(Full time) 2019 start
Textile Design BA
Overview
This degree will allow you to learn practical techniques in textile design as well as gaining key academic skills such as research as critical analysis. Core modules will provide you with an understanding of textile design processes and a working knowledge of marketing, management and sustainability.
Core modules will introduce you to the principles and practices of textile design. You’ll also gain an insight into the historical and cultural contexts of the field of design. As you progress you’ll specialise in either structured textiles, including knitted, woven, stitched and manipulated textiles, or digital textiles, where you’ll explore surface pattern for textiles, wall coverings and other surfaces. In each pathway you’ll have the opportunity to focus on designs for fashion or interiors.
Specialist facilities
We have plenty of facilities to help you make the most of your time at Leeds. You’ll be able to develop your practice in spacious, well-lit and well-equipped studios, as well as purpose-built computer clusters so you can build your CAD skills.
The University is also home to the Yorkshire Fashion Archive, containing a huge variety of haute couture, fashion garments and everyday clothing bought and worn by Yorkshire locals throughout the 20th century – a great resource for your own research and design.
We also house the M&S Company Archive including documents, advertising, photos, films, clothing and merchandise from throughout Marks & Spencer’s history. It provides a fascinating insight into how fashion and homewares within the marketplace have changed and continue to evolve.
ULITA, an archive of international textiles, is housed on campus and collects, preserves and documents textiles and related areas from around the world. You can make appointments to view items, but it also has an online catalogue where you can explore the major collections.
Course content
You’ll spend your first year working on drawing and repeat pattern skills, as well as constructed textiles techniques such as knit and stitch and the use of colour. You’ll also gain an insight into the technological and cultural aspects of art and design. Once you have a solid grounding in these skills, you’ll be able to specialise over the next two years of your degree.
Within digital textiles, you’ll focus on textiles for fashion or interiors, experimenting with techniques such as laser cutting and digital fabric printing or combining the two in materials manipulation. Throughout the degree, you’ll work on drawing, repeat pattern drafting and in-depth market research.
Whether you choose knitted, woven, stitched or manipulated textiles within the structured textiles route, you’ll be able to develop innovative, contemporary designs for fashion or interiors based on your own visual and market research. You’ll use different media to explore the potential of knitted and stitched textile structures and techniques, and you’ll learn how to influence the form, colour, 3D structuring and other properties of textile materials.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Learning and teaching
Depending on the modules you choose, this may involve lectures, seminars and tutorials in which group discussions play a role. Practical tutorials, demonstrations and workshops are also vital for improving your practical skills. However, independent study underpins all of our degrees, enabling you to develop your own ideas.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We also use different types of assessment, including the formal submission of your studio practice. Portfolios and responses to project briefs are also part of the mix, while exams, essays, individual and group presentations are used in some modules.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB
including an art or design-related subject and not including General Studies or Critical Thinking. If you don’t have an art or design-related subject but you are taking Media Studies A-level, we may also consider your application based on a high grade at GCSE in Art/Design and a portfolio of recent and relevant work.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass: 60 credits including 45 at level 3, with grades specified for individual subjects.
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BTEC
DDM in Art/Design
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M2, M2 including art or design.
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International Baccalaureate
34 overall (16 higher, with 5 or 6 in art/visual art/design)
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
(Leaving Certificate): AABBBB including art or design
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AABBBB OR AAABB (B at advanced level) OR AABBB (BB at advanced level) including an art or design subject
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Other Qualifications
Art Foundation course: We welcome Art Foundation course students. However, the qualification is not a requirement for entry and doesn’t usually count towards entry requirements, which are based on A-levels and equivalent qualifications. In exceptional cases, we may make you an offer conditional on achieving an Art Foundation qualification: we may consider your application if you’re taking a validated Art Foundation course and have ABB or above at A-level not including Art or Design.If you’re taking the EPQ, we may make you an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. In this case that would be BBB, plus EPQ grade A.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.
International
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
Documents and information you’ll need
If you don’t have an A-level in a related art or design subject, you’ll need to submit a portfolio of recent and relevant art/design work. Please email at least six images of recent work to texug@leeds.ac.uk at the time of your application to UCAS – the email subject line should include your name and UCAS ID number.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £19,750 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
A degree in Textile Design allows you to develop a range of professional skills, which will help to open doors in a range of careers. You’ll present your work publicly in your final year, and you’ll always be encouraged to engage with a defined audience through your designs. What’s more, because Leeds uses its academic strengths to provide you with a theoretical background to your practice, you’ll also develop transferable skills that appeal to all kinds of employers.
You’ll be a strong communicator with presentation, research and analytical skills – you’ll be able to find information from a range of sources, think about it critically and explain your own conclusions. You’ll also have visual and critical awareness, as well as an understanding of this complex and ever-changing industry. All of these qualities are valued by a wide range of employers in different sectors.
Graduates have pursued a wide range of careers as a result. Some of those who have continued with professional practice are working as graphic designers or design assistants at firms including Abercrombie and Fitch, Chanel, Cosmopolitan, Alexander McQueen and Sibling. Others have gone into diverse careers in education, PR, journalism, retail, marketing, costume design, sales and recruitment. Many also progress to postgraduate study.
Student Achievement
Leeds alumna Marie Stenton (BA Textile Design 2013) is one of the winners of the 2015 University of Leeds Business Plan Competition organised by Spark, the University’s business start-up service.
Amy Chen, one of our final year BA Textile Design students, has won one of the five Berkofsky Arts Awards for 2015. The award considers the creation or dissemination of artwork that will benefit the development of students’ careers in painting, sculpture, drama or music.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Every Leeds student can spend a year working in industry after their second year of study. The industrial placement is great for your personal and professional development, and some students have even been offered permanent roles at their placement companies.
Read more about the Year in Industry.