of Arts - one of the largest university arts communities in the north, with 3000 students spread across over 40 courses and 170 years of inspiring, challenging and innovative practices
- Take advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of the course and the school; gain access to a vast range of ideas, skills and facilities which will allow you to take your work in your own direction
- Leeds is home to thriving creative and fashion sectors; with hundreds of innovative start-ups, agencies, design businesses and countless other opportunities for fashion graduates on our doorstep
Fashion Fashion is one of the world's biggest industries and we passionately believe it is about more than just the commercially driven production and promotion of new collections. It is a reflection of society, identity and culture, and it is also a powerful protagonist for change. We will show you how to challenge the limitations of fashion as the manifestation of temporary consumer trends.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
112
points required
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
Entry requirements
112
points required
UCAS Tariff Points: 112 points required.
(Minimum 72 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies.).
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
GCSEs:
GCSE English Language at Grade C or above (Grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.Foundation in Art and Design:
The Foundation in Art and Design with Distinction will be accepted where applicants have not achieved any A Level qualifications.Access to HE Diploma:
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points.Scottish Awards:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade B at Higher Level.Irish Leaving Certificate:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade C1 or above at Higher Level of which at least 3 must be at B2.Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Interview Required
We conduct interviews as part of the admissions process and suitable applicants will be invited to an interview - interview dates will be published in due course. Invitations are sent via UCAS and you should check your UCAS Track account for further interview details. At interview you are assessed on your portfolio (artwork or photographs of artwork together with written assignments), general knowledge and your enthusiasm for Fashion.
International baccalaureate
25 Points
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Mature Applicants:
Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable..
All applicants are required to meet our standard English language and Maths requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, for example we accept some Functional Skills Tests.
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Interview Required
We conduct interviews as part of the admissions process and suitable applicants will be invited to an interview - interview dates will be published in due course. Invitations are sent via UCAS and you should check your UCAS Track account for further interview details. At interview you are assessed on your portfolio (artwork or photographs of artwork together with written assignments), general knowledge and your enthusiasm for Fashion.
International baccalaureate
25 Points
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Additional entry requirements:
Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.
We were awarded silver status in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework, reflecting our commitment to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.
As well as learning from expert tutors, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support. Our subject-specific librarians will also direct you to the specialist learning and study-skills resources that will underpin your studies.
As well as learning from expert tutors, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support. Our subject-specific librarians will also direct you to the specialist learning and study-skills resources that will underpin your studies.
Teaching & Learning
Fashion is one of the world’s biggest industries and a reflection of society, identity and culture. You will learn to create fashion designs in response to market force, and you will be equipped with a portfolio of professional skills suitable to enter a broad range of careers in fashion with an understanding of the cultural, ethical and environmental concerns of the contemporary fashion industry. The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload is indicative and may be subject to change.
Overall workload
424
Hours teaching and learning
776
Hours independent study
Assessment proportions
Year one is assessed by coursework predominantly.Develop technical making and visual skills in pattern and construction, visual studies and design realisation. Explore the historic, social and cultural impact of fashion and gain a theoretical understanding of the industry. Discover the use of trends, colour prediction and appropriate fabric use during lecture-based and studio teaching sessions.
What you'll learn
You will be introduced to pattern cutting and will gain an underpinning knowledge of the 3D construction methodologies, processes and applications used within the fashion industry.
Explore a variety of visual research methods and communication techniques used in fashion, such as drawing, illustration, photography and fashion working / technical drawings, as well as less conventional approaches to visual research.
Discover the important role that fabric properties and colour palettes play in fashion design, and learn to select suitable colour schemes and quality of fabric to compliment your own garment design project.
You will be introduced to the history and theory of fashion, and will gain an understanding of how fashion impacts upon society, culture and the economy.
You will develop fundamental research skills, referencing trends, popular brands and marketing, and by exploring the four key design areas - core, classic, statement and fashion. You will demonstrate this knowledge by applying your investigations to a design project.
