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BA (Hons) Fashion

BA (Hons) Fashion

Duration: 3 or 4 years full-time
Placement year: Optional 1 year
Course code: W230 (UCAS)
Institution code: A66 (UCAS)

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A line of six models walk along a catwalk in the middle of a fashion show

Overview

BA (Hons) Fashion gives you an opportunity to merge traditional skills and craftsmanship with contemporary cutting edge technology and ethical practice, essential in today’s ever-changing fashion world.

BA (Hons) Fashion course information

Our course responds quickly to changing demands and opportunities and we have a reputation for producing ‘industry-ready’ graduates.

On BA (Hons) Fashion at AUB, you’ll experiment, interrogate, and develop design practises appropriate to your individual design philosophy, from concept to realisation. You’ll creatively explore traditional and modern techniques, cutting edge digital fashion technology, craftsmanship, product development and presentation. You’ll investigate connections between concepts of dress, fashion and the body as a site for artistic expression.

The social and ethical climate of fashion is a critical force; it’s central to course debate and practice. How we understand fashion’s impact will inform creative solutions and help you to become effective change makers for a more sustainable and inclusive world.

AUB Fashion are award winners in innovation, with a portfolio of student successes which 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. We'll celebrate your individuality and will help you to realise a tailored path within the fashion industry and community at this critical time in history.

You may choose to complete your degree in one of the following named awards:

BA (Hons) Fashion (Design)
BA (Hons) Fashion (Design Technology)
BA (Hons) Fashion (Menswear)
BA (Hons) Fashion (Product Design)


Course duration	3 or 4 years (full-time)
Placement	Option of a 1-year placement
UCAS course code	W230
UCAS institution code	A66

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.

If you’re required to have a Student Visa to study in the UK, it won’t be possible to undertake the one-year placement option; there’ll be other opportunities for you to engage with industry during your study at AUB.

Level 4 (first year)

First year introduces creative exploration and skill set submersion. It focusses on fundamental skills as an enriching foundation for your 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 practise.

As you immerse yourself in university life, you’ll be 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 students from other year groups to expand your understanding and emerging practise. This allows you to engage with a broad range of experiences to support specialist decisions in the future.

Level 5 (second year)

Level 5 prioritises innovation, market awareness and industry practise. Building on your knowledge of fundamental rules from Level 4 you are now encouraged to challenge them, critique the status quo, and innovate solutions to problematics within fashion industry and culture.

The 3D Image and Innovation unit offers a first opportunity to explore creative pattern cutting, develop knowledge of digital fashion software and presentation. You continue to explore your design ‘identity’ which is foundational to your unique design philosophy.

This is followed by Fashion Engineering; a technical unit where you discover the intricacies of tailoring, technical drawing, working with archives, and preparation for communicating with industry professionals. You are encouraged to question existing practices and look for new solutions, exploring diversity and emotionally considerate design as practice.

Level 5 concludes with the Industry Practise unit, offering the opportunity of UK or international work experience or participation in a ‘Live Project’ collaborating and designing for a high-end brand or design company. Recent collaborations have included Vivienne Westwood, Cos and luxury British heritage brands.

If you opt for an industry placement, you’ll be assisted in finding an internship and supported throughout to meaningfully connect experience to university study. The course also offers international student exchange. Recent placements have included Paco Rabanne, Cos, Vivienne Westwood, Christopher Raeburn, Victoria Beckham, Florence and Fred, H&M, Coast and Clarkes.

This unit offers flexibility of choice and experience in preparation for ‘real world’ employment or to encounter a different cultural or educational environment if you wish.

Level 6 (third year)

Level 6 consolidates skills developed through previous levels in preparation for graduation and your 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. Your Final Major Project is a self-determined body of industry-ready work aligned to your career plan. This is underpinned by a Research Project interrogating a topic relevant to your practice.

The Personal Branding unit is an opportunity to prepare and present your portfolio of creative work and exhibit the exciting innovation you have mastered throughout your time at AUB. It helps you to cohesively communicate your ambition, innovation and understanding of content and context in a professional portfolio of practice to meet the challenges of employment or further study.

Our BA (Hons) Fashion alumni have gone on to win great things:

2023 – Graduate Fashion Week

Lucy James was named winner of the AUB catwalk

2022 – Graduate Fashion Week

WINNER Zachary Fornelius: GFW Fashion Innovation Award
WINNER Russia Prior: GFW AUB Catwalk Show
HIGHLY COMMENDED Vera Geszti: GFW AUB Catwalk Show
SHORTLISTED Alex Petrou: GFW Fashion Innovation Award
SHORTLISTED Zachary Fornelius: GFW Hilary Alexander Sustainability Trailblazer award
SHORTLISTED Jack Pluckrose: GFW Sports and Leisurewear award
SHORTLISTED Zachary Fornelius: GFW Fashion Range Plan Award
SHORTLISTED Alex Petrou: GFW Fashion New Media Award
SHORTLISTED Russia Prior: GFW Fashion Concept Award
SHORTLISTED Freddy Woodroffe: GFW YKK Accessories award
SELECTED Alex Petrou: GFW Shop Trail; Samsung X
SELECTED Jessica Horton: GFW Brands’ Portfolio Day; Burberry
SELECTED Ella Clow: GFW Brands’ Portfolio Day; ASOS
SELECTED Alice Fraser: GFW Brands’ Portfolio Day; ASOS
SELECTED Russia Prior: GFW Brands’ Portfolio Day; ASOS

