Our fashion course is about creating an environment in which you can build on your individuality and strengths to realise your full potential.

The course is designed to reflect and respond to contemporary practice in the fashion industry. With this in mind we’ll encourage you to develop a professional, enquiring attitude and an ability to be self-motivated, both of which are paramount in preparation for employment in this demanding field.

At Level 6 you will be able to choose your subject route either keeping it broad with Fashion Design or more specific with Fashion Design with Garment Technology, or Fashion Designwith Design Performance.

Not only will you have access to a specialist art and design library on site, with a vast archive of fashion publications dating back to the 1930s, but there is also a state-of-the-art computer suite with a CAD pattern cutting and design system – GERBER – that is widely used in the global fashion industry.

The course has excellent links with industry regionally, nationally and internationally, including Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Jimmy Choo.

Take a look at this year's graduates' work

Key Facts

• Choose from four pathways: Fashion Design; Fashion Design with Garment Technology; Fashion Design with Design for Performance; and Fashion Design with Fashion Communication.
• Excellent links with regional and international fashion brands, including Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Jimmy Choo, give the course colour and contemporary relevance.
• Get inspiration from our vast archive of fashion publications dating back to the 1930s, and work with the GERBER pattern cutting and design system, widely used in the global fashion industry.
• The most promising third year work is showcased at the Graduate Fashion Week in London each June – an audience looking for talent to employ.
• The fashion industry demands not only your flair, but your self-motivation, professionalism and business drive; we help you find it and show it off...
• ...as we did with Andrea Watson and Joanna Davies who set up fashion label Époque in July 2010, featured in the Birmingham Mail.

The tutors came to know me well over my five years. They knew my strengths and weaknesses and had faith in my creativity.  I had a fantastic support base that I could rely on which meant I was able to find my style and work to the best of my abilities, pushing myself in the last year of my degree.
Thomasin Gautier-Ollerenshaw

Further Studies

For further information on courses Tel: +44(0)121 331 5595 or go direct to the courses section of the website.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates pursue careers in fashion design, menswear, children’s wear, sportswear and other niche markets, garment technology, styling, visual merchandising, buying, PR, costume design and event management.

Course Structure

This pathway is ideal if you intend to pursue a creative career in fashion design, styling, illustration, trend and predictions, promotions or fashion journalism. If you choose the Fashion Design pathway you have the option of producing the following for your major project:

• Final collection of garments plus associated portfolio work
• Portfolio-based final outcome relevant to your individual career aspirations, which typically might include research and trends,illustration, photography, journals etc

Placements

Your development is enhanced by work placements either in the UK or overseas, giving you a real taste of your future career and an opportunity to make those all important industry contacts. You are encouraged to enter competitions, undertake live projects and participate in fashion shows to gain a wide professional experience. Inspiration can also be found during the international study trips which are on offer every year, in the past these have included the fashion capitals of Paris, Milan and New York. Throughout the course you will be supported by our experienced teaching staff, as well as specialist visiting tutors who are practitioners in the industry, giving you an excellent learning experience in a wide range of fashion specialisms.

Entry Requirements

A good portfolio, plus one of the following:

• 280 tariff points
• BTEC National Diploma with an overall grade of DMM
• Level 3 Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design), with merit or distinction in the final stage
• International Baccalaureate with 28 points
• Equivalent qualification or experience

Application Details

W230 Fashion Design

Search for this course on UCAS.

Fees Notes

If you already have an equivalent level qualification, you may be charged a higher fee for your course. For further information visit the fees area of the Student Info section.

Enquiries

Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.

Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.