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BA (Hons) Fashion
BA (Hons) Fashion merges traditional skills and craftsmanship with contemporary, cutting-edge technology and ethical practice. You'll interrogate the current industry while creating innovative, sustainable and bold garments of your own.
- Duration: 3 or 4 years full-time
- Placement year: Optional 1 year
- Course code: W230 (UCAS)
- Institution code: A66 (UCAS)
- Duration: 3 or 4 years full-time
- Placement year: Optional 1 year
- Course code: W230 (UCAS)
- Institution code: A66 (UCAS)
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Overview
BA (Hons) Fashion are award-winners in fashion innovation. The AUB Fashion community supports experimentation, exploration and the application of traditional and contemporary techniques and methods, to inform creative solutions for a more considered fashion future.
BA (Hons) Fashion course information
BA (Hons) Fashion at AUB is leading the way for innovation. From concept to realisation, you'll experiment, interrogate, and develop design practices appropriate to your individual design philosophy. You'll creatively explore traditional and modern techniques, cutting-edge digital fashion technology, craftsmanship, product development and presentation. You'll also explore connections between concepts of dress, fashion, and the body as a site for artistic expression.
The social, ethical and environmental contexts of fashion are critical forces: they're central to course debate and practice. How we understand fashion’s impact will inform creative solutions and help you become effective change-makers for a more sustainable and inclusive world.
BA (Hons) Fashion is an award-winner in innovation, with a portfolio of student successes that is internationally recognised through graduate destination, exciting industry collaboration and inspirational speakers integrated into the DNA of the course.
During your time at AUB, you'll construct a unique portfolio of skills to support your career launch or graduate outcomes. We celebrate your individuality and will help your realise a tailored path within the fashion industry and community at this critical time in history.
BA (Hons) Fashion students are pushing the boundaries of digital fashion. With a clear identified understanding of digital fashion software explored from Level 4, you'll innovate and develop new approaches to technological developments and how to align these to their developing practise in line with industry advancements throughout Levels 5 and 6.
You'll all experience and explore the breadth of textile opportunities as part of your BA (Hons) Fashion journey; where possible, you'll work alongside students from both BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and BA (Hons) Textiles Design. From digital embroidery and digital print to wet dye processes such as screen print and dyeing, to constructed textiles alongside digital rendering of fabric textures for digital avatars and prototypes. This sets us apart in terms of fabrication giving you the opportunity to explore, personalise and develop truly unique approach to colour, pattern and texture as part of your fashion output.
BA (Hons) Fashion offers you the opportunity to gain a “named award” in one of a number of specialist areas, which have been developed to not only reflect areas of expertise on the course, but also, more importantly, reflect the nature of the global fashion industry into which our graduates will progress:
- BA (Hons) Fashion (Design)
- BA (Hons) Fashion (Textiles)
- BA (Hons) Fashion (Digital Innovation)
- BA (Hons) Fashion (Product Development)
Placement year
All undergraduate courses at AUB offer an optional placement year, to be taken between your second and third years of study.
If you’re unsure about this optional placement, you don’t need to decide now. Once you’re here and studying with us, the course team will discuss the placement options with you, so when the time comes, you can make a decision that’s right for you.
Level 4 (first year)
First year introduces creative exploration and skill set submersion. It focuses on fundamental skills as an enriching foundation for the student journey.
It’s comprised of three skill-based units with intensive design development, pattern cutting, construction and fashion textiles sessions. It’s underpinned by contextual, social and ethical debates and an introduction to digital fashion software to support your sustainable practice.
As you immerse yourselves in university life, you're encouraged to explore your design individuality (DNA), develop confidence in technical problem-solving and identify strengths, interests, and areas of specialism.
With a strong sense of course and campus community, collaboration is encouraged. You'll work with peers from other year groups to expand your understanding and emerging practice. This allows you to engage with a broad range of experiences to support specialist decisions in the future.
Additionally, in line with Graduate Futures I, you'll be introduced to both course and Careers and Enterprise service activities appropriate to this level.
Level 5 (second year)
Level 5 prioritises innovation, market awareness and industry practice. Building on your knowledge of fundamental rules from Level 4, you're now encouraged to challenge them, critique the status quo, and innovate solutions to problematics within fashion industry and culture.
