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Textiles BA/BSc(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years inc. placement

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BCC

BTEC - DMM-MMM

See full entry requirements

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Become skilled at using specialist hand techniques and digital technology to develop your knowledge of textiles, through print and dyeing, knitting, weaving and embroidery.
  2. The course is accredited by The Textile Institute – the professional body for people and organisations in textile, clothing, and footwear industries.  
  3. A number of bursaries are available for our Textiles BA(Hons) students to support them throughout their studies. 

Fascinated by all thing’s textiles, surface and craft? This course will prepare you for a range of career pathways across textile design and manufacture.

You’ll learn how to create textiles, as a sustainable raw material for designs used in fashion or interiors – via surface decoration, fabric manipulation and textile construction – and you’ll get to grips with the practice using knit, weave, print or embroidery equipment and facilities.

Teaching is via tutors with professional experience in textile design, surface design and textile craft. You’ll work alongside fashion designers, artists, and photographers in the exciting, interdisciplinary atmosphere of our £30-million, purpose-built Barbara Hepworth building, gaining and honing skills to become industry-ready ahead of graduation.

Why study Textiles BA(Hons)

The course is accredited by The Textile Institute – the professional body for people and organisations in textile, clothing, and footwear industries.

You may be eligible for one of our Textiles Practice Bursaries which will support you throughout your studies. You can also develop your professional skills by undertaking a work placement or setting up your own business through our unique Enterprise Placement Year.

If you have a love of design, fashion, interiors, illustration, photography, art and design, and other creative mediums, you may find textiles is a complementary subject area. On this course, you’ll:

  • Explore and ultimately specialise in print, knit, weave or embroidery. Our academic and technical staff will help you gain practical hands-on skills, using hand techniques and digital technology.
  • Discover the type of textile practitioner that you are. Our modules, which may be partnered with industry collaborators, will help you develop trend, sustainability, and market awareness alongside the drawing, making, visualising, and styling skills that can support a creative portfolio.
  • Investigate how textile design can emerge through creative play. Explore the process of drawing for textiles, research and develop from concept to creation and find resourceful and inventive ways to illustrate design and craft outcomes.

Advance your creative, professional, and intellectual abilities – in preparation for a prospective future career in textiles – via industry experience opportunities such as sponsored projects for fashion and interiors, competitions, placements, guest lectures or freelance business development support.

Following a textiles course, you could go on to work in a range of careers in, for example, textiles for interiors, textiles design, graphics design, textiles manufacturing, textiles technology, the fashion industry, trend forecasting, textiles for costume, art and design and more.

Course detail

Core modules:

Materials Processes and Practices

This module is designed to build your core knowledge in textile materials and processes used in a wide range of both bespoke and industrial applications. You will have the opportunity to explore how materials for the fashion, costume and textile industries continually evolve through technological developments and innovation.

Visual Research

Visual research and its relationship to your practice will be introduced in this module. You will be asked to produce a portfolio of drawings from both primary and secondary research with an emphasis on developing your own personal vocabulary. A diverse range of drawing, mixed-media, colour theory, 3-D and digital techniques will be explored to encourage an experimental and analytical approach to drawing thereby enabling an aesthetic understanding to complement your material and textile sampling.

Concept Design and Make

You will creatively explore approaches to research-led design applicable to practitioners of Textile Design, Surface Design and Textile Crafts, thereby introducing you to the professional practice routes available through the Intermediate and Honours levels of the course. You will begin to establish an understanding of how the design craft sector, uses trend, colour, technical, expressive, analytical, and applied research skills as a foundation within a professional context. Sustainable practice, global citizenship, enterprise, community engaged activities and research methods may be explored in relation to your creative outputs which could include projects that are industry sponsored/supported/focused and/or self-written.

Textile Practices

Students will be able to apply fundamental design application skills using the Textile workshops through the specialism areas of print, knit, weave or embroidery. The syllabus is designed to develop the ability to conceptualise and produce textiles samples for a specific end use, with an emphasis on aesthetic and technical excellence.

Option modules

Sustainable Principles

This module introduces the theory underpinning how textiles and its associated industries are responding to sustainability targets and concerns. Students will develop knowledge, understanding and critical thinking whilst exploring key principles of sustainability such as environmental and social impact, sustainable practices related to manufacturing, recycling/reuse of materials, and circular business models.

