Program Overview

Supported by a team of specialists in image-making, research, and surface design, this course offers an exciting mix of practical workshops and design thinking. We enable you to explore your ideas through drawing, color, design investigation, and surface and material experimentation.

You will work within the Textile Design studio, an inspirational and stimulating environment. The light and bright studio is the center of our community, where students draw, paint, design, share, and test ideas – a hub of activity and inspiration! 

We encourage you to establish an individual design identity, becoming confident and accomplished in developing print-focused outcomes. Applications can be seen across textiles and surfaces such as fabric for fashion, interior products, gifting, and architectural settings. You will gain experience of working with industry through a combination of exciting live briefs, international competitions, and employment opportunities via our professional network.

What You'll Study

Year One – Your first year is about experimentation. We introduce you to various themes and core skills in creative thinking and making, digital design, and print. We will help you identify, develop, and express your creative interests, aesthetic sensibilities, and approaches to creative practice. We offer design-related workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and student collaboration opportunities that give you industry-relevant skills and experiences.

Year Two – Develop your creative and practical skills through live briefs, industry competitions, and employability opportunities. You may produce work for a range of audiences including national and global clients. You will be encouraged to develop a personal design ‘handwriting’ that you can apply to your choice of design and specialist interests.

Year Three – You will be encouraged to consolidate and plan your own program of work in response to your chosen design interests and creative hand. Through this, you will develop a professional portfolio of work supporting your career aspirations. You will have regular contact time with tutors who will support your progress. Due to the course’s broad remit, former students have gained employment at high street and designer brands, in fashion, and interiors, and entered self-employment.

Traditional techniques, including screenprint and printmaking, are taught alongside contemporary digital design practices, surface embellishment, and manipulation processes. Practical work is underpinned by context - developing an awareness of global issues and ethical concerns such as sustainability.

Work Experience

Work experience covers a broad range of activities and students are encouraged to undertake work placements during their time at the university. The course has a range of industry links, both in the UK and internationally, which you will be introduced to throughout your studies. As well as guidance from the course team our Careers, Employability, and Enterprise team offer support that enhances employability skills and underpins engagement with the industry.

In the past, our students have secured placements at Acne Studio (Stockholm), ASDA Living, NEXT, Bay & Brown, Alexander McQueen, Hallmark, Tenue de Ville, Mitwill Europe (Mulhouse, France), Studio Liz Casella (LA), Joules, Belstaff, Duchamp, Trend Bible, Mary Katrantzou, Caroline Gardner, Lemon Ribbon, Winston & Wright design studio, Keeler Gordon, Monsoon, Ted Baker, Holbrook Studio and others.

Destination Careers

Our graduates have secured jobs in textile print for fashion and interior; design products and furnishings; wall coverings; flooring and carpets; greeting cards and gift wrap; media and publishing; product and packaging; trend research; fashion marketing; styling; buying; and numerous other creative careers. Others set up their own businesses, producing work as freelance designers, working for private commissions or major brands. Graduates may also continue on to postgraduate study.