Textile Design (Top-up) BA (Hons)

Course Overview

Textiles are everywhere; they are the very fabric of our everyday environment, so why not learn how to design them? Providing us with identity, comfort and shelter, textiles are the material that we have our closest relationships with, literally clothing our bodies from head to toe, or surrounding our homes with stimulating colour and tactility. This course will enable you to develop hands-on skills, and equip you to be a successful designer.

On this course you will explore three main textile design practices - print, knit and surface design. In order to create innovative designs you'll learn to work with many different types of material and techniques, from traditional fabrics to contemporary technologies. From interior surfaces to luxury fashion accessories, you'll gain an understanding of the professional context and practice of textile design.

Top-up your studies

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.

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.

Specialist facilities

You will have your own dedicated workspace in our Red Shed studio. The Red Shed allows you access to all the specialist textile equipment you will need, both traditional and contemporary. You'll master materials, both through craft methods and using digital software and have full access to other cross discipline workshop facilities, including woodwork, metal, 3D printing, ceramics and more.

Employability

What are my career prospects

Throughout your time with us we'll support you on the route to your chosen career. We'll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders.

As we're so close to London, it's easy to visit museums and exhibitions for inspiration. You're also close to future employers such as retail giants, fashion houses and design agencies You'll have the chance to work with designers in and around the capital and learn how to adapt to the challenges of working in a business environment.

We encourage our students to take up work placements throughout the course, which is an ideal opportunity to develop key skills in a professional context. Supportive companies include Rupert Bevan, Giles Miller Studio, Solomon & Wu, Custhom, Tex-Tile, Jane Bowler, SCIN Gallery, Derek Lawlor, T.M Lewin, Carlo Volpi, Zinc Design ltd and Schon! Magazine.

Many of our graduates have gone on to work with fashion and interior design companies such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Anthropologie, Burberry, Cath Kidston, Christopher Kane, Donna Karan, Hallmark Cards, Heals, John Lewis, Karen Nicol, and Mark Fast.

We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.