With more than forty years of expertise and excellence, this award-winning course combines fashion drawing and illustration, creative pattern cutting and garment manufacture.
It is recognised nationally and internationally for its students’ success in competition work and produces creative talent for today's fast-paced fashion industry.
Why choose this course?
You will have the opportunity to:
Employability is a key feature of this course and our graduates have gone on to exciting jobs with companies including:
Prizewinners
We had lots of accolades and prizewinners from this course, including:
- Dae Byn Lee, nominated for the Zandra Rhodes Textile Award at Graduate Fashion Week 2012
- Janine Clark, named as Alfa Romeo Young Designer 2012
- Emma Baldwin, shortlisted for the Alfa Romeo Young Designer 2012
- Alexandra Gardner, winner of the Adidas British Fashion Council Design Award 2011
- Alice Wedge, winner of the ESCADA fashion illustration competition, 2011
- Milly Jackson, winner of the Fashion Awareness Direct competition, 2011
- Louise Howell, winners of the ASBCI Student Design Award, 2010
- Frankie Yung, winner of the Graduate Fashion Week bag and T-shirt design competition, 2010
- Anna Belen Merono, nominated for the Gold Award at Graduate Fashion Week and winner of the Fashion Awareness Direct competition, 2009.
Fashion Design student work gallery
Have a look at some of work our students have created, in our Fashion Design gallery.
Open days
To get a real taste of this course, why not visit us on one of our open days?
Can't visit us? Talk to us online...
We know it's not always possible to come along to one of our open events, particularly if you don't live in the UK. Throughout the year we will be running a series of live chat sessions, where you can log on and talk to us remotely.
Find out more about live chats for this course on our live chat webpage.
Latest news
Find out what's going on in the School of Art & Design on our news pages and the Facebook page.
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 941 8418
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Please note the following information for applicants
Fact file
UCAS code: W230 BA/FD
Entry requirements: Please see the
Applying section
Starting: September
Course length: Three years full-time
Study location: City site
Fees and funding:
Please see our applying and fees section.
How many places are available on this course?
There are 60 places on Year One.
When does the course start?
This course starts in September. For more information take a look at our academic calendar for details of term start and end dates.
What will I study?
Year One 
- Design Process: Concept, Form and Image (100 credits)
- Design, Culture and Context (20 credits)
Year Two
- Design Context: Commerce, Technology and Innovation (100 credits)
- Design, Culture and Context 2 (20 credits)
Final Year
- Negotiated Fashion Design Portfolio and Research Project
Find out what you will cover in each module of our Fashion Design course in more detail.
Degree Shows
In your final year you will exhibit your work in a professional catwalk show and product exhibition as part of the NTU Degree Shows. The Degree Shows include all final year students across NTU’s Art and Design-based courses, and are a great platform for you to celebrate your studies and showcase your work to members of the creative industries.
You will also have the chance to be selected to exhibit your work at the prestigious Graduate Fashion Week in London. A selection of students from this course and our BA (Hons) Fashion Design degree will be chosen to exhibit their garments as part of a catwalk show, which is a great employment opportunity.
How will I learn?
You will be taught through a variety of teaching and learning experiences which will include:
- lectures and briefings
- studio workshops
- textile workshops
- seminars
- tutorials
- peer and self-evaluations
- verbal and visual presentations
- teamwork
- live projects
- personal development planning
- visits.
You will also be involved in self-directed project work where you will have the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.
In Years One and Two you will spend an average of 66% of your time in scheduled learning. This includes things like:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- demonstrations.
It also includes time you'll spend working in the workshops with technical support.
For the remaining time you will undertake self-directed independent study which may be spent research or completing coursework, either at University or at home.
In Year Three you will have slightly less scheduled learning (around 65%) as you will be working more independently on your final year projects.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment for this course is 100% through coursework.
You will be assessed at the end of each module and awarded a grand band (1st, 2.1, 2.2 etc). You will receive feedback through the module so you know what level you are working at.
How you are assessed will depend on the individual module, but may take the form of:
- 3D development work and final product
- 2D visual research and design development work
- portfolio work
- evaluations
- reports, essays, dissertation or alternative project
- visual and verbal presentations
- reflective learning journal.
To progress through the course you must achieve 120 credits each year. Your final degree mark will be based 100% on your final year work.
Links with industry
This course has developed strong collaborations with industry partners at regional, national and international level which are fully integrated into the curriculum at all levels.
Industry live projects and competitions are a key feature of this course, giving you the opportunity to network and be exposed to real life design situations.
You will be actively encouraged and supported to undertake work experience placements, which usually take place during holiday times, outside of term time.
Learn from expert staff
Our Fashion Design team is made up of expert academic and technical staff who have extensive experience in both education and industry.
Course Leader: Gilly Staples.
What do the course fees cover?
Find out what is included in the course fees for our BA (Hons) Fashion Design.
Where will I study?
