Fashion Design - BA Hons Degree

Start Date	Location	Duration / Fees
13/09/2021	University Centre	3 Years / £8,750 per year	Apply

Course Overview

B&FC’s Fashion Design degree course is positioned at the interface of high fashion and creative costume. The degree is unique in that it has a dual focus from the earliest stages of the course and is taught alongside the Fashion Design (Contemporary Costume) Degree in the skill building stages. It does however also facilitate students who have a specific desire to work exclusively in either the fashion or costume industries.

In the second year of study students are asked to confirm their final degree pathway, either BA Hons Fashion Design, or BA Hons Fashion Design (Contemporary Costume) to specialise in their chosen field and gain the qualification that is the most suited to their future career.

The unique selling point of this course is the versatility of the curriculum and the freedom to experiment across specialist areas. The fashion industry is made up of many different facets and students are encouraged to develop critical enquiry and pursue areas of interest and strength, in this way targeting potential employment opportunities.

Both our current and past students have enjoyed the variety provided by different projects, which supports a learning environment that is both exciting and stimulating and allows for creative decision making and freedom of expression. Ultimately the advantage is that our graduates are perfectly positioned for a career in their specialist field.

Our studios are equipped with the latest technology and are beautifully presented, providing students with a spacious and inspiring environment in which to work. Class sizes are normally small and again this is so beneficial to students, giving them opportunity for a tailored personal learning situation and plenty of help and support. There are always opportunities to work within the fashion department and because of this, in student surveys, our graduates score their experience with us very highly indeed.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 96 UCAS points in an appropriate discipline excluding Functional Skills and GCSE English Language and maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent). Applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on an individual basis. All applicants will be given the opportunity to attend a workshop or send in their work electronically

Qualification Obtained

BA (Hons) Fashion Design

Career Options and Progression

Assessment Methods

Coursework

Most courses are assessed via a combination of coursework and exams – the percentage weighting of each of these is outlined below. Coursework might range from written tasks and assignments to the collation of a portfolio of evidence based around a work placement. Coursework differs from exams in that it is usually non-timed and carried out independently.

Exam

Exams are formal, timed written assessments, carried out in a controlled environment and overseen by one or more invigilators. They assess your grasp of the theory and underpinning knowledge related to your chosen career area. The opposite of practicals, they require you to set out your practical understanding within an academic context. Some courses have no exams – the exam/coursework ratio is outlined below.

Practical

Practical assessments identify your technical ability to apply theory to hands-on tasks in your chosen career area. They can be timed or non-timed and involve observation of your practical skills and competencies, either in a work-based environment or a dedicated College setting that closely resembles the workplace. Practical work-based assessments are supported and carried out by a trained assessor.

Assessment Method	Level 4	Level 5	Level 6
Coursework	92%	95%	96%
Exam	0%	0%	0%
Practical	8%	5%	4%

Course Structure

Level 4 Modules

Title	Code	Credits	Options
Pattern Cutting Garment Construction Intro	VA4MD015	20	Mandatory
Pattern Cutting and Garment Construction	VA4MD016	20	Mandatory
Visualisation and Digital Image Contemp Context	VA4MD017	20	Mandatory
Design Practice Communication and Styling	VA4MD018	20	Mandatory
Textiles and Experimental Surface Design	VA4MD019	20	Mandatory
Engaging the Archive	VA4MD033	20	Mandatory

Level 5 Modules

Title	Code	Credits	Options
Product Develop and Tech Skills	VA5MD017	20	Mandatory
Fashion Industry and Enterprise	VA5MD018	20	Mandatory
Digital Illustration and Brand Communication	VA5MD019	20	Mandatory
Industry Design Realisation	VA5MD020	20	Mandatory
Independent Creative Project Fashion	VA5MD021	20	Mandatory
Critical Perspectives	VA5MD035	20	Mandatory

Level 6 Modules

Title	Code	Credits	Options
Research and Design Innovation	VA6MD016	20	Mandatory
Career Planning and Portfolio Development	VA6MD017	20	Mandatory
Creative and Technical Development Fashion	VA6MD018	20	Mandatory
Adv Realisation and Communication Fashion	VA6MD019	40	Mandatory
Independent Research Project	VA6MD031	20	Mandatory

Teaching and Learning Methods

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Placement

Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.

Learning Method	Level 4	Level 5	Level 6
Scheduled	430	384	248
Independent	770	816	952
Placement	0	0	0
Total	1200	1200	1200

Industry Placement and Field Trips

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

Students should also be aware that there may be additional costs to consider such as optional educational visits and photocopying/printing.

Equipment - The equipment requirements vary for each level on this course therefore the costs have been split below by course levels, costs given are approximate.

Level 4

Initial set up costs of between £50 - £100 to purchase equipment/textbooks

Art and Design materials are needed for other modules and as before the student may already have these.

Sketch book and file for each project
Pattern cutting book
Set square
Good Quality scissors
General sewing and pattern making materials
General art and design materials
Calico and other toile materials
Interfacing, zips and Final project materials

At level 4 all materials can be purchased through the college at a reduced rate, a student catalogue (Morplan) is given in the first week for orders at the reduced rate.

Level 5

Costs for level 5 include

Quality wool fabric (for tailoring project)
fabric (individual personal project)
Calico and other Toile materials
Interfacing, zips and Final project materials

Fabric costs can vary depending on the type of fabric chosen by the student. General materials can be purchased through the college; trips are arranged for the purchase of better quality fabrics for project work.

Level 6

A final practical project runs through level 6 and a collection of 6 outfits are required. Costs for this are variable and dependent on designs and choices of fabrics chosen by the student. Students are advised however that the amount can be fairly substantial (£200 - £500 or more). Good quality fabrics and other materials are required from London based suppliers or other high quality fabric retailers.

At level 6 a professional portfolio is expected and this incurs printing costs.

Parking - University Centre Car Parking is £2 per day. If you are in possession of a parking permit and using the parking facility, restrictions apply to who can register for a parking permit. Full restrictions can be viewed in the University Centre Travel and Transport Guidelines 2015 at www.blackpool.ac.uk/transport

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Tuition Fees

Read our tuition fees guide.