Arts University Plymouth
Fashion Design
Plymouth, England, United Kingdom · UCAS W290
Level
Bachelor
Duration
4 years
Campus
Main Site
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Home Tuition
£10,050 (regulated maximum, 2027-28)
Intake
September 2027
UCAS code
W290
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Course Overview
Fashion Design at Arts University Plymouth in Plymouth, England, United Kingdom is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Fashion graduates work in design studios, fashion houses, textile firms and retail buying, with pathways into luxury fashion, sustainable apparel, costume design and retail product development. Portfolio and internship experience are essential for competitive entry.
Student life (indicative)
Plymouth combines solid student nightlife with easy coastal and countryside access. The city has a good range of independent cafés, pubs and cultural venues, with beaches or scenic coastline within easy reach.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
1,610
Staff Ratio
19.0:1
International
4.0%
Career Prospects
Employment Rate
60.0%
of graduates employed
Avg Starting Salary
£26,070
First-year earnings
Costs & Living
City & Location
Small city (50k-199k inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Fashion Design
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Fashion Design topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Fashion Design
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- Graphic communication
- Typography
- Communication skills
- Photography
- Commercial Photography
- Video production
- Fashion
- Textile pattern cutting
- Spinning
- Clothing
- Dressmaking
- Dress patternmaking
- Needlecraft
- Patchwork
- Embroidery
- Quilting
- Decorative art
- Textile analysis
- Woven textiles
- Weaving
- Printed textiles
- Textile arts
- Lacemaking
- Knitting
- Arts
- Design
- Fashion design
- Knitwear design
- Graphic design
- Exhibition design
- Packaging design
- Three dimensional design
- Plastics design
- Design history
- Textile design
- Surface pattern design
- Media design
- User centred design
- Design theory
- Creative arts
- Art
- Screen printing
- Graphic arts
- Illustration
- Technical illustration
- Art theory
- Drawing
- Art history
- Community arts
- Visual arts
Source: UCAS course listing, 2027 entry (retrieved September 2026). Always confirm the current requirements with the university.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Student Population
1,610
Total students
Staff Ratio
19:1
Students per staff
International Students
4%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Small city (50k-199k inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Mild coastal
Safety Index (indicative)
8.0/10
Transport
Moderate (coach or indirect connections)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle | Creative arts scene
Student Life & City (indicative)
Plymouth combines solid student nightlife with easy coastal and countryside access. The city has a good range of independent cafés, pubs and cultural venues, with beaches or scenic coastline within easy reach.
- Plymouth combines solid student nightlife with easy coastal and countryside access.
- The city has a good range of independent cafés, pubs and cultural venues, with beaches or scenic coastline within easy reach.
What Students Love
- Beach lifestyle
- Outdoor & nature activities
- Active pub & club scene
- Historic city & heritage
University Stats
Career & Outcomes
Graduate Employment
60%
Employed after graduation
Avg Starting Salary
£26,070
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✗ Not offered
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Fashion graduates work in design studios, fashion houses, textile firms and retail buying, with pathways into luxury fashion, sustainable apparel, costume design and retail product development. Portfolio and internship experience are essential for competitive entry.
- Fashion graduates work in design studios, fashion houses, textile firms and retail buying, with pathways into luxury fashion, sustainable apparel, costume design and retail product development.
- Portfolio and internship experience are essential for competitive entry.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Business
- Healthcare
- Education
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
MEDIUM
This location has moderate living costs. Standard student budget recommended.
Estimated Annual Costs
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Cost Overview (indicative)
One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,345/month budget (housing $780, food $295, transport $80) covers everything comfortably. A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.
- One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,345/month budget (housing $780, food $295, transport $80) covers everything comfortably.
- A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.
Contains HESA data (Discover Uni), licensed under CC BY 4.0.