Our BA (Hons) Fashion Design course has an established reputation, with exceptional national and international links within the fashion Industry, as well as a recognised global presence.

NTU fashion graduates are renowned within the industry for their creative, innovative and directional design skills, as well as a strong underlying awareness of commerciality, sustainability and technologies.

Gain hands-on industry experience

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a work experience placement of up to a year in length. Dependent on the duration of your placement, you could gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice.

Take part in global opportunities

Go on optional international study trips. You can also apply for a European or international exchange to partner institutions, including the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Learn from visiting experts

Benefit from guest lecturers such as Foday Dumbuya of Labrum London, Christopher Raeburn, and internationally renowned Japanese pattern cutting expert Shingo Sato.

Work on live briefs with leading brands

Get involved with competitions and live projects with companies like Paul Smith, Sunspel, AllSaints, Universal Works, Priya Ahluwalia, Barbour, and Phoebe English. .

This course offers you a challenging and dynamic opportunity to develop the relevant skills and knowledge required to springboard you into the global fashion and related industries.

Through personalised and collaborative project work, you will learn to integrate research, design ideas, technology and theory to develop directional and contemporary fashion design concepts.

The curriculum reflects current industry practice and includes in-depth broad-ranging visual research / concept development, material awareness, design development, creative pattern cutting, garment manufacture, prototyping / product development, fashion drawing / illustration, visual communication, sustainability and future thinking.

There is an opportunity for students to undertake a placement year, and transfer to the Sandwich route, please see further details in the ‘Year Three’ section below.

In the UK for Art and Design in Complete University Guide 2026

Module information

A standard full-time BA (Hons) course is made up of 120 credits studied each year. Some courses may vary, however, and you can find information on the total number of credits achieved per module below.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the

Year OneYear TwoOptional placement yearFinal Year

Core ModulesExpand all +

Fashion Fundamentals and Specialisms

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of fashion design through four key specialisms: Fashion Collection, Fashion Product, Fashion Technology, and Fashion Knitwear. In addition, you'll be encouraged to explore other creative hubs in and outside of the school to personalise your experience and enhance your projects. The aim is to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills needed for the future of fashion while fostering your creativity and awareness of sustainability, inclusivity, and emerging technologies. You'll gain a core understanding of each specialism through a series of lectures, tutorials, and hands-on workshops, and guided by your tutors, you will begin to uncover your strengths, interests, and career aspirations. This module will also prepare you for potential placement opportunities in your second year with the support of our NTU Employability team.

80 credits

Design Fundamentals and Reflection

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of design practice, including concept development, drawing techniques, colour theory, and material investigation. Additionally, you will use future thinking strategies to imagine new worlds and possibilities for design. The aim is to encourage further exploration of these fundamentals so you can personalise them in your work and lay the foundation for your growth as a responsible designer. This will help you see that the future is something you can shape, rather than something that just happens to you. Working in multidisciplinary teams with other students from across the Fashion, Textiles, and Knitwear (FTK) courses, you will build on this knowledge and test your essential employability skills. Regular reflection in seminars, tutorials, and workshops is also a key part of this module and will enable you to track your professional development.

40 credits

You will study one 20-credit Optional Module. There are a range of optional 20-credit modules - these options add personalisation to your course and cover content related to your course subject area. The Optional modules may change year on year and we purposely update these regularly to allow for industry input and innovations in the subject.

Industry Practice and Menswear

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of industry practice through a live menswear project. The brief will be set by an external industry partner, and you will work in collaborative teams to meet specific criteria. The aim is to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills needed for menswear design, including market and trends, while critiquing the current fashion system and its position on sustainability, masculinity, inclusivity, and ethics. Through a series of lectures, tutorials, and hands-on workshops you will build on strengths gained in Level 4, expanding the knowledge and skills of your chosen specialism: Fashion Collection; Fashion Product; Fashion Technology; or Fashion Knitwear, and refining other areas of creative interest. You will be exposed to industry processes, timelines, and standards and a high level of professionalism will be expected throughout. This experience is designed to prepare you for industry engagement at the end of the module and potential placement opportunities at the end of the year.