Developing Confidence in Spoken and Written English

The module is designed for students who have the minimum level of English language skills for them to have been accepted onto a university course and who may lack the initiative to ask for help when needed. In this module students are provided with the opportunity to develop higher levels of confidence in their production of spoken and written academic English. In addition, students will consolidate and refine their understanding of syntax and grammatical structures. As the module runs alongside their university studies, there is an emphasis on and an incentive to use skills that complement work done in the main area of study and which will be of use in and beyond an academic context. The use of regular AM/AI-proof tasks will ensure students develop an understanding of their own learning and the role they themselves play in developing their knowledge and skills. The module contributes to the attainment of skills and knowledge relevant to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) normally level B2- to B2.

English for Academic and Professional Purposes

The module provides students who have a level of English language skills sufficiently advanced for them to have been accepted onto a University course with the opportunity to improve further their skills in that language, with particular reference to improvements in the accuracy, clarity and fluency of their oral and written work. In addition to this, students will refine and develop their knowledge of academic study skills. As the module runs alongside their university studies, there is an emphasis on and an incentive to use skills that complement work done in the main area of study and which will be of use in and beyond an academic context. The use of regular AM/AI-proof tasks will ensure students develop an understanding of their own learning and the role they themselves play in developing their knowledge and skills. The module contributes to the attainment of skills and knowledge relevant to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) normally level B2 to B2+.

Advanced Professional and Academic English

The module is designed for students who already have a good level of competence in spoken and written English and will support them to further enhance their language and academic skills. Students will refine and develop higher level thinking skills such as critical analysis, problem-solving, synthesis, inference and metacognition. Advanced oral role-plays, group discussions and debates will serve to improve spontaneity and sophistication of expression, whilst written activities will build greater fluency in the use of linguistic structures. They will work with extended academic texts and understand such academic skills as synthesising sources, literature reviews, methodologies, paraphrasing and a range of accurate citation skills. As the module runs alongside their university studies, there is an emphasis on and an incentive to use skills that complement work done in the main area of study and which will be of use in and beyond an academic context. The use of regular AM/AI-proof tasks will ensure students develop an understanding of their own learning and the role they themselves play in developing their knowledge and skills. The module contributes to the attainment of skills appropriate to the B2+ to C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages.

Entry requirements

BBB-BCCat A Level or equivalent.

120-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

Merit at T Level.

DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

  • Pass in Diploma Foundation Studies in Art and Design combined with A Level or BTEC qualifications, to total an equivalent of 120-104 UCAS tariff points.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • 120-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

Applicants will be invited to attend an Applicant Visit Day, at which you will have the opportunity to present and be given feedback on your portfolio.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Placements


The course offers an optional one-year (36 weeks minimum) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

Students studying Textile courses have previously taken up placement opportunities with companies including: Joules – Leicestershire; Dash and Miller – Bristol; Marks and Spencer - London; Mamas & Papas - Huddersfield; Katrien Van Hecke – Belgium; Souraya – Australia; Wooltex – Huddersfield, Heritage Cashmere – Halifax; Max Mara – London; Aleksandra Gaca – Delft, Netherlands; Botany Weaving – Dublin; Knit and Crochet Guild – Slaithwaite; Margo Selby – Whitstable; Oxfam Online – Batley; Pattern Textiles – London; Calder Screenprint Ltd. – Sowerby Bridge; Visage Textiles Ltd – Manchester; Bay and Brown – London; The Craft Cotton Co – Manchester; Wallace and Sewell – Colne; Rare Threads – London; Hand and Lock – London and Sage Automotive Interiors – Bury.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. You can find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year here.

You can find out more information on placements here.

I’m a Creative Assistant at Skopos Fabrics. So far, I've been involved in trend and colour research, design processes, AVA, fabric printing, scientific testing, and marketing. I chose this placement as I knew it would be great experience and an opportunity to improve my skills on AVA.

Image of placement student Melissa, at Skopos Fabric

Melissa Haram, Textile current student

Student Work

A gallery of work by our Textiles students and graduates. Click on each image to find out more.

Your career


This course aims to help you to develop the skills needed for roles such as product developer, designer, fabric technologist, buyer, merchandiser, stylist and trend forecaster for a range of retailers and manufacturing companies.

Graduates from our textiles courses are now working in roles at companies including Marks and Spencer, Burberry, Michael Kors and Primark, as well as Jaguar Land Rover and Crafty Praxis.**

Previous placements have included companies such as Anthropologie, Mary Katrantzou, Bag it Don’t Bin it, Hand & Lock, The Hepworth Art Gallery, IKEA, The Knit and Crochet guild, Philip Treacy and John Lewis. The course is accredited by the Textile Institute, a worldwide organisation for textiles, clothing and footwear

*Percentage of our undergraduate students from this course go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

Source: **GEMS and LinkedIn

 

95% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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