UCAS code
W231Mode of Study
Full-time, Full-time sandwich with work placementDuration
3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich with work placementStart date
September 2023, September 2024From September 2024, this course has changed its name to BA (Hons) Fashion Design.
Overview
Bring your creative ideas to life using industry-level facilities on our multi-award-winning BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design degree course.
You’ll grow into a confident, knowledgeable fashion professional via our teaching approach—combining fashion and textile design and encouraging innovation, self-awareness, and critical thinking. Your unique strengths are recognised and valued in all you do on this course. You'll develop communication, leadership, and collaboration skills through creative exchange and enterprise projects, and build a deep knowledge of traditional and digital making skills using industry-leading CLO3D. Vital sustainable and ethical design principles and innovative research methods underpin your learning and creativity.
At Portsmouth, you’ll be able to deliver authentic, imaginative work that pushes the boundaries of what fashion and textile design means now and in the future.
Course highlights
- Master traditional and modern fashion design methods, including drawing techniques, pattern-cutting using CLO3D, animation, fashion illustration, silkscreen, embroidery, and constructed textiles—as well as growing your own biomaterials
- Further your creativity, research, practice, and environmental specialism by taking part in our sustainable fashion research project PO1
- Bolster your entrepreneurship by setting up your own label or fashion and textile company as part of your studies
- Gain valuable industry experience by taking an optional placement, either with a company or as self-employed
- Enhance your collaboration and team-working skills by working with other students on other courses in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries
- Get insight into the fashion industry by attending guest lectures by visiting international professionals—previous visitors include Julian Roberts, Niccolo Casas and Shingo Sato
- Impress potential employers by exhibiting your work at the University’s annual graduate shows and Graduate Fashion Week showcases in London
What you can do on this BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design degree course
The ultimate aim of this course is to develop really well-rounded, ambitious, highly skilled and highly creative fashion and textile designers, ready to make an impact on the industry.
I've learnt to pattern cut, I've learnt to drape, I've learnt to print, I've learn how to use the 3D printer, and the fabric printing.
I never would have had the opportunity to do that without being here.
Everything seems more attainable now with all the skills that I have and especially with the placement year.
I've got a lot more confidence in making clothes and obviously without this course it seems impossible to be able to make your own collection.
The best thing about studying Fashion and Textiles at the University of Portsmouth is the sense of creative community that we have here, the way that the staff and students work together.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design
Typical offers
- A levels – BBB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
- International Baccalaureate – 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
Selection process
Applicants will need to attend an interview with a portfolio of work.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design portfolio guide.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Typical offers
- A levels – BBB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview with a portfolio of work (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
- International Baccalaureate – 25
Selection process
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview with a portfolio of work.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our BA (Hons) Fashion Design portfolio guide.
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Webinar: Applying to Creative Courses and Developing Your Portfolio
Thursday 19 Oct | 4.00pm
When it comes to creative courses, universities are looking for your passion and creativity. And you can show that off with the right portfolio and interview skills, ready to shine in dynamic fields of work. Find out how to get started.
Your facilities
BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design Graduate Showreel 2023
We proudly present the BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design graduates of 2023.
Our graduate showreel was presented at Graduate Fashion Week. The film—utilising Unreal Engine—was developed with the Centre for Creative and Immersive eXtended Reality (CCIXR) and fuses 360 video, photogrammetry, and smart stage technology to produce an imaginary world to lose yourself in.
Various clips of models, in outfits tailored by Fashion and Textile Design students, posing in front of different virtual screens. Chilled electronic music plays in background.
[UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH
BA (HONS) FASHION & TEXTILE DESIGN
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH DESIGNERS
Ijeoma Janet Anyim
Amy Barnes
Erin Black
Shayla Sakora
Sarah Davis
Felicia Dobreva
Sophie Lauren Edwards
Hannah Fisk
Isobel Jobbins
Naomi Kirk
Jess Knowles
Jocelyn Lucky
Natalia Morawska
Tassia Murray
Lucie Poole-Walsh
Ellie Powell
Emelia Rees
Danielle Saavedra
Bethany Trott
Megan Wild
Sophie Ann Wilson
MODELS
Profile Models @profilemodels
Kia Larilahti
Sophia Spark
Jessie Roberts
Rosie Okotcha
Michelle Majoni @micha6ll
Bradley Ball @bradbebrad
Reece Donnison @reece.jay
Cianna-Rai Littlefair-Parker @ciannarai
Beth Strickland @bethjstrickland
Menghan Chen @himissyoghurt
Shayla Sakora @shayla.sakora
MAKE-UP ARTISTS
Ruby Harvey @ruby_harvey_designs
Calum Kay @calum.k.mua
Imogen Hackett @imogen.darcie
SEBASTIAN PROFESSIONAL CULT TEAM
Emily Nelson – @emilynelson_hoc
Darren Smith – @darren0496
Jenni Stewart – @jenniestewart_wonderland
Leah Udall – @hairbyleah
Alexandra Wood – @alexandrahair_x
FRANCESCO GROUP TEAM
Nina Khosravi
Molly Constanza
Cleo Johnson
Lauren Clarke
Naomi Francis
Amy Sultan
Mel Clements
Dom Capel @domcapel
Director
Lara Johnson Lifestyle Ltd
Seven Over Eight Productions Ltd
Rich Windle @palefountain
@wellahairuki
@sebastian_cultteamuki
@sebastianpro_official
PRODUCTION
Rachel Homewood
Victoria Jowett
Noorin Khamisani
Julian Roberts
Susan Noble
Alex Counsell
Sam Birmingham
Clifford Phillips
Dr Penny Chalk
Harry Salter
Elis Talvet
Adrianna Stuzyna
IN COLLABORATION WITH
[University of Portsmouth Centre for Creative and Immersive XR – Logo]
[Professional Sebastian – Logo]
[Instagram icon – UoPFashionTextiles]
[Facebook icon – UoPFashionTextiles]
[YouTube icon – UoP BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design]
UCAS W231
port.ac.uk]
Careers and opportunities
Our collaborative and project-orientated course will give you the skills to become highly employable.
Graduate areas
Our graduates have worked across design, marketing, communications and commerce in areas such as:
- fashion, textile or accessories design
- trend prediction
- buying
- visual merchandising
- teaching or lecturing
- journalism or writing
Graduate destinations
Our graduates have worked with some of the biggest names in fashion and major retailers, including:
- Ralph Lauren
- Hugo Boss
- Matthew Williamson
- River Island
- Fat Face
- Marks and Spencer
Alumni profile: Lauren Chivers, Fashion Designer
Find out about Lauren's life and success after University
Lauren Chivers graduated in 2018 with a Fashion and Textile degree from the University of Portsmouth. She's now a self-employed fashion designer.
Find out what Lauren's role entails and how she’s applying the skills she learnt during her time at Portsmouth.
I'm Lauren Chivers and I'm a self-employed fashion designer.
I studied on the Fashion and Textile Course at the University of Portsmouth.
The career highlight so far for me is starting my own business as it's something that I never thought I'd have been able to do.
My passion for fashion and textiles first started in primary school when I joined a crosstitch club.
What piqued my interest in sewing was being hands on, creative and actually producing something.
I really liked being able to take something home to show my mum and my nan.
If I could sum up my time at the University of Portsmouth in one word, it would be exciting because there was endless opportunities.
I got to experience so many different things, meet so many different people and see so many different aspects of the industry.
The main opportunities I took whilst I was at university was the placement year.
During my placement year, I started off going to a designer called Holly Fulton in East London.
We'd go out sourcing fabrics, doing some pattern cutting.
Anything and everything that they needed help with, which then led to me going to Paul Smith.
My experience is that London and Paris Fashion Week were probably the highlight of my placement year because I'd seen the work and the progress of the collection, so it was really good seeing it as an end result and everyone's relief and celebrations afterwards for all the hard work that had gone into it.
I think my experience overall helped me realise what I wanted to do in the future.
Definitely more of an attainable career choice now.
Sustainability as a whole is becoming such a big thing everywhere, but especially in the fashion industry.
So part of me for starting my own business was using everything that I have.