Using the skills and knowledge developed in previous modules, you will evidence your understanding of fashion design through the research and development of a garment, designed to a given brief.
Overall workload
371
Hours teaching and learning
829
Hours independent study
Assessment proportions
Year twois assessed by coursework predominantly.You will be introduced to the principles of tailoring and will take a focused, in-depth look at fashion industry analysis, examining trend and brand identity. You will discover complex theories and be encouraged to consider concepts and ideas outside of the conventional approaches to fashion. From this, you’ll begin to develop your own style and establish a more personal approach to fashion design.
What you'll learn
This module will introduce you to bespoke and commercial principles of tailoring. An example may include the production of two sides of a menswear jacket in calico.
Examine research methods used to inform and compliment the design process, and gain an understanding of brand ethos, brand identity, customers and markets. You could work on live projects reflective of industry, which will help prepare you for placements.
Build on the skills you learnt in pattern cutting and garment construction from year one, and develop the tailoring skills taught in the previous semester, to push the boundaries of your creativity in preparation for your final year.
Experimenting with different methods of research, trends, colour schemes and design principles, and using a variety of creative visual techniques, you will prepare for final realisation of your design.
Focusing on key theorists across modernism and postmodernism within shopping, retail, art and print media, this module will establish the cultural reasoning and framework behind fashion theory.
Explore the reasons and principles behind trends and forecasting within the fashion industry. Examples of trend agencies may include coolhunter, Mudpie and WGSN, with potential field trips and cases studies taken from Premiere Vision Paris.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.
Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.
Overall workload
236
Hours teaching and learning
964
Hours independent study
Assessment proportions
Year three is assessed by coursework predominantly.Develop your own methods of study based on your chosen career path. Using a variety of conventional and digital approaches, you will demonstrate significant levels of self-directed study and the capacity to understand your own practice in relation to other fashion designers and artists. You will also prepare for employment and learn how to market and promote yourself within industry.
What you'll learn
This module will give you the opportunity to express your career direction in fashion. You will establish the market, trends, customers, ethos and identity of the collection, as well as produce a collection of toiles accompanied with preferred fabric research.
This module will provide the opportunity for you to express your immediate career direction in fashion by producing a final comprehensive body of work.
Develop different methods of visual research and communication to support your final major project. Outcomes can be wide ranging and may include digital and hand rendered illustration, film, photography and animation.
Prepare for entry into fashion employment by gaining business awareness and learning how to market yourself as a designer and promote your work.
Write an illustrated 4000-6000 word document explaining the theories behind your final major project and how they have informed your practical fashion design work.
Develop individual, transferable, personal, intellectual and subject related and/or professional skills and competencies through work experience. You will complete all other year 3 modules whilst on your placement.
Fees & Funding
The tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1385.The tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee.Fees & Funding
The tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1385.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Studio equipment and facilities, including the latest machinery and cutting tables.
- Free entry to Inside/Out lecture series.
Essential Costs
- Fabric-sourcing trips / exhibition visits (£30 per year).
- Drawing kit (£50-£60).
- Sewing kit (£30).
- Printing (£20-50).
- Portfolio (£15).
- Year 1 fabrics (£30).
- Year 2 fabrics (£50).
- Year 3 fabrics (£200-500).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below:
The tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Studio equipment and facilities, including the latest machinery and cutting tables.
- Free entry to Inside/Out lecture series.
Essential Costs
- Fabric-sourcing trips / exhibition visits (£30 per year).
- Drawing kit (£50-£60).
- Sewing kit (£30).
- Printing (£20-50).
- Portfolio (£15).
- Year 1 fabrics (£30).
- Year 2 fabrics (£50).
- Year 3 fabrics (£200-500).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below:
Leeds School of Arts Leeds School of Arts encourages individuality, inspires creativity, and creates impact. There are over 3000 students in Leeds School of Arts, spread across over 40 courses, in subjects ranging from Architecture and Landscape, Creative Technology, Art and Design, through to Fashion, Film, Music and Performing Arts.
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