Textile Design BA(Hons)
Explore your individual creative direction and unleash your identity as a designer.
Key details
| Location | Penryn Campus |
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | W230 |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Apply
Introduction
Studying Textile Design, you’ll work closely with academic staff and technicians to create your own collections right from the get go, ensuring you leave with a professional portfolio, as well as the skills and knowledge to succeed in the industry.
You will:
- Be at the forefront of textile design, developing your skills within the three disciplines of weave, print and mixed media.
- Work to live briefs and submit work to national competitions set by organisations such as Hand & Lock, Bradford Textile Society, SDC (Society of Dyers & Colourists) and i-dott.
- Have the opportunity to travel to Paris in your third year for Premier Vision, the International Textiles Show.
- Have the chance to pitch your final portfolio to be part of the New Designers exhibition in London.
What our students do
New Designer Win for Textile Student
Textile Design student Lauren Henry has been named as one of the winners at this year's New...
Textile Design Students Awarded by Bradford Textile Society
Once again, students from BA(Hons) Textile Design...
Textiles Students Shortlisted in International Design Competition
Entering competitions isn’t just about winning; it can open up channels of communication with...
Textiles Students Win Prestigious Scholarships and Prizes
Thread by thread, Megan Leech and Nancy Frail, two third year...
Two Awards for Textile Student
Zoe Wenban, a third year Textile Design student, scooped the...
Textile Students Sweep Awards
Textile Design students have received numerous honours from this...
UKFT Masterclass at Falmouth
The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) with the support of Marks and Spencer has rolled...
What our graduates do
Interview with Double Award Winner Jessie Dickinson
Since receiving two highly competitive awards for digital embroidery, Jessie Dickinson, 2018...
Textiles Student Completes Course as Double-Award Winner
Winning a prestigious industry award as you leave university is an incredible achievement that...
Menswear Design with George May
George May, who graduated from Sportswear Design in 2012, is a menswear designer at...
Prestigious Prize Awarded to Textiles Graduate
Jessie Dickinson, a Textile Design graduate, has won the Wilcom...
Course details
What you'll learn
You’ll learn about process, production, and the social and cultural issues surrounding the industry. Preparing for your career, you’ll also learn how to innovate and take creative risks, judge work, communicate professionally, network and approach employers.
You’ll learn professional production processes in weave, print and mixed media, and back this up with intensive conceptual research alongside cultural studies lectures, drawing sessions, and tutorials with peers and academic staff. Building on essential knowledge and skills, you’ll create your own design collection in a discipline of your choice.
Modules
Core Skills: Print
Core Skills: Weave
Core Skills: Mixed Media
Themes in Culture
Design and Make
Along with the help and insights of our industry partners, you’ll learn the realities of designing for business. We’ll explore marketing basics, different working techniques, trend forecasting, innovation, and your career opportunities. You can also take on self-directed national and international work placements with companies like Wallace Sewell, Liberty and Rebecca Taylor (New York).
Choosing a discipline to focus on for the rest of the course, you’ll create collections for national and international competitions, and briefs set by industry clients. You’ll then present your work to your clients in a real-life simulation of industry practice.
Modules
Targeted Design: Futures
Targeted Design: Client & Market
Production
Theories of Culture
Optional modules
External Engagement
Global Fashion
On top of completing your dissertation, you’ll write your own briefs, design original collections, and following industry-standard processes. You’ll also put together your professional portfolio and other self-promotion materials, and have the chance to take part in the New Designers exhibition in London.
Modules
Dissertation
Professional Portfolio: Business Focus
Professional Portfolio: Career Focus
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
How you'll learn
This course blends studio work with professional practice. You’ll learn through workshop-based studio modules, lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, and advanced workshops in certain disciplines. There may also be opportunities to visit major trade fairs like Premier Vision in Paris.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study |
1 | 35% | 65% |
2 | 32% | 68% |
3 | 22% | 78% |
How you'll be assessed
Year | Written exams | Practical exams | Coursework |
1 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
2 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Assessment methods
Submitted project work will be assessed against the learning outcomes of each brief. Occasionally you will formally present your work to tutors as part of the assessment.
Self-assessment and peer assessment will be used to develop your ability to critically evaluate your own work and that of others.
- Continuous assessment with no formal examinations
- Coursework and portfolio
- Dissertation or final-year project
Staff
You’ll be taught by a team of industry professionals and technical instructors, bringing experience in areas like weave, contemporary culture, fashion and interiors, public exhibitions, national and international research projects, and writing textile design books.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Dr Simon Clarke
Dr Simon Clarke is a senior lecturer with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in printed...
Freya Moses
I work as a senior technician within the Fashion & Textiles Institute. I specialise in...
Hannah Maughan
Hannah studied at Birmingham and the Royal College of Art, specialising in embroidery and mixed...
Irene Griffin
I am senior technical instructor for mixed media on the Textile Design programme with a...
Julie Ripley
Julie Ripley studied history of modern art, design and film at Northumbria University, where she...
Matthew Abbott
Matthew joined Falmouth University in 1998 as a student on BA(Hons) 3D Design and has the...
Sally-Ann Gill
Sally-Ann Gill studied at UCA Farnham and at the Royal College of Art specialising in woven...
Wendy Kotenko
Wendy Kotenko is senior technician for weave on the textile design programme. She has an MA in...
Facilities
- Weave facility featuring hand looms and a computer-controlled power jacquard loom
- Industrial and digital embroidery machinery
- Digital and traditional screen-printing facilities
- Dye lab
- Laser cutting equipment
- Open-plan design studios
- Workshops dedicated to dyeing and manual printing
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Ready to join us? If you're applying through UCAS Apply and Track, you'll need to reference the university and course codes below.
- University code: F33
- Course code: W230
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our International applications page.
We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.
As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard, which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
UK/EU applications: 15 January 2020 (for equal consideration)
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
Interview information & application advice
How to Apply
See the whole application process, get advice on your personal statement, interview and portfolio, and find out how you could receive a...
Portfolio advice
What is a portfolio and how do you make one? Read our guide.
Personal statement guide
How do you write a personal statement and what should you include? Read our advice.
Interview Information: Textile Design BA(Hons)
Find out what to expect from your Textile Design interview.
After you apply
Find out what happens after you apply to Falmouth and what you'll need to do.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Has a range of either completed work from organised projects, or independent studio work development.
- Shows skills in design communication, problem-solving and drawing.
- Can think critically and develop ideas.
- Demonstrates visual investigation through techniques like drawing, mark-making, image manipulation and pattern.
- Combines conceptual thinking and practical skills.
- Knows about textile design practitioners, and how creative professionals have influenced their own work.
- Can verbally express ideas, discuss work, and talk about project strengths and weaknesses.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees 2020-21
£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£16,000 - full-time international
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
Typical course costs
- £250-£800 - Recurring annual costs
- £100-£400 - One-off costs for the course duration (compulsory trips, final portfolios or shows, etc)
- £1,600 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page.
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