BA Fashion Design
About this course
BA (Hons) in Fashion Design. Core topics include Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. The first year is delivered in an atelier environment with a grounding in garment construction, tailoring, and drape. An optional placement year is available between the second and final year, with the final year allowing specialisation in women’s or menswear.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points . Accelerate offer: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Find out more about BCU Accelerate . As creativity is an important part of this course, you are expected to submit a portfolio as part of the selection process. This is your opportunity to show your ideas and skills to our tutors. If you are not studying a creative subject at Level 3, you can still apply for this course. Our portfolio guidance information includes alternative options for how you can show us your passion for art. This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Please see A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below. A Level / AS Level: A Level: 112 UCAS Tariff points / BBC (or equivalent) AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels A maximum of four subjects will be considered Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 112 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications T Level: Merit overall All subjects accepted but Craft and Design preferred. Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Arts, Media, Publishing, Retail, Commercial Enterprise and Business subjects preferred but other subjects also considered OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 112 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC) Welsh Baccalaureate: 112 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications UAL Level 3 Ex
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What students say
Based on about 21 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 93%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 94%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 5 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Unemployed: 25%
Most common jobs
- Sales occupations: 25%
- Design occupations: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Skilled trades occupations: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 630 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 12%
- West Midlands: 55%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 10%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started
- A levels: 86%
- Access course: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- Other qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark for the purposes of indicating courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Fundamental Fashion Design Skills
- Fashion Design Technology
- Fashion Systems
- Fashion Design Manifesto
- Fashion Design Tailoring
- Fashion Design Technology
- Industry Project
- Independent Creative Entrepreneur
- Fashion Design Pre-Collection (FMP)
- Fashion Design Collection Construction
- Fashion Design Industry Portfolio
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Fashion Design at Birmingham City University earn?
The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £25,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,500 and £30,500. The £25,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Fashion Design at Birmingham City University do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Fashion Design at Birmingham City University?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Fashion Design at Birmingham City University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 114 UCAS points.
Is BA Fashion Design at Birmingham City University accredited?
Yes. This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark for the purposes of indicating courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
Does BA Fashion Design at Birmingham City University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Fashion Design at Birmingham City University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.