A scarf and a jumper designed by our students

BA (Hons) Textile Design

UCAS CODE: WW72 (Full-time) or WW74 (Foundation Year)
TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Three or Four Years
  • Start Date: September 2024

You can also study this course:

Textiles are the material that we have our closest relationships with, literally clothing our bodies from head to toe, or surrounding our homes with stimulating colour and tactility. Textiles are the very fabric of our everyday environment, so why not learn how to design them?
Our renowned Textile Design degree puts an emphasis and focus on innovation and craftsmanship. On this course you’ll use modern and traditional techniques to explore print, knit and surface design, where you then go on to specialise and develop your own unique style in one of the three core areas. 
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No. 1 in England for Student Satisfaction*
*Measured by % of positivity across all questions within the larger providers only: taught or registered population (NSS 2023)
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No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*
*As ranked among taught students at non-specialist HEIs (NSS 2023)
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Top for our response to the cost-of-living-crisis*
*Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023
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5th for learning opportunities*
*NSS 2023
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Top 10 for student support*
*Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Why study BA (Hons) Textile Design at BNU? 

Our fashion and textiles programmes are ranked 3rd best in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2023) and we celebrated 95% overall student satisfaction in the 2022 National Student Survey.

Throughout your time on the course you will have the opportunity to show off your work through international competitions and shows, including British Fashion Council reviews and the BNU Summer Show. 

Textile Design has a long and successful history of developing highly skilled and creative graduates from BNU. The course team have a broad range of current industry practice, which enables a range of project opportunities, both live and studio based, that challenge you to be versatile and adaptable in this highly competitive industry.

Led by a dedicated and experienced course team, you’ll benefit from their industry knowledge and the industry links they bring to the course. You’ll get direct access to guest lectures, who are specialists in the sector, and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and networking opportunities.           

As part of the Art, Design and Performance School at BNU, you’ll benefit from a practiced-based course, supported by contextual studies. You’ll also have the opportunity to work collaboratively across the school with other courses, ensuring during your studies you are building a varied network, like you would in the real world.         

You could also benefit from masterclasses and industry brief opportunities, where you’ll gain an insight and feedback from current industry-leaders. Previous industry projects include guest lecturers and live projects from WGSN, The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters, Bradford Textile Society, British Fashion Council, Burberry, Topshop and Armani, Stella McCartney and UKFT.

Our High Wycombe Campus is only a short train ride away from London, meaning you are only a stones-throw away from the hustle and bustle - enabling you to visit exhibitions, galleries, shows and watch emerging styles, to help you gain inspiration and ideas.

We’ve spent a lot of love and care making the Fashion and Textile Studios the perfect creative space and one of the best-equipped workshops in the country. We are extremely proud to be able to offer industry-standard studios, technical machines and high-quality equipment to our fashion and textile-based courses.

You will master materials, both through traditional methods and using digital software. This includes an in-house fabric and yarn store, screen printing facilities, a dye laboratory and sewing and garment production facilities.

In our professional-working studio you’ll have you own workspace which you’ll be able to turn into your own personal area, where you can bring your designs to life and surround yourself with inspiration. We also have specialist technicians and demonstrators on site to support and share their knowledge with you, when and if you need it.

As well as this you may also have the chance to access to our photography, film and tv and drama studios where you’ll be able to work collaboratively with photography, performance and hair and make-up students to build your portfolio, and network like you would in the industry.

I chose to study at BNU because I was incredibly impressed with the Textile Design course. After visiting on an Open Day and seeing the knitting workshop I knew it was the place for me. The friendly, welcoming staff and unrestricted course helped with my decision, but the studio space was the dealbreaker, during a tour of the Red Shed I saw all the varied facilities and knew I would get an extensive education.
Annabel Woodland
Annabel Woodland profile photo

What will I study? 

Textile design is a fast-paced and engaging industry, this course allows you as a designer to interact with a variety of different elements including colour, materials, pattern, structure and composition. 

With a focus on three essential areas, print, knit, and surface design, you’ll engage in design-driven projects, refining your research, drawing, colour theory, design, and workshop technical skills. You'll get taster projects in each of the textile practices, and once you know which one suits your creativity most, you can start to specialise.

The Textile Design course is intended to provide you with a wide range of craft and digital making skills, all of which is sought after by employers. You’ll explore a range of creative and technical approaches, including innovative drawing methods, the use of trends, CAD for design and presentation, specialist techniques; including material knowledge and experimentation, as well as problem solving skills.