Fashion Engineering is a technical unit in which you'll discover the intricacies of tailoring, technical drawing, working with archives, and preparation for communicating with industry professionals. You're encouraged to question existing practices and look for new solutions, exploring diversity and emotionally considerate design as practice.
This is followed by 3D Innovation, offering a first opportunity to explore creative pattern cutting, develop knowledge of digital fashion software and presentation. You'll continue to explore your design ‘identity’, which is foundational to your unique design philosophy.
Level 5 concludes with the Industry Collaboration unit, offering the unique opportunity of participation in a ‘Live Project’ collaborating and designing for a high-end brand or design company. Recent collaborations have included Size?, ThruDark, Vivienne Westwood, COS and luxury British heritage brands.
Additionally, in line with Graduate Futures II, you'll continue to practise both course and Careers and Enterprise service activities appropriate to this Level.
Upon finishing Level 5, you may have the opportunity to undertake an industry placement year. The placement year will be recognised on the degree transcript and as you'll remain a registered student for the duration of the Placement Year, you'll retain access to all university support services. Recent placements have included Paco Rabanne, COS, Vivienne Westwood, Christopher Raeburn, Victoria Beckham, Florence and Fred, H&M, Coast and Clarkes. Placements often lead to a permanent role on graduation, providing a greater chance of success for graduates of this course.
The course also offers international student exchange opportunities, where Level 5 students can apply to complete a term at one of AUB’s international partner universities.
Level 6 (third year)
Level 6 consolidates skills developed through previous levels in preparation for graduation and career launch. It's considered by graduates as the most challenging and exciting time of their university experience.
You'll focus on a specialist area of study related to a named award. The Final Major Project 1 and 2 is a self-determined body of industry-ready work aligned to a career plan and graduate destination. This is underpinned by a Creative Research and Exploration unit, interrogating a topic relevant to individual practice.
The final unit is an opportunity to create and present a portfolio of creative work that demonstrates the specialist practise and unique skills you've developed during your time at AUB.
This unit helps you to effectively communicate your ambition, innovation and grasp of content and context through a professional portfolio, preparing them for the demands of future employment or further study.
Additionally, in line with Graduate Futures III, you'll engage with both course and Careers and Enterprise service activities appropriate to this Level and apply them to your chosen aspirations for after graduation.
Our BA (Hons) Fashion students and graduates have gone on to win great things.
2024 Graduate Fashion Week
- Winner | Best in Show – Emily Lanham
- Winner | Digital Fashion Award – Emma Andrews
- Winner | Fashion Illustration Award – Holly Evans
- Winner | Next Trend Forecasting Award – Nicole Singleton
- Winner | Jimmy Choo Academy Scholarship 2024 – Nadine El Garhy
- Shortlisted | GFW Creative Pattern Cutting Award – Emily Lanham
- Shortlisted | GFW Digital Fashion Award – Alex Matheson
- Shortlisted | GFW Childrenswear Award– Emily Fazakarley
- Shortlisted | GFW Inclusive Fashion Award – Emma Andrews
- Shortlisted | GFW Sports and Leisurewear Award – Nicole Singleton, Fanella Weston
- Shortlisted | GFW Fashion Moving Image Award – Alex Matheson
- Shortlisted | GFW Designers at Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial Award – Olivia Eden
- Selected | GFW Brands' Portfolio Day; PINKO – Holly Evans
- Selected | GFW Brands' Portfolio Day; River Island – Jazmine Mitchener, Olivia Eden
- Selected | GFW Brands' Portfolio Day; NEXT Menswear – Emily Lanham
- Selected | GFW Brands' Portfolio Day; ASOS – Emma Andrews
2024
- Winner | British Fashion Council, Student Fabric Initiative Award – Jodie Alford
- Winner | Porsche and Swanky Magazine Bridal Collection Sponsorship – Olivia Eden
- Winner | Nigel Beale Prize for Fashion – Anna Miller
2023 Graduate Fashion Week
- Winner | GFW AUB Catwalk Show – Lucy James
- Highly commended | GFW AUB Catwalk Show – Ethan Connett
