Leather Technology BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  This Leather Technology BSc (Hons) course is unique in the UK and makes our graduates highly sought after by employers. During this course you are able to specialise in and focus on an aspect of the leather industry that you find particularly interesting. You will be exposed to a number of science disciplines and interact with industrial experts during workshops and seminars.

  Our three-year Honours degree course is a complete preparation for entry into the leather industry. Our graduates can work in tanneries and leather chemical companies around the world or, with the increasing demand for leather skills amongst the top leather-using brands, in the sports, luxury goods, footwear, automotive and fashion sectors.

  Structure

  There are compulsory and optional modules that contribute to the total number of credits required for the BSc (Hons) degree. The course contains theory sessions with a high proportion of practical content which is undertaken in our tannery and laboratories. 100 credits of the study programme comprises of compulsory modules. You must then select an additional 20 credits ensuring that your total number of credits is 120 for each year. The options are discussed below:

  • Leather Science module: fosters the values and attitudes needed for work in a scientific leather discipline with an in depth understanding of leather manufacture.
  • Marketing based module: combines a blend of theoretical marketing principles with the application to real life business scenarios.
  • Business based module: focuses on the tools and skills that are required in order to drive the leather industry forward.

  Assessments

  The course content is assessed utilising a variety of assessment methods such as practical reports, assignments, presentations, reflective portfolios and examinations.

  MODULES

  Module information can be found in the Award Map.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.

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• Entry Requirements

  A minimum of CCC at A Level or MMM at BTEC.

  If you have a creative background, you will be considered on your GCSE (or equivalent) science grades and advised not to take Leather Science as a 20-credit module choice but take a marketing- or business-based module instead. You will also be advised to attend our weekly science club.

  We also welcome applicants  with significant prior experience in the leather industry.

  Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements
  Normally DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC. However, we would also like to hear from you if you have some professional or industry experience, other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to Leather Technology.

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• Fees and Funding

  22/23 Tuition Fees
  

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • UK Part Time: £1,500 per 20 credit module
  • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • International Full Time: £14,000
  • International Integrated Foundation Year: £14,000 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply

  Additional costs

  • £100 to cover PPE (safety glasses, one white lab coat, one blue lab coat, wellington boots and gloves) and contribution to raw material costs
  • Student Membership to the Society for Leather Technologists and Chemists (six journals per year and free attendance to the Annual Conference) – Optional. £26.50
  • Individual Spray Gun – £40 (Sponsorship may be available)
  • Italy Trip – Although the Italy Trip is heavily subsidised by industry, there is an approximate cost of £150 that students will pay to book flights and transport. The trip is not compulsory.*

  *Subject to Terms and Conditions

  21/22 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,465 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £6,780 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)
  • International – Full Time: £13,000
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £13,000 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)

  Additional costs

  • £100 to cover PPE (safety glasses, one white lab coat, one blue lab coat, wellington boots and gloves) and contribution to raw material costs
  • Student Membership to the Society for Leather Technologists and Chemists (six journals per year and free attendance to the Annual Conference) – Optional. £26.50
  • Individual Spray Gun – £40 (Sponsorship may be available)
  • Italy Trip – Although the Italy Trip is heavily subsidised by industry, there is an approximate cost of £150 that students will pay to book flights and transport. The trip is not compulsory.*

  *Subject to Terms and Conditions

   

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

   

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• Student Perks

  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 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.

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• 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.

  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.

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• Special Facilities

  As the UK’s only university to integrate leather technology with fashion, marketing, business and environmental concerns, we are proud to house an on-campus working tannery for practical leather making as well as laboratories to enable leather testing.

  • brand new on-campus tannery and laboratories for teaching
  • a variety of modules to cater for a wide range of leather career choices
  • industry-led practical workshops and seminars in technology and supply chain knowledge delivered by international experts
  • opportunity in Stage 1 to attend a week long industry supported trip to Italy (non-compulsory, see additional costs)*
  • continual networking with potential employers within the industry
  • opportunity to attend an international leather fair in Hong Kong*
  • subject-specific bursaries and scholarships available for leather students
    *Ts and Cs apply

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• Methods of Learning

  Within this highly practical Leather Technology degree you can expect to spend a considerable amount of time in our working tannery and laboratories. You will acquire an extensive knowledge of the leather making process as well as the working properties of leather.

  You will also develop an expertise in the technical practical skills necessary for future career progression within the whole leather supply chain. Depending on your interest and background, each year you can take module options in leather science, marketing or business. Consequently, you will gain relevant skills to facilitate entry into industry sectors of your choice upon graduation.

  Workshops and guest lecturers from key industry members keep students up-to-date with technical developments and current global issues affecting the leather supply chain.

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Careers and Employability

Graduates from this programme are in high demand. We routinely see 100% of graduates entering employment around the world (internal statistics) since the university receives more requests from employers than we have graduates to fill their vacancies.

Our graduates have entered technical management within the leather industry, chemical sales and technical support within research and development departments. Others have become advisers on leather purchasing for clothing, upholstery and automotive industries.