Skip page header and navigation

BA (Hons) Fashion Design (University Course)

  • Jobs Well Campus – Carmarthen School of Art
3 years full-time; part-time study available

Carmarthen School of Art has an established reputation for facilitating the creative development of art and design students. By choosing to study with us, you are not just a number, we are a small, friendly purpose built art school that offers a wide range of contemporary, cutting edge and traditional facilities.  This established BA (Hons) Fashion Design programme has evolved in response to contemporary practice, fashion design, culture and industry. The programme allows you to explore the whole design cycle from trend prediction through to finished garment.

The course aims to develop your creative and technical skills focusing upon gaining employment within the fashion industry. Students will be encouraged to be independent, enquiring individuals capable of responding to industry projects and self initiated work. The course encourages creativity and innovation in a lively working environment.

Students will have access to industry specific resources such as industrial machinery, the latest Gerber and laser/ultrasonic joining technologies and digital softwares.

Students will be given opportunities to develop skills and explore trend prediction, design, illustration, pattern cutting, construction, styling and both traditional and digital media. Individuals are encouraged to develop entrepreneurial skills by engaging in live industry projects set by fashion brands. The final year culminates with students exhibiting their catwalk collection in an exhibition and fashion show.

Student practice is supported by an integrated theory programme enabling students to work confidently and professionally within the context of Fashion. Carmarthen School of Art provides a friendly, supportive and nurturing environment for students to explore opportunities and develop their individual style and potential.

Course details

Study modes:
  • Full time
  • Part time
Institution code:
C22
UCAS code:
W2H0
Course length:
3 years full-time; part-time study available

What you will learn

A well resourced degree programme which includes a varied body of assignments that highlight the importance of technical skills within the industry. These are underpinned with strong industrial links with high street brands which provide you with highly relevant industry practice.
We also offer a high level of tutor expertise in design, pattern cutting and construction.
The course is a member college of the prestigious British Fashion Council which gives our students access to esteemed industry projects, talks, competitions and internships.
Class sizes are small allowing for a high level of tutor contact and easy access to resources.
The final year of study allows students to create an independent, personal and unique body of work, with support from staff in the creation of a final collection. Preparing students for the industry, staff work closely with you on creating a final portfolio of work to exhibit to industry professionals.
The final year will provide you with the opportunity to showcase your work in an exhibition and fashion show. 
We aim to enhance each student’s individuality, creativity, innovation and flair in a supportive, friendly environment ready for industry employment.

Year 1 – A skills based year delivered through a series of tutor led workshops and independent study.

Year 2 – A developmental year devised to allow you to apply the skills gained in year one to identify personal strengths and areas of interest within a range of industry relevant contexts.

Year 3 – A personal negotiated brief which allows you to consolidate your practice and build a portfolio in preparation for future progression and personal ambitions, culminating in an opportunity to showcase your work in a final degree show.

Fashion design, fashion illustration, fashion buying, trend prediction, styling, visual merchandising, film/television costume design, pattern cutting, garment technology, sampling assistant, teacher/lecturer and post graduate study (MA, PhD.)

Assessment is on-going through workshop plenary sessions, critiques, formative and summative assessment with aural and written feedback.

Tariff score points accepted: A minimum of 96 points or equivalent portfolio ability for mature applicants.

Selection procedures

All applicants need to apply online through UCAS. Our UCAS Institution code is C22 and course code is W2H0. Offers will be made based on the UCAS application, predicted grades (if applicable), UCAS reference and one to one interview. Programme Directors interview every applicant and discuss your portfolio of artwork and ambitions with you. This is a vital part of our selection process to ensure that the course is right for you and you are right for the course. Due to developing a relationship with you from the start our drop-out rates are minimal. As we continuously strive to turn students into successful professional practitioners.

Mature applicants with relevant prior experience are welcome and are considered on an individual basis. International students will be interviewed by video conferencing.

There is no additional Studio fee. However, it is likely that you will incur additional costs for specialist materials, printing and for course related excursions.

This Framework aims to develop your professional skills and competence alongside your academic subject knowledge. You’ll study up to 40 credits per level throughout your programme from the Graduate Attributes Framework.  The Graduate Attribute modules are designed to enable you to develop, and evidence, a range of career-focused skills related to your subject area. These skills include digital competency, research and project management, as well as such personal competencies as communication, creativity, self-reflection, resilience and problem-solving.

Find out more about the Graduate Attributes Framework

More Art and Design courses

Search courses