You will study this course on NTU's City site, based in Nottingham city centre.
Our Fashion Design studios are based in the Bonington building, a dedicated Art and Design building. You may have some lectures in other buildings across the campus, including our recently renovated Newton building.
Trips and study visits
An international perspective is embedded within the modules of this course and reinforced by optional structured visits to major fashion capitals.
Recently this has included a trip to Paris as part of Paris Fashion Week, in Year Three.
Exchange opportunities – study abroad
You will have the opportunity to apply for an exchange to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, USA and Bunka Fashion College in Toyko, Japan.
In Year Two you can opt to spend a period of time studying at another university in Europe through our Erasmus scheme.
View the full course specification Please note that course specifications may be subject to change
Our Fashion Design studios are lively, highly creative environments based in the Bonington building, a dedicated Art and Design building.
Access to facilities
The Bonington building is open during term-time from:
- 8 am – 8 pm (Monday – Thursday)
- 8 am – 7.30 pm (Fridays).
During these times you can access workshops and studios.
Technical support in studios
Technical support in our studios is available:
- 8.30 am – 5.30 pm (Monday – Thursday) (lunch break from 1 – 2 pm)
- 8.30 – 5.30 pm (Friday) (lunch break from 1 – 2 pm).
You can use the studio facilities outside of these times, but you won't be able to use any machinery or equipment that needs power.
Fashion Design facilities
- Fashion studios: include industry-standard pattern cutting tables and garment production machinery.
- Fabric Store.
- Laser cutting: Fabric laser cutting and laser engraving.
- Digital print facility with Mimaki TX2 digital fabric printers.
- Print room: hand screen printing, transfer printing, collograph printing.
- Digital Arts lab with IT and CAD facilities.
Fashion Design students also have access to the School’s photography studios and equipment.
Books and library resources
In our library you will have access to an extensive and diverse range of resources, both print and online. The library’s OneSearch system provides access to all our electronic resources, journals and books. It also offers group and individual study spaces, and has a large team of staff to help you find what you need for your studies.
Within the library there is a liaison librarian who has specialist Fashion Design subject knowledge and can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources and also support on things such as Harvard referencing and research skills.
Bonington Art Shop
Our specialist in-house art shop is based in the Bonington building. Run by experience and friendly University staff, the shop stocks a wide variety of arts and crafts materials.
The shop responds to the requirements of our students, and the stock on offer grows each year to support the courses offered within the School of Art & Design.
Bonington Colour Bureau
Located in the Bonington building, our Colour Bureau provides a range of in-house printing for NTU students and staff.
Specialising in graphic arts printing, the Colour Bureau offers high quality prints on a non-standard range of media in any size up to B0. It also operates a drop-off service so you won't have to queue, and aims to offer A4/A3 prints for same-day collection where possible.
The Bonington Gallery
The Bonington gallery presents a number of exhibitions throughout the year as part of a comprehensive programme of visual arts and design events.
Exhibitors include national and international artists and designers, current students and staff from within the University and NTU alumni.
IT resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City site, with PCs providing access to:
- Microsoft Office
- email
- web browsing
- networked file storage
- high-speed online printing services (with a free printing allowance for each student). Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.
What our students say
"The accessibility to the studios was very good, especially for the third year. The best part of the courses is the amazing technicians – they're skilled, helpful and really lovely people."
Stephanie Dale
BA (Hons) Fashion Design
Your career development
Employability is a key focus of this course, with many of the compulsory modules including initiatives to help enhance employability.
Examples of these are:
- live projects with industry in Year Two and Final
- collaboration with industry for recruitment in Final Year
- the opportunity for you to exchange in Year Two
- flexible arrangements for work experience placements and internship opportunities (Year One, Two and Final)
- visiting professionals
- specialist careers guidance
- national and international competitions
- Graduate Fashion Week and the British Fashion Council College Industry open day.
After studying this course you could go into a variety of roles including:
- fashion designer / assistant designer
- creative pattern cutter
- product developer
- freelance designer / maker
- buying, sourcing and merchandiser for Fashion Design
- production management for fashion
- product development technician
- trend researcher
- graphic / print designer
- stylist
- journalist
- retailer
- teacher
- marketing
- postgraduate studies (such as our MA Fashion Design).
Recent graduates from this course have gone on to work for companies including:
Career and Placements Centre
Our friendly, experienced careers consultants will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice you won't find in a book or on the Internet. You can benefit from this at any time during your studies and up to three years after completing your course. Find out more about our careers service.
Excellent work placements and internship opportunities
Students on this course are actively encouraged and supported in undertaking informal work placements and internships during their studies.
You will normally complete work placements during holiday times, but you will have the option of taking a maximum of two weeks out of term time for a placement. Most students tag these two weeks onto the start or end of a holiday, so they can complete a longer period of work experience.
During Year Two you will also have the opportunity to apply for an international summer internship. We have developed these with a number of well-known companies and they will give you exposure to the global industry and help you prepare for your final year and future career aspirations.