- Shortlisted | GFW Hilary Alexander Sustainability Trailblazer Award, Fashion Moving Image Award – Zsofi Hermesz
- Shortlisted | Digital Fashion Award – Ruth Taviansky, Rory O’Sullivan
- Shortlisted | Creative Pattern Cutting Award – Lolita Gosling
- Shortlisted | Childrenswear Award – Mia Truman
- Selected | GFW X SIZE? HOMEGROWN Competition and Catwalk Show – Kitty Isaksen, Lucy James
- Selected | GFW Brands’ Portfolio Day; ASOS – Marina Macura, Kitty Isaksen
- Selected | GFW Brands’ Portfolio Day; NEXT Womenswear – Miriam Vojtechovska
- Selected | GFW Brands’ Portfolio Day; INDITEX - GROUP, GFW International Catwalk Show: Dubai Fashion Week, TIMES newspaper GFW Promotional feature – Lucy James
2022 Graduate Fashion Week
- Winner | GFW Fashion Innovation Award – Zachary Fornelius
- Winner | GFW AUB Catwalk Show – Russia Prior
- Highly commended | GFW AUB Catwalk Show – Vera Geszti
- Shortlisted | GFW Fashion Innovation Award – Alex Petrou
- Shortlisted | GFW Hilary Alexander Sustainability Trailblazer Award, GFW Fashion Range Plan Award – Zachary Fornelius
- Shortlisted | GFW Sports and Leisurewear award – Jack Pluckrose
- Shortlisted | GFW Fashion New Media Award – Alex Petrou
- Shortlisted | GFW Fashion Concept Award – Russia Prior
- Shortlisted | GFW YKK Accessories award – Freddy Woodroffe
- Selected | GFW Shop Trail; Samsung X – Alex Petrou
- Selected | GFW Brands’ Portfolio Day; Burberry – Jessica Horton
- Selected | GFW Brands’ Portfolio Day; ASOS – Ella Clow, Alice Fraser, Russia Prior
- Selected | GFW International Catwalk Show: Mumbai Fashion Week – Russia Prior
2021 Graduate Fashion Week
- Abigail Wall – Fashion Range Plan Award
2020 Graduate Fashion Week
- Stephanie Ransom – Adaptation Award
Student gallery
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APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
Now that you've found the perfect course, it's time to apply.
Applications are open, and you've got until 29 January 2025 to submit your UCAS application. Check out our handy 'how to apply' guide and our portfolio top tips.
OPEN DAYS
Open Days are a great way to get a feel for undergraduate life at AUB. At an Open Day, you'll be able to explore the campus, talk to course teams and discover our industry-standard facilities.
Visit us on:
- 18 January 2025
AUB SHOWCASE
We're proud of our alumni, and rightfully so.
Explore the incredible work of our freshly graduated 'Class of 2024' in our online AUB Showcase.
Browse work by course, student or theme.
Meet the BA (Hons) Fashion course team
On BA (Hons) Fashion, you’ll benefit from the expert guidance of our experienced teaching staff. You can read more about their specialisms by exploring their profiles below.
MA, BA (Hons), PgCAP, FHEA
MRes, MA, BA (Hons)
MA, PGCE-FE, BA
BA (Hons), PGCE
BA (Hons)
MA, BA (Hons)
It's critical that as a next generation of designers, we pioneer in innovation and change, and explore new and better ways of working, push creative boundaries, and blend modern technology, with traditional craftsmanship, and ethical practice.
The future of the industry is about making conscious decisions and generating innovative and sustainable fashion products that have a specific place in a current and contemporary market that consumers respect and aspire to own.
Watch the course video
Course leader Elena Crehan explains more about what you can expect from studying BA (Hons) Fashion at AUB.
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Chat to a student
Our student ambassadors are here to answer any questions you might have on university life, our courses and all things AUB.
Chat on UnibuddyStudent Stories
Application process
Once you've found the perfect Undergraduate course, you can apply to study via UCAS, including direct entry applications to second and third year.
When applying through UCAS, use the institution code A66 for courses taught at Arts University Bournemouth. For courses based at Bournemouth and Poole College, use code B49. We'll then use your completed UCAS form to make decisions about your application. You can find out more on entry requirements in our apply section.
When you apply to one of our courses, it's important that you help us get a good picture of both you and your work – so you'll need a great personal statement. We want to know more about why you're interested in the course, your key influences, and what you hope to do after your studies.