Personal Exploration and Research

This module will help you consolidate your learning from previous modules while providing opportunities for further self-discovery and community building. At the beginning of the module, you will identify broader social, cultural, and/or environmental themes that align with your values. These themes will then serve as a springboard for 'world-making' and launch your personal project. The aim is to prepare you for your final year, by enhancing your confidence with academic sources and supporting you to push the boundaries of your creative experiments or prototypes. Emphasis will be placed on sustainable design strategies and the integration of both traditional and emerging technologies from Indigenous practice to ethical AI. Through a series of lectures, tutorials, and 'new skills' workshops, you will be encouraged to hone your chosen specialism: Fashion Collection; Fashion Product; Fashion Technology; or Fashion Knitwear, and expand its potential.

Co Lab: Research, Exploration and Risk-taking

Through active participation with team-based problem solving, you will work together in mixed teams on a project where you will use your creative ideas to generate solutions to the challenge or brief. Your project will allow you to explore how creativity can make an impact in society, as you choose a theme of sustainability, social justice, enterprise and innovation or community. This collaborative learning experience will expose you to a range of new processes and approaches that will develop your creative thinking.

20 credits

Optional ModulesExpand all +

Slow Making and Craftsmanship

This optional module offers the opportunity to personalise your learning and collaborate across disciplines while exploring slow making and craftsmanship in textile design. Through hands-on workshops, contextual research and storytelling, you'll examine ethical and material considerations in design. You'll finish by proposing a practice-based research project informed by your creative and critical exploration.

Millinery: Object and Narrative

Explore the art of hat making and millinery in this optional module, rarely taught in higher education and relevant across performance and cultural industries. You'll examine the meaning of objects through semiotics, develop a personal design brief, and create 3D outcomes. Studied in mixed-course groups, the module encourages collaboration and allows you to personalise your learning.

Trend Forecasting

This optional module introduces you to trend forecasting and its influence on fashion communication and promotion. You'll develop research, analysis and storytelling skills to predict future trends across industries. By choosing this module, you can personalise your course and work alongside students from other disciplines, encouraging collaboration and a broader creative perspective.

Web3 & Creative Autonomy

This module explores Web3 technologies, ideologies, and culture through individual and group projects. Students research NFT projects, develop and launch original NFT collections, and engage in a creative Web3 community. Topics include blockchain, smart contracts, NFTs, AI, and agile methods. Emphasis is on hands-on experience, community building, and preparing for emerging careers in the Web3 creative industries.

Prop Making

This Year 2 optional module introduces fantasy prop design for industries like film, TV, theatre, and games. You'll learn 3D CAD and traditional making techniques to create imaginative, functional props. The module covers concept development, digital modelling, prototyping, and final production, culminating in a tangible artefact and a portfolio developing both creative and technical skills for industry application.

Virtual Production

Fashion Styling

This optional module allows you to personalise your course and collaborate with students from across the Nottingham School of Art & Design. You'll gain hands-on experience in fashion styling, exploring personal and cultural identity while responding to global trends. Through creative image-making and critical reflection, you'll build a portfolio that demonstrates how styling can communicate powerful narratives and challenge social norms.

Drawing & Exploring with Natural Materials

This optional module explores sustainable creative practices using natural materials for colour, image-making, and 3D construction. Through hands-on workshops, you'll learn techniques like natural dyeing, eco-printing, and biomaterials while considering environmental impact and well-being. The module builds a foundation in sustainable design and results in a portfolio of innovative, nature-inspired visual research and experimental work.

Placement year routesExpand all +

Optional Placement Year (Sandwich)*

We have an option for all of our students to undertake a placement year and allow you to decide whether this is right for you once you have completed years 1 and 2 of your course. This time spent working in industry provides our students with crucial work experience, which is highly prized and much sought after by employers upon graduation. If you are successful in securing a placement you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration.

