BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Technology has an excellent reputation for producing menswear, womenswear and sportswear graduates who combine design innovation with an in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of fashion design and manufacturing. The course reflects contemporary industry standards and encourages students to design and develop innovative fashion products and ranges using both manual and digital technologies. Students work on live projects with industry partners and also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement and/or overseas study combined with a year in industry. Students have the option to graduate with a Menswear, Womenswear or Sportswear award, by selecting specialist units in year two and three, or they can work across multiple specialisms. However, all students are encouraged to direct their learning towards specialised target markets such as luxury, outerwear, denim, tailoring, performance or lifestyle sportswear. The practical aspects of the course are underpinned by the study of the business and cultural contexts of fashion and consideration of sustainable industry practices. Students work towards an exit portfolio that showcases their creative and technical skills appropriate to their chosen careers. While many graduates enter design roles, the technical aspects of the programme also prepare students for other careers such as pattern cutting, fashion innovation and product development.

Career prospects

Engagement with employers is an integral part of the course. Students have the opportunity to engage with employers through placements, study visits, industry-led live briefs and guest lectures. The course also offers the opportunity for students to promote their work through live events, showcases and simulated real-world scenarios such as mock interviews or pitches. This interaction with industry employers means that many of our students secure full-time employment before they graduate.

As the programme offers a broad content from design to technical skills, the job roles graduates are able to enter into are broader than many competitor courses. This diverse graduate skill set opens up opportunities in areas such as design, product development, pattern cutting, workroom/atelier, garment technology, production / manufacturing, sourcing, buying and new / emerging roles within the industry.

Our graduates work in a wide variety of roles in international companies ranging from high-end to fast fashion for example:

Design at Jack Wills, Stradivarius, Next, River Island, Lee Jeans, Abercrombie and Fitch, Adidas, Celine, Puma, Ralph Lauren, Nike, ASOS, Burberry, Old Navy, Fred Perry, Warehouse, Visage, Foot asylum, Tommy Hilfiger, Barsha, Zara, LK Bennett, Wrangler.

Technologists/Production at Acne, Per Una, John Lewis, Umbro, Peter Pilato, M&S, Rapha Racing, Matalan.

Pattern Cutting / Workroom at Coast, Oasis, Monsoon, Viktor and Rolf, Victoria Beckham, Christian Dior.

Buying at Matalan, Arcadia Group, Selfridges.