Leather for Fashion BA (Hons)

• Overview

  This unique course will give you the specialist skills you need for careers in the Leather garments area of the fashion industry. You will have access to bespoke facilities to help you learn more about the properties of leather and applying them to garment design and manufacture. We have industry links which support live design projects and provide opportunities for work experience.

  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.

  Course

  Highlights

  • Opportunity to take part in high profile catwalk shows.
  • Showcase your designs at the University's Degree Show.
  • International study trips available, typically to one of the fashion capitals of the world.
  • Guaranteed paid internship.*

  HP Laptop and software included with this course.*

  *Terms and Conditions apply

  Apply Now Open Days

  
• Course Details

  Leather has always played a major role in the creation of garments and it is still significant today, with many leather designs appearing on catwalks. Appreciating the properties of materials will allow you to maximise your creative flair, so this course uses theory and practical work to help you understand leather as a material. You will learn how to take leather through the design and manufacturing stage for the production of leather garments so that you can meet the demands of innovative design while ensuring that the product remains fit for purpose, meeting the high demands of the commercial world.

  We will encourage you to develop your own individual aesthetic signature in a stimulating work environment, where you will be able to explore materials and develop exciting conceptual pieces in leather and suede. We put an emphasis on on technical finesse, balanced by creative exploration and material investigation.

  You will start your degree with an introduction to fashion, textiles and leather so that you can tailor your studies to your interests. You will then focus on Leather for Fashion, with a specialist module at the Institute for Creative Leather Technology (ICLT). As well as developing your technical skills, you will produce a portfolio of conceptual design work culminating in a final collection utilising leather or suede.

  More information is available for you to download – Creative Leather Applications.

  Methods of Learning

  Project briefings are supported by tutorials, seminars, group work, visiting lectures, professional practice, field trips, independent study and assessment.

  Assessments

  Theory is assessed through essay writing, assignments, presentations, and a dissertation. Practical work is judged through studio presentations and exhibitions.

  The Degree Show

  Final year students display their work at the annual Degree Show at our Avenue Campus. Our Fashion students deliver some stunning designs which you can view on our Flickr.

  High Profile Catwalk Shows

  As a final year student you’ll put together a major collection and display your designs exclusively on the catwalk in front of a host of the University’s industry partners and VIP guests.

  Changing Futures Week

  Our annual Changing Futures Week is an exciting event and an excellent opportunity for our students to explore the potential of their course and understand where their university experience can lead them beyond graduation. It offers a unique chance to network with high profile industry professionals from the arts, TV, film, fashion and more.

   

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  Opportunities Abroad

  Our international study visits provide a unique opportunity for you to gain an insight into various cultures and international business. Previous study visits have included New York, Milan and Tokyo.

  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).

• Careers and Events
  • The Northampton Employment Promise.

    *We promise to secure paid experience for you, if you need it.

    We work with employers to understand what they’re looking for and we’re confident that if you follow one of our structured awards, as well as committing to your studies you’ll be in a competitive position when it comes to applying for graduate jobs.

    We’re so confident, that we promise to secure a paid 3-6 month internship for you, if you need it. Find out more about the Northampton Employment Promise, including how it works and who is eligible.

    
  • Open Days

    Discover your Course

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying with us.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Graduate Fashion Week

    As a final year student you’ll put together a major collection. Our students have had the opportunity to show their work on the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week.

    Held in London, Graduate Fashion Week is an opportunity for students to network with big names from the Fashion industry – from potential employers to scouts who are looking for the next big talent in Design.

    There are also a number of prestigious awards during the event, and our students are regularly recognised – either as nominees or overall winners.

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    When you graduate from this course, you will be well suited to work in the fashion industry, including designing and leather crafting, leather technology and testing, footwear and accessories manufacturing, pattern cutting, buying, merchandising, PR and editorial.

    Our fashion graduates have secured fashion design jobs with POP Magazine, Ted Baker, House of Holland, COS, Topshop and River Island.

    
• Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC. In addition, you are expected to have studied an Art or Textiles related subject in an A Level or BTEC level 3 Diploma, or equivalent qualification. We will also accept a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.

  Applicants are interviewed and are requested to provide a portfolio of their own work in Art and Design. Students with a relevant HND or Foundation Degree with a suitable profile of achievement may be admitted onto year two or three.

  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.

  Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) Entry Requirements

  Admission to this foundation course is normally DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC. 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.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • Minimum standard – IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent)
    for study at undergraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

   

  Contacts

  Course Enquiries

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Applying for 2020
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Stage 3
  • Foundation

  You will be introduced to studio design and workshop practice, covering core skills and practical experience in fashion, textiles and leather for fashion supported by theory. This will all be underpinned by historical and contextual studies.

  • Design Practice: Concept Research and Design Development (60 Credits)
    Module code: FSH1107

    Core Module Y
  • Contextual Studies 1 (20 Credits)
    Module code: FSH1101

    Core Module Y
  • Fashion, Leather Fashion and Textiles: Context (40 Credits)
    Module code: FSH1106

    Core Module Y

  Emphasis will be placed on your creative potential and individuality, with the opportunity for co-ordinated work experience. In order to give you a feel of what it’s like to work in the fashion industry, your projects will be set by external contacts and sponsors and some projects will include consultancy groups. You will also have a range of guest lectures from notable industry specialists.

  • Design Practice: Research and Design Development Fashion/Leather/Footwear and Accessories and Printed Textiles (60 Credits)
    Module code: FSH2105

    Core Module Y
  • Contextual Studies 2 (20 Credits)
    Module code: FSH2101

    Core Module Y
  • Visual Communication and Promotion (20 Credits)
    Module code: FSH2106

    Core Module Y
  • Fashion with Leather (20 Credits)
    Module code: LEA2012

    Core Module Y

  Your final year encompasses the final major project, which is the design and production of a capsule collection, supported by academic research. This is a chance for you to focus on what you have found most interesting, working in collaboration with industry and reflecting what you have learned through the course including pattern cutting, manufacture, design research, portfolio presentation, photography and styling, leather/fabric/colour forecasting and CAD.

  • Design Context Communication (40 Credits)
    Module code: FSH3105

    Core Module Y
  • Final Major Project (80 Credits)
    Module code: FSH3103

    Core Module Y

  Students must take the compulsory modules.

  • Transition to University – Learning to Learn (40 Credits)
    Module code: FDN018

    Core Module Y
  • Investigating Your Subject (20 Credits)
    Module code: FDN020

    Core Module Y
  • Foundation in Arts Specialist Study (20 Credits)
    Module code: FDN022

    Core Module Y
  • Negotiated Learning Project (40 Credits)
    Module code: FDN021

    Core Module Y

  Module information is quoted for 19/20 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  • the Fashion area has dedicated studios and a range of high quality workshops to enable the production of 2D and 3D work
  • emphasis is placed on your creative development whilst recognising the importance of marketing and management skills
  • strong links with industry, invited guest speakers and live project learning experiences
  • opportunities for work experience and internships are embedded within the curriculum
  • optional international study visits
  • Leathersellers’ Scholarships to £800 to £1200 for fashion leather collections
• Further Studies
  • Postgraduate Opportunities

    Further your Study

    Our postgraduate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on postgraduate fees to give yourself a CV that will catch the eye of employers.

    Leather Technology (Professional) MSc

    Master of Business Administration (MBA)

    Leather Technology PhD

    
  • Research

    We are committed to delivering outstanding research that makes a difference to society. Our Research Institutes and Centres work closely with external partner organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. We produce internationally renowned and relevant research and disseminate knowledge on an international scale.

    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
  • Business and Enterprise

    We are committed to supporting and encouraging business growth and we are involved in a variety of initiatives which seek to benefit the wider community as well as students and staff of the University.

    Discover what businesses we work with and what opportunities may be available to you on our Business and Enterprise pages.

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU
  • International

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250 per year
  Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module
  Integrated Foundation Year: £6,750

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250 per year
  Part Time: £1,400 per 20 credit module

  Additional Costs

  Study trips

  New York: £800 (Not compulsory)
  Milan/Amsterdam/Sweden: £400 (Not compulsory)

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  International: £12,900 per year
  Integrated Foundation Year: £12,900

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  International: £12,500 per year

  For information on the scholarships available to you as an international student, please see our International scholarships page.

  Additional Costs

  Study trips

  New York: £800 (Not compulsory)
  Milan/Amsterdam/Sweden: £400 (Not compulsory)

  Scholarships

  EU and International Scholarships

  We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

  Sir Thomas White Scholarship

  The Sir Thomas White scholarship will support and acknowledge an academically gifted student, with the proviso that the selection panel is confident that there is…

  TD Lewis Scholarship

  The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

  The Chancellor's Fund

  The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

  Wilson Endowment Scholarship

  The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…

• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  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, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Featuring a reduced tuition fee in the first year, 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.

*Course data provided by Unistats