The additional placement year incurs a fee. For international students considering the transfer to the 4-yr SW route it's important to seek advice from the International Student Support team and the Home Office regarding any potential visa implications and costs. For UK students, advice should also be sought regarding SLC eligibility, if applicable.

* If you choose to take the sandwich route option, you will need to apply for this course by using the full-time UCAS code.

0 credits

Study Abroad

If you're studying on our sandwich route you can also opt to study abroad for a full academic year, or for a semester, during Year Three. This is an optional and additional period of study that complements your degree at NTU as an alternative to taking a work placement.

This is an exciting opportunity to experience a different national culture, teaching and learning styles and subjects in an international environment. The destination university must be a year abroad / exchange partner of NTU or member of a formally recognised scheme such as the International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP).

Our NTU Global and student mobility team will support you in finding the right opportunity from one of the many international partners available around the world.

Successful completion of a period of international study will earn you a standalone award an International Study Certificate (minimum six weeks) or the International Study Diploma (minimum 36 weeks).

Creative Practice and Theory

This module supports you in completing an individual research project that builds on your critical and contextual understanding of contemporary world issues from Levels 4 and 5. Your project will be presented as an illustrated dissertation or in an alternative format, encompassing skills in research, analysis, and communication. The aim is to identify a relevant aspect of design and/or the wider cultural context and explore it in depth. You will develop viable research questions and conduct appropriate primary and secondary research to answer those questions. Analysis of academic texts, along with your own first-hand observations, will inform your critical thinking and contribute to your creative practice. The themes you explore might directly impact the outcome of your specialism or enhance your overall understanding of the broader context in which your career will develop.

This module will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary world issues. Building on your Level 5 proposal, you will refine your chosen topic and expand your research skills through seminars, tutorials, and independent study. A series of formative assessments will scaffold the development of your work, including presentations outlining the starting points of your research and planned structure, and a draft assignment, before the final submission. This blend of activities will enhance your knowledge of world issues, theories, and debates related to 20th and 21st-century design and/or culture relevant to your topic. You will also develop skills in primary and secondary research, analysis, organisation of information, written and visual communication, and peer and self-assessment.

Creative Practice and Intention

This module is designed to initiate your final year project and build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous modules at Levels 4 and 5, including Optional and Co-LAB. You can choose to work individually or collaboratively in physical and/or digital formats, but you must have a clear rationale for this project following your proposal presentation at Level 5. The aim is to expand the scope of your specialism: Fashion Collection; Fashion Product; Fashion Technology; or Fashion Knitwear, and other areas of creative interest through extensive prototyping and refining of technical processes via advanced research methodologies, design development, and design translation. This work should also connect to broader social, cultural, and environmental themes raised in your parallel Creative Practice and Theory module to underpin the purpose and potential impact of your project.

Creative Resolution and Futures

This module focuses on the resolution of your final year project and emphasises the importance of effectively communicating your work to intended audiences and industry networks. You will refine the prototypes and technical processes developed in your Creative Practice and Intention module and build on them to create a coherent outcome based on your specialism: Fashion Collection; Fashion Product; Fashion Technology; or Fashion Knitwear, and other areas of creative interest (including internal/external competitions). The aim is to support you in developing creative and impactful visual and/or digital content that resonates with diverse audiences and enhances the reach and influence of your project. In addition, you will evaluate your statement of intent from your previous module and reflect on how your project has evolved to meet your career aspirations. The module will close with a showcase of your final-year project utilising the appropriate platforms to promote your work.

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

Student experience

Jasmine Jauneau

“The whole course is amazing at setting you up for the industry, guiding you, and allowing you to be the best you can be.”

Read Jasmine's profile

Charlotte Foulkes

“Between Year Two and Final Year I opted to take a gap year and secured myself a position as a Fashion Design camp counsellor at Lake of the Woods Summer Camp in Michigan, USA.”

Read Charlotte's profile

Jenna Lad

Fashion Design student

“I hope people look at my final collection and think about the difference that I could have in fashion. Not just the actual text on my garments but the hidden messages beneath the imagery and all the different techniques shown across the collection.”

