Fashion Design and Garment Technology (York School of Art)

York College University Centre is the home of York School of Art, our creative community for adults. This course is part of the York School of Art, please visit our website to find out more about our art school.

The BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Garment Technology programme explores the design and technical skills associated with the fashion design and technology sectors. You will develop knowledge and technical skills in 2D and 3D technology along with skills associated with research and design of fashion products. You will use specialist facilities that simulate an industrial working environment alongside the latest CAD technology in our fully equipped CAD suite. As the next generation of fashion professionals who have the technical skills our industry requires, you will become proficient in the use of the latest in cutting edge pattern cutting technology from Gerber. This will allow you to build skills in both digital and traditional pattern cutting techniques.

You will have the opportunity to explore themes associated with the global, economic, environmental and social issues that our industry faces today and consider your place in a future, better fashion industry.

Immerse yourself in a range of collaborative projects with industry partners for the opportunity to experience first hand a variety of roles within the fashion industry. You will develop strong working links with our other creative degree courses, allowing for cross-disciplinary partnership and access to specialist resources within many fields such as jewellery, graphics, media make-up, photography and media.

As a student on this course, you will also be invited to take part in a rich and vibrant enrichment programme including external visits to exhibitions, galleries, suppliers and manufacturers and a residential trip to source materials for your final collection. You’ll also attend global industry trade events.

The Preparing for Industry module at Level 5 encourages students to begin career planning. Students are introduced to professional environments through various means such as live briefs, undertaking external commissions, competition briefs, freelance work, cross-course collaboration of projects and work placement.

Graduates from this course can seek employment across a range of product areas and markets, in a number of design, pattern and garment technology roles. Some graduates choose to continue study on to post-graduate courses such as Master’s degrees or teacher training programmes.

Level 4
Fashion Presentation
Fashion Translation
Creative Journal
Design Collaboration

Level 5
Commercial Viability
Product Innovation
Negotiated Study
Preparing for Industry

Level 6
Design Research Proposal
Professional Practice
Product Development
Major Design Project

A variety of assessment methods are adopted to reflect practices within the fashion industry and prepare you well for progression; from presentations to ‘the client’ to garment realisation. Modules such as the Design Research Proposal at Level 6 and Negotiated Study at Level 5 are written assignments and are underpinned by the academic conventions expected of this level of study. Students must pass each module to progress on to the next level of study.