Fashion Design (Top Up) BA (Hons)

Buckinghamshire New University

Our course reflects the realities of working as a professional in industry. Everything you do on the course is working towards you getting your first job in the sector. If you have completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject, you can choose to top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree.

With a focus on craftsmanship and innovation, we will equip you with a broad and practise-based knowledge of fashion design, experimentation, pattern cutting and construction to enable you to create your individual collections. If you want to make your mark on the fashion industry, start with this course.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

A top-up degree is the equivalent of the final year of an undergraduate degree, and offers a chance to deepen your knowledge, skills and understanding of your subject, while also getting an internationally-recognised qualification.

Our experienced and specialist team of lecturers are experienced designers, current industry practitioners and researchers. And with our strong links with the fashion industry, you’ll get direct access to guest lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking opportunities.

Throughout your course you will have the opportunity to take part in international competitions, including British Fashion Council reviews, exhibitions and the BNU Summer Show.

As well as working on your own briefs, you’ll be able to work on industry-based projects with international companies and attend specialist workshops. All our students are invited to events with guest speakers covering a range of areas from fashion design, production, trend prediction, visual merchandising and brand consultancy. As a member of the British Fashion Council and WGSN our students are supported by industry links to reach their potential.

We celebrated 100% overall student satisfaction in the 2019 and 2020 National Student Survey. With industry recognising the skills of our students to be selected as one of only five UK institutions to take part in the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) ‘MADE IT’ programme that provided masterclass, networking and internship opportunities.

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What facilities can I use?

We’ve spent a lot of love and care making our workshop the perfect creative space and one of the best-equipped workshops in the country.

You'll be working on industry standard equipment, learning latest techniques and future focused methods of fashion craftsmanship. You will master materials, both through traditional methods and using digital software. Here you will be able to design, create and get inspired with not only your own workspace, but also our range of equipment which can help you craft your garments in almost any medium you like.

What will I study?

On our Fashion Design Top-up programme, you’ll explore the many twists and turns of fashion, as well as how to research and develop ideas to produce exciting and innovative fashion. The course cultivates new ways of making and thinking.

To achieve the full BA (Hons) in Fashion Design you will need to complete a major project, a contextual report as well as undertake a Professional Practice module. The major project and contextual report will allow you to investigate a topic important to you within fashion design. You will cover the whole research process, undertaking empirical investigation and analysis. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, who will offer support and advice. The Professional Practice module gives you the opportunity to undertake work-based learning or answer live industry briefs, gaining the practical and transferable skills you need for your career in the creative industries.