As well as this, dedicated modules will also give you a deep understanding of theoretical, analytical and social contexts. Throughout your course you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in international competitions, including British Fashion Council reviews, exhibitions and the BNU Summer Show.

Upon graduation you’ll be a confident, highly skilled designer with an individual approach to your discipline, which will be reflected in your portfolio.

This course is also offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme.

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How will I be taught and assessed?

During you time studying the BA (Hons) Textile Design degree, most of your modules will be practice-based. These will enable you to delve into a range of projects that will grow your skillset whilst mirroring a professional real-world environment.

The course sits within a creative community and draws from close collaborations with the Fashion Design course, to encourage an awareness and an experience of working in the industry. You'll be able to gain a holistic view of the fashion industry and will acquire first-hand insight into the fashion process, from original concept to design through to the promotion of the final project. This will help give you the edge in a competitive market.

As a Textile Design student you’ll also be assessed though; 1:1 or small group tutorials, lectures and seminars, portfolio and presentations, written assessments, sketchbooks, group critiques and self-directed study.

By the end of your time with BNU, you’ll benefit from a full portfolio, and collection, to go to employers with.

BNU has been a great place to study, and being in the Red Shed Studios has been a great experience; having such a huge space to work and make in is a real privilege. The live projects have really given me a clear view of the industry, it has definitely opened doors for me regarding my future.
Szilvia Burrows
SZILVIA BURROWS

Industry Connections

With regular visiting lectures and workshops led by industry this is just a snapshot of our connections.

WGSN – Guest lectures by WGSN provide the latest consumer and design trends product design and consumer forecasts, curated data and industry expertise to help innovators create the right products at the right time for tomorrow’s consumer

The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters – Our students are invited to apply for the Student Bursaries & Awards scheme which encourages students in further and higher education to take an interest in the knitting/knitwear industries by entering an annual competition for bursaries and awards, currently to the value of £3,000 and £1,500 respectively.

Bradford Textile Society – the Society’s annual Design Competition is open to student studying on our textile based courses here at BNU. There is a total prize money of over £17,000 and is unique in its breadth of coverage that attracts almost 1,000 entries from students throughout the UK.

British Fashion Council – The Fashion Design course is a member of the British Council collages organisation which allows the students to work on industry-led briefs and competitions and guest lectures from brands such as Burberry, Topshop and Armani, Stella McCartney and many others.

UKFT  During 2020-21, UKFT provided masterclasses and extended industry connections with the fashion design course. We were one of just five UK providers chosen to take part of the Made it collaboration.

There’s something electric about the Red Shed textiles facility. I can honestly say if I hadn’t chosen BNU, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Choosing this university opened my eyes up to the possibilities of knitting and knitwear and I instantly found my place in the world.
Phoebe Edwards Head of Design Centre and Design Consultant, Stoll Knit Design Centre
Phoebe Edwards

BA (Hons) Textile Design Additional Course Costs

BA (Hons) Textile Design Interview Guide

BA (Hons) Textile Design Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

Applicants will need to complete an interview and/or demonstrate portfolio work, further guidance is given on the interview and portfolio advice section.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year. 

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

This course has Opportunity modules.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in your first year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025

£9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2024 - 2025

£15,150 per year

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our Enquiries team by calling 0330 123 2023 or emailing advice@bnu.ac.uk.

What are my career prospects?

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. Our Careers and Employability Team also help you find employment after graduation.

Upon graduation, you will be prepared for a range of career possibilities. Using the skills and knowledge learnt on this course, you could find yourself performing the following roles all over the world:

  • Textile designer
  • Fashion designer
  • Print Designer
  • Clothing/textile technologist
  • Colour technologist
  • Illustrator
  • Interior and spatial designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Stylist
  • Visual merchandiser

You may also choose to stay on at Buckinghamshire New University and study a postgraduate programme, such as MA Design Innovation

 

Course leader

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Poppy McKinnon-Evans
  • Course Leader / Lecturer
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Szilvia Burrows
  • Knitwear Technician
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Al Watkins
  • Technical Demonstrator for Digital Arts
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Evangelina Thomadaki
  • Lecturer
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Joseph Davies
  • Technical Tutor
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Rupert Hammerton-Fraser staff profile photo
Rupert Hammerton-Fraser
  • Technical Demonstrator
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Dr Louisa Lee
  • Lecturer
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BA (Hons) Textile Design
BA (Hons) Textile Design with Foundation Year