TEXTILES

Your first year provides you with a sound practical base for the study of the subject, contextualised by parallel study of aspects of contemporary, historical and visual culture.

Projects, lectures, seminars, practical demonstrations, visits, case studies, guided reading and tutorials will be used to disseminate information and develop the necessary skills. This will provide you with the opportunity to learn through experimentation and discovery, and develop skills within a personal context.

You’ll be introduced to a variety of applications and to the fundamentals of critical theory and professional studies that will underpin your knowledge of textiles and their design, production and creative usage.

Work placements are run during the end of the first year of study, for a minimum of ten days and up to a maximum of one month. On your return, you’ll present a report based on your experience.

• Matthew Williamson Fashion
• Mary Kantranzou Fashion
• Mirijam Rouden Fashion designs/print
• Ralph & Russo Couture embroidery
• Mollie Regan Textiles Couture Hand embroidery
• Peter Pillotto Fashion
• Tatty Devine Accessories
• Custholm Wallpapers and interiors
• Alexander McQueen Fashion
• Zandra Rhodes Printed textiles/fashion
• Timerous Beasties Wallpapers
• Hallmark Gift
• Bay and Brown Interior Print
• Julien Macdonald Fashion
• Mina Perhoven Fashion print
• Fat Face Fashion
• Debenhams
• Missprint Interiors
• House of Holland Interiors
• Designers Guild Interiors
• Kit Miles Interiors
• Burberry Fashion
• Jane Bowler Fashion

Your second year will focus on your individual interests and ensure that your professional and technical skills mature through first-hand experience with industry specialists.

The units anticipate that you will be able to apply the knowledge, concepts and skills addressed in your second year to fully exploit the range of opportunities for your personal creative development.

You’ll work with fellow students on live industry briefs and enter major national and international competitions.

Previous briefs have included: Hand and Lock, live fashion studio briefs Style Council NY, and live Gallery briefs.

Your third year allows you to refine your existing creative practice, develop your skills and reflect upon your experience and direction formed from previous study.

The course nurtures students to develop into original, mature and autonomous textile practitioners, encouraging them to lead rather than respond to industry trends.

The integration of theory and practice is promoted and reinforced through a team teaching approach. Lectures, seminars and tutorials may be delivered by team members, as appropriate, in the creative environment of the studio.

You’ll be encouraged to formulate and identify your particular skills and potential. Risk and ambition within the field will be crucial to your individual development. Intellectual and academic integrity will be further encouraged, both through written content and ‘thinking through practice’.

External experiences are highly prized throughout, from course trips to textile trade shows e.g. Premiere Vision Paris, to New York visits, to London exhibitions e.g. New Designers, Islington.

This year also focuses on employability, building professional portfolios and gives students the opportunity to participate in mock interviews.

COURSE STRUCTURE

All students are registered for the award of BA (Hons); however, exit awards are available if you leave the course early, having successfully completed one or two levels. If you successfully complete a level of the course, you will automatically be entitled to progress to the next level.

For the award of a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 120 credits at Level 4. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the first year of your course.

For the award of a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 240 credits of which a minimum of 120 must be at Level 5. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the second year of your course.

For the award of a BA (Hons) you must have achieved a minimum of 360 credits of which a minimum of 240 must be at Level 5 or above, of which a minimum of 120 credits must be at Level 6. This qualification will be awarded upon successful completion of your course.

A BA without Honours may be awarded if you have achieved 300 credits, at least 180 of which are at Level 5 or above, and at least 60 of which are at Level 6.