BA (Hons) Fashion

Students will build fundamental skills in textiles, digital design directives, and the most current industry software and technology.

There is an emphasis on understanding fashion with a focus on signature and direction.

We encourage students to start thinking about their contextual studies research throughout this year.

Modules may include:

• Concept 1: Research, Design and Portfolio
• Form and Silhouette 1
• Concept 2: Research, Design and Portfolio
• Professional Life Practice: "Developing your Practice"
• Professional Life Practice: "Exploring your Practice".

Students will gain greater understanding of creative collaboration and start to build a skills based portfolio.

We support all our students to undertake a work placement in the final term. Students start to solidify ideas about their signature pieces and brand.

Modules may include:

• Industry Project 1: Product Innovation
• Industry Project 2: Innovation and Collaboration
• Industry Project 3: Contemporary Tailoring
• Professional Life Practice: "Applying your Practice"
• Work-based learning.

Digital Technology for Fashion pathway modules may include*:

• Digital Industry Project 1: Product Innovation
• Digital Industry Project 2: Innovation and Collaboration
• Digital Industry Project 3: Contemporary Tailoring
• Professional Life Practice: "Applying your Practice"
• Work-based learning.

Students will bring their learning together in a self-directed design project, ready for show or exhibition at the degree show.

We ask students to show their contextual studies research and thinking in a long form dissertation.

Students will bring together their skills in an industry ready portfolio whilst at the same time being encouraged to enter external competitions.

Modules may include*:

• Pre-collection: Concept Development and Prototyping
• Professional Life Practice: "Situating your Practice"
• Final Collection: Realisation
• Portfolio.

Digital Technology for Fashion pathway modules may include*:

• Digital Pre-collection: Concept Development and Prototyping
• Professional Life Practice: "Situating your Practice"
• Digital Final Collection: Realisation
• Digital Portfolio.

*Subject to change.

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade CC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 64 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our interview and/or portfolio process.

We may also consider a combination of portfolio and academic qualifications and take into consideration progress made during studies and/or relevant work experience.

Admission onto this course is also subject to successful completion of an interview and portfolio (or showreel). 

If you wish to study our BA (Hons) Fashion degree course, we will need to see examples of previous art, new media and/or design work that showcases your suitability for the course. 

In person interviews

If you attend your interview in person, you will present a variety of work in the form of a physical portfolio and supporting sketch books. We accept all sizes of portfolio from A3 to A1.

• A physical portfolio of work that represents their primary, secondary research and completed projects
• Minimum of 10 pages of design development drawing skills that represent each project or most recent work
• All sketch books are crucial. These should demonstrate your research methods, concept development, ideation, colour, fabric and fashion application were applicable
• Any garments that have been designed and manufactured by the applicant should be brought to the interview. We also recommend you photograph your garment on a model and include this in your portfolio

The portfolio and sketch books can also include:

• Evidence of drawing skills and in particular observation skills
• Life drawing quick sketches
• Life drawing longer study drawings
• Colour palette development, colour sensitivity and concept development
• Evidence of design development and extensive experimentation
• Textile experimentation, finished ideas and testing, feature development
• Ability to develop from 2D into 3D resolution( photographs of final garments is adequate)
• Draping in the stand and ability to capture shapes and silhouettes
• Evidence of Illustration skills and the ability to communicate through illustration
• CAD skills using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; this could be in illustrations or technical drawings(CAD skills not essential as we do teach this)

Online interviews

Digital portfolios should include some or all of the above elements scanned and presented in the form of a clearly laid out and easy to navigate file.

Please note: A range of separate individual sheets is not acceptable.

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel and preparing for your interview. 

UK students

Simply select your chosen start date using the 'Apply now' dropdown at the top of this page, and you will be directed to the appropriate course page on the UCAS website.  The UCAS code for this course is located in the course overview bar at the top of this page. 

The UCAS website will guide you through the simple application process. You can also apply through your school or college using the UCAS system.

Learn more: how to apply for an undergraduate degree course

The entry requirements for this course can be found in the relevant section above.

International students

Simply select your chosen start date using the 'Apply now' dropdown at the top of this page, and you will be directed to the appropriate application form.

For information on study routes, visa requirements, studying in England,  language and entry requirements, application requirements and access to international agents, please visit our international section.

Quick links:

• How to apply
• Student route visa admissions
• International Education Agents
• Visas and immigration
• Student Route visa CAS deposit & fee refund
• International student FAQs

As well as womenswear and menswear designers, the BA (Hons) Fashion course can also allow you to find employment in the following roles:

Accessories designer, art director, academics and teachers, activewear designer, atelier manager, brand managers, buyer, curator, childrenswear designers, costume designer, denim designer, digital designer, digital operations, data analyst/insights, display designer, e-comms developer, fabric buyer/developer, factory sourcing, graders (pattern), homeware designer, influencer/talent management, interiors for retail, jewellery designer, knitwear technician, lingerie/intimates designer, merchandiser, pattern cutter, studio manager and trend forecaster.

Students have gone on to secure positions at brands such as ACNE, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Chloe, Givenchy, Joseph, Louis Vuitton, Maison Margiela, Oscar De La Renta, Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham.

Throughout the course, students work on industry-led design briefs and competitions. This is an opportunity to apply their creativity and design sensibility.

In the past, students have worked with some of the biggest brands in the world of denim - VF Corporation encompassing Timberland, Wrangler, Lee and North Face. Recently, a strong and exciting relationship has been established with Kingpins denim.

Students have also been exposed to industry briefs with international fashion brands such as Roksanda, Haider Ackermann, Christopher Kane, Palmer Harding to name a few.

A work-based learning opportunity is an integral part of the learning experience at Ravensbourne. Past students have secured opportunities at prestigious brands such as Givenchy, Viktor & Rolf, AF Vandevorst, Haider Ackermann, Ann Demeulemeester, Joseph, Mary Katrantzou, Craig Green, Peter Pilotto, Hussein Chalayan, Christopher Kane, Calvin Klein, among many world-leading brands.

Find out more about our tuition fees and whether you qualify for financial support during your studies. 

Key links:

• Undergraduate fees and funding
• Paying your fees
• Scholarships, bursaries and other discounts

If you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you. 

Get in touch with a member of our admissions team:

T: +44 (0) 20 3040 3998

E: [email protected]

If you have specific queries about being an international student, contact [email protected]

For general information, call +44 (0) 20 3040 3500

You can also chat to our students 

Find specialist information hubs for:

• Prospective students
• International students
• Students with a disability
• Parents and guardians