Industry and professional opportunities
You will:
- Experience live projects with industry through Year Two and Final Year modules.
- Have the opportunity to apply for direct recruitment opportunities in your Final Year with Abercrombie & Fitch USA, Old Navy USA, American Eagle USA, George at Asda and Sports Direct.
- Have the chance to work collaboratively on team-working projects for promotional and live events such as catwalk shows and exhibitions.
- Have the opportunity to collaborate with local culture centres such as museums and galleries.
Competitions
You will also be encouraged to enter a variety of national and international competitions. These include opportunities from the British Fashion Council, professional bodies, external agencies and through professional links with industry live projects.
Entry requirements
You will need:
UCAS points
The 280 UCAS tariff points needed for entry to this course should be taken from a minimum of two full A-levels or equivalent qualification (such as a BTEC Extended Diploma). Additional tariff points obtained from AS-levels, where the subject was not continued to A-level, will also be accepted.
If you are unsure whether the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, meet the minimum entry requirements for this course, please contact us before submitting an application through UCAS.
International qualifications
If you hold international qualifications, take a look at the alternative qualifications we accept for this course.
Are you an international student who does not meet the direct entry requirements for this course? You can prepare for it at Nottingham Trent International College. Their Foundation Certificate in Art and Design offers students a direct progression route to this degree on successful completion to the required level.
Find out more about our English language entry requirements and English language support whilst you're studying with us.
Mature students
We welcome applications from mature students (over the age of 21) for this course. We will assess applicants of this nature on an individual basis.
If you are a mature student, you will still need to apply to us by UCAS form, but you don’t necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements. You must, however, have a portfolio to present at interview.
English language requirements and English support
Application for this course is through the UCAS application form.
You can follow our step-by-step instructions when applying through UCAS. You can also find out more about the application process on the UCAS website.
Once you have applied, make sure you check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder. We may need to contact you during this time. Good luck with your application.
Application deadline
To join this course in September 2013 you need to apply to us by 15 January 2013.
Applications received after this date will be marked as ‘late’ and only considered if places are still available, after all on-time applications have been assessed.
The admissions process
Selection for this course takes places through UCAS application form and, where invited, online work submission, interview and portfolio.
UK applicants
The table below shows how we assess different types of applicants, once we've received their UCAS application.
| Type of applicant | Online work submission | Interview |
|---|
| A-Level / BTEC Extended Diploma / Other | Yes | Yes |
| Art and Design Foundation Diploma | No | Yes |
| Mature | Yes | Yes |
A-Level / BTEC Extended Diploma / Other applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements (or are a mature applicant) but have not completed an Art and Design Foundation Diploma, we will ask you to make an online work submission of 12 examples of your practical work and a short written summary.
If we need you to submit work, we'll contact you when we receive your UCAS application. Your online work submission will be used to decide whether to invite you to attend an interview at the University.
Art and Design Foundation Diploma applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements and are completing an Art and Design Foundation Diploma we'll invite you to attend an interview at the University without requesting an online work submission first.
Interview and portfolio information
If you are invited to attend at interview at the University, you will bring your portfolio with you for assessment. For more information about what we look for during an interview, and some useful tips for your portfolio, download our BA (Hons) Fashion Design interview and portfolio information.
Overseas applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements for this course, we will ask you to send us 12 examples of your practical work and a piece of written work from your current or previous course.
When we receive your UCAS application we will contact you to tell you how to submit this work online. Overseas applicants are not expected to attend an interview at the University.
Personal statement
The UCAS application form requires you to write a personal statement as part of your application. For some tips on what to include, use our guide to writing an effective personal statement.
Funding
We are committed to ensuring that all UK students have access to higher education. We recognise the need to invest financially in the future of our students, and have introduced a system of scholarships aimed at enabling home students from lower income families to undertake a degree course.
For information about Nottingham Trent University scholarships please visit our fees and funding webpages.
Open days
To get a real taste of this course, why not visit us on one of our open days?
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 941 8418
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
"I wanted to go to university in a city, but wanted to avoid London. NTU seemed like the perfect place, great city, great university and an amazing course with a very impressive reputation.
"It's hard to say what I enjoy most about my course, but I do really appreciate the great relationships I have built during my time here so far. Not just friends, but tutors and technical staff too. I feel completely supported by all my tutors and technicians on Fashion Design, but have also learnt how to work really well as an independent designer, without their help too.
"Over the summer, we have received live briefs from both Abercrombie & Fitch and an American company called Old Navy, who are both offering paid summer internships in Ohio and San Francisco for the winners. These are fantastic opportunities, and we're just getting started on the briefs at the moment.
"I would recommend my course/University to anyone who wants to work hard, play hard and make the most of the great resources at our University. I've had the best time so far and look forward to the rest of my time here."
Read more student profiles