If you're invited for an interview, many of our courses will ask to see a portfolio of your work so we can get more insight into your ideas and abilities. To help you, we've created guidelines outlining what we expect from your portfolio for each course.
The fee that you pay the Arts University Bournemouth provides the necessary equipment and training for you to complete your course.
You may also choose to buy some items of personal equipment such as a laptop or tablet computer, but this is not required; desktop and laptop computers are available for you to use in common study areas, including a loan system in the Library.
If you decide to undertake an optional placement year, the tuition fee is £1,850. This is subject to inflationary increases based on government policy, and providing you progress through the course in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
For the majority of our courses, we'll ask you to digitally submit a portfolio as part of the application process.
Portfolios should show examples of your work – both finished and work in progress – that demonstrate your interests and skills. We expect to see around 10 slides/images in your portfolio that shows your identity as an artist.
If we ask for a digital portfolio then we'll give you 30 days to submit it. Sometimes we'll need a portfolio submitted quickly if there's a UCAS set deadline approaching, but if you need more time, just let us know and we'll try to help.
We've created specific portfolio guidelines for each of our courses, you can take a look at these below.
If you've applied to study an online postgraduate (MA) degree, please refer to the AUB Online portfolio guidelines.
This course will require you to attend an in-person audition and/or interview. If you're invited to one, you'll be given at least 10 days notice.
Studios and resources
Our dedicated studios are equipped with a range of state-of-the-art industry-standard specialist machinery.
You’ll have access to Lectra Modaris and CLO 3D technology, three digital studios and three working studios, plus a dedicated sewing room. You’ll also use a seminar and theory room for lectures and tutorials.
Fashion Studios
The fashion studios offer an extensive portfolio of machinery and kit to support your design, manufacture and pattern cutting exploration
Digital Fashion
AUB was one of the first UK Universities to implement and deliver the exciting 3D prototyping technology back in 2005...
Innovation Studio
The Innovation Studio operates as a lab for creative technologies, a nucleus for start-ups and enterprises and an industry engagement hub.
The Library
The Library at AUB holds an excellent range of print and online collections
Lecture Theatres and Seminar Rooms
We have a number of lecture theatres and seminar rooms scattered around campus to assist students with their studies.
MoDiP
MoDiP is the UK's leading resource for the study and interpretation of design in plastics and specialist research resource
3D Workshop
Our 3D workshops with manual and digital manufacturing equipment and computers
Central Media Store
The Central Media store houses a diverse array of equipment, offering students the means to craft and capture...
Drawing Studio
Our iconic blue Drawing Studio is used by student from all courses and was designed by alumnus Sir Peter Cook...
Digital Suites
Our Digital Suites offer a digital post-production facility and digital teaching space.
Printroom
Our printmaking facilities are a hub of creativity on campus and have been inspiring students since 1964.
Letterpress and Bindery
The Letterpress and Bindery studio is a central resource, where students can learn and explore bookbinding and letterpress printing.
Teaching, learning and assessment
The course combines both independent learning and taught sessions throughout all levels.
Each unit is assessed separately, and the assessment forms part of the unit. Assessment both provides a measure of your achievement, and also gives you regular feedback on how your learning is developing.
Taught sessions are designed to support, underpin and inform independent learning and are delivered in a variety of styles including a diverse range of ongoing practical workshops, demonstrations, lectures, group and individual tutorials, seminars, critiques, unit briefings and optional study visits. These are delivered by the course team and supplemented by visiting practitioners from the fashion industry.
Teaching is directed at supporting individual engagement in learning, although there are opportunities to work in teams to enable you to learn the value of peer cooperation. As members of the cohort, you're all active participants in learning and teaching and through this the sharing of good practice is established. Peer learning is facilitated through group critiques and feedback sessions, collaborative projects and more informally within the studio environment.
The course team has developed a variety of learning and teaching methods which support different learning styles, inclusivity and access to learning. The main focus for the learning and teaching methods is through the assignment(s) undertaken for each unit, which reflect the level of study.
The course team has developed team teaching opportunities, both within the core team and in collaboration with Visiting Tutors and industry professionals, to enhance learning opportunities and to further your knowledge and awareness of industry practices and expectations. The team also regularly attend new and updated training, seminars and conferences in order to keep delivery current and in line with industry requirements.
