Emmeline Child
Senior Lecturer in Fashion
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Fashion, Textiles & Footwear BA (Hons)
Key Facts
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UCAS Code
BA: W230
BA with Foundation: W236 -
Duration
Full Time: 3 years
Full Time Foundation: 4 years
Part Time: 4 years
-
BBC at A Level or,
DMM at BTEC -
Full Time: £9,535
Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
Updated 04/12/2025
Updated 04/12/2025
This exciting and creative fashion degree will enable you to explore a range of industry relevant topics, allowing you to specialise in Fashion, Footwear or Textiles.
Our Fashion course provides rigorous depth of knowledge and industry-relevant skills at each level of the programme, enabling you to explore and advance both your theoretical understanding of fashion design and technical skills to support realisation. With access to specialist workshops, supported by expert academic and technical staff you will develop skills in both traditional and digital technologies making you prepared for the industry of the future.
The range of facilities will support you to learn the process of design from concept development, through to materiality and 3D visualisation within your chosen specialism.
Live projects, national and international competitions provide real-world industry experience for a range of careers for the fashion, textile and footwear industry, freelance work or preparation for further study at master’s level.
For overall student positivity in the National Student Survey 2025.
NSS Calculations are based on Office for Students (OfS) data from the average positivity score.
Highlights
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- Opportunities to explore a range of areas within the fashion, footwear, accessories and textiles industry
- Specialist fashion, footwear manufacture and textile workshop facilities, including technical support and specialist workshop demonstrations, as well as input by leading researchers and industry professionals.
- Study footwear in a town that is steeped in footwear and leather heritage as well as being home to some of the most elite, internationally renowned footwear brands.
- Links with Northampton Museum & Art Gallery which is home to the National Collection of Footwear
- Fashion at Northampton is a member of Graduate Fashion Week
- Live team industry, collaborative and interdisciplinary projects
- National & International Competitions
- Opportunities to win both internal (sponsored) and external awards
- Option to study creative pathway that contains specially tailored modules in years 2 and 3 of your study
- Livery companies’ scholarships & bursaries available
- Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.
- HP Laptop and software included with this course. Terms and Conditions apply.
Two fashion models stand against a deep burgundy backdrop, wearing bold, colourful outfits featuring vibrant dragon motifs in turquoise, yellow, and red tones.
A model wearing a white tulle ballet skirt and holding several pairs of ballet shoes over their shoulder
A model wears a cream ensemble including satin trousers and matching jacket, with a corset with deep red velvet boning.
A model stares at the camera wearing a dramatic, avant-garde outfit featuring a spiked transparent face mask, and a corset with shiny purple ribbons and metal embellishments.
Two models stand back-to-back against a rich burgundy backdrop, wearing striking garments in vibrant red, orange, and yellow African-inspired prints
A red sock, artificial red flowers, and a red substance are wrapped around a wooden shoe and a knife, displayed on a clear acrylic stand against a dark red background.
A model wears a theatrical, deconstructed historical costume with a blue bodice and an elaborate, layered skirt.
Entry Requirements
A typical offer for Fashion, Textiles & Footwear is:
- BBC at A Level or,
- DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or,
- Pass (C and above) at T Level
We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.
The University of Northampton now offers on a range of our courses an alternative route to study – the integrated foundation year (IFY). Admission to this foundation course is normally:
- DEE at A Level or,
- MPP at BTEC or,
- Pass (D or E) at T Level
However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
for study at undergraduate level
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
For information on how to apply to study with us as an International student, please see our How to apply for International Study page.
What You'll Learn
Our degree in Fashion, Textiles & Footwear aims to equip you with the skills to succeed and thrive in this exciting and fast paced multi-billion pound industry.
The programme offers a broad range of skills to help you discover your strengths and future professional path. You will learn about a variety of subjects, such as CAD, digital literacy, manufacturing, design research, technical skills in clothing production, illustration, portfolio skills, communication and presentation skills. To contextualize your work, we will encourage you to address environmental, political, and global challenges during your research and development.
Integral to the programme is our strong creative industry links within the footwear, fashion, textiles and accessories sector. These links mean we can offer live projects, competitions, work experience, and an outstanding guest lecture series, which exposes you to leading brands and high-profile speakers. These opportunities enable you to develop and practice your emerging academic, creative, commercial and entrepreneurial skills within a professional setting.
Year 1 introduces you to the design development cycle from concept through to production. This level gives you the foundations of knowledge to build on.
Creative Skills for Fashion
60 Credits
Code: FSH1120
60 Credits
Exploring Creativity
40 Credits
Code: FSH1121
40 Credits
Fashion Branding and Communications
20 Credits
Code: FSH1122
20 Credits
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
A pathway option provides an insight into a different route for this fashion degree. If you choose to study this pathway, this will be named in your final degree award.
The first year modules remain the same, whether you study Fashion, Textiles & Footwear or Fashion, Textiles & Footwear (Creative Communications). When you get into second and third year, your modules will differ slightly with specifically designed modules for the pathway. These includes:
Year 2:
- FSH2120 Fashion Event (20 Credits)
- FSH2122 Client Conceptual Experience (20 Credits)
- FSH2126 Changemaker Mindsets (20 Credits)
- FSH2127 Define Specialism – Fashion, Textiles or Creative Communication (40 Credits)
- FSH2128 Materials (20 Credits)
All modules in Year 2 are compulsory
Year 3:
- FSH3116 Professional Promotional Website (40 Credits)
- FSH3112 Advanced Design Communication (20 Credits)
- FSH3113 Visual Promotion (20 Credits)
- FSH3121 Creative Futures: Planning, Practice and Positioning (40 Credits)
All modules in Year 3 are compulsory.
