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In the UK for Fashion and textiles in The Guardian University Guide 2023

Fashion Design BA (Hons)

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • UCAS Code(s): W230
  • Start Date(s): September 2023
  • Duration: Three years, full-time
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

Join our BA (Hons) Fashion Design course and become part of a renowned program with strong connections in the national and international fashion industry. You'll benefit from our recognized global presence, setting you up for success in the competitive fashion world.

At the Nottingham School of Art & Design, we pride ourselves on producing graduates who are admired for their creativity, innovation, and unique design flair. Alongside these artistic talents, you'll develop a solid understanding of commercial aspects, sustainability principles, and cutting-edge technologies. This holistic approach ensures you're equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact in the fashion industry. So, embrace the opportunity to unleash your creative potential and shape the future of fashion with us!

  • You’ll have the opportunity to complete a work experience placement of up to a year in length. Dependent on the duration of your placement, you could gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice.
  • Go on optional international study trips to events like Paris Fashion Week. You will also have the opportunity to apply for a European or international exchange to one of our partner institutions, including the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and more.
  • Benefit from guest lecturers such as Giles Deacon, Christopher Raeburn, and internationally renowned Japanese pattern cutting expert Shingo Sato.
  • Get involved with competitions and live projects with companies like Oasis, Boohoo, Mulberry, ASOS, River Island and Burberry. There is also an opportunity to be nominated for the Sarabande Foundation: Lee Alexander McQueen scholarship.

What you’ll study

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Georgia Lyne

Fashion Design

In my second year we were set a live menswear project by ASOS – this was when I found my love for menswear design and I haven’t looked back since.

Yuna Kwon

Fashion Design

I would recommend my course to anyone who wants to be a creative fashion designer. NTU offers students many great opportunities such as competitions and Graduate Fashion Week in London.

Leanne Westbury

Fashion Design

I enjoy the positive atmosphere in the studio and being around like-minded people. Everyone works hard, and seeing your own work as well as others come together when we put on shows is really exciting.

Takato Wako

Fashion Design

My graduate collection was inspired by different memories I made in the UK and each piece had a meaning. For example, my rainbow collection was inspired by my time in Brighton and my international friends.

Natasha Flannery

Fashion Design

By the end of your final year, you will be amazed at how much you have learnt within three years, and how much your work has evolved.

Sarah Rafferty

Fashion Design

Living and working in New York was a totally life changing opportunity. Being in the heart of one of the major fashion capitals was so exciting.

Von Ruzive

Fashion Design

I spent a year working at the headquarters of French Connection in London where I was Global Licensing Intern.

Anna Mancilla

Fashion Design

The resources at NTU are incredible, and you will find yourself in a rich, international environment. The course is very challenging, but also very rewarding.

Jess Barry

Fashion Design

On my course there are loads of competitions to enter. I won the David Nieper Scholarship Award and received a £3,000 cash prize.

Video Gallery

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Staff Profiles

Emma Prince - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Emma Prince is the course leader for BA (Hons) Fashion Design. Her academic responsibilities include teaching first year and final year students on the BA (Hons) Fashion Design course and

Krystyna Kolowska - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Krystyna Kolowska is a lecturer / Senior Lecture and is module leader on Negotiated Fashion Design: Portfolio & Research Projects.

Maggie Bushby - Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Maggie’s expertise is pattern cutting and 3D development. She is involved at all levels on the undergraduate fashion design programme teaching design and pattern cutting and also supervises students on

Karen Harrigan - Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Karen Harrigan

Maria Stafford - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Maria Stafford is a Lecturer / Senior Lecturer and is responsible for the delivery and management of the PGC Creative Pattern Cutting course including pattern cutting workshop.