Read Jenna's profile

Brodie Anderson

Read Brodie's profile

Cleopatra Lumb

Read Cleopatra's profile

Takato Wako

“My graduate collection was inspired by different memories I made in the UK and each piece had a meaning. For example, my rainbow collection was inspired by my time in Brighton and my international friends.”

Read Takato's profile

Natasha Flannery

“By the end of your final year, you will be amazed at how much you have learnt within three years, and how much your work has evolved.”

Read Natasha's profile

Lianjieqiong Zhao

“The art and design facilities are very professional and easy to use. I always find interesting materials in the Bonington art shop, which I use to conduct my drawing experiments.”

Read Lianjieqiong (Victoria)'s profile

Student Work

Behind the scenes with work by William Yang at Graduate Fashion Week. Photo Rory James

Students showcase original fashion designs at Graduate Fashion Week. Photo by Rory James

A collection of student-designed looks is presented at Graduate Fashion Week reflecting the breadth of creative talent across fashion design. Photo Rory James

Rosalyn Sein's collection presented on the Graduate Fashion Week catwalk. Photo Rory James

A garment from Madeleine Berry's Graduate Fashion Week collection. Photo Rory James

Mia Still's collection on display at the Graduate Fashion Week catwalk show. Photo Rory James

Models prepare backstage ahead of the Graduate Fashion Week catwalk show. Photo Rory James

A look from Emily Nevill's collection is showcased on the Graduate Fashion Week runway. Photo Rory James

Models present looks from Floella Mojica's Graduate Fashion Week collection, demonstrating creativity, craftsmanship and material exploration. Photo Rory James

A look from Millie Watkins collection is showcased on the runway at Graduate Fashion Week, demonstrating contemporary design, innovative construction and refined craftsmanship. Photo Rory James

Video Gallery

Graduate Fashion Week 2026

How you're taught

On this course, you’ll spend most of your time in a creative studio environment.

Teaching and learning experiences will include:

lectures

staged briefings

independent learning

NOW online learning portal

demonstrations

studio workshops

textile workshops

tutorials

seminars

team working

verbal and visual presentations

supervision in workshops

live projects

study trips

peer group activities

masterclasses.

Want real-world experience alongside your degree? Co Lab is your opportunity to work with peers from different disciplines on live projects set by industry partners. Embrace collaborative practice as you explore how creativity can make an impact in society and develop the skills employers want to see in the creative industries.

Find out more

Trips and study visits

Take inspiration from different subject areas through UK trips to places like the Paul Smith Archive and Sunspel Design Studio & Factory visit.

Exchange opportunities

The Nottingham School of Art & Design has exchange agreements with a number of institutions around the world, such as the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. You may choose to study abroad in Year Two for one semester.

Showcase

You will be given the opportunity to exhibit your work during your time at NTU to members of the creative industries. You may also be selected to showcase at Graduate Fashion Week in London – where many of our previous students have won awards. Visit our ‘We Are Creatives’ showcase to take a look at the work of this year's graduating students’.

Artificial Intelligence and Innovation in Fashion Design

As a student on this course, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with Ai in a critical and creative way. You can explore its possibilities, question its impacts, and imagine better systems for the future of fashion. Using Ai is not compulsory; instead, we focus on helping you understand where your own values sit in relation to these emerging technologies. This awareness will support you as you enter industry and navigate the ethical, environmental, and social questions surrounding digital tools, whether you choose to use them, challenge them, or design entirely new ways of working that align with your principles. Find out more about AI, Creativity and Innovation at the Nottingham School of Art & Design | Nottingham Trent University.

How you're assessed

Assessment is predominantly through coursework. You will receive feedback throughout each module and will be awarded a grade. Depending on the module, you may be assessed through 2D visual research and design development work; 3D development work and final product; portfolio work; evaluations; reports; zines & presentations; and a dissertation.

Contact hours

For each 20-credit module, you’ll spend about 200 hours learning overall. Around 40 of those hours will be taught in lectures or seminars. The rest of the time is for independent study, reading, research, or working on assignments.

