Fashion and Textile Design - Fashion Design, Textile Design

Year 1

This full-time, studio-based year will develop your creative and critical practice and challenge your understanding of the Art & Design disciplines. These experiences will expand on both your contextual and practical knowledge, introduce you to the Creative Industries and inform your course options for Year 2.

Year 2

Your understanding is further developed through a series of dynamic studio projects and workshop based activities. Emphasis is placed on encouraging the translation of design ideas through making including pattern cutting, drape and garment construction and knit, print and mixed media textiles. Client projects, field study trips and organising the course Fashion Show develops your professional practical experience.

Year 3

Year 3 consolidates your skills and extends your specialist knowledge through self-directed study and the development of professional skills within external contexts. You will work on industry projects and have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or an exchange to one of our European partners.

Year 4

You will select a named pathway determined by your own individual interests and potential. You will explore your specialism in depth by developing a self-directed proposal for work which is guided by your academic/personal tutor. Depending on your specialist route, you will take part in a number of graduate events including the Graduate Fashion Show and New Designers in London.

Learning Methods

Learning through doing is an integral part of this course and enables you to gain first-hand experience of the industry. You will be provided with dedicated studio space to develop your own thoughts and ideas, an integral part to your learning journey. You will have the opportunity to combine Fashion and Textile expertise through design, research, development and innovation in materials and processes.

You will take part in live projects with a range of design studios, manufacturers and external organisations, attend external events and competitions and hear from industry experts.

You will participate in undergraduate exhibitions such as the Graduate Fashion Show in your final year, along with New Designers Exhibition in London.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Seminars - Approx 12 students per group, 1 - 2 hours per week
• Webinar - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Tutorial - 1 - 12 students per group, 0.5 hour  per week
• Project Supervision - Approx 50 students per group, 1 - 2 hours per week
• Demonstration - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Practical class or workshop -Approx 50 students per group,length of time varies per week
• Supervised time in studio / workshop - Approx 50 students per group,length of time varies per week
• Independent Study - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Field Work - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• External Visits - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Placement / Work Based Learning - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week

Unless specified, activities vary between 1-5 hours per week depending on the module you are undertaking. More detailed information about indicative student workload hours can be found within each module's detailed information page.

How long is a BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile course?

The duration of a Fashion and Textile degree is 4 years. This includes lectures, workshops, independent study and other activities.

Independent Study

Throughout the course particular emphasis is placed on your development of independent learning through self-directed design project/s. By Year 4 you undertake independent study fully, reflecting on your previous 3 years’ experience of building expertise and specialist knowledge within your chosen pathway towards professional practice level. 

Staff Delivering on This Course

Staff on the course comprise academics with expert knowledge within all areas of the course delivery across Fashion and Textile Design. All staff have experience of working within the industry and some staff have worked as consultants and designers for international agencies and businesses. The course has specialist teaching support in all areas of the subject including knit, mixed media, printed textiles and garment manufacture.

Industry experts contribute to the programme as Professional Associates and through the Guest@Grays lecture programme, which invites national and international artists and designers to speak about their work.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 3 portfolios

Year 2

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 3 portfolios

Year 3

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 3 portfolios
• 1 oral assessment

Year 4

• 1 dissertation
• 1 portfolio

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

You will have the opportunity to undertake a 10-week placement in Year 3, Term 2.

This will enable you to gain first-hand experience of the dynamic commercial world and diverse opportunities of Fashion and Textiles and give a real insight into professional practice. Past placement opportunities have included J.W Anderson, Jonathan Saunders and House of Holland, who all show at London Fashion week. In addition students gained internships with textile design companies including Donna Wilson, Bespoke Atelier and Timorous Beasties.

You are responsible for finding the placement with support from the placement office and academic staff.

Study Abroad

In Year 3, Term 2, there is the opportunity to undertake a period of international study exchange with our partner colleges across Europe, Canada and the US.

Job Prospects

Our graduates are creative and passionate about fashion and textiles. Career opportunities include fashion and textiles design within industry, self-employed designer-maker and related fashion and textiles opportunities in marketing, buying and promotion.

Is Fashion and Textile Design a good career choice?

Previous  BA Fashion and Textile Design graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue the following careers:

• Freelance designer
• Designer-maker
• Studio textile designer
• CAD designer
• Knitwear designer 
• Accessories designer
• Buyer 
• Colour forecasting/predictions

A number of our graduates have established their own design companies such as Donna Wilson, Dreamland Clothing, Emma McDowall and Dead Sleekit.

Watch RGU Alumni Laura, and learn about her business, Fernweh:

There is also the option of extending your academic experience through postgraduate study at Gray’s School of Art or other postgraduate institutions. 

What is needed for a BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design degree?

Standard Entry Requirements

Year 1 entry

These requirements relate to the first year of the BA (Hons) Foundation Art and Design. Entry to the BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design course is from year 2 only either via suitable entry qualifications as stated, or after completion of year 1 BA (Hons) Foundation Art and Design. 

• SQA Higher: BCC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
• GCE A Level: CC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English e.g. History).
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H3H3H4 to include Art (or a creative design and/or technology subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
• IB Diploma: 24 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).

All applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) will be invited to attend a portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Year 2 entry

Suitable qualifications for entry to Year 2 (or above) may include relevant GCE A Levels, HNC/HND or Diploma in Foundation Studies (e.g. Art & Design, Design & Media, Fashion Design, Textile Design).

• GCE A Level: BCC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or technology subject e.g. Fashion and Textiles, Design and Textiles) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).
• IB Diploma: 27 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)

All advanced entry applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) and who successfully meet the criteria will be invited to attend an ‘advanced’ portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

Year 1 entry

• SQA Higher: CCC to include Art / Design (or a creative design and/or technology subject such as Fashion and Textile Technology) and English or a written subject requiring the use of English

Applicants from Partner Colleges

A relevant HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for entry into Year 2 or 3, subject to successfully meeting the partner course criteria.  

All advanced entry applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) and who successfully meet the criteria will be invited to attend an ‘advanced’ portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Alternative Qualifications

Those who may not hold the standard qualifications listed are encouraged to apply if they can evidence other appropriate/relevant creative work, qualifications and/or life experiences. Such candidates are advised to contact the Student Admissions Service for further advice and guidance.

A portfolio review/interview is still a requirement for this category of candidate.

International Students

The International College at Robert Gordon University offers first year degree entry into Art and Design courses at Robert Gordon University for International Students.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.