Lorraine Warde - Principal Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Lorraine is a lecturer teaching on the Design Culture & Context modules/elements levels 4, 5 & 6 (module leader for level 4) which are part of the following courses post

Kevin Hunt - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Dr Kevin J. Hunt is Director of Doctoral Programmes (DDP) for Nottingham School of Art and Design (NSA&D). His research and writing focuses upon culture and the senses, often explored

Alison Escott - Lecturer/Senior Lecturer

School of Art & Design

Alison Escott is the Senior Lecturer for BA (Hons) Fashion Design in the School of Art & Design.

Theodora Prassa - Technical Specialist

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Dora is a technician in printed textiles and paper printing.

Joanne Phillips - Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Joanne Phillips is a lecturer in pattern cutting and manufacture within the School of Art and Design.

Susan Walton - Senior Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Sue is Module Leader for Year Two (Level 5), Human Centred Design Module and the schoolwide CoLab2 Module.

Careers and employability

Our graduates go into a range of fashion-related roles across the world such as designers, product developers and buyers. Recent graduate destinations include:

  • ASOS
  • Abercrombie & Fitch
  • Burberry
  • Coach
  • George
  • H&M
  • Mulberry
  • Next
  • River Island
  • Roksanda
  • Tom Ford
  • Victoria Beckham
  • Vivienne Westwood
  • Yohji Yamamoto.

Our students have also had success at: The Young Ideas 50 Years in Fashion Illustration Competition, the Young Creators to the World contest at Lima Fashion Week in Peru and the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest (YDC).

Work placements and internship opportunities

You’ll have the opportunity to complete work experience or longer placement, with the chance to gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. Course tutors and our Employability team are on hand to support you in applying for placement and professional practice opportunities.

With the fashion department's excellent links with industry, students have secured paid summer internships at brands such as GAP inc. in New York and Urban Outfitters in Philadelphia.

Other recent placement destinations include:

  • ASOS
  • Boohoo
  • Christopher Raeburn
  • GAP Inc.
  • Jigsaw
  • Old Navy
  • Paul Smith
  • River island
  • Victoria Beckham
  • Vivienne Westwood

YouFirst – working with our Employability Team

Studying a creative degree in a large university has many benefits, none more so than having access to a large employability team.

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.

Connecting with industry

This course collaborates with industry at local, national and international levels. Live projects and competitions will give you the opportunity to have exposure to real-life design situations.

Our students have taken part and enjoyed success in a range of top industry projects, awards and competitions, including:

  • a live project with Oasis inspired by The Nottingham Lace Collection, which saw our students’ design launched in stores and online
  • winning the TU Menswear Scholarship Award, Tessuti Sports and Leisurewear Award, and Fashion Marketing Award at Graduate Fashion Week (GFW).

Creative Industries Federation

We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means students in the Nottingham School of Art & Design have the opportunity to sign up to free student membership. Creative Industries Federation are an organisation that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries and membership grants students exclusive access to their selection of resources and events to help advance your career and connect with industry.

Hear from global leaders

Recent visiting speakers have included Creative Director of Graduate Fashion Week, Martyn Roberts, and renowned fashion journalist, Hilary Alexander OBE, who visited to give students a GFW Masterclass.

Former editor of British Vogue, Alexandra Shulman, also visited to talk to students about her 25-year career at the magazine.

Campus and facilities

How to apply

Apply through UCAS.

We will ask you to provide a digital portfolio. Download some advice on what to include to help make your portfolio stand out. After you have submitted your portfolio, we may also invite you to an online interview to help us make our final decision.

Getting in touch

If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions team or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.

Apply through UCAS (if applying to more than one university in the UK), or through our NTU applicant portal.

We will ask you to provide a digital portfolio. Visit our webpage which had some advice on what to include to help make your portfolio stand out. After you have submitted your portfolio, we may also invite you to an online interview to help us make our final decision.

Keeping up to date

After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Please also take a look at our International students page and our application guide for international students, which are full of advice and information about the University.

If you need any more help or information, please contact our International team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200. Alternatively, you can get in touch with our staff at the International Development Office, who are always happy to help. Or speak to one of our official NTU representatives for your country.