Emmeline Child
Senior Lecturer in Fashion
level:UG;top_up:true;international:true;foundation:false;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:September;location:Waterside
Fashion, Textiles, Footwear and Accessories (Top-Up) BA (Hons)
Key Facts
-
UCAS Code
W239
-
Duration
Full Time: 1 year
Part Time: 2 years
-
Full Time: £9,535
Part Time: £1,585 (per 20 credits) -
Full Time: £17,000
Updated 18/11/2025
Updated 18/11/2025
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
This Fashion top up degree gives you the opportunity to refine your existing skills developed from previous studies to top up into a BA (Hons) Degree. Our Fashion, Textiles, Footwear & Accessories degree provides rigorous depth of knowledge and industry-relevant skills, 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 refine your skills in both traditional and digital technologies making you prepared for the industry of the future.
Highlights
- Access to the Institute for Creative Leather Technology (ICLT) Tannery – a unique opportunity to explore working with leather as a creative material.
- 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.
- Opportunities to take part in national and international competitions.
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.
A model stands against a dark green background wearing a voluminous white ruffled dress, gold high heel shoes, and an ornate gold face mask.
Entry Requirements
Standard entry requirements apply. Applicants are expected to have studied a Fashion or related subject at Foundation Degree/HND or equivalent.
Applicants are requested to attend a 30 minute interview with a member of the Fashion team.
We welcome international applications and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.
For more 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.
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.
What You'll Learn
During your Fashion course top-up you will have the opportunity to refine your skills to prepare yourself for industry. The first semester you will develop and explore the concept of your chosen project theme, while exploring the opportunities for you in your chosen career. In the second semester you will take your concepts through to realisation in preparation to launch into industry or for further studies.
Integral to our fashion degree is our strong creative industry links within the footwear, fashion, textiles and accessories sector who offer live projects, competitions, work experience and contribute to our 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.
National and International competitions, awards and opportunities are embedded into study on the Fashion, Textiles, Footwear & Accessories degree. Our students have also seen their collections displayed at Asian Pacific Leather Fair in Hong Kong, Ningbo Fashion Week in China, Lineapelle in Italy, PV in Paris and The Wing at Silverstone Racecourse right here in Northampton.
Compulsory Modules
This module will enable fashion students to showcase their digital, aesthetic, technical and specialist skillsThis module will support students to create a refined digital platform enables them to position themselves as industry-ready fashion creativesThe online professional profile they create will articulate their ethics and values and serve as a springboard to launch their post-graduation careersIn addition, it will showcase various creative outcomes developed over the duration of their programme within a digital fashion related contextStudents will use a specialist multi-media platform of their choice.
The module offers students the opportunity to identify their individual strengths and future area of specialism in preparation for industry through the integration of theory and practice Students will produce a project proposal outlining research areas, the wider context of question or investigation, sustainability, ethics, market level, materials and resources required.
This cumulative module builds on the project proposal and practical development work produced within the Creative Futures module, exploring individual professional potential and career progressionThis Final Creative Collection requires students to undertake a sustained, in-depth and informed approach to a design project aligned to own specialism and career aspirations.
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.
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 Fashion 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.
How will I taught on this Fashion Textiles Top-Up?
We take a range of approaches to teaching, 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 BA Fashion, Textiles, Footwear & Accessories 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.
How will I be assessed?
Theory is assessed through essay writing, blogs, assignments and presentations. Practical work is judged through studio presentations, portfolio and product realisation.
Will I get to take part in a Degree Show?
The Degree Show
As a final year Fashion Textiles student, you’ll put together a major collection and display your designs exclusively in front of a host of the University’s industry partners and VIP guests.
There are also several prestigious awards during the year, and our students are regularly recognised – either as nominees or overall winners.
Students display their work at the annual Degree Show at Waterside campus. Our Fashion Design students deliver some stunning designs.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK – Full Time: £9,535
- UK – Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- International – Full Time: £17,000
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.
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
- International – Full Time: £16,500
Staff
Jane Schaffer
Senior Lecturer in Footwear & Accessories
Caroline Lloyd
Senior Lecturer in Fashion
Jane Mills
Senior Lecturer in Fashion
Vicki Dean
Senior Lecturer for the Integrated Foundation Year Studies
Ela Crouch
Senior Lecturer in Fashion and Fashion Marketing
Careers and Employability
Some of our fashion Alumni over the last couple of years include:
- ASOS
- AVON
- Supply Chains for Calvin Klein (PVH)
- Christian Dior Couture
- Christian Louboutin
- Dr Martins
- END.
- George at ASDA
- Joseph Cheaney and Sons
- KDV Beauty
- Lacoste
- Landmark Group UAE Marks and Spencer
- MA Fashion Futures UAL
- MA Footwear UAL
- MA RCA
- New Look
- Next
- Pittards
- Pixel Pool
- River Island
- Studio Lawal
- Ted Baker
- TikTok
- Tommy Hilfiger
- We Are KIN
- White Company
- William Lamb
- Word Forest
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.
Our Fashion School 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.