Who will teach you?

Simon Johnson

Technical Specialist

Simon Johnson is a Technical Specialist in Knitwear at Nottingham School of Art & Design, bringing more than 33 years of industry experience in machine knitting, CAD programming, virtual sampling and knitwear product development. He supports students through technical training, specialist facilities management and industry-focused expertise across Stoll and Shima knitting technologies.

Visit Simon Johnson 's staff profile

Natalia Dantas

Natalia Portela Dantas is a Technical Specialist in Knitwear Garment Construction with more than 20 years of international industry experience. Supporting students across fashion, knitwear and textile design, she specialises in garment construction, linking technologies, industrial manufacturing processes and the development of industry-ready knitwear collections.

Visit Natalia Dantas's staff profile

Emma Prince

Senior Lecturer

Emma Prince is the course leader for BA (Hons) Fashion Design. Her academic responsibilities include teaching first year and final year students on the BA (Hons) Fashion Design course and final year students on the top-up degree for our collaborative partner institution Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) in Hong Kong.

Visit Emma Prince's staff profile

Krystyna Kolowska

Krystyna Kolowska is a lecturer / Senior Lecture and is module leader on Negotiated Fashion Design: Portfolio & Research Projects.

Visit Krystyna Kolowska's staff profile

Lee Mattocks

Lee Mattocks is the course leader for BA Fashion Accessory Design at Nottingham Trent University.

Visit Lee Mattocks's staff profile

Maria Stafford

Maria Stafford is a Lecturer / Senior Lecturer and is responsible for the delivery and management of the PGC Creative Pattern Cutting course including pattern cutting workshop.

Visit Maria Stafford's staff profile

Lorraine Warde

Principal Lecturer

Lorraine is a lecturer teaching on the Design Culture & Context modules/elements levels 4, 5 & 6 (module leader for level 4) which are part of the following courses post review: Textile Design BA, Fashion Knitwear Design BA and Fashion Design BA

Visit Lorraine Warde's staff profile

Kevin Hunt

Dr Kevin J. Hunt is Senior Lecturer in Culture & Context and Director of Doctoral Programmes (DDP) for Nottingham School of Art & Design (NSAD). His research expertise is film and media theory, including film and sensory philosophy, the mediation of cultural works and experiences, and the relationship between the body, technology, and the environment.

Visit Kevin Hunt's staff profile

Alison Escott

Alison Escott is the Senior Lecturer for BA (Hons) Fashion Design in the School of Art & Design.

Visit Alison Escott's staff profile

Susan Walton

Sue is Module Leader for Year Two (Level 5), Human Centred Design Module and the schoolwide CoLab2 Module.

Visit Susan Walton's staff profile

Rosemary Heath

Rosemary Heath is a Senior Lecturer for BA (Hons) Fashion Design. Her academic responsibilities include teaching first-year students through delivering lectures, teaching pattern cutting, leading 2D & 3D design workshops, and assessment.

Visit Rosemary Heath's staff profile

Elsa Ball

Lecturer

Dr Elsa Ball is a Lecturer for BA (Hons) Fashion Design. Her academic responsibilities involve teaching across level 4, 5 and 6 with a specialist focus on culture and context. She supports students to develop critical, research‑led perspectives on the industry’s impact and its possible futures

Visit Elsa Ball's staff profile

Sarah Kay Beardsley

Learn about Sarah Beardsley, an Hourly Paid Lecturer who works in the Fashion Marketing Management and Communication department at Nottingham School of Art & Design.

Visit Sarah Kay Beardsley's staff profile

Jane Taylor

Technical specialist in power knitting and associate lecturer with expertise in fashion knitwear, knitted textiles, machine knitting and seamless garment design.

Visit Jane Taylor's staff profile

Philip Stovell

Technical Specialist in Hand Flat Knitting with extensive industry experience, supporting Fashion, Fashion Knitwear and Textiles students through specialist technical expertise, machine maintenance and hands-on teaching.

