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There is an increased need to visually communicate fashion-based ideas. This requires a creative who has a clear appreciation of and experience in developing fashion concepts, understanding and dealing with the associated critical pathways and the practical means by which to communicate. On this course, you will be encouraged to critically evaluate and creatively respond to these conditions and define your own new role within fashion.
You will be interested in the way fashion is consumed (beyond wearing it) and the opportunities this presents for developing innovative visual practice-based work. Fashion is changing due to many external factors such as digital platforms and media, and issues around sustainability. There are also changes in the role fashion plays and how it has become incre...
3 years full-time · 4 years with placement year and/or overseas study
The course will explore anticipating change, trend/lifestyle analysis and the generation and development of new creative visual fashion concepts and outputs. You will develop skills and experiences in still and moving image making, styling/art direction, editorial/self-publishing, fashion graphics/illustration, physical and digital space. You will study the historical and socio-cultural aspects of design, enabling you to contextualise fashion and communication as part of a contextual studies series of modules.
Practical design and visual communication skills are taught throughout the course in tutorials and workshops, using traditional and state-of-the-art equipment. You will be encouraged to use analogue and digital responses and develop a range of visual skills.
Individual and collective approaches will link you with industry sectors, locally, nationally and internationally. There will be opportunities for you to work collaboratively on interdisciplinary and outward facing projects with students from across the Fashion department.
You will take part in regular exhibitions, events, and publications of your work and this will be embedded into the curriculum and situated within the specialised spaces and resources of the faculty.
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
Full-time fee: £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval). Fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% per academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.
Full-time fee: £21,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated masters 480 credits. For courses that offer a placement year option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,907 (subject to Parliamentary approval). For courses that offer a study year abroad option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,430 (subject to Parliamentary approval). Placement Year fees and study abroad fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% each academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.
Compulsory estimate: £375
Students on the Fashion Art Direction programme require a range of equipment from art materials to digital kit, depending on students’ creative focus.
Potential costs include (estimate of £375 per year for the following):
Adobe Creative Cloud. The university offers Adobe Creative Cloud as part of the on campus standard platform, however it is recommended that students purchase the student version of Adobe Creative Cloud to enhance their skills/practice during independent study.
Laptop (optional) The University also offers 24-hour computer suites, installed with the relevant software needed to complete the course. Whilst a personal computer is beneficial, it is not essential as the library offer a laptop loan service. Estimated cost £500-£800.
Books and Magazines- estimated cost £50 per year
Paper and printing costs are estimated from £100 upwards at Levels 4 and 5 and increase in Level 6, dependant on students’ selections of media.
Please note: Art materials are available to buy from the Manchester Met Make More Store at discount prices. Students often choose to buy a laptop in their first year however there are Macs and PCs on campus with access to Adobe Suite and other software. Students can also borrow laptops. AV equipment is available for loan from the Manchester Met AV/Photo store. As your course progresses, particularly in the final year, you may find your costs or additional costs increase in support of your final work although this is dependent on your final outputs.
Optional estimate: £1250
Optional Placements and/or Study Abroad between year two and three. Students are encouraged to obtain paid placements. Additional costs for travel /relocation, accommodation and subsidies to salary may be required depending on position, salary offer, duration and location. International funding may be available to apply for, dependent on country and international policy / governmental agreements in place at the time. There are fee implications if a student chooses to undertake a placement.
There are no additional professional membership fees required for full qualification.
Optional estimate: Varied
Optional national and/or international study trips, typically during year one and two. These are mostly funded by students. Costings are sourced from university-approved agents and will vary in-line with the current market and student numbers.
Optional Study Abroad (Exchange) in year two. Study abroad is included in the standard university annual fee. However, there are usually additional costs for travel and accommodation. International funding may be available to apply for, dependent on country and international policy / governmental agreements in place at the time.
Students may also undertake optional UK based or overseas work experience during the final term of year two as part of Unit X. This usually incurs costs for accommodation and travel.
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersGraduates of this course will develop skills and experiences to work within a whole range of exciting creative areas within fashion and in the design industry. They may go on to be freelance photographers/stylists or work within established areas of the industry such as publishing houses. Roles such as art directors, designers, digital publishers, writers, fashion filmmakers/artists, fashion assistants, self-published fashion authors, visionaries, stylists, fashion curators, fashion brand designers, fashion creatives, fashion PR, model bookers, event producers, trend observers/commentators.
You can apply for the full-time option of this course through UCAS.
UCAS code(s)W200
Institution code: M40
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.