2021 – Graduate Fashion Week

Abigail Wall – Fashion Range Plan Award

2020 – Graduate Fashion Week

Stephanie Ransom – Adaptation Award

2018 – Graduate Fashion Week

Seven awards including the Graduate Fashion Week Gold Award

Student Gallery

A student model wearing an oversized orange hat

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Two masked models wearing green and blue sweaters.

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Student models on the catwalk for Graduate Fashion Week 2023

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A student model wearing a wool hood for Graduate Fashion Week 2023

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Students dressed for Graduate Fashion Week 2023 in pink and red dresses

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Students dressed for Graduate Fashion Week 2023

A model a black pink-dyed coat with a top hat, headpiece and cane.

A student model strutting down the catwalk for Graduate Fashion Week 2023

A group of student models on the catwalk for Graduate Fashion Week 2023

Fashion show for BA(Hons) Fashion course

Man on the catwalk with hat and black jacket

Male model wearing long overcoat on the catwalk

Model wearing pinstripe trousers and white shirt with a scarf

Male model wearing black and white shirt

Male model wearing red and black trousers and red and white shirt

Model wearing blue dress with green belt

Shaven haired model wearing dark blue coat

Child wearing grey jumper and hat with fluffy flaps

Model on catwalk wearing grey and gold dress

Male model wearing grey top with white trousers

Model wearing black jacket with hood up and goggles on

Model wearing black top and orange skirt with riding hat

Model wearing light blue top with red trousers

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.

Elena Crehan Course Leader

MA (CSM), FHEA

Email me ecrehan@aub.ac.uk

Penny Norman Course Leader (MA) | Senior Lecturer BA (Hons)

MA, PGCE-FE, BA

Email me pnorman@aub.ac.uk

Beverley Bothwell Senior Lecturer

MA, BA (Hons), PgCAP, FHEA

Email me bbothwell@aub.ac.uk

Sarah James Senior Lecturer

MRes, MA, BA (Hons)

Email me sajames@aub.ac.uk

Celina Schlieckmann Senior Lecturer

MA, BA

Email me cschlieckmann@aub.ac.uk

Jody Harris Lecturer

Email me jharris@aub.ac.uk

Gemma Summerell Senior Technician

Email me gsummerell@aub.ac.uk

Aston Baker Technician Demonstrator – Fashion and Textiles (Digital)

Email me abaker@aub.ac.uk

Gillian Kelly Technician Demonstrator

BA (Hons), PGCE

Email me gkelly@aub.ac.uk

Alice Kiernander Technician Demonstrator

BA (Hons)

Email me akiernander@aub.ac.uk

It's critical that as a next generation designer, you become a 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.

Elena Crehan, Course Leader

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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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.

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.

Students working at computers in a library. A set of stairs leads up to a second landing with a balcony running along.

The Library

The Library at AUB holds an excellent range of print and online collections

Ten rows of empty seating viewed from the front of a large lecture theatre.

Lecture Theatres and Seminar Rooms

We have a number of lecture theatres and seminar room scattered around campus to assist students with their studies.

Small glass cabinet with a number of colourful plastic objects on display inside.

MoDiP

MoDiP is the UK's leading resource for the study and interpretation of design in plastics and specialist research resource

Student wearing safety goggles using a machine in a workshop.

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...

A model sits on a chair in the centre of a room while a group of artists draw them.

Drawing Studio

Our iconic blue Drawing Studio is used by student from all courses and was designed by alumnus Sir Peter Cook...

Four banks of desks in a computer suite with monitors on them.

Digital Suites

Our Digital Suites offer a digital post-production facility and digital teaching space.

Person stands by a table. Two printing presses are in the foreground.

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 Ralph Lauren New York, Missoni Italy, Christopher Raeburn, Victoria Beckham, Roksanda, Erdem,
Vivienne Westwood, COS and River Island Kids
Buyer/Product Developer for Ted Baker, Debenhams, Mothercare, Tommy Hilfiger, House of Fraser and Arcadia
Digital Technologist for Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, COS, H&M Stockholm, Turnbull & Asser and F&F
Fashion Textiles for Melissa Oberdash and Celine
Stylists at White Room and Inca Productions, or working freelance
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 is transferable to many different roles across the fashion industry.

Our fashion graduates secure jobs in fashion design, buying, merchandising and visual merchandising, as well as trend and fashion forecasting, fashion journalism and PR, freelance work or setting up their own business.