BA (Hons) Textile Design with Foundation Year

Why study this subject?

The creative world is full of exciting and rewarding opportunities. Did you know, the creative industries contribute over £92billlion (gov.uk DCMS 2017) to the UK economy every year? And the fashion and textiles industry is one of the largest sectors in the UK.

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.

Stay updated with all our latest BA (Hons) Textile Design news by following us on Instagram @bnu_textiledesign

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

With a history of delivering expert craft, art and design education for more than 130 years, BNU is the perfect place to start your creative career.

We'll make sure that you have all the skills you need to start a career in Textile Design through our focus on craftsmanship and skills so you can graduate with a robust understanding of the sector.

We’re only 30 minutes by train into London, one of the world’s fashion capitals and well known for spawning innovation and talent. What's more, our experienced and specialist team of lecturers are experienced designers, current industry practitioners and researchers.

With our strong links with the textile industry, you’ll get direct access to guest lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, masterclasses and plenty of networking opportunities. You'll have the opportunity to get noticed at our London degree show and take part in our annual art and design show. We'll also provide you with the chance to enter industry competitions.

As well as working on your own briefs, you’ll be able to work on industry-based projects with leading designers which will help you develop ideas into textiles and textile products. We have industry collaborations with brands like Dulux, Gerflor, Tengri, Jane Bowler, Bradford Textiles, Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters, The Arts Society and The Society of Dyers and Colourists.

Acting practitioners regularly work with us as associate lecturers to enable students to fully develop their projects and ideas whilst injecting industry standard practices and experiences. Regular guest lectures from industry professionals support this further, examples of invited guest lecturers include Laura Perryman, Marianne Shillingford – Creative Director of Dulux, WGSN, Craig Green, Christopher Raeburn, Alice Wilby, Oliver Heath and Rowan Mersh.

We were recently selected as one of only five UK institutions to take part in the UK Fashion and Textile Association’s (UKFT) ‘MADE IT’ programme, 20/21.

Being one of just five selected universities for the MADE IT project led by UKFT highlights how Buckinghamshire New University are developing industry ready skills in our Fashion Design students. Brigitte Stockton, Course Leader.

What facilities can I use?

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

With your own personal workspace, you’ll benefit from being part of our vibrant and dynamic design studio community.

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.

In our workshops, you’ll receive one-to-one teaching, working closely with lecturers, specialist technicians and alongside fellow students.

What will I study?

On this course you'll 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.

We put a strong emphasis on career, designer identity and industry in the course curriculum. For example, we hold regular careers and employability talks from a number of eminent guest speakers in the PR, automotive, fashion, interiors, accessories and colour industries as well as workshops on CV writing. You'll graduate with a professional portfolio, an authentic digital profile, industry familiarity and impressive presentation skills.

How will I be taught and assessed?

This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

This course is 75% practice-based so you will have ample opportunity to develop your subject through a hands-on, experimental approach. This will involve access to workshops to support the design process.

Our Red Shed studio give you your own dedicated workspace. 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.

Exploring design led projects develops your research, drawing, colour, design and workshop technical skills. You'll get taster projects in each of the textile practices, print, knit and surface design, and once you know which one suits your creativity most, you can start to specialise.

As well as this you will benefit from our industry links and guest speakers. Gain real-life experience through exciting industry projects and competitions. These help you develop ideas for textiles and textile products. We have industry collaborations which include Dulux, Gerflor, Tengri, Jane Bowler, Bradford Textiles and The Society of Dyers and Colourists.

Placements Plus

BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.

We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.

Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.