BA in Fashion Design (Full Time)  BA in Fashion Design (Full Time) University of Westminster ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1534160506University of Westminster.jpg

YEAR 1

This level covers the core fundamentals of the fashion design discipline, including 2D and 3D design practice, CAD, construction, design, illustration, pattern cutting, print, research, and trend analysis.

The first year of the fashion degree course at Westminster concentrates on introducing the student to a variety of skills and techniques related to all areas of 2D and 3D fashion practice. Design, research, illustration, cut, construction, print, and CAD are all covered.

Research is fostered through a variety of methods including visits to London Fashion Week, fashion shows, exhibitions, sketchbooks, and industry visits.

There are lessons in life drawing and illustration so that students understand proportion in 2D as well as 3D. Students undertake a range of design work that includes menswear and womenswear, spanning both conceptual and commercial.

Subjects of study include:

• Design Project 1: Skills

• Design Project 2: Sportswear

• Design Project 3: Outerwear

• Design Project 4: Modernity

Credit Level 4

YEAR 2

The second year of the Fashion Design BA Honours course focuses on understanding and addressing the demands and needs of the fashion design industry through design assignments.

Guest industry speakers and lecturers allow you to understand your personal design practice within the context of the wider international design industry. Recent guest lecturers and visitors to the course include Julian Ganio from Fantastic Man, Lou Stoppard from SHOWstudio, Cozette McCreery from Sibling, Natasha Booth from Fashion East, Meadham Kirchhoff, Liam Hodges, and Charlie Porter.

A sustained period of internship takes place over eight consecutive weeks, starting at the end of December until the end of Paris Fashion Week in March. The timing enables you to have the opportunity, if you wish, to work with a designer on their collection from its conception through to the runway show presentation.

Subjects of study include:

• Collection 1: Cutting
• Collection 2: Surface
• Collection 3: Internship
• Collection 4: Portfolio
• Collection 5: Historical

Credit Level 5

YEAR 3 (SANDWICH YEAR)

The Fashion Design BA Honours course has exceptional industry connections and an excellent track record of successful internships that have benefited both the students and the fashion companies alike. Students gain an enormous amount of specific and transferable knowledge during this period of study.

The four-year sandwich year option is for applicants who feel they would particularly benefit from an opportunity for more professional development within the fashion industry – spending one ‘sandwich’ year in between their second and final years at Westminster working with one or more companies in the international fashion industry, either in London or abroad. The optional sandwich year is subject to an annual University administration fee.

Examples of where our students have worked on their placements include:

• Acne Studios
• Adidas
• Aitor Throup
• Alexander McQueen
• Alexander Wang
• Ann Demeulemeester
• Ashley Williams
• Balenciaga
• Balmain
• Bernhard Willhelm
• Burberry
• Calvin Klein
• Celine
• Chloe
• Christian Dior
• Christopher Kane
• Christopher Raeburn
• Christopher Shannon
• Craig Green
• Erdem
• Gareth Pugh
• Givenchy
• H&M
• Iris Van Herpen
• J.W. Anderson
• Jeremy Scott
• Kenzo
• Lanvin
• Liam Hodges
• Loewe
• Louis Vuitton
• Maison Margiela
• Marc Jacobs
• Margaret Howell
• Mary Katrantzou
• Mulberry
• Net a Porter
• Old Navy
• Paul Smith
• Preen
• Proenza Schouler
• Roksanda
• Stella McCartney
• Thom Browne
• Tom Ford
• Versace
• Viktor & Rolf
• Vivienne Westwood

YEAR 4

At this level, you are expected to develop a more strategic perspective and draw together your academic and work experience. You will study subjects that further develop your design skills, and you will also have the opportunity to specialise in areas of particular interest. You will develop a A/W runway collection, and following this a S/S pre-collection, alongside a portfolio of design work to enable you to apply for design positions on graduation.

Additionally, the Fashion Design BA Honours course at Westminster was the first undergraduate course to be invited to show a selection of its students on the official London Fashion Week schedule in 2018. The course will show again at London Fashion Week in February 2019. 

Subjects of study include:

• Final Collection 1
• Final Collection 2
• Portfolio
• Thesis

Credit Level 6