Textile Design - BA (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry. Switch to 2024/25 Entry
Our BA (Hons) Textile Design degree course nurtures fresh thinking and industry-ready creatives through a dynamic and carefully structured three-year programme. Studying with us will provide you with the skills, insights and experiences required to succeed in a broad scope of professional textile related roles....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City Centre
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Fashion and Textiles
- Faculty Faculty of Arts, Design and Media
This course is:
Available with Professional Placement year
Open to International Students
Overview
Our BA (Hons) Textile Design degree course nurtures fresh thinking and industry-ready creatives through a dynamic and carefully structured three-year programme.
Studying with us will provide you with the skills, insights and experiences required to succeed in a broad scope of professional textile related roles. By the end of your degree you will have a clear vision of where you fit in the industry and a tailored professional portfolio to take with you.
Our brand new hub for the arts in the thriving Eastside of the city has been purpose-built to stimulate creative minds within an open-access, contemporary studio environment. You will become a part of our lively and close-knit student community and be guided by an experienced and passionate team of staff who value the importance of getting to know you as an individual.
What's covered in this course?
The programme reflects the diversity of contemporary textile practice. We pride ourselves not only on the quality of our graduates, but also the diversity of their work. We want you to be you!
Find your direction
With creativity at the heart of learning, you will develop core design and technical skills while gaining vital professional and industry awareness. The course is brimming with choice points to help you focus your experience as you clarify your personal interests.
You will be introduced to wide-ranging textile processes within the core technical areas of print, weave, knit and embroidery and embrace both digital technologies and traditional craft skills. The exciting potential of cross-disciplinary practice is supported and encouraged, giving you the option to either specialise or combine disciplines to take forward as your means of expression.
Career-focused teaching and industry involvement is designed to support you in identifying professional aspirations from the breadth of opportunity within textile design, and help you to further tailor your learning and portfolio towards them.
Having developed a distinctive and career-focused portfolio through the course, our unique Next Step module at the end of the final year bridges the gap between study and industry, allowing you time to put relevant strategies in place to help you achieve your ambitions with the support of the university network.
Professional Placement Year
This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.
If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.
Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.
Throughout the course we have had the opportunity to learn a variety of technical design skills through taught content and personal exploration, really allowing us as young designers to build a rich portfolio and wealth of knowledge in preparation for our venture into the industry. The course allows you to discover your own personal hand writing- encouraging us to celebrate our work and individuality in our ideas. The embroidery pathway has highlighted the endless possibilities for me in the design industry whether it be digital embroidery for a commercial application to hand embroidery for the luxury market. The creative freedom of the embroidery specialism has allowed me to identify my passion for couture embroidery and pushed me to explore traditional hand techniques. I thoroughly enjoyed the course as it opened up a variety of exciting opportunities for me from industry collaborations to embroidering an outfit for Beyoncé.
Rosie Gee, Head of Embroidery Designer at Jennifer Clair
Why Choose Us?
- We have a wide range of traditional and cutting-edge equipment, technology, and facilities. We are the first University in the country and second in the world to have Coloreel Embroidery technology within our industry-grade workshops.
- You will have the opportunity to work with and for a range of regional, national and global partners such as the National Trust, Jennifer Clair Couture, London and Joshibi University, Japan which will help you gain employable experience and build industry networks.
- You will have the chance and support to showcase your work to industry-leaders and the public through a variety of opportunities and competitions from New Designers to the Bradford Textile Society Design Competition and the Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery, where students have successfully won prestigious awards consecutively over the last four years.
- You can enjoy and tailor your module learning to experience working within and for a variety of industry sectors helping you to identify personal professional ambitions and specifically tailor your portfolio.
- We have received excellent feedback from our 2023 Graduates within the National Student Survey with 100% saying that the course allowed them to explore their own ideas and develop knowledge and skills needed for their future.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Day: 28 September 2024
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
112 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
Please note: If you qualify for our BCU Accelerate scheme, you could receive an offer that is two grades below our normal entry requirements. Find out more about BCU Accelerate.
Applicants will also need to submit a good portfolio.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
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
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 in 2025/26
- Apply via UCAS
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
- 3 years
- £17,690 in 2025/26
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
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Portfolio guidance
If you receive an offer to study this course, you will be required to submit a portfolio. We ask that this is submitted within four weeks of receiving your offer.
Please see our portfolio guidance page for tips on putting your portfolio together.
Portfolio guidance
If you receive an offer to study this course, you will be required to submit a portfolio. We ask that this is submitted within four weeks of receiving your offer.
