Fashion Communication with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

The BA (Hons) Fashion Communication is a fashion-focused visual design course. We combine art direction, styling, graphic design, film, animation, photography, journalism, events, and trend forecasting for fashion. We brand, style, write, shoot, package, and direct....

  • Level Foundation
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

The BA (Hons) Fashion Communication is a fashion-focused visual design course. We combine art direction, styling, graphic design, film, animation, photography, journalism, events, and trend forecasting for fashion.

We brand, style, write, shoot, package, and direct. As an interdisciplinary course, we communicate to consumers in both the real world and the metaverse, driven by creative storytelling. We are not mere followers; we are pioneers, embracing a forward-thinking mindset that positions us at the forefront.

Our focus is on developing fashion communicators with exceptional craft skills, ready to influence the industry with strong future-proofing capabilities. Our students are at the cutting edge of contemporary fashion communication, working within the metaverse while maintaining a strong foundation in print design and live events, meeting the fashion industry's highest standards of visual communication.

We challenge conventions by seamlessly blending design, art direction, and promotion to convey ideas and concepts. Envision yourself art directing and orchestrating magazine covers, fashion shoots, directing fashion films, music videos and shaping brands visual identities with strategic finesse.

Rooted in our love of tradition and craft, we are equally committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability for a better world. As global citizens, we champion principles addressing climate issues, racial equality, and social justice. We are not just fashion creators; we are advocates for positive change.

We pride ourselves at being at the core of the fashion industry and influencing its future. Our teaching team is made up of industry specialists and we have a proven track record of working with top brands and influential industry practitioners. We are an award-winning course that shapes fashion communicators that can work in teams, as individuals as well as nurturing entrepreneurs and future proofers.

In this nurturing environment, pastoral care is at the core of our ethos. We care about your growth as an individual, fostering a supportive community where your well-being matters. Our commitment extends beyond the academic, ensuring that you not only succeed in your creative pursuits but also feel valued and supported on a personal level.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

We challenge conventions by seamlessly blending design, art direction, and promotion to convey ideas and concepts. Envision yourself art directing and orchestrating magazine covers, fashion shoots, directing fashion films, music videos and shaping brands visual identities with strategic finesse.

Rooted in our love of tradition and craft, we are equally committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability for a better world. As global citizens, we champion principles addressing climate issues, racial equality, and social justice. We are not just fashion creators; we are advocates for positive change.

We pride ourselves at being at the core of the fashion industry and influencing its future. Our teaching team is made up of industry specialists and we have a proven track record of working with top brands and influential industry practitioners. We are an award-winning course that shapes fashion communicators that can work in teams, as individuals as well as nurturing entrepreneurs and future proofers.

In this nurturing environment, pastoral care is at the core of our ethos. We care about your growth as an individual, fostering a supportive community where your well-being matters. Our commitment extends beyond the academic, ensuring that you not only succeed in your creative pursuits but also feel valued and supported on a personal level.

I'm so glad that I did the foundation course here because it is a great stepping stone before the degree level and I think I came into my first year feeling much more confident than I ever would have done if it wasn't for the foundation year. It definitely prepared me for beginning my degree course.

Lucy Ettinger, Foundation Year Student

Why Choose Us?

  • The foundation year will enable you to explore all of the different degree pathways to help you choose the right course ready for the step up to degree.
  • On the foundation course you will be part of a community, building your knowledge of the equipment and facilities available, getting to know staff and your fellow students through social events and our end of year exhibition.
  • You'll get to work on international industry competitions, such as L’Oreal Brand Storm.
  • You'll enjoy a vast archive of fashion publications dating back to the 1930s.
  • You'll have the opportunity to showcase your final-year work to industry leaders at events such as Graduate Fashion Week in London and our Arts, Design and Media (ADM) Faculty degree show in Birmingham.
  • You'll have the chance to visit international fashion cities such as London, Berlin, Copenhagen and New York.

Open Days

Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation. Booking isn't open yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Open Day: 22 March 2025

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 4 years
  • £17,690 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Specialist equipment

This course requires specialist equipment. Blender and Cinema 4D will be provided.

Free Adobe Creative Cloud licence

Students studying on this course can request a free licence to install the entire suite of applications on up to two personal devices.

Project materials (mandatory)

This course includes project work that requires you to develop and produce a portfolio or collection. We recommend you budget £50 per year for printing across the first two years, and £100 for your final year. You should also budget £25 for a website fee, £25 for a black box portfolio and £20 for business cards and other promotional materials. For the Foundation Year you are expected to budget between £10-50 for project materials.

