(Full time) 2019 start
Fashion Technology BA
Overview
This unique degree will give you a broad understanding of how technology supports and empowers the fashion industry, linking the design process with product development, supply chain dynamics, fashion management and sustainability.
Developed in consultation with employers and shaped by our close links with the industry, this degree will show you how design and fashion technology come together to turn a design idea into a physical, marketable product. You’ll also learn about how products reach the market and explore the challenges of sustainability.
The course will give you a working knowledge of the fashion supply chain from cotton fields to the final garment, and even what happens to garments at the end of their lives. You’ll know when and how to use different materials, fabrics and dyes, assess manufacturing processes and begin to plan the supply chain.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain a wide range of skills for a challenging and vital role at the heart of the fashion industry.
Fashion Technology Clothworkers Excellence scholarship
We offer a number of scholarships of £7,500 for students studying our BA Fashion Technology course which are awarded as £2,500 for each of the 3 years of study. All Home/EU students who apply to the course will automatically be considered for this Excellence Scholarship and we will select students based on their academic experience as well as professional knowledge or experience which you have demostrated in your UCAS application.
Specialist facilities
We have excellent facilities to support you in your studies. The School of Design has access to technology from fibre and yarn manufacture, to knitting and weaving, nonwovens manufacturing, dyeing, printing and garment production and testing. The School has some of the latest technology used in the fashion industry such as digital printing and laser cutting facilities, clothing engineering and colour analysis/prediction labs, and a computer-aided design (CAD) suite with access to the latest design software.
We also have an impressive range of resources you can use for research. The University is 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 house the M&S Company Archive including documents, advertising, photos, films, clothing and merchandise from throughout Marks & Spencer’s history. ULITA, an archive of international textiles, is also 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
From your first year, you’ll build your knowledge of how fashion products are developed, exploring topics such as technology, colour, sustainability and design. Core modules will explore how fibres are converted through numerous processes into a finished product and how your decisions at each of these processing steps impact the look, functionality and sustainability of your product. They will also introduce you to the concepts of supply chain and testing as well as consumer behaviour and global trends, and how they shape – and are shaped by – the fashion industry.
Year 2 allows you to build on this foundation, by taking part in group project work to gain a wide range of skills as you develop your own product, as well as learning about the impact of the coloration and finishing processes on the performance of the final product. You’ll also study recent developments in fashion technology, the impact of innovation and retail management to get a real sense of how different aspects of the industry come together.
In your final year, you’ll demonstrate the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired when you focus on your own product development project. This gives you the opportunity to build the business case for a new fashion product, and then plan how this product is developed by considering the materials, dyes, fabrics and supply chain used to bring it to market – while thinking about sustainability at every stage. You’ll also study how global trends and technological innovation will shape the future of the fashion industry.
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
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods including lectures, seminars, practical sessions and tutorials plus one-to-one contact with tutors. However, we attach a lot of importance to independent study, since it allows you to develop your knowledge and skills such as research and analysis. You’ll also take part in project work throughout the degree, collaborating with students on the other programmes within the School.
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 use different assessment methods to help you gain a wide range of skills, including exams, essays, reports, business plans and project work among others.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking, and preferably including at least one science/mathematics-related subject.
If you don’t have this we may also consider your application if you have a high grade in a mathematics/science subject at GCSE level.
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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 science.
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3,M2,M2 including a science subject.
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International Baccalaureate
34 overall (16 higher including 5 or 6 points in a science subject).
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
(Leaving Certificate): AABBBB including a science subject
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AABBBB OR AAABB (B at advanced level) OR AABBB (BB at advanced level) including a science 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.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
Were committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative 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 alternative 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.
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 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 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 international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
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.
Fashion Technology Clothworkers Excellence scholarship
We offer a number of scholarships of £7,500 for students studying our BA Fashion Technology course which are awarded as £2,500 for each of the 3 years of study. All Home/EU students who apply to the course will automatically be considered for this Excellence Scholarship and we will select students based on their academic experience as well as professional knowledge or experience which you have demostrated in your UCAS application.
Career opportunities
This degree is designed to equip you with a wide range of skills that are highly desirable to employers in the fashion industry.
You’ll have an understanding of the design process and be able to translate a design into a workable production process using the right materials. You’ll be able to put all of this in the context of how the finished product will be marketed, purchased and used. As the fashion industry places increasing focus on sustainability, the course will equip you to meet these challenges head on.
This holistic knowledge of fashion technology, the supply chain and the industry will equip you to succeed in a range of different careers with clothing brands and retailers and their suppliers. These roles could include buying, product development, technology, retail and supply chain management among many others.
In addition, the understanding you’ll gain of operational issues, manufacturing processes and project management could open doors for you in a range of other sectors.
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