From fabric design and creation to garment design and manufacture, this innovative course focuses on the whole creative process. You'll develop broad skills and a creative balance between fashion knitwear design and knitted textiles.
You'll work in a stimulating environment, with access to a full range of specialised machinery and technology. You'll gain a complete understanding of design and industrial practice.
You'll have exciting opportunities to take an optional work placement during your third year. This will give you practical, industrial experience that will boost your CV and develop your skills. We have strong links with an international network of companies, who offer our students wide-ranging work opportunities.
NTU wins gold at Graduate Fashion Week 2011
BA (Hons) Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles student, Rory Longdon, has won the prestigious Gold Award at this year's Graduate Fashion Week in London. His collection was described as 'cohesive and immaculately constructed with outstanding craftsmanship' by the judges. Read more about Rory's win and what he plans to do with his £20,000 prize money, on our news and events page.
Art and Design Degree Shows 2012
Our final-year Art and Design Degree Shows will be taking place in May and June at the University. 20 courses will be showcasing inspirational work across the campus and the shows are open to the public.
Find out about our Degree Shows on the School of Art & Design website.
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
Visit the School of Art & Design website.
Please note the following information for applicants
Over three years you'll learn from a team of inspiring and engaging staff, with proven industrial and commercial experience. You'll take part in research, design development and practical project work. Presentations and tutorials will give you the opportunity to develop your evaluation and critical-thinking skills.
Year One
Learn the basics of raw materials, knitting techniques, research and design development.
Complete projects in:
- concept development
- machine knitting
- knit design
- pattern cutting
- garment manufacture
- fashion drawing
- 2D and 3D skills
- colour.
Gain an insight into the world of design and visual culture. You'll explore historical and contemporary design influences, trends and directions. You'll also develop your critical thinking and writing.
Year Two
- Develop your commercial awareness through industry design projects and visits.
- Build your portfolio and brush up on your professional skills ready for your industry placement year (optional).
If choose to spend a year in industry you'll start to work with our Placement Office to find a suitable placement. You'll compete for exciting opportunities across a wide range of fashion businesses. You will be fully supported by a designated NTU placement officer and course staff.
Year Three
Choose an optional work-placement year to get hands-on experience in the fashion knitwear and knitted textiles industries. Your placement or placements must last a minimum of 36 weeks.
Students from this course have recently been on placements with:
- Ralsey, New York
- Hugo Boss, Switzerland
- Brilliant, Hong Kong.
UK placements have included:
If you choose not to take a placement year, you'll progress directly to the final year of the course.
Year Four
- You'll put together an individual project to develop your portfolio or final collection.
- You will research and produce a catwalk collection, or range of products, around a theme related to design and visual culture.
- You'll present your collection in a professional catwalk show in Nottingham. You may also be selected to showcase your work at Graduate Fashion Week in London.
Assessment
Assessment for this course is continuous throughout, and based on coursework.
Student gallery
Have a look at some of the work created on this course in our student gallery.
Specialist equipment and facilities
Our fully equipped workshops and studios have industry-standard equipment including:
- Dubied handflat machines
- Shima and Stoll digital knitting machines
- Domestic handflat machines.
Take a look at our art and design facilities through 360 degree panoramas and images.
Opportunities
In Year Two, you'll have the opportunity to be selected for an international exchange to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
You'll have the chance to take part in international trips to places like Paris and Italy. You will also get to visit design companies, museums and craft guilds in the UK.
Competitions and shows
Throughout your course, as part of your project work you'll be encouraged to enter industry competitions like those set by the Royal Society of Arts and Framework Knitters.
Your future career
Our graduates work for exciting organisations all over the world. Recent examples include:
- Abercrombie and Fitch, Ohio USA
- Ralsey, New York
- American Eagle, New York
- Per Una, UK
- Paul Smith, UK
- Max Mara, Milan
- Karen Millen, UK
- Ladkins Hosiery, UK
- Courtaulds Hosiery, UK
- Hugo Boss, Switzerland.
Notable alumni
Find out more about our graduate success stories on the School of Art & Design website.
Work placement year
Placements are a very important part of this course; students constantly comment on how valuable and rewarding they have been. Employers look on placements favourably and a placement at Nottingham Trent University will enhance your academic and professional skills and employment prospects.
The University has a dedicated placement office that will assist you in securing a placement and guide you along the way providing everything you need to know before, during and after your placement.
There are many advantages of completing a work placement year. You will:
- gain a Diploma in Professional Practice qualification
- improve your employability
- develop new skills and knowledge that employers look for
- test out your career options
- make contacts, network and obtain a work-related reference for future employment
- inform your dissertation
- command a higher salary on graduation.
Recent overseas placement destinations for BA (Hons) Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles students include:
- Hugo Boss, Switzerland
- Dobert Textile, Spain
- Li & Fung, USA
- Brilliant, Hong Kong
- Old Navy, USA
Read what our students say about undertaking a placement - how valuable they found it and why they'd recommend studying at NTU.
How to apply
Application for this course is through UCAS application form. For more general information on the UCAS application process please visit the UCAS website.
If you are an International (non-EU) applicant you will still need to apply to us through UCAS, but can find information and guidance about the application process on our Applying and Fees for International (non-EU) students web page.
Application deadline
- 2012 entry: 15 January 2012
- 2013 entry: 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.
We have a number of open days that take place throughout the year. If you'd like to visit us click on the 'Book an Open Day' button at the top right of this page.
Interviews and portfolios
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, interview and portfolio.
UK applicants
If you are invited to attend an interview at the University, you'll 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 Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles interview and portfolio information. 
Overseas applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements we will ask you to send us:
- 12 examples of your practical work
- a piece of written work (approximately 500 words) from your current or previous course.
When we receive your UCAS application we'll contact you to tell you how to submit your work online. Overseas applicants are not expected to attend an interview at the University.
English language requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Art & Design, and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University are available on our website.
UCAS points
The 240 UCAS tariff points needed for entry to this course should be taken from a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent qualification (such as a BTEC National Diploma or art and design foundation course). Additional tariff points obtained from AS-levels, where the subject was not continued to A-level, will also be accepted towards the 240 UCAS points required.
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.
Non-standard / mature students
We welcome applications from non-standard applicants over the age of 21 for this course, and will assess candidates of this nature on an individual basis. If you're a non-standard applicant you'll still need to apply by UCAS form but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements - you must, however, have portfolio work to present at interview.
Any questions?
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
