Level: Undergraduate
Study Mode: Full-time / part-time
Duration: 3 years - full-time / 6 years part-time
Application: full-time via UCAS, part-time direct to the College
Application Deadline: 15 Jan 2010
UCAS Course Code: W231
Institution Code: H18
Validated By: University of Wales

This three year course encourages you to be creative and to take risks within your work so that you can learn to produce innovative and commercial textile designs informed by great and up to date industry links.

Students develop the understanding and skills to develop individual designs for the textile, fashion and furnishings industries, working across a wide range of processes and materials and supported by excellent workshop resources.

This degree is validated and awarded by the University of Wales. For further details regarding the University and its validation services, please log on to www.wales.ac.uk/validation or email validation@wales.ac.uk

You are introduced to a wide variety of constructed and surface pattern techniques through studio based projects, while developing an in-depth commercial awareness. By the second year you will be able to undertake competitions, live briefs and self initiated projects, while in the final year you develop their own specialist programme of study which is undertaken alongside a series of projects, including national competitions, agent and company set briefs. Small group teaching in a friendly studio environment with your own individual work-space and unrestricted access to workshops means that you will always have good access to tutorial support and approachable and expert technical help.

Year One
During year one the development of drawing as a means of generating exploring and communicating visual ideas will be fundamental. Students will develop the ability to initiate, develop and evaluate ideas (in response to commercial demands within the textile industry) using both constructed and surface pattern, incorporating a growing commercial awareness. Students will reflect upon and examine a range of issues that explore and debate the development of their own work in relation to contemporary practitioners within the textile industry.

Year Two

During year two the course aims to consolidate the skills, knowledge and contextual understanding developed on the course so far. Through a more individual programme of study students will then develop this prior knowledge and investigate the technical and business demands of the industry. Through close contact with professional practice in the textile design industry these specific programmes of study will enable them to start identifying possible career pathways ranging from freelance designers to marketing agents. At this level learners may opt to follow a specialized pathway of study, by either concentrating on constructed or printed textiles or a combination of both. There will be a series of live projects and competition briefs.

Year Three 
Year threee links closely to the first two years by providing a platform on which students are able to consolidate their prior learning, integrate and apply this knowledge and continue to develop a personal pathway. They will combine and further their skills and contextual understanding in order to meet the vocational demands and opportunities available in their career development. The curriculum will encourage students to develop innovative processes and designs and to then communicate these ideas effectively in professional situations. Throughout this level the main emphasis will be on students developing and undertaking independent learning whilst following individual programmes of study. Personal, relevant, in depth contextual referencing and research will substantiate and advance both critical thinking and professional practice. The development of personal attributes will be encouraged to enable students to confidently approach career opportunities.

The BA (Hons) Textile Design will improve student awareness of the working environment and although it is a subject specific course many of the skills developed will be transferable.

Students can find employment in the following areas:

• Studio Designer in industry or Freelance work relating to both Fashion and Interiors
• Design based work related to the textile industry such as retail buying and visual merchandising
• Retail styling for publications and magazines
• Trend/Colour forecasting
• Teaching, Lecturing
• Textile Technical Demonstrator/Instructor
• Arts or Craft Officers for museums/galleries
• Community Arts Projects
• Art Therapy

Minimum age 18
Successful portfolio interview
200 UCAS Tariff Points
Mature Students with related experience

English as a second language: IELTS score 6.0 or equivalent on enrolment

All applications to our Full Time Higher Education courses should be made via UCAS – for more details on how to apply, click here