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BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Technology has an excellent reputation for producing menswear, womenswear and sportswear graduates who combine design innovation with an in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of fashion design and manufacturing.
The course reflects contemporary industry standards and encourages students to design and develop innovative fashion products and ranges using both manual and digital technologies. Students work on live projects with industry partners and also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement and/or overseas study combined with a year in industry.
Students have the option to graduate with a Menswear, Womenswear or Sportswear award, by selecting specialist modules in year two and three, or they can work across multiple specialisms. However, all ...
3 years full-time, 4 years with placement/study abroad
This course has a global reputation for producing professional fashion graduates who are employed for their in-depth knowledge of contemporary fashion design practice and advanced technical product development skills.
When responding to project briefs, students are supported to develop their own personal design philosophy and identity through creative research, experimentation and the design development process. They are encouraged to challenge convention and be innovative whilst using state of the art manufacturing technologies to produce high-spec fashion products that demonstrate an enhanced knowledge of garment construction.
Working to industry standards, the programme offers our students the opportunity to design and develop their fashion ideas using both manual and digital technologies; this includes Clo3D, Gerber, 3D body scanners, 3D digital rendering. Students also have exclusive access to our Innovation Technology Zone, Textile Sampling Room and The Resource Centre.
Learning takes place in interactive studio spaces, practical workshops, lectures and seminars. Students engage with live industry projects, competitions and research trips; they also have the opportunity to complete work placements and/ or international educational exchanges.
We encourage all our students to take a responsible and sustainable approach to fashion, working towards a positive contribution to the future of the fashion industry whilst being aware of its social impact.
The Textile Institute
Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027
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: £9,250 per year. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation and may increase each academic year in line with inflation or UK government policy for both new and continuing students.
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. The tuition fee for the placement year for those courses that offer this option is £1,850, 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). The tuition fee for the study year abroad for those courses that offer this option is £1,385, 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).
All students on a fashion design programme can expect to purchase art materials, sketchbooks, paper, calico, fabric and other materials in order to undertake and complete assignments.
Indicative potential costs include:
· Portfolio production / Archival Box
· Paper - Presentation Boards
· Paper - Process Journals (sketchbooks)
· Printing (Practical units)
· Printing and Binding (Contextual units)
· Research Trips
· Basic sewing / pattern kit (equipment list provided and costing approx. £50-£100 depending on price of individual items selected)
· Calico for toiling*
· Fabrics and trims for sampling and garments*
· 2 Outfits (approx.) Year one and Year two*
· 3 Outfit Final Year Collection*
· Final Year Press Pack (Photography, Printing, Promotional materials etc)
· Laptop (optional) The University also offers 24-hour computer suites, installed with the relevant software needed to complete the course. Whilst a personal laptop (preferably an Apple Mac) is beneficial, it is not essential as there the Library also a laptop loan service.
· Books (All required course literature is available from the University Library)
The course is very well equipped with industrial standard equipment and facilities. There is no need for sewing machines at home and students are not encouraged to use domestic equipment to undertake work.
*Costs of garment-making materials can vary significantly, dependant on students’ designs and fabric selections. In addition to a one time basic sewing kit that could be used for the full duration of the course and into a chosen career – material costs for at year one and year two could range from as little as £200 or as much as £1,000 for between 3-6 garments each year.
In year three students produce a capsule collection of approximately 5 garments or three outfits and costs again vary, dependant on students’ designs and/or fabric and trim selections. Students can spend as little as £500 or as much as £3,000 on their final range. However, a higher spend is not reflected in assessment outcomes.
Paper and printing costs from £100 upwards in year one and year two and increase in the final year, dependant on students’ selections of media.
Students will be supported in managing costs through advice on decision making, access to wholesale / industry suppliers, materials donated by industry (the resource centre – see section 28), subsidised materials available to purchase on-campus / through the department, competitions and sponsorship opportunities.
Optional Placements and/or Study Abroad between year two and year 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.
Students have the opportunity to participate in:
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersEngagement with employers is an integral part of the course. Students have the opportunity to engage with employers through placements, study visits, industry-led live briefs and guest lectures. The course also offers the opportunity for students to promote their work through live events, showcases and simulated real-world scenarios such as mock interviews or pitches. This interaction with industry employers means that many of our students secure full-time employment before they graduate.
As the programme offers a broad content from design to technical skills, the job roles graduates are able to enter into are broader than many competitor courses. This diverse graduate skill set opens up opportunities in areas such as design, product development, pattern cutting, workroom/atelier, garment technology, production / manufacturing, sourcing, buying and new / emerging roles within the industry.
Our graduates work in a wide variety of roles in international companies ranging from high-end to fast fashion for example:
Design at Jack Wills, Stradavarius, Next, River Island, Lee Jeans, Abercrombie and Fitch, Adidas, Celine, Puma, Ralph Lauren, Nike, ASOS, Burberry, Old Navy, Fred Perry, Warehouse, Visage, Footasylum, Tommy Hilfiger, Bershka, Zara, LK Bennett, Wrangler.
Technologists/Production at Acne, Per Una, John Lewis, Umbro, Peter Pilotto, M&S, Rapha Racing, Matalan.
Pattern Cutting / Workroom at Coast, Oasis, Monsoon, Viktor and Rolf, Victoria Beckham, Christian Dior.
Buying at Matalan, Arcadia Group, Selfridges.
You can apply for the full-time option of this course through UCAS.
UCAS code(s)W236
Institution code: M40
Please see our digital portfolio requirements page for guidance on preparing and submitting your portfolio.
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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.
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