Fashion Design

You'll have excellent placement opportunities at companies such as Asos, Alexander McQueen, Puma, Temperley, Aitor Throup, and more.

You'll have the opportunity to exhibit your final collection and your portfolios at the graduate fashion show at Derby Theatre. Students are given the opportunity to participate in competitions too. Recent successes from our BA (Hons) Fashion Design degree include Olivia Noble winning the David Nieper Scholarship Award 2019, Freya Whittaker, winner of the Fashanne Design Award 2018, Sarah Woodward was Midlands Emerging Designer winner 2015 and Nicole Wells won St Andrews Young Designer in 2015. We also successfully collaborate with industry to enhance the curriculum with cutting edge learning environments.

In year one you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of fashion design practice for the ready-to-wear market. In year two there is a greater emphasis on the commercial world. Independent study, throughout year three, provides a unique opportunity for you to advance your thinking and practice, through a self-managed process of risk taking, experimentation and resolution. Contextual Studies and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) runs consistently through all years, aimed at giving you a positive advantage within the fashion industries. As you develop your profile as a creative individual, you’ll experiment with ideas and techniques, working with increased independence.

You will study at our Chandos Pole Street building, a purpose built learning environment where you will have access to new specialist Fashion and Textiles facilities. These include light and airy studio spaces as well as industry-standard equipment and design facilities. 

We encourage all second years to take a work placement in industry, which will also give you an additional qualification - the Diploma in Professional Practice. Placements are sometimes hard work but give you fantastic experience and are deeply rewarding. We have previously had students placed at a wide variety of companies including, Marks & Spencer, Temperley London, Erdem, Mother of Pearl, Preen, Aitor Throup, Tommy Hilfiger and Roksanda, amongst others.

Students applying from one of the University of Derby's Partner Schools or Colleges are guaranteed a place or interview, if students meet the minimum entry criteria for their chosen course and apply by the January deadline date.

*Lucy Taylor with her collection ‘Convergence’ Photo by Beth Winsor from Cameo Lab Fine Art Photography

In the below video, Johanna reflects on her experience as an international student studying Fashion at Derby and the inspiration behind her final menswear collection:

Recent successes

You'll have the opportunity to exhibit your final collection and your portfolios at the graduate fashion show at Chandos Pole Street and participate in competitions. Recent successes from our BA (Hons) Fashion Design course include:

• Marina Mendes was awarded the winning collection from the University of Derby and Hertfordshire University Joint Catwalk Show at Graduate Fashion Week 2022 along with Lydia Strickler being awarded highly commended from the same show. Both collections joined the 'Best of GFW22 Collections' and Marina Mendes was also named as one of the new innovative designers to watch by The Guardian in a review of Graduate Fashion Week 2022 
• Anika Vo winning the Menswear Design category and Parasto Qalandari winning the Womenswear Design category at the FASHANNE Fashion Designers of the Future Awards 2021
• Georgia Alligan winning the John Smedley category at the Campaign for Wool Student Design Competition 2020
• Lucy Taylor winning Midlands Young Designer of the Year, Midlands Fashion Awards 2019 
• Olivia Noble winning the David Nieper Scholarship Award 2019
• Freya Whittaker, winner of the Fashanne Design Award 2018
• Sarah Woodward was Midlands Emerging Designer winner 2015
• Nicole Wells won St Andrews Young Designer in 2015.

Recent successes from our BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Marketing course include:

• Dominica Buonasorte winning the Sustainability category and Sofie Nikl winning the Commercial Design category at the FASHANNE Fashion Designers of the Future Awards 2021.

We also successfully collaborate with industry to enhance the curriculum with cutting edge learning environments.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You'll be taught by a variety of learning and teaching methods which include: problem solving, reflective practice, analysis of given problem with synthesis of solution, portfolio building, group work, the use of influences files, report writing, group critiques, negotiated learning, presentation and demonstration. 

Assessment is 100% coursework based including practical production and oral presentation work, along with written assignments. In the final year, you’ll have the opportunity to write an extended essay on a subject of your choice and work on self-negotiated and independent creative projects.

The programme makes use of field trips in a number of ways to inform and inspire students. Putting students in direct contact with significant cultural and commercial organisations and events, expands learning and understanding of the fashion world. Placements play a key role here too and in addition, create opportunities for students to network.

The programme regularly invites guests from industry to make a contribution to student learning. Guests from industry come in to deliver lectures, participate in tutorials and deliver external projects to students on a regular basis each academic year. 

A viewing of ERDEM 'Imaginary Conversations'

In 2024, Fashion students visited Chatsworth House to view the ERDEM Exhibition 'Imaginary Conversations'. 

This exhibition celebrated the image and legacy of the late dowager Duchess Deborah Devonshire and the Devonshire Collections through the Spring Summer 2024 collection of fashion designer Erdem Moralioĝlu MBE. Students were given an insight into the craftsmanship and tools used to create the collection which translated Duchess Deborah Devonshire's legacy into contemporary fashion. Find out more about student and graduate opportunities through the University of Derby's strategic partnership, which includes The Chatsworth House Trust.

"My favourite part of the exhibition was the insight given into Erdem's narrative development that ran in alignment to creating his garments. It was really interesting to see how he applied rather personal features of Duchess Deborah's life to the garments themselves. I could see the cohesion between each piece but also feel the emotion drilled into the designs. I also loved the experience of seeing the garments and fabric selections in person. I look forward to printmaking due to my love of painting and hopes of applying this to fashion, and Erdem has modelled how that is possible. Along with other textual details like the embroidery and brooches which emanate a sense of attention to detail. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition and found it very insightful to the role of fashion designer."

Erin Higgins, BA (Hons) Fashion Design 

Our graduates have gone on to careers in fashion design, textile design for fashion or interiors, knitwear, sportswear and accessories design, fashion forecasting, illustration, PR, marketing, media, buying and merchandising, photographic styling... and lots more.

You'll get lots of opportunities to showcase your work and get yourself noticed. Some of our students took a collection to London Alternative Fashion Week.

You could also go on to study our MA/MDes Design.

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. You may be given the opportunity, within your offer letter, to submit a portfolio. If you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.

Additional entry requirements

• Portfolio: Recommended - view portfolio details

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Fashion Design and Marketing BA (Hons)
• Fashion Design with Foundation Year BA (Hons)
• Fashion Styling and Communication BA (Hons)
• Design MA/MDes

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.