The study time allocated to each unit in the course incorporates a balance of formal teaching, tutorial support and independent learning. The course is structured progressively to provide increased opportunities for independent learning as you reach the later stages of the course. The progressive promotion of independent learning and self-reflection encourages anticipated maturity and allows you to direct learning towards individual goals. Emphasis is placed upon reflective practice where you'll be expected to progressively take personal responsibility for your learning.
Contact hours include all scheduled teaching sessions, but also supervised time in the workshop or studio. In line with national guidance, we include in our calculation of contact hours all the time which is scheduled in the studio for independent study which is also supported by staff (either academic staff, or technicians).
The information provided below gives the proportion of your study time which constitutes contact hours. Where there are optional routes through the course, we've used the figures for the most popular option.
For every unit of your course, we'll inform you of what you are expected to learn, what you have to submit, how your work will be assessed, and the deadline for presenting your work for assessment. This is made available through Unit Information, which is on your course blog.
You'll receive a final mark for each unit in the form of a percentage, which will be recorded on your formal record of achievement (transcript). Each component of assessment is graded using a notched marking scale, whereby only certain marks are used within each grade. The only marks available within any ten-point band are *2, *5 and *8 (e.g. 62, 65, 68). These marks correspond to a low, mid, and high level of achievement within each grade band.
All learning outcomes must be passed to successfully complete the unit.
On successful completion of your Honours degree course, you'll be awarded a degree classification based on your unit marks. The final classification is determined using all unit marks at Levels 5 and 6 using two different algorithms, which are detailed in the HE Student Regulations. If the two algorithms produce different results, you'll be awarded the higher class of degree.
If you've joined Level 6 through either the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route or having completed a Foundation Degree (FdA), the final classification is determined using only your unit marks at Level 6.
For further information on assessment, progression, awards and classifications, please visit viewpoint.aub.ac.uk.
What our BA (Hons) Fashion graduates are doing
Graduates from this course have gone on to work with UK and international brands such as Burberry, Ralph Lauren and Net-a-Porter.
Our graduates work as designers, pattern cutters, garment technologists, product developers, fashion buyers, merchandisers, promoters and more. Here are some examples of recent graduate career destinations:
- Design for Cecile Bahnson, Boden, Next, Toast, Margaret Howell, Hugo Boss, ThruDark, Chet Lo, Ralph Lauren New York, Missoni Italy, Christopher Raeburn, Victoria Beckham, Roksanda, Erdem, Vivienne Westwood, COS and River Island Kids.
- Buyer/product developer for Marks and Spencers, Ted Baker, Debenhams, Monsoon, Boden, Tommy Hilfiger, House of Fraser and Arcadia.
- Digital technologist for Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, COS, H&M Stockholm, Turnbull & Asser, Marks and Spencers, F&F and Modern Mirror.
- Fashion textiles for Huntsman, Melissa Oberdash and Celine.
- Buyers/merchandisers at Arcadia Group, Miss Selfridge and Signet.
- Working at Condé Nast.
- Sales and marketing roles at Free People, 3rd Rock, GP and Baker Eyewear.
The unique nature of the BA (Hons) Fashion programme helps you learn skills and gain knowledge that's transferable to many different roles across the fashion industry.
Our fashion graduates secure jobs in fashion design, product development, digital fashion, buying, merchandising and visual merchandising, as well as trend and fashion forecasting, fashion journalism and PR, freelance work or setting up their own business.
The BA (Hons) Fashion course also has many graduates who choose to continue their studies to postgraduate courses both in the UK and abroad.
Cocktail bars and Strictly stars: Jazmine Mitchener spills on achievements with graduate fashion collection
For BA (Hons) Fashion graduate Jazmine Mitchener, taking a collection to Graduate Fashion Week had been a goal since...
Daniel Rynne – BA (Hons) Fashion
My collection is based on the work of Dorothea Lange and the Farm Security Administration...
Sophie Whatling – BA (Hons) Fashion
My collection is inspired by illustration and artwork. A lot of it is based on mental health...
Trips and visits
As part of BA (Hons) Fashion you may also get the opportunity to take part in course trips.
Previous trips have included:
- Beijing
- New York
- Paris
- London (V&A Museum)
*These trips are optional and some may incur additional costs
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