Please see our portfolio guidance page for tips on putting your portfolio together.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
- Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
- Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
- Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
- School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
- Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Course in Depth
Year one
Guided and encouraged by an experienced teaching team, engaged in current research or practice, and through workshop experiences supported by e-learning, you investigate key areas of weave, knit, embroidery and printed textiles before choosing one, or two technical areas to explore in the first year of the course.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module introduces students to four core design processes: print, weave, knit and embroidery, plus the creation of biomaterials, through extended workshop technical delivery and personal creative expression through making. There will be a strong focus on materiality and fabric properties.
This introduces students to the initial stages of the design process, focusing on the importance of original image generation, drawing and self-expression. Students will explore diverse approaches to generating visual information and apply this to begin to build design compositions.
This module introduces the historical and cultural context of design with international influences, in order to provide a foundation knowledge for understanding key textile design styles to support studio practice.
In this module, you will experience a client focused design journey, building experience of working with colour and extending your technical knowledge. Colour will be explored through research, drawing, material investigation and technical development. There will be an emphasis on CAD and digital technologies in the development of a targeted, co-ordinated collection and visualisation of ideas in relation to a specified context, simulating a commercial design project.
Year two
In your second year, you explore trends and predictions in fashion and interior industries and explore the scope of career sectors and job roles open to textile designers. You shape your learning by choosing from a range of industry-focused and entrepreneurial design challenges and build professional experience through a collaborative design challenge or Work experience – all designed to help you identify your strengths and career interests.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
This module provides a professional and cultural context of Textile Design. The lecture programme and participatory workshops / seminars encourage you to think broadly and critically about contemporary social and professional issues in relation to the place of textiles within international society, preparing you to consider key agendas in relation to your own career path interests.
This module has been designed to test and explore potential career pathways within the textile industry. It builds on the theoretical understanding gained in the Textiles in Contemporary Context module, through a practical design experience.
This module provides the opportunity to develop important interpersonal skills alongside career pathway knowledge and understanding. The module includes working collaboratively and independently on writing and practically undertaking design briefs that relates to one of the potential career pathways. You will apply knowledge gained about the chosen sector such as product / client / routes to market / production / marketing & promotion, in developing and communicating a viable industry facing project.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
The purpose of the work placement module is to enable you to develop professional attributes and subject skills through experience in the work place, and to critically reflect upon your learning in that context. You will normally be expected to arrange your own placement, with support from academic staff and BCU Careers.
This module provides an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills to an external, professional brief. The brief will be set by an external client/agency, in consultation with your supervisor, and it could be a ‘real life’ problem to be solved, or a simulation. It is an opportunity for you to engage in a professional manner with an aspect of your subject area, which contributes to the development of employability skills within the supportive infrastructure of the University. Where appropriate, the project may involve interdisciplinary collaboration with students from other courses. In this way, it reflects the collaborative, flexible nature of employment within the Creative Industries.
The module is an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of collaboration by enabling you to create an interdisciplinary project with students from complementary disciplines, or with academic staff. Collaboration is a vital employability skill within the Creative Industries and this module allows you to develop these skills, making use of University facilities and with the support of academic staff. Within this module framework, several kinds of collaborative opportunities are available. For example, with the approval of your supervisor, you can determine a project based on your own interests; your supervisor may set you a predetermined project to enable you to work with other students in a way that is appropriate to your subject area; or there may be opportunities for you to collaborate with staff on research projects. In all cases, you must apply your subject skills to an interdisciplinary project which will be agreed in advance with your supervisor.
Core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Year three
Your final year gives you the opportunity to hone your portfolio and experience to suit your career ambitions through focused projects.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module provides the opportunity to undertake a comprehensive and independent study on a topic of your choice within the field of art, design or material culture. Through a written, illustrated dissertation, you will critically explore your chosen topic, presenting your argument using established academic conventions. Group tutorials with a designated tutor will provide stimulating and supportive sessions to help you develop your research ideas and that of others.
This module enables you to reflect and synthesise previous projects in order to establish a creative direction and career-focused concept / brief to drive personal research and development of the Professional Project. As a creative practitioner, it is an important skill to be able to evaluate successes and evolve ideas from one project to another.
The module builds and demonstrates a personal focus of study as a culmination of the knowledge, understanding and career aspirations of the individual in relation to textile design contexts. Practical and theoretical study combine to explore design concepts answering a personal brief with a professional focus. The direction the project takes will be in relation to your experiences of career-focused teaching and immediate professional plans on graduation.
