Textile Design BA

This degree combines practice based textile design modules with theoretical study of design and technology, as well as providing key academic skills such as research and critical analysis.

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 well as and a working knowledge of marketing, management and sustainability within the textile industry.. 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. You will develop the skills required by employers enabling you to compete in a dynamic and fast changing industry.

You can tailor your degree through our wide range of optional and discovery modules delivered through the Leeds Curriculum, which complement and enhance your core programme.

The School of Design offers excellent facilities for developing your creative skills. Our studios are equipped with a wide range of high specification equipment, providing specialist textile design facilities. We also have dedicated practice studios, workshops and specialist facilities for painting, printmaking, sculpture and digital media. We have dedicated PC and Mac computer suites with up to date software for advancing your CAD skills.

The University is also home to the Yorkshire Fashion Archive which contains 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. Our campus also houses the M&S Company Archive which includes documents, advertising, photos, films, clothing and merchandise from throughout Marks & Spencer’s history. It’s a fascinating insight into how fashion and the marketplace have changed and continue to evolve.

In addition, the world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections– valuable assets for your independent research. Our additional library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them.

You’ll spend your first year working on visual research for textile design leading to specialist introductions to repeat pattern skills, knit, weave and stitch. 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, woven or stitched textile structures and techniques, and you’ll learn how to influence the form, colour, 3D structuring and other properties of textile materials.

You will also study modules in marketing, innovation and creativity as well as developing your academic research skills.

Level three allows you to consolidate your study from level one and two in major independent design and research projects. This personal approach allows you to develop your design practice to support your career choices.

The Programme Leader for this course is Dr Elizabeth Gaston.

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.

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

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

A-level: ABB including an art or design subject

If you have not studied 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.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass: 60 credits including 45 at level 3, with grades specified for individual subjects.

• BTEC

  DDM in Art/Design

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, M2, M2 including art or design.

• International Baccalaureate

  34 overall (16 higher, with 5 or 6 in art/visual art/design)

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  (Leaving Certificate): AABBBB including art or design

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  AABBBB OR AAABB (B at advanced level) OR AABBB (BB at advanced level) including an art or design subject

• Other Qualifications

  Art Foundation course: Whilst we welcome Art Foundation students this isnot a requirement for entry and doesn’t usually count towards entry requirements.

  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 School’s 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

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: £20,750 (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.

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.

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

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.