Program Overview

Got a passion for creative design? Not quite ready to undertake a full honours degree? Solent University’s Design Foundation Programme is perfectly suited to students who may not be from a fashion-related background or whose qualifications do not meet the admissions requirements for BA (Hons) Fashion.

To help get you up to speed, the one-year foundation course provides all the creative, technical and study skills needed for entry onto BA (Hons) Fashion.

The foundation year begins with a five-week group project. This enables students to mix with like-minded peers and helps them to settle in quickly. This project also helps students to decide which area they might like to follow at a later stage.

Throughout the following three year BA (Hons) Fashion degree, you will be supported to gain an in-depth knowledge of the fashion design process from initial concept, research and design development, through to the realisation of final design outcomes. With the freedom to explore both menswear and womenswear, you are encouraged to include print design and textiles into fashion design projects.

The academic team have a real focus on getting to know each student individually, and with a wide range of design briefs, from the highly creative to live commercial projects, you will be encouraged to push your creative design skills and develop your individual design identity - gaining an understanding of where you fit best in the industry.

You will study a wide range of advanced technical skills such as creative pattern-cutting, garment manufacturing and digital print design in our industry-standard facilities. Our facilities include specialist machine rooms, digital and sublimation printers and a range of laser cutters.

Emphasis is also placed on developing professional visual communication skills, including fashion illustration, technical drawing and mood board presentation, enabling you to build an exciting and industry-ready portfolio of design work.

To complement your studies and gain professional industry experience, you will be required to do a work placement. Past students have gained internships at House of Holland, Timberland, Alexander McQueen, Ted Baker and Marks & Spencer amongst many others.