This module supports the process of exhibiting / promoting the final project, with a reflective and evaluative emphasis aiming to initiate a viable and continued creative journey. It has been designed to help bridge the gap from academia into industry, and offers support with developing personal promotion, branding and marketing material and building a digital presence. This is also an opportunity to engage in supporting theoretical research to confirm the viability of a proposal/direction, and confirm future goals and career aspirations.
Download course specification
Download nowCourse structure
Year 1
The first year is all about experimentation! You will engage with different approaches to drawing and idea generation, learn in depth about materials, composition and colour in relation to textile design, and be challenged with working to your first client brief. You will be introduced to our workshops to learn and sample in the areas of woven, knitted, embroidered and printed textiles, as well as MAT_er.LAB, our biomaterials experimental laboratory space. You will identify the technical language (or languages) that best suit your skills and interests.
A contextual lecture/ seminar programme builds knowledge of historical textiles which provides the vital reference points needed within contemporary design as well as critical thinking skills.
Year 2
In your second year, you will extend your technical skills while beginning to understand the scope of career opportunities open to you. You will start the year by learning about key industry sectors and developing a personal CV and creative promotional material to help you establish your areas of interest.
You will then be introduced to and choose practical design challenges from across five key employment sectors which have been designed to help you consider your place within the industry:
- Bespoke Fashion Textiles
- Contemporary Culture and Craft
- Styling and Trend Forecasting
- Surface Pattern and Technologies
You will study market and client awareness, trends in both fashion and interior design sectors, commercial considerations with industry-facing projects as well as business principles, ethics and sustainability issues.
You can then choose to end the year by undertaking a professional Work Placement, Collaborative Practice or Live Brief experience, building your knowledge in the workplace or working alongside other creative students from across the Faculty.
Year 3
In Year 3 you will continue your design journey in relation to your chosen career pathway and through your choice of textile language, but with a much more independent and self-directed focus.
You will begin by writing your dissertation around a subject of interest. This will often kickstart themes and concepts that can form the basis of practical work to follow.
The final project is split into two modules, to help structure the experience. You will firstly engage in broad and personal contextual research to inform and inspire you in creating a professional portfolio of extended design work and resolve a creative brief that is aligned with your creative ambitions.
Our unique Next Step module then equips you with all you need to make the leap into employment or Post- Graduate study. You will create an action plan, extend your portfolio through targeted competition entries and promote your strengths and achievements via digital platforms – all designed to help you leave confident in pursuing your career ambitions.
Find your direction. Learn a range of textile skills, including print, then specialise in your second year.
The learning environment
Our teaching encompasses a wide range of learning and teaching methods, and immersive, interactive studio/workshop experiences are supported by e-learning to provide a holistic experience. Equipment includes a suite of digital printers, jacquard looms, computerised AVL studio looms, digital embroidery machines, V-bed Dubied knitting machines and laser cutting equipment, in addition to traditional facilities which comprise of a dye lab, screen-printing tables, transfer presses, flocking facilities, knitting machines, looms and rug tufting guns.
Studios, workshops, computer suites and library facilities operate late night access to suit night owls as well as early birds! We have professional support teams on hand to help you every step of the way – organising Disability Support, wellbeing, housing or careers.
Supportive tuition in both one-to-one and combined groups scenarios throughout the course fosters the interchange of ideas and promotes critical thinking. The diverse experience of the academic staff reflects the course ethos – all are practising designers/visual artists and many have worked internationally.
The course actively fosters links with organisations and industry, providing a continuously updated contemporary educational experience.
Studio activities
Practical drawing sessions help to get design projects underway in a friendly and supportive environment, building your skills and confidence by sharing and learning as part of a peer group.
We design stimulating workshops and activities to help to develop problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills as well as subject specific knowledge and help to prepare you for the real world by setting industry-facing briefs and running design projects as if in a commercial studio. With role-play sessions, reviews and critiques, you have opportunities to test your professional networking skills, ready to take to your perfect job.
Working alongside friends to learn and understand the subject of textiles in relation to the wider industry, you will participate in seminars to discuss contemporary design issues, such as ethical fashion, global trends and international manufacturing, while working out what makes you tick.
Employability
Enhancing your employability
Our BA (Hons) Textile Design degree is designed to develop and hone the skills, knowledge, vision and creativity to succeed in your own creative practice.
With strong level of craftsmanship in traditional and digital design, you will become adept at a number of textile processes, including print, embroidery, weave and knit. You will have multiple opportunities within every year of the course to experience working across a variety of industry sectors. This will provide you with a deeper understanding of where you fit within the industry and a tailored professional portfolio and promotional material.