If you have a bit of fabric making a dress from it, then using what's left over to turn into accessories and smaller items that match so that nothing's going to waste or very little is going to waste.
The future for me, I'm going to London College of Fashion to study on the MA fashion futures course, which is all about sustainability in the fashion industry.
It could either lead me into a role in the industry that helps make other brands more sustainable, or even in the future, teaching other people about sustainability in the fashion industry.
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing, or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Entrepreneurs in Residence
If you're interested in setting up your own business while you study, you can get support on this course from the Entrepreneurs in Residence programme. Our Entrepreneurs in Residence are experienced business professionals who work with us to deliver group workshops and 1-to-1 drop-in clinics to help you plan and market your business idea.
Placement year (optional)
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements are also a great way to build upon your existing skills and knowledge for your final-year studies, and can make you attractive to employers after you graduate.
You can work with a company, or go self-employed and start up your own business with other fellow students or by yourself.
Whatever you decide, you'll get support from our Creative Careers team.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Placement destinations
Previous students have completed work placements at designers such as:
- Paul Smith
- Mary Katrantzou
- Peter Pilotto
The favourite part of my course is being able to focus on what you are passionate about and show that in your work. Our course doesn't have a set style that you have to follow like some other universities do, so you can really express yourself as much as you want!
What you'll study on this BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design degree
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.
Modules
Core modules in this year include:
- Core Skills Fashion and Textiles – 40 credits
- Design Fundamentals – 40 credits
- Digital Designing for Fashion and Textiles – 20 credits
- Introduction to Visual Culture (Fashion and Textile Design) – 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
- Designer Led Brief – 20 credits
- Enterprise and Industry: Development – 20 credits
- Enterprise and Industry: Research – 20 credits
- Enterprise and Industry: Resolution – 20 credits
Optional modules in this year include:
- Art, Design, and Performance Study Exchange – 60 credits
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits
- Exploratory Practice – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language – 20 credits
- Professional Experience – 20 credits
- Student Enterprise – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: Cult, Taste and Collecting – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: Performing Identity – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: Technology and the Image – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: The Body in Practice – 20 credits
Between your second and third years, you can choose to study abroad or do a paid or self-employed work placement. You'll get a taste of another culture or apply your knowledge and skills to professional practice—both of which will enrich your overall studying experience and CV.
You'll have to take one of these optional modules to complete your sandwich year.
- CCI Work Placement – Full Year (40 credits)
- CCI Self-Employed Placement – Full Year (40 credits)
- CCI Placement Plus – Full Year (40 credits)
- Art, Design, and Performance Study Abroad – Full Year (120 credits)
- Art, Design, and Performance Study Abroad – Half Year (60 credits)
Core modules in this year include:
- Major Project: Concept – 20 credits
- Major Project: Development – 20 credits
- Major Project: Promotion – 20 credits
- Major Project: Resolution – 20 credits
- Portfolio – 20 credits
Optional modules in this year include:
- Visual Culture: Dissertation – 20 credits
- Visual Culture: Research Project – 20 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- research and developmental work
- industry set briefs/live competitions
- fashion and/or textile collections
- digital designs and design boards
- making and construction skills
- group work
- written essays or reports
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- workshops
- seminars
- studio practice
There's an emphasis on developing your design and creative skills, challenging your creativity and encouraging participation in shaping the future of the fashion and textiles industry.
You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.
For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.
Teaching staff profiles
These are some of the expert staff who’ll teach you on this degree course.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting your learning
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.
You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
2023 start
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
2024 start
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £18,100 a year (subject to annual increase)
You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the University of Portsmouth.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You'll need to pay extra printing costs of around £100–£600 on portfolio work.
Material and production costs are around £100–£500 a year.
Any study trips are optional and you will be expected to pay full cost. Optional study trips abroad will cost in the region of £200–£800. UK trips, where offered, will be £50–£150.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
How to apply
Still looking to start a course this Autumn? Click here to discover your options
Read to apply? Apply online here or call +44 (0)23 9284 8074
Applying for Year 2 or 3
If you've already completed part of this course with us or another university and would like to apply for the second or third year, use our online application form
Please note that you'll be applying for BA (Hons) Fashion Design
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – W231
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.