BA Fashion Design with a Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) in Fashion Design, combining design skills with technical craftsmanship. Core topics include critical and analytical thinking, and ethics and professional practice. The course begins with a foundation year focused on building core fashion knowledge. Students can take an optional placement year between the second and final year, with placements at companies such as Paul Smith and Adidas. The final year offers 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
80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points . 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: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (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): 80 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: Pass overall (C or above on the core) 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 and Publishing subjects preferred but other subjects also considered OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD) Welsh Baccalaureate: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Pass overall Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Pass overall
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What students say
Based on about 254 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 91%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 91%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 25%
What graduates do next
Based on about 55 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 8%
- Further study: 1%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 12%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 9%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 9%
- Design occupations: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
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 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Other qualifications: 15%
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
- Understanding Fundamental Processes
- Introducing Trends
- Brand Development
- Signature Project
- 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 with a Foundation Year 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 with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University do next?
79% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Fashion Design with a Foundation Year 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 with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
The typical offer is CDD at A level. The average entrant had 80 UCAS points.
Is BA Fashion Design with a Foundation Year 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.
How many students continue on BA Fashion Design with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.