Fashion at Leeds

Fashion is a key area of teaching and research in the School of Design.

We offer a number of exciting undergraduate and postgraduate courses which provide an opportunity to combine academic theory with the skills and knowledge needed for a career in the fashion and textile industries. Our academic staff are leading researchers and experienced industry professionals who have specialist knowledge in a wide range of areas spanning design and technology.

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Undergraduate courses

Develop your knowledge and skills in a specialist area with our undergraduate courses, whilst gaining an interdisciplinary understanding of the key principles and practices of design in the fashion and textile industries.


Postgraduate courses

Enhance your career prospects and develop further specialist knowledge with our career-focused Masters courses.

We also offer research supervision in a range of fashion topics through our Masters by Research and our PhD offerings.


Professional development courses

Do you work in the design industry? We offer a programme of short CPD courses,  providing an opportunity to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in a range of areas from textile technology to manufacturing and buying to retailing.  Find out more. 


Fashion research

In the School of Design we conduct leading research, supporting innovation and development in the fashion industry and tackling key contemporary issues such as sustainability.

Future Fashion Factory is a multi-million-pound UKRI research project led by the School of Design in collaboration with partner Universities and businesses. Professor Stephen Russell is leading the project which aims to develop new digital technologies to improve cost efficiency, productivity and reduce waste in the fashion industry.  Dr Richard Blackburn is also working with the University of the Arts, London as well as industry collaborators including brands ASOS and Clarks, exploring sustainable growth in the fashion industry.

Dr Mark Sumner leads research in the field of sustainability and has been involved in advising UK parliament on reducing waste and improving clothing recycling within the fashion industry

We're also home to the Yorkshire Fashion Archive which is a collection of clothing produced, purchased and worn in Yorkshire throughout the 20th Century. This forms part of our research in design history and archiving.