Fashion Design BA(Hons)

Why study BA(Hons) Fashion Design at University College Falmouth?

BA(Hons) Fashion Design course leaflet (1.46 MB)

From fashion forecasting and fashion illustration to fabric technology, pattern cutting and styling, BA(Hons) Fashion Design at Falmouth will prepare you for all aspects of the constantly changing world of international fashion. The course will leave you skilled, adaptable and highly employable when you graduate. What's more, Falmouth offers an exceptional environment to study fashion for contemporary lifestyles at one of the UK's leading fashion design schools.

What will I get out of the course?

This pioneering course has been devised to give you the very best start in the rapidly evolving global fashion industry. Developed with industry professionals, it allows you to develop the technical and creative edge to design original, inspiring collections.

From instigating trends and fashion drawing, to learning about comparative shopping and the commercial fashion industry, you'll experience all aspects of fashion design. Focusing on the vibrant and influential streetwear and leisure-clothing sector, you'll be encouraged to go out there and experiment, take risks and find your own path through practical experience and professional practice.  

Tell me more about the BA(Hons) Fashion Design course

"It's great to see a college focusing on different areas of fashion design, thinking about their environment and what they can offer the student - a lifestyle choice as well as a degree." Sue Copeland, Design Director, Men's - Paul Smith

By choosing to study for a degree in Fashion Design at Falmouth you will:

• Benefit from being taught by friendly and approachable staff who are experts in their respective fields.
• Develop a range of skills to allow you to best demonstrate your ideas, from hand drawing to computer aided design (CAD).
• Take part in live projects and collaborate with fellow students across disciplines, locally, nationally and internationally.
• Experience the industry you'll be working in throughout your degree, with the opportunity to work with aspirational brands like Luella, Finisterre, Billabong, Diesel, Howies, Maharishi, and Mambo, as well as high street names like Gap, Whistles and Jigsaw.
• Pitch ideas to international clients - such as our course partners, Decathlon - using our video conferencing facilities.
• Be based at the stunning Woodlane Campus, with its inspirational atmosphere and industry-standard facilities.
• Take part in self-funded study trips and international work experience.

Links

• Luella
• Finisterre
• Billabong
• Diesel
• Howies
• Maharishi
• Mambo
• Gap
• Whistles
• Jigsaw
• Decathlon

Projects & fashion shows

2010 Fashion Design & Performance Sportswear Show

Fal Festival fashion show

Our BA(Hons) Fashion Design students recently collaborated with Performance Sportswear Design, Public Relations, Press & Editorial Photography, Graphic Design, Textile Design, Digital Media, Dance and Music students to put on a catwalk fashion show for an audience of over 800 at the Fal Festival.

Press release: Falmouth graduate fashion show 2010

Work placements

Our students have undertaken work placements with the following companies:

• Decathlon France
• Elle magazine (India)
• Tanya Sarne (founder of Ghost)
• Maison Martin Margiela (Paris)
• Todd Lynn (London)
• Luella Bartley
• Howies

International fashion brand Diesel is also offering internships for University College Falmouth students.

Student spotlight

Laura Leach a student on the BA(Hons) Fashion Design course has been named the National winner of the Lee Cooper Centenary Jeans Design competition.

Laura won the competition in only her second term at Falmouth against competition from all years from every Fashion Department in the UK. Lee Cooper went out of its way to highly recommend three other Falmouth first year students: Elle Glen, Emily Frost and Emma Brayford for their exceptional entries.

Fashion at Falmouth: what the experts say

Articles about our Fashion Design and Performance Sportswear Design courses are available for you to download.

• What the industry is saying (247 KB)
• What the press is saying (12.1 MB)
• 'A world of possibilities for fashion students' - Western Morning News, 7 August 2009 (5.82 MB)

"For the UK clothing industry to continue to prosoper, we need to ensure that our design graduates have the relevant skills, experience and aptitude to enable companies like Henri-Lloyd to stay ahead of the game internationally." Paul Strzelecki, Joint CEO - Henri-Lloyd

Facilities

Our world-class Fashion Studios house the latest technology and industry-standard facilities, including:

• Cutting tables
• Professional tailor's dummies
• Laser cutter
• Silicon taping machine
• Ultrasonic welder
• Designated steam room
• Industrial overlockers
• Blind stitching machines
• Knitting machines
• Video conferencing suite for receiving and presenting live briefs to international clients

"The equipment and the access we have to it are phenomenal, far exceeding any other course in the UK." Eleanor Glen, BA(Hons) Fashion Design student

Course outline

Level 1

• Design & Construction
• Designer in Society
• Production & Presentation
• Industrial, Professional & Global Contexts

Level 2

• Embellishment
• Knitwear Design
• Computer-aided Design & Manufacture
• International Branding
• Professional Practice - Work Placement

Level 3

• Professional Design Practice
• Professional Design Project Proposal
• Dissertation
• Final Project

Answers and advice about the course

If you have any queries about the course please visit our HelpMe Forum

HelpMe Forum

For further information about BA(Hons) Fashion Design at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213852. 

Open Design: UCF for design tutors

Friday 12 November 2010

At our first Open Design event in February, Heads of Department and Pathway Leaders from Foundation level courses around the UK spent the day with design staff and students at University College Falmouth, learning more about our facilities and courses.

Click here for more information and to register for the next Open Design event

Career opportunities

We anticipate that our graduates will go on to work in fashion houses as part of the design team, as freelance designers or establish their own clothing labels. However, to work in the fashion industry you have to be flexible, and the broad range of skills we will teach you will enable you to adapt to the fluid and volatile world of fashion.

• Fashion designer
• Proprietor of clothing label
• Fashion house team designer assistant designer
• Buyer
• Fashion forecaster
• Merchandiser
• Fashion journalist
• Fashion stylist
• Retailer
• Television presenter
• Teaching
• Postgraduate study

Course entry requirements

A minimum of 220 UCAS points, equivalent Level 3 qualifications or relevant experience. You may be required to submit some work to help us decide who to interview.

Successful applicants are generally those with the strongest portfolios, demonstrating experimentation, technical ability and understanding of the art and design process.

Please see our How to Apply page for more information.

For further information about BA(Hons) Fashion Design at University College Falmouth, please email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone Admissions on 01326 213852.

Interview dates and selection process

Interviews will commence in late January.

The interview will include a group tour of the department, while portfolios are assessed by staff, followed by individual interviews.

Applicants will be asked to bring a portfolio and a project or sketchbooks to interview. The project doesn't necessarily have to be a fashion-based project but should be a maximum of 8-10 pages long. A sketchbook should show evidence of the applicant's interest in Fashion Design.

Location: Woodlane Campus

Related courses

• Performance Sportswear Design BA(Hons)
• Textile Design BA(Hons)