You don’t have to make a decision about studying the pathway until you’re in your first year, and we’ll give you guidance on the different options available to you and the benefits of each one.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join this full time Fashion Design degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).
The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.
If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need to successfully progress to the full award.
Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.
How will I be taught on this Fashion degree?
We take a range of approaches to teaching throughout our fashion design degree, to help you learn in the best way for you. This is a creative course that aims to nurture creative and innovative designers for the future.
Our course will enable you to realise your full potential through a varied programme of studio-based projects, specialist practical workshops, group critiques, one-to-one tutorials, study visits and regular personal tutorial support. You will get feedback throughout the year, verbally, written and online.
Is a degree in fashion worth it?
Studying a fashion course at university level will provide you with fantastic opportunities to develop your creative skills and build out your portfolio of work.
A degree in fashion also gives students a chance to expand their networks and gain valuable work experience that will help them pursue a career within the fashion industry.
How will I be assessed on Fashion, Textiles and Footwear?
Theory is assessed through essay writing, blogs, assignments and presentations. Practical work is judged through studio presentations, portfolio and product realisation.
Will there be opportunities for work experience?
During your second year you might want to choose to do a coordinated work experience placement and there will be other opportunities for placements throughout your course. We encourage you to make the most of these opportunities.
Are there are any opportunities for study trips abroad?
We are keen that our students see themselves as global citizens and embed opportunities to broaden your horizons into the programme. In previous years, our students have had the opportunity to visit fashion capitals of the world such as Milan, Tokyo and New York. British Council supported trips have funded opportunities for students to visit India, China and Turkey for specific projects often working in collaboration with international students.
Exhibitions showcasing students’ work have taken place at The Indian International Leather Fair in Chennai, India, Asian Pacific Leather Fair in Hong Kong. The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers has supported student travel to international trade fairs such as Le Cuir in Paris, Micam and Lineapelle in Italy. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers has supported student travel to Paris, Italy to international trade fairs and exhibitions.
All the study trips are optional and the costs vary year on year. Typically, this is approximately £800 for New York, and £400 for European trips (Milan, Amsterdam, Sweden).
Are there any other course highlights?
Other course highlights include:
- On campus exhibitions
- National and International competitions, awards and opportunities are embedded into the three years of study
- Opportunities to win both internal (sponsored) and external awards
- Recent students have seen their collections displayed at Asian Pacific Leather Fair in Hong Kong, Ningbo Fashion Week in China, Lineapelle in Italy, PV in Paris Fashion Week, Dubai and Mexico.
- Students get the opportunity to show their work at Graduate Fashion Week and Our end of year Degree Show.
Is there anything else I should know?
This fashion and textiles course has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK – Full Time: £9,535
- UK – Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
- International – Full Time: £15,700
- International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
All consumables and essential items required for module delivery are provided to you throughout your studies. This includes workshop materials for pattern cutting including pattern paper and calico, printing including screens and binders/dyes and footwear lasts and leather. We ensure you have access to the appropriate materials and resources to demonstrate module learning outcomes and are for student use within the studio environment at level 4 and 5. If you choose to develop your work further there may be the need to purchase additional materials for toiling and pattern making, however we try to ensure additional costs are kept to a minimum and can be bought at cost in house.
The cost of other materials, vary on an individual basis. These would be deemed ‘additional extras’ for non-essential elements to enhance your work. Optional additional costs may include materials for your final major collection and styling items for creating holistic assessment pieces. If you choose not to include these optional extras in your work, you will not be impacted in any way. Operating in this way, enables students to work within their own individual budget allowances and the cost implications are individual to the nature of the work being undertaken.
Every year, there is an optional excursion to Europe that costs between £400 and £600. This is not included in the assessed curriculum and is provided as an elective opportunity to become fully immersed in a different fashion culture.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £9,250
- UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
- UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
- International – Full Time: £15,200
- International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200
Staff
Jane Mills
Senior Lecturer in Fashion
Ela Crouch
Senior Lecturer in Fashion and Fashion Marketing
Caroline Lloyd
Senior Lecturer in Fashion
Careers and Employability
Studying this degree will open up a vast range of career opportunities, including…
- Designers
- Pattern cutters
- Illustrators
- Production Managers
- Buyers
We have alumni working across a wide range of brands and retailers including; Brandix, ASOS, TOPSHOP, River Island, White Company, Next, Ted Baker, LVMH, Henry Holland, Emilia Wickstead and Anya Hindmarch.
Student stories
Watch student Simon discuss his incredible fashion inspiration from World War 2.
Learn how student Amy grew her own fabric.
Be inspired by Maisie as she discusses how her life and her family have inspired her creative work.
Facilities
We have a fashion manufacturing facility, including flatbeds and overlockers and a range of specialised production equipment, and a fully equipped textile print room with screen printing, hand dying, transfer printing, laser cutting and two footwear manufacturing workshops.
Students have access to a range of CAD packages including Lectra, which specialises in CAD software and CAM cutting-room systems for industries. As well as:
- Lazer cutter and digital printers
- Full-size printing table and print room facilities
- Footwear and Accessory workshops with specialist machinery for the production of leather goods.