Media consumable items (mandatory)

This course requires the use of consumables, such as an external hard drive to back-up your work (price dependant on size) and a HDMI adapter to help present (estimated cost £25).

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Placement expenses (optional)

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

Personal equipment (optional)

Whilst not essential, it is advised you own a computer or laptop capable of running specialist software.

Software (optional)

Essential software will be provided but additional software may incur license costs. For example, you may wish to buy a personal licence for Cinema 4D (currently £10 per month).

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK students

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS

  1. Register with UCAS
  2. Login to UCAS and complete your details
  3. Select your course and write a personal statement
  4. Get a reference
  5. Pay your application fee and submit your application

You are not required to submit a portfolio for this course.

Course in Depth

Foundation year

In your Foundation Year, you will gain a grounding in a variety of skills from each of our degree pathways, including blog writing, textile techniques, branding, creating garments and more. You will be able to explore the Fashion and Textiles workshops and CAD suites to pursue your individual interests.

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Year one

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Year two

Year two modules build upon your knowledge and skills gained in year one, and apply this to a more external focus, including industry competitions and internships, thus allowing you to focus on your professional and career goals.

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:

Year three

In your final year you will focus on the area of the fashion industry you intend to work in. You are able to tailor your final-year projects to an area of the industry you're most interested in, and supports your career ambitions.

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Download course specification

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You'll gain the skills you'll need to be a creative, confident and well-informed fashion communicator ready for the industry. Designers, brands and industry influencers all need strong visual communicators with a creative edge and commercial awareness.

You'll develop an all-round, in-depth understanding of the world of fashion communication and branding. It is an ideal choice if you are imaginative and committed to exploring the very best of the fashion sector.


Our classes

Students on this course are creative, passionate individuals who enjoy working both individually and as part of a group. Lectures are classroom-based and full of discussion and interaction. Regular visiting industry speakers provide insight and inspiration.

Practical and primary research is fundamental to all modules and you'll be encouraged to visit relevant exhibitions and cities. Collaboration is key to the fashion industry and to this course. You'll have the opportunity to work with other students from different courses across the faculty on photoshoots, films, magazines and exhibitions all as part of your study.

Student stories

Chloe's story

Student Chloe Thorne created, genderless fashion brand, ZIE, which included a brand identity based in response to market trends and consumer demand. Chloe's work included a full branding package, photoshoot and marketing material.

Melissa's story

Student Melissa Poulton created a magazine concept for a new men’s magazine. Based on research which identified a gap in the market for a new male consumer currently not catered for, primary research involved interviewing the editor of GQ and a work placement there, which inspired her magazine VANN. Involving photoshoots, interviews with local bands, and creative illustrations, Melissa's concept also won an award at Graduate Fashion Week for New Media.


Employability

Enhancing employability skills

Employability is embedded throughout the course with relevant skills, such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, being taught as well as professional skills such as copywriting, creative narrative, trend forecasting and brand strategy. 

Graduates from this course have gone on to work in roles that use these skills within the creative industries.

Placements

Students have taken internships within a wide range of fashion companies, such as fashion publications GQ, InStyle magazine, Grazia magazine and Suitcase magazine. Others have gained experience with Selfridges, ASOS and Topshop


Graduate jobs

The type of industry job roles that graduates would move in to could include: art direction and creative direction, styling, photoshoot production, magazine production and editorial content, brand management and fashion graphics, social media content creation and management, trend forecasting, journalism and copywriting for brands and magazines, and fashion film creation.

International

Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

Additional information

Our course is particularly popular with students from Brunei. The Brunei Birmingham Society aims to strengthen the community cohesion of the Bruneians in Birmingham by organising events ranging from religious festivities to cultural and sports-based events.

The society welcomes any potential Bruneians planning to study in Birmingham and is happy to answer questions about student life in Birmingham.

Facilities & Staff

Parkside article photo

Our Facilities

Fashion and Textiles courses are based at our Parkside Building, which is part of our multi-million pound City Centre Campus development in the heart of Birmingham's Eastside development.

Our staff

Louise Martin

Foundation Year Course Director

Louise’s Masters in textile design established the foundation for her design journey. From this platform, Louise started to build a career as an interior designer, regional design manager, stylist, and as a lecturer in fashion and textiles. Louise now has over 10 years' teaching experience as a lecturer.

More about Louise

Natalie Martin

Lecturer in Foundation Fashion and Textiles

After graduating with BA (Hons) Fashion Design from BCU Natalie has worked with brands such as Joseph Turvey and Hades Knitwear as a freelance designer, production assistant and illustrator as well as working on show production for presentations at London Fashion Week Mens. Working hands-on with small, luxury brands has enabled her to gain a...

More about Natalie