Completed a foundation-level degree, HND, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant Art and Design subject? Top-up your studies to gain a full bachelor’s degree in Textile Design.
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. Textiles are the very fabric of our everyday environment, so why not learn how to design them?
Why study BA (Hons) Fashion and Textiles (Top-up) at BNU?
A degree for you
Our renowned Textile Design degree puts an emphasis and focus on innovation and craftsmanship. On this course you’ll use modern and traditional techniques to explore print, knit and surface design, where you then go on to specialise and develop your own unique style in one of the three core areas.
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.
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.
Top-ranked
Throughout your time on the course you will have the opportunity to show off your work through international competitions and shows, including British Fashion Council reviews and the BNU Summer Show.
Textile Design has a long and successful history of developing highly skilled and creative graduates from BNU. The course team have a broad range of current industry practice, which enables a range of project opportunities, both live and studio based, that challenge you to be versatile and adaptable in this highly competitive industry.
Taught by industry
Led by a dedicated and experienced course team, you’ll benefit from their industry knowledge and the industry links they bring to the course. You’ll get direct access to guest lectures, who are specialists in the sector, and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and networking opportunities.
As part of the Art, Design and Performance School at BNU, you’ll benefit from a practiced-based course, supported by contextual studies. You’ll also have the opportunity to work collaboratively across the school with other courses, ensuring during your studies you are building a varied network, like you would in the real world.
Connections
You could also benefit from masterclasses and industry brief opportunities, where you’ll gain an insight and feedback from current industry-leaders. Previous industry projects include guest lecturers and live projects from WGSN, The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters, Bradford Textile Society, British Fashion Council, Burberry, Topshop and Armani, Stella McCartney and UKFT.
Our High Wycombe Campus is only a short train ride away from London, meaning you are only a stones-throw away from the hustle and bustle - enabling you to visit exhibitions, galleries, shows and watch emerging styles, to help you gain inspiration and ideas.
Facilities
We’ve spent a lot of love and care making the Fashion and Textile Studios the perfect creative space and one of the best-equipped workshops in the country. We are extremely proud to be able to offer industry-standard studios, technical machines and high-quality equipment to our fashion and textile-based courses.
You will master materials, both through traditional methods and using digital software. This includes an in-house fabric and yarn store, screen printing facilities, a dye laboratory and sewing and garment production facilities.
In our professional-working studio you’ll have you own workspace which you’ll be able to turn into your own personal area, where you can bring your designs to life and surround yourself with inspiration. We also have specialist technicians and demonstrators on site to support and share their knowledge with you, when and if you need it.
As well as this you may also have the chance to access to our photography, film and tv and drama studios where you’ll be able to work collaboratively with photography, performance and hair and make-up students to build your portfolio, and network like you would in the industry.
What will I study?
Textile design is a fast-paced and engaging industry, this course allows you as a designer to interact with a variety of different elements including colour, materials, pattern, structure and composition.
With a focus on three essential areas, print, knit, and surface design, you’ll engage in design-driven projects, refining your research, drawing, colour theory, design, and workshop technical skills. You'll get taster projects in each of the textile practices, and once you know which one suits your creativity most, you can start to specialise.
The Textile Design course is intended to provide you with a wide range of craft and digital making skills, all of which is sought after by employers. You’ll explore a range of creative and technical approaches, including innovative drawing methods, the use of trends, CAD for design and presentation, specialist techniques; including material knowledge and experimentation, as well as problem solving skills.
