Textile Design, BA (Hons), with industry placement

Our Textile Design degree is renowned for nurturing commercially engaged creative designers, empowering students to channel their passion for drawing, colour, and materials into dynamic careers in a vibrant industry. Supported by specialists, the program blends practical workshops and design thinking, allowing exploration through drawing, colour experimentation, and surface techniques in an inspiring studio environment. Access to facilities like printmaking and 3D workshops fosters individual design identities, with applications spanning fashion, interiors, and architecture. The course integrates traditional methods, such as screenprinting, with digital tools like Adobe software and laser cutters, while addressing global issues like sustainability.In the first year, students experiment with core skills in creative thinking and digital design. The second year focuses on developing practical abilities through live briefs and industry competitions, encouraging a personal design style. The third year involves consolidating work into a professional portfolio, supported by tutors, with opportunities for employment via networks. An optional four-year path includes a placement year to enhance employability.

Year one – Your first year is about experimentation. We introduce you to various themes and core skills in creative thinking and making, digital design, and print. We will help you identify, develop, and express your creative interests, aesthetic sensibilities, and approaches to creative practice. We offer design-related workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and student collaboration opportunities that give you industry-relevant skills and experiences. Year two – Develop your creative and practical skills through live briefs, industry competitions, and employability opportunities. You may produce work for a range of audiences including national and global clients. You will be encouraged to develop a personal design ‘handwriting’ that you can apply to your choice of design and specialist interests. Year three* – You will be encouraged to consolidate and plan your own programme of work in response to your chosen design interests and creative hand. Through this, you will develop a professional portfolio of work supporting your career aspirations. You will have regular contact time with tutors who will support your progress. Due to the course’s broad remit, former students have gained employment at high street and designer brands, in fashion, interiors, and entered self-employment. *If you choose to study this course over four years, this will include a placement year (also known as a sandwich year, work placement, industrial placement, or year in industry), which provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability and gain practical experience in your field of study. The placement year typically occurs after year two and before year three.