2020/21 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BA Fashion Design (International)

Total credits: 480

Entry requirements:

In accordance with the School of Design admissions policy: please see our website (www.design.leeds.ac.uk)

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

School of Design.

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

School of Design.

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Art and Design.
General Business and Management.
Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies.

Programme specification:

BA Fashion Design aspires to provide a broad conception of fashion that encompasses clothes, adornment and physical appearance. While it aims to equip the students with the ability of creating fashion, it also aims to acquaint them with a critical understanding of the range of theories and methods that inform fashion research, as well as fashion's relationship to historical context, cultural practices, social trends and values, and ideological assumptions.

Currently the programmes challenging scheme of study provides an emphasis on key specialisms each requiring independent enquiry, reflective practice and an academic understanding of global fashion design for the 21st Century. Central to the programme of study is learning through practical involvement, industrial relevance and commercial practice. Students are encouraged to pursue their personal design philosophy, and, where possible, to enter live competitions.

The programme comprises of two specialisms:
- Womenswear
- Menswear

At level one, all students take part in a year of common study and this will encompass elements of each specialisms. Contextual subjects examining the history and theory of art and design, the development of visual culture and the fundamentals of digital imaging are studied; these encourage students to develop awareness and judgement in relation to their studio practice and personal development. Where relevant, studio sessions are supported by practical demonstrations and formal lectures. Approaching the end of level one, students, in consultation with staff, will choose their specialism which will commence at level two.

Womenswear Specialism
Students will focus on the research, analysis, design and development of womenswear. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of cut, construction and fabric selection in all aspects of womenswear design. The Design Development & Portfolio module challenges students to develop a clear understanding of design processes involved in womenswear and related products at different market levels. Through the Garment Technology module students will gain a clear insight into the specific methods of pattern cutting for the development and production of womenswear sample garments. Moulage and tailoring will also be investigated. Students will be encouraged to visit international trade shows such as Premiere Vision and reference industry publications to further develop their understanding of the womenswear market. Historical and theoretical optional modules further support this pathway.

Menswear Specialism
Students will focus on the research, analysis, design and development of menswear. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of cut, construction and fabric selection in all aspects of menswear design. The Design Development & Portfolio module challenges students to develop a clear understanding of design processes involved in menswear and related products at different and evolving market levels. Through the Garment Technology module students will gain a clear insight into the specific methods of pattern cutting with particular reference to tailoring and sportswear, for the development and production of menswear sample garments. Innovative manufacturing techniques will also be investigated. Students will be encouraged to visit international trade shows such as Premiere Vision and Bread & Butter as well as referencing industry publications to further develop their understanding of the menswear market. Historical and theoretical optional modules further support this pathway.

Historical and theoretical optional modules further support this pathway.
In addition, level two students continue to engage in complementary studies in colour and digital imaging, design theory and design management and marketing. At level three the students follow a programme of practical and theoretical self directed study. This includes a written investigation into a subject of their choice and of relevance to the a subject of their choice and of relevance to the study of fashion, and the opportunity to negotiate their final design project in consultation with a member of the academic staff. This will be within their specialist pathway and will lead to the production of a final design portfolio; students who have gained a suitable level of technical proficiency may opt to manufacture garments they have designed.

At each level students may choose to study subjects from a range optional modules from within the School or (at levels 1 or 2) elective modules offered by other departments in the University. This allows students to tailor their academic study to their own interests and strengths, develop useful complementary skills such as languages, or gain knowledge that helps make them unique as graduates.


Year Abroad
Subject to satisfactory academic performance in levels 1 and 2, students will be given the opportunity to take an additional study year abroad at an appropriate European or International Institution. A satisfactory academic report from the host institution and a specified assignment by the student (portfolio or written report) must be submitted by the following October of the Year Abroad in order to be awarded the International variant of the programme.

On completion of the programme graduates principally, but not exclusively, pursue careers in fashion design and related areas of retail and manufacture. Graduates have been successful in national and international competitions and find jobs with sought-after employers in the sector. The programme's emphasis on gaining academic and transferable skills equips students for a broad range of prestigious employment, enterprise or postgraduate opportunities.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as ’PFP’

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following options modules:

Students may also study 0-20 credits of Discovery Modules.

The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.

Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of Discovery Modules.

Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as ’PFP’

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following options modules:

Students may also study 0-20 credits of Discovery Modules.

The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.

Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.

Discovery modules:

Candidates may study up to 20 credits of Discovery Modules

Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be enrolled on the following module:

Year4 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as ’PFP’

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Students should note that the module DESN3563 Portfolio: Research & Analysis must be passed before work begins for DESN3564 Portfolio: Design and Content.

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 0-20 credits from the following optional modules:

Students may also study 0-20 credits of Discovery Modules.

The optional modules listed are indicative of those available. The School reserves the right to withdraw and introduce new optional modules in line with the annual review and development of teaching within the School. It may also be necessary on occasion to withdraw modules due to staff absence or very low enrolment numbers.

Students should note that they are not permitted to study the same module more than once.

Discovery modules:

Students may choose 0-20 credits of discovery modules. These must be at level 2 or level 3 unless they are special skills Discovery modules.

Last updated: 24/05/2021 09:54:37

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