Visit Philip Stovell's staff profile

Entry requirements

UK students

Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications

Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications

Other requirements

a portfolio

To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.

Additional requirements

Additional requirements for UK students

There are no additional requirements for this course.

Contextual offers

We consider every application in the context of your individual circumstances and educational background. This may include information about where you live, the school or college you attended, or experiences that may have shaped your educational journey. This is known as a contextual offer, and we use information provided through UCAS to help inform our decisions. By considering achievement in context, we can better recognise academic potential and ensure applicants are assessed as fairly and fully as possible.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Other qualifications and experience

NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.

We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.

Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.

International students

112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications

We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.

a portfolio.

English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Additional international requirements

Additional requirements for international students

If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City campus.

English language requirements

View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.

If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.

If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.

You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.

Sign up for emails

Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.

If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students - see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

£10,050 per year

Year abroad - £1,507

Placement year - £2,010

If you choose to do a placement year or year abroad, you'll pay a reduced fee for that year. Please be aware that you will be charged the fee set for the year this takes place, rather than being fixed at the rate applicable when you start your course, and any increases are subject to Government approval. As a guide, the fees above are for the 2027/28 academic year.

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including NTU bursaries and scholarships.

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees, including the placement year and study abroad options are subject to government policy and may change in future years of study.

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but we don’t want you to feel anxious or confused about it. Visit our fees and funding pages if you have any concerns.

International students - see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

£19,150 per year

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees might increase from the second year of your undergraduate course, in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.

Scholarships

We offer international scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for a scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

See our advice on managing your money and the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham.

Paying fees

As an international student, you'll need to make an advance payment as part of your offer conditions. You'll then need to pay your tuition fees in full, or have an agreement to pay in two further instalments, in order to enrol on the course.

Find out how and when to pay your fees, including information about your advance payment, instalment dates and how to make payments securely to the University.

Enquiries

If you have any queries relating to advance payments or arrangements to pay, please contact our friendly and experienced international enquiries team.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Material costs for Fashion Design

In Year 1, many materials are provided, and costs are typically modest (around £200–£300). In Year 2, costs may vary (£300–£500) depending on your project choices, though many materials are donated or available at discounted rates from our fabric store. In Year 3, costs can vary significantly depending on your Final Major Project. While some students invest up to £1,000, many opt for low-cost or sustainable approaches, keeping expenses to a minimum.

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Field trips

All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Graduate Festival - Textiles, Knitwear, Fashion

In Final Year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for your Graduate Festival Showcase.

If you’re selected to showcase your work at Graduate Fashion Week or New Designers in London, the School will cover the cost of transporting your work, the exhibition stand, and catwalk show.

Year abroad

If you choose to study abroad for a year, you may need to consider additional costs such as visas, vaccinations, accommodation and travel expenses.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, phone the Student Money Team on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

Cost of living in Nottingham

Our student benefits and free services

Money advice for international students

Careers and employability

Work placements and internship opportunities

You’ll have the opportunity to complete work experience or a longer placement with the chance to gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice.

With the fashion department's excellent links with industry, students have secured paid summer internships at brands such as GAP inc. in New York and Urban Outfitters in Philadelphia.

Other recent placement destinations include:

Christopher Raeburn

GAP Inc.

Old Navy

Paul Smith

River island

Victoria Beckham

Vivienne Westwood

Course tutors and our Employability team are on hand to support you in applying for placement and professional practice opportunities.

Connecting with industry

This course collaborates with industry at local, national and international levels. Live projects and competitions will give you the opportunity to have exposure to real-life design situations.

Our students have taken part and enjoyed success in a range of top industry projects, awards and competitions, including:

a live project with Oasis inspired by The Nottingham Lace Collection, which saw our students’ design launched in stores and online

winning the TU Menswear Scholarship Award, Tessuti Sports and Leisurewear Award, and Fashion Marketing Award at Graduate Fashion Week (GFW).

