Fashion Design with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

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 software 

You will be able to access free licences for specialist software such as CLO3D and Lectra.  

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. 

Specialist equipment 

This course requires specialist equipment. You will have access to a wide range of fashion and textiles machinery and equipment in our Parkside building.

Project materials (mandatory) 

Students will need to invest in materials for developing and producing their portfolios. The cost will vary depending on factors such as the quality and quantity of materials chosen by the student. However, an estimated budget could range from £50 to £200 or more, depending on the type of portfolio desired (digital or physical) and the materials used (such as high-quality paper, printing costs, binding materials, etc.).

For the Foundation Year will be expected to budget £10-£50 for project materials.

Media consumable items (mandatory) 

For a BA Fashion Design course, students may require various consumable items to facilitate their learning and creative processes. Here's a list of potential consumables along with estimated costs:

1. Fabric: Different types of fabric for practicing sewing techniques, creating prototypes, and final projects. Cost varies widely depending on fabric type and quality, but an average estimate could be around £200-£500 per semester.
2. Thread: Various colours and types of thread for sewing and stitching garments. Estimate around £50 per semester.
3. Trimmings: This includes buttons, zippers, snaps, hooks, and other fasteners used in garment construction. Estimate around £50-£100 per semester.
4. Pattern Paper: Large rolls of pattern paper for drafting and creating garment patterns. Supplied by the University.
5. Drawing and Sketching Supplies: Sketchbooks, pencils, markers, pens, and other drawing materials for fashion illustrations and design concepts. Estimate around £50-£100 per semester.
6. Sewing Machine Supplies: Needles, bobbins supply for sewing machines used in the classroom. Estimate around £50 per semester.
7. Trimming and internal structure and Embellishment Supplies: Ribbons, lace, shoulder pads, fusing and other decorative/internal elements for adding form and silhouette to garments. Estimate around £50-£100 per semester.
8. Prototyping Materials: Toile fabric or inexpensive fabric for creating prototypes and mock-ups of designs before using final materials. Estimate around £100-£200 per semester.

These are rough estimates, and actual costs may vary based on factors such as location, course requirements, and personal preferences in materials. Additionally, costs may fluctuate depending on the specific projects assigned throughout the semester.

In addition to the consumable items mentioned above, for a BA Fashion Design course we emphasize sustainable and zero-waste practices, here are some additional items that students may use along with their estimated costs:

1. Upcycled and Repurposed Materials: This could include old garments, fabric scraps, or other materials sourced from donations or thrift/vintage stores for use in design projects. Since these materials are often donated or repurposed, costs can be significantly reduced, sometimes even to zero.
2. Sustainable Fabric: Organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and other sustainable fabrics may be encouraged for use in projects. While these fabrics may sometimes be more expensive than conventional options, their use aligns with the sustainable focus of the course. Estimate around £200-£500 per semester for sustainable fabric purchases.
3. Natural Dyes: Natural materials like plant extracts, vegetables, and fruits for creating dyes instead of synthetic alternatives. Cost can vary depending on the availability of materials, but it's often lower than purchasing synthetic dyes. We have numerous workshops and a Natural Dye growth garden free for students to engage with.
4. Reusable Sewing items: Encourage the use of reusable sewing details such as metal snaps instead of plastic ones, wooden buttons, or recycled zippers. While the initial investment may be slightly higher, the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits are significant.
5. Waste Reduction Techniques: Teach students techniques for minimizing waste in their design process, such as pattern optimization, zero-waste pattern cutting, and creative use of fabric scraps. These techniques not only reduce material costs but also promote sustainable practices.

By incorporating these sustainable and/or zero-waste approaches, students can reduce the financial burden associated with purchasing new materials but also contribute to environmental conservation efforts and develop skills that are increasingly valued in the fashion industry.

Specialist equipment (mandatory) 

This course requires the purchase of the following equipment, costing £75+.

• Pattern Master – clear plastic
• Tailors Awl – Stiletto
• Tracing Wheel
• Tape Measure: Metric/Imperial - 150cm
• Dressmakers Shears: 23cm: Soft Handle – Fabric ONLY
• Scissors: Embroidery: Pro Cut: 10.8cm/4.25in
• Pins: Straight: Silver: 32 x 0.6mm: 50g (Pins: Straight: Silver: 32 x 0.6mm: 50g)
• Wrist pin cushion
• Fabric Tailors Chalk Pencils set of 3 colours
• Seam Ripper, steel point, plastic handle

Exhibitions (mandatory) 

Students may be required to enter Graduate Fashion Week. 

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. 

Field trips (optional) 

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost. 

Gallery visits (optional) 

It is advisable for all Creative Arts students to visit exhibitions, galleries and other creative and cultural institutions and events depending on your own individual area of interest. Travel and entry costs may be associated with this. 

Personal equipment (optional) 

For personal equipment, it is advised that students own a computer or laptop capable of running design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), CAD software (such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks), and other relevant programs used in fashion design.

The recommended specifications for the computer or laptop include:

• Operating System: Windows 10 or macOS Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher (or equivalent AMD processor) RAM: 8GB or higher Storage: SSD (Solid State Drive) with at least 256GB of storage capacity
• Graphics Card: Integrated or dedicated GPU with at least 2GB VRAM
• Display: 13-inch or larger with a minimum resolution of 1920x1080 pixels
• Ports: USB ports (preferably USB-C), HDMI or DisplayPort for external display connectivity

Having a computer or laptop with these specifications will ensure that students can efficiently work on design projects, complete assignments, and engage with course materials.

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.