Fashion & Textile Design | UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Practice | Level 3
Why this course?
Do you aspire for a career within the specialist area of fashion or textile design, then this is the course for you. It is a fast-paced and practical route, giving you the skills to develop ideas and design for a range of areas within the fashion and textiles creative industries sector.
You will develop your individual skills in pattern cutting, illustration, drawing, construction and you’ll build a knowledge of traditional and digital printing skills using industry-standard facilities within our exciting and vibrant creative industries department. You will have the opportunity to discover your strengths and passion through projects and practical workshops enabling you to choose your specialism and focus on one of the many topic areas, bringing your creativity to life and define your future path.
All teaching staff are experts in their fields, are practising professionals and are passionate about encouraging their students to uniquely expand their fashion and textiles skills.
- Design studios
- Specialist print and sewing workshops (with digital printer, laser cutter, industrial and domestic sewing machines)
- Live projects commissioned by internal and external clients
- An impressive alumni profile
This course can be studied over two years; the UAL Diploma is completed in the first year and the UAL Extended Diploma in the second year.
To see examples of student work and further explore this course, we recommend following the Fashion Textiles department on social media:
The Fashion & Textiles team also have their very own website, where you can view student and alumni work, find out more about the course and our fantastic facilities. Click here to access the website.
Entry requirements
To join this Level 3 course, you should have at least four GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including English and maths, or a Level 2 qualification. You should also have a portfolio of your art/design work.
If you do not have the above grades, you can start on the Level 2 Art & Design course.
About this course
This course provides you with the opportunity to build your skills in a variety of areas including design, printing, garment construction and styling. With projects across fashion, textiles, styling, promotion and fashion business, you will discover your strengths and define your future path. Industry-based projects and work experience opportunities are part of each course curriculum, enabling you to further develop the skills to progress to a career in the creative fashion & textiles industries with the energy and confidence to thrive.
In year one, projects cover a broad range of theoretical and practical skills relating to fashion and textile design including research skills, drawing and visual studies, design and concept development, fashion illustration, Photoshop, printed, knitted and embroidered textiles, pattern cutting and garment construction. These are supported by cultural and historical lectures, museum visits and study trips.
Year two is a continuation of your studies, taking them to an advanced level of skills and knowledge. Projects become more tailored to your individual specialism and you will undertake a major individual project.
Topics and course units include
Year 1 (Diploma):
- Fashion design
- Pattern cutting
- Garment construction
- Sewing techniques
- Fashion illustration
- Fashion photography
- Fashion media promotion
- Trend forecasting
- Menswear design
- Tailoring
- Childrenswear
- Contour design
- Bridal design
- Embroidery designer
- Styling
- Soft accessory design
- Footwear design
- Furnishing design
- Textile print techniques
- Costume design
- Cultural and historical awareness
- Digital techniques – digital print/illustration/laser cutting
- Industry led briefs
- Market and customer awareness
- Industry sectors
- Sustainable awareness
Year 2 (Extended Diploma):
- Advanced design and technical skills
- Portfolio building
- Progression
- Market and customer awareness
- Tailoring projects to individual specialism
- Industry-led briefs
- Major individual project
Why this course at Northbrook College?
- Facilities include: design studios, sewing and knitting workshops, Mac suite, large format printer, laser cutter, digital fabric printer, print workshops and dye lab
- Academic and technical tutors are practitioners and professional designers
- Opportunity to work alongside degree level students
- Internal progression opportunities onto degree level
You will have the opportunity to work on real live projects commissioned by internal and external clients and be nominated for the competitive and highly regarded annual UAL Origins Exhibition.
Northbrook College's vibrant arts department has a broad range of staff who are all practising artists and designers involved in the region's buzzing art and design scene. Our staff are here help you realise your potential.
Our experienced teaching staff are passionate about their areas of expertise and are committed to helping you to attain your learning goals and meet your personal aims.
You will work in artists’ studios with access to our 3D workshop, darkroom, printmaking studio, Mac suites and pattern cutting room.
Without a doubt, one of the reasons we know you will love studying at Northbrook College is the renowned creative facilities and atmosphere at our West Durrington Campus. The campus is a dedicated arts space, with the art & design courses running alongside theatre arts and music courses. You will collaborate with like-minded, passionate students and benefit from the various creative projects that take place, such as theatre shows, music gigs and art exhibitions. The campus is regularly used by professional creatives, which further highlights the quality of our industry-standard facilities.
After this course
Further study
On successful completion of the Diploma (Year 1), you can progress to the Extended Diploma course (Year 2).
Following completion of the Extended Diploma you can progress to university level, either at the MET or at universities throughout the UK.
Many of our Creative Industries students continue their studies to degree-level, attending top universities including London College of Fashion, University of Westminster, Central Saint Martins and Kingston University. One of our Alumni Stefan Cooke who progressed on to Central Saint Martins to do a BA and then an MA now shows at London Fashion Week.
Our West Durrington Campus is a creative arts space with students studying at degree level in art & design disciplines as well as theatre arts and music. Degrees at Northbrook College include Fashion Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Textile Design or Theatre/Set Design.
Future careers
- Fashion designer
- Textile designer
- Costume designer
- Accessories designer
- Retail buyer
- Retail merchandiser
- Stylist
- Content creator
- Fashion/style/lifestyle blogger or influencer
- Educator
- Creative entrepreneur
Past students' career stories
To see some examples of professional work and what previous students have gone on to do in their careers, see the links below:
Stefan Cooke - Stefan graduated with an MA in Fashion & Textiles Central St Martins College of Art & Design 2015-2017 (Winner of L’Oreal Professional creative award).
Charlie Borrow - Charlie is a bag and accessories maker based in a small workshop in East London. His collections of products are expertly hand crafted one at a time.
Course fees
This course is free (you do not have to pay fees) if:
- You are a UK citizen, hold EU Settlement Status or have a visa which could qualify you for home status.
- AND you are under 19 on 31 August in the year you are studying.
Advanced Learner Loan
You may be eligible to apply for a loan to meet the course costs of your qualification fees. This is paid directly to the College on your behalf. For more information about Advanced Learner Loans, please click here.
Subsidised fees
If the above does not apply to you, you may still be eligible for a subsidised fee. For more information, please speak to our Admissions team: admissions@gbmc.ac.uk | 01273 667704
Additional costs
Some equipment and materials are provided by the college to enable you to complete each project. However, you will be required to purchase additional art kit and materials.
We also recommend you budget for £10 per week for any other consumable materials you may need appropriate to the development of your work.
There will be one trip in the year which will cost approximately £20.
Other courses you may be interested in …
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