Creative Industries Federation

We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means students in the Nottingham School of Art & Design have the opportunity to sign up to free student membership. Creative Industries Federation are an organisation that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries and membership grants students exclusive access to their selection of resources and events to help advance your career and connect with industry.

Hear from global leaders

Recent visiting speakers have included Creative Director of Graduate Fashion Week, Martyn Roberts, and renowned fashion journalist, Hilary Alexander OBE, who visited to give students a GFW Masterclass. Former editor of British Vogue, Alexandra Shulman, also visited to talk to students about her 25-year career at the magazine.

Employability Promise

Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have successful careers in organisations such as:

Burberry Ltd

Paul Smith Ltd

Flannels

Next Retail Ltd

Urban Outfitters

John Lewis Partnership

Our graduates are…

Graduates from this course now work in a wide range of roles such as:

Design Assistant

Junior Designer

Assistant Fashion Designer

Garment Technologist

Assistant Merchandiser

Digital Product Creation Assistant

Assessed work-like experience

We’ve embedded at least eight weeks of assessed work-like experience into all of our courses. This gives you the opportunity to apply your learning in real-world scenarios, build your confidence, and develop the experience employers are looking for.

NTU Enterprise

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Where your course could take you

Discover how our students and alumni used their qualification to further their careers. Take a look at our other profiles and explore the possibilities awaiting you.

How a struggle with makeup transfer inspired Rebecca's career

Rebecca chats about being a successful print designer for DAKS London, a luxury British tailoring brand, and launching her own small business to provide specialist products that protect clothes from makeup transfer.

View Rebecca Lennox's profile

Lorna celebrates 40 years as a fashion designer

Lorna talks us through her 40 years' experience as a fashion designer, producer, writer and curator that involved a V&A display exploring 1950s and 1960s youth culture.

View Lorna Holder's profile

Isabelle's review of the Graduate Festival Fashion Show

Isabelle Pennington-Edmead shares her opinion on the 2025 NTU Graduate Festival fashion show as a professional womenswear designer.

View profile

Campus and facilities

Our Fashion Design studios are lively, highly creative environments based in the Bonington building, a dedicated art and design hub. You can view all of our Fashion facilities on the Nottingham school of Art & Design Facilities page.

Inside the fashion studios and manufacturing workshops

Fashion and textile studio in 360°

Explore the sewing machine room in 360°

Fashion, Textiles, Knitwear Design Facilities

For more information visit the Fashion, Textiles, Knitwear Design Facilities page.

Fashion Management, Marketing and Communications Facilities

For more information visit the Fashion Management, Marketing and Communications Facilities page.

Bonington Art Shop

For more information visit the Bonington Art Shop page.

Take a virtual tour

View Inside the fashion studios and manufacturing workshops video transcript

Applying

We will ask you to provide a digital portfolio. Visit our webpage which has some advice on what to include to help make your portfolio stand out. After you have submitted your portfolio, we may also invite you to an online interview to help us make our final decision.

Please be aware that all enrolments onto the Course will initially be for the full time 3-year route. There is however an opportunity for you to internally transfer to the 4-year SW route if you secure a placement. The placement would need to be confirmed and transfer agreed during your 2nd year to enable you to commence the placement in year 3. It is important that you seek advice regarding any funding and financial implications before making any changes to your course structure.

Apply through UCAS

Your portfolio

If your initial application is successful, you may be asked to upload a portfolio of your work and you may also be asked to attend an interview.

Portfolio advice

Please read our application guidance before you start your application.

We advise you to prepare and apply as early as you can as Student visa processing time can vary.

We'll send you important emails throughout the application process. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam mail folder.

Apply through NTU portal

Personal statement guidance

You’ll submit a personal statement with your UCAS application – here are our tips on what to include and how to structure your personal statement.

Application support

If you have any questions about applying, get in touch through our online form or call us on 44 (0)115 848 4200.

Related courses

Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles

BA (Hons)

Textile Design

Costume Design and Construction

More from this subject

View more courses on the Fashion subject page

Further study

View Fashion postgraduate courses

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Keeping in touch

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