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If you are applying for the full time course from within the UK click Apply Now
Course starts: 19 September 2022Apply now
To apply for the full time course from outside of the UK click Apply Now
Course starts: 19 September 2022Apply now
To apply for the part time course click Apply Now
Course starts: 19 September 2022Apply now
Explore every aspect of fashion. Gain an understanding and experience in fashion design, and fashion promotion and marketing. Launch your career with the skills needed in this growing and exciting industry.
Can’t decide between fashion design and fashion promotion and marketing? You don’t have to. This course gives you skills and crucial understanding in both areas; laying a foundation that is praised by industry experts.
In fashion design you’ll develop concepts, explore materials, design fabrics through to full fashion collections, and understand the manufacturing processes. Gain all the skills needed to construct garments; pattern making, cutting, sewing, fabric printing, and craftsmanship; while discovering new technologies.
The fashion promotion and marketing pathway will make you consider the whole fashion market, analyse future trends, develop brands, learn the marketing mix, understand visual merchandising, create promotional materials, and plan and manage events, including fashion shows. You’ll learn graphic design, styling and photography and will have access to our fashion journalism expertise.
Throughout the course you’ll be nurtured, supported and developed by our expert team. They are on hand to guide you and help choose your preferred pathway. They have many years’ experience working and teaching in fashion, specialising in sustainability, garment construction, design, promotion and marketing.
Teaching is almost entirely practical and studio based, supported by lectures, seminars, tutorials, e-learning and independent study and research. Assessment is all coursework based.
In the first year, you’ll cover the fundamental foundation subjects across both fashion design and fashion promotion. In the second year you'll build on, grow and develop your knowledge and learning in both disciplines through a series of live projects, competitions and the annual second year Fashion Show.
You will have the opportunity to apply to undertake an optional placement year out in industry between your second and final year, this is sometimes known as a sandwich degree.
In your final year, you'll specialise in your chosen pathway, developing your own unique Final Major Project. Previously these have included the creation and production of a full fashion line; developing a brand identity and look book; producing a fashion publication; creating and delivering a fashion event.
Visit Sunderland Creatives to see the work of our final year students.
Part-time study
If you study this course on a part-time basis you will typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the day time and you will be studying alongside full-time students.
Creative Industries Week is an exciting opportunity for all students in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries. Offering a change of pace from the usual class timetable, Creative Industries Week gives you a chance to consider career options, network with staff and students from different courses, and get a wider view of the creative industries.
Learn more about Creative Industries Week
Love fashion? Dream of working in fashion design, fashion promotion or fashion journalism? Good news – at the University of Sunderland we offer two distinctive courses that provide you with the key skills you'll need for a successful career in fashion: BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Promotion and BA (Hons) Fashion Journalism.
Here are five reasons to study fashion at Sunderland
Each year, the University of Sunderland’s School of Art and Design holds degree shows for the graduating class. This is an opportunity for students to exhibit their work publicly, which for many is their first major public exhibition.
Learn more about Sunderland Creatives and the Art and Design degree shows.
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement | GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+) |
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.
If you are studying a HND or Foundation Degree you may be able to enter onto the final year of our degree courses. For more information, please contact studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.
Portfolio requirements
We are interested in your creative potential; please prepare a portfolio of work you have completed so far. We are not looking for perfection as we appreciate you may still be developing work. We would like to see:
If you are an international applicant, please send a link to your online portfolio.
Full-time fees
The annual fee for this course is:
Part-time fees
Tuition fees for part-time students are £6,935 per 120 credits.
Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.
*European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area) and Swiss nationals who do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 22/23 admission you will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies. The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
The UK fashion industry is worth £26 billion to the economy and growing. More than 800,000 people are working in fashion in the UK and we want you to be part of it.
We'll prepare you to work in areas including: design, styling, promotion, marketing, manufacturing, visual merchandising, buying and selling.
Graduates from this course have gone into a wide range of careers, from fashion design, pattern cutting and garment technology to sourcing and allocating, buying, branding, marketing, merchandising, communications, styling and more.
The professional skills graduates obtain from this course also allow them to build successful freelance careers.
Past graduates have gone on to work for well renowned design companies such as Abercrombie and Fitch, River Island, Debenhams, TopMan, All Saints and Matalan.
Get real life experience by organising your own fashion event in the city in the second year. Working together to liaise with venues, planning music, branding and marketing, booking models and not forgetting creating pieces for the show.
Previous events have included a fashion film premiere, a catwalk show, a dance performance and DJ. The fundraising event, which is part of an event planning module, helps our students raise money for their final year Degree Show.
Creative Industries Week gives everyone in Arts and Creative the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits and career events. This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working, broadens your experience, builds your confidence and helps to develop your career path.
Sunderland Culture is a collaboration between the University, council and the city’s key cultures organisations. This partnership brings big-name creatives in contemporary visual arts, glass, ceramics and performance to the city; showcases exciting local talent; and gives our students unique experiences including exceptional career-enhancing opportunities. Learn more at Sunderland Culture.
I'm working as a Senior Menswear Designer, running a menswear department as the sole designer.
The course is not just Fashion Design or Fashion Marketing, it explores every part of fashion
I've explored a wide range of topics, including styling, branding, making and digital design.
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