Bachelor of Arts (Hons)
FASHION DESIGN WITH FOUNDATION YEAR
Develop your own unique style with BNU's BA (Hons) in Fashion Design. With a focus on craftsmanship and innovation, they will equip you with a broad and practise-based knowledge of fashion design, experimentation, pattern cutting and construction to enable you to create your individual collections.
If you want to make your mark on the fashion industry, start with this course.

Why study this subject?
The creative world is full of exciting and rewarding opportunities. Did you know, the creative industries contribute over £92billlion (gov.uk DCMS 2017) to the UK economy every year? And the fashion and textiles industry is one of the largest sectors in the UK.
From Prada to Primark, you can choose from a wide range of styles and stores. Behind the clothes, there’s a host of staff hard at work – from designers, product developers, garment technologists to buyers, merchandisers and marketing teams.
With the right teaching and learning opportunities, it’s possible to turn your passion into a rewarding and successful career.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
With a history of delivery expert craft, art and design education for more than 130 years, Buckinghamshire New University is the perfect place to start your creative career.
They will make sure that you have all the skills you need to start a career in fashion. With their focus on craftsmanship and skills, you graduate with a robust understanding of the sector.
BNU's experienced and specialist team of lecturers are experienced designers, current industry practitioners and researchers.
With their strong links with the fashion industry, you’ll get direct access to guest lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking opportunities. Throughout your course you will have the opportunity to take part in international competitions, including British Fashion Council reviews, exhibitions and the BNU Summer Show.
As well as working on your own briefs, you’ll be able to work on industry-based projects with international companies and attend specialist workshops. All our students are invited to events with guest speakers covering a range of areas from fashion design, production, trend prediction, visual merchandising and brand consultancy. As a member of the British Fashion Council and WGSN our students are supported by industry links to reach their potential.
BNU is proud of the many achievements of our students and staff. Our fashion and textiles programmes are ranked number one in London and the South East and fifth best in the UK.
What facilities can you use?
In BNU's professional working studio you’ll have your own personal workspace equipped with the technology and machines you’ll need to create your designs.
You’ll have the opportunity to work on industry standard equipment, learning key techniques and methods. You will master materials, both through traditional methods and using digital software.
They also have specialist technicians on site to support and share their knowledge with you, when and if you need it.
How will you be taught and assessed?
This course is 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 degree.
This course is 75% practice-based so you will have ample opportunity to develop your subject through a hands-on, experimental approach. You’ll get to enjoy a friendly, supportive and stimulating learning environment. This enables you to focus on perfecting your specialism, while developing your creativity and confidence.
You will benefit from close-knit tutor groups, studio-based lectures, masterclasses, demonstrations and live projects. You’ll also enjoy guest lectures, as well as put on shows and exhibitions. You’ll also have regular access to workshops to support the design process.
Thanks to our proximity to London, you can visit some of the world’s best shops, galleries and museums for inspiration. You could end up working with designers in and around the capital, gaining experience in how to adapt to the challenges of working in a business.
There are so many ways to make connections and you’ll be working on your career the very moment you begin your course.
What will I study?
On BNU's BA (Hons) in Fashion Design degree programme, you’ll explore the many twists and turns of fashion, as well as how to research and develop ideas to produce exciting and innovative fashion. The course cultivates new ways of making and thinking.
Beyond design and construction, you will also learn how to present your ideas to clients and pitch design concepts to a wider audience.
On this course, you’ll develop your individual strengths, building a small collection and portfolio to launch you into the design industry on graduation.
Industry connections
With regular visiting lectures and workshops led by industry this is just a snapshot of their connections.
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. BNU is one of just five UK providers chosen to take part of the Made it collaboration.
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.
New Start New Start are denim specialists in new product development, sustainable innovation and production for the sector across Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh and Pakistan. New Star create everything from everyday basics to high-end fashion and provide an insight into global working with their visiting lectures.
Lara Jensen Costume designer and milliner, Lara has has worked with some of fashion and film's biggest names, including Karl Lagerfeld, Jonas Akerlund, Peaches, Jessie J and Lady Gaga. Lara has previously led workshops with their Fashion Design students.
What are your career prospects?
Throughout your time with Buckinghamshier New University, they’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. They will help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders.
BNU encourage their students to apply for work placements during the University holidays, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills in a work background. They also help you find employment after graduation.
BNU's BA (Hons) Fashion Design course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities, such as:
- Fashion designer
- Pattern cutter
- Garment technologist
- Product developer
- Entrepreneur
- Fashion buyer
- Visual merchandiser
- Retail management
- Public relations, press and the media
- Events and production organisation
- Fashion styling.
Graduates can also choose to further explore fashion in a postgraduate course.
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