Our award-winning graduates emerge as innovative practitioners leading the way as influential Brand owners, Artists, Researchers and Designers for prestigious established brands. As creative problem-solvers, they are in fulfilling and meaningful roles shaping our interior, fashion and cultural landscapes.
Links to industry
The College of Fashion and Textiles works with local, national and international businesses to enhance student learning through placements, workshops, live briefs and guest lectures from industry professionals.
Graduate Jobs
Our award-winning graduates progress to gain employment as Artists, Researchers, Educators, Trend Forecasters and Designers for a variety of prestigious and established brands, as well as influential brand owners.
Destinations: NEXT, Hobbs, Hand & Lock, Jennifer Clair, Coloreel, Amtico, CraftSpace, STYLUS, Unique Style Platform, Emma Shipley, Design44, MA at Royal College of Art, Jimmy Choo Fashion Academy.
Our Graduates
Emily Higgs
I'm a full-time Designer in the Product and Laying Pattern Design Team at Amtico Flooring.
I first heard about Amtico through the BCU tutors, whilst I was working at the University. After a quick interview process, I started a 6-month internship in June 2021 and have since worked my way up from an Intern, through to Junior Designer, to my current position.
My role is really diverse, from international travel to gather trend and market research, using CAD to recolour new print designs, through to collaborating with other departments across manufacturing to develop new laying patterns and even presenting new collections to global sales teams and customers.
The Textile Design course at BCU helped me understand how to develop cohesive commercial collections - no matter what the product!
The engagement from tutors, both during the course and since graduation, has helped grow my confidence in both my design and professional skills, and I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without their support!
Rebecca Lewis
Since graduating I have interned with Next menswear in the Print and Graphics Department. My internship with them came after my work was recognised at the 2018 New Designers exhibition, a hub for textile graduates to exhibit their work and make valuable contacts within the industry. The design department at Next contacted me directly after the exhibition and offered me the place.
Kate Hollowood
My current role is designer maker and company director of my company, Kate Hollowood Design. I work for myself and am currently the only employee, meaning I am responsible for everything involved in running a creative business; from making accounts to following up leads and attending trade shows as well as admin, pricing, quotes, diary bookings, product development and marketing…. the list goes on!
Gabbie Armstrong
I was lucky to have a part time job in the fashion industry during my final year at university. It wasn’t easy to juggle work and study commitments at the same time but I was dedicated to building my career as soon as I could.
The trainee position at Outfit Fashion helped me to understand the company’s structure and the different roles I could have in the industry, but most importantly I learnt about applying the principles of buying/merchandising and design that I had been learning throughout the course. Once I graduated the position became a full time role and I was able to develop my skills within this field even further.
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:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Our international students
Our course is perfectly suited to students from around the world as we approach textiles from an international viewpoint. Students share experiences and learn from each other, and the teaching focuses, where possible, on the international design industry, from trends to manufacturing contexts, preparing graduates for jobs in the global market. Graduates from the course have worked overseas including USA, Saudi Arabia, France, Laos, Sweden and Finland.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
You’ll be based in our School of Fashion and Textiles, within The Parkside Building. The Parkside Building is part of our new multi-million pound City Centre Campus development in the heart of Birmingham's Eastside development.
Our staff
Zoë Hillyard
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader
Zoë Hillyard is a Senior Lecture and Course Director for BA(Hons) Textile Design at Birmingham City University. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and has over 20 years of lecturing experience in both national and international contexts. Zoe is also an established textile artist craft practitioner working with...
More about ZoëClare Langford
Lecturer in Textile Design
Clare Langford is a Senior Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Textile Design course and a Schools Outreach Coordinator for the School of Fashion and Textiles. She has taught in higher education for over 24 years, is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and holds a PGCert in Enhancing Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. She has a background...
More about ClarePoppy Braddy
Lecturer in Textile Design
Poppy Braddy is a Woven Designer, Material Researcher and Lecturer. She holds an MA in Textiles from the Royal College of Art and whilst completing her BA in Textiles in Practice at Manchester School of Art, spent time in exchange at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
More about PoppyJane Watts
Senior Lecturer | Course Director of BA (Hons) Art Business (Level 6 Top-Up)
Jane is an interdisciplinary practitioner, and began her career in textile design. She has since worked as National Craft Advisor for the Women’s Institute in the charity sector, and has 20 years’ experience of teaching in higher education across a range of creative programmes.
More about Jane