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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Textile Design

A room shot of colourful fabrics laid across the floor. There is a bean bag structure wrapped in red string sitting on a pallet
Izzy Coyle, Knit
College
Chelsea College of Arts
UCAS code
W231
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA Textile Design at Chelsea College of Arts wants you to take an experimental and creative approach to textile design.

Subject to re-approval

This course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high-quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Course overview

On this course, you will learn how to design using colour, materials and process through textile print, knit, stitch or weave. You’ll develop ideas and expand your conceptual thinking through projects that explore the body, interior and exterior spaces, social and collaborative design, and design activism.

The course encourages ‘responsible design’, introducing you to current and future-thinking textile design contexts. You'll consider what it means to be a designer for current and future scenarios through ideas-led projects that kickstart your creative thinking.

What you can expect

  • Approach: You’ll be introduced to weave, stitch, knit and print and explore these areas as a starting point to develop new and exciting solutions to design challenges. These could include ‘thinking through making’, design strategies for responsible design and open experimental textile design approaches.
  • Experimentation: Explore the interaction between emerging technologies and traditional craft processes. Develop and challenge your ideas via live projects, prototyping and communicating your design context through digital storytelling. 
  • Social and climate justice: Environmental and social issues as well as sustainable and responsible design will be integrated into your learning. This will help you reflect critically on the global impact of the textile industry and wider communities of textile practice to inform new approaches.
  • Critical practice: You'll experience an integrated approach to theory and practice that uses your own design practice as a starting point to reflect on and situate your work within broader issues from a social, cultural, environmental and historical perspective.
  • A global outlook: Learn about global perspectives and culturally diverse contexts for textiles.
  • Visual research skills: You'll learn to develop skills in visual research, idea generation for design and technical skills supported by lead practitioners in their fields.
  • Textile facilities: You'll work with technical and academic staff to develop design and technical skills in the specialist textile technical workshops. These workshops are accessible to textile design students through an induction process that guides students towards selecting a textile specialism.  
  • Staff-led bookable access to resources: These include e-textile (electronic textiles), 3D printing and digital software in our textile lab for specific course projects or units.  

Work experience and opportunities 

Live projects will enable you to gain industry and materials design and research experience, build networks and expand your professional development. 

Past live project partnerships include Nike, Zara, CELC (European Confederation of Flax and Linen) and GGHQ Fashion Intelligence, Burberry, Ananas Anam, Khadi London, Blackhorse Atelier denim, Gainsborough Silks, H&M, Latitude Festival, M&S, UAL Climate Emergency Network Carnival of Crisis x Lucy Orta and trend forecasting company WGSN. 

Students are also supported to take part in competitions. Past examples include:

Artsthread Global Design Graduate Show, RSA, Hand and Lock Embroidery Prize, Bradford Textile Society, Design Museum briefs.

You will be able to apply to take part in an exchange to another institution. Students successful in their application have been to Berlin, Kyoto, Tokyo, Paris, Stockholm, Borås, Copenhagen, The Hague and Australia. The course also has partner relationships with some North American colleges. These include the Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons School of Design and Rhode Island School of Design.

Mode of study

BA Textile Design is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Course units

Year 1

Unit 1 - Introduction to textile design

This unit is an introduction to your course, the College and the University.

There will be talks on print, weave, knit and stitch. You’ll have studio workshops that explore images and objects in diverse cultural and historical contexts. You’ll be asked to think about questions such as “What is textile design?” and “What is design?” There will also be drawing sessions for textile inspiration.

Unit 2 - Concept and process

This unit introduces you to textile design through projects and inductions into the textile workshops. You will gather visual information to explore concepts through experimental and observational drawing, photography and related research to inspire your work.

Unit 3 - Textile contexts 1

This unit expands your understanding of design development processes where you will develop a personal approach to a given theme. It introduces you to textile contexts for fashion, the body and related ethical practices.

Unit 4 - Textile contexts 2

You’ll work both digitally and within the studio to engage with current design ideas for interior or exterior spaces, or digital interactive and experience design
proposals. This introduces you to textile contexts for space, considering scale, environment and impact.

Year 2

Unit 5 - Materials design practice

In this unit, you will focus on the design process for colour, materials and finish. You will continue to develop your individual direction within your textiles. 

Unit 6 - Collaborative and collective practices

You will be introduced to different ways in which collaborative working can help you to focus and enhance your own creative strengths. You’ll have the chance to work with fellow students and creative communities. 

Unit 7 - Professional communication

In this unit, you’ll work on a project that has a professional context. This may be a live project, a staff research-led project, a competition or an exhibition. You will begin to define your place as a designer in a global context and potential directions for your work. These will help inform your future career aspirations. 

Unit 8 - Responsible design practice

This unit encourages you to explore your practice as a responsible textile designer. You’ll be thinking about creating new work, materials, products or services that factor in environmental, social, economic and cultural costs.

Sustainable and ethical design has a broad impact and takes place within current world views, and evidence of adaptation to changing circumstances. Textile design can inform change and reach outside of the textiles’ sector. It can cross disciplines into wellbeing, product design and technical performance innovations.

Year 3

Unit 9 - Design synthesis

Unit 9 is about the exploration of ideas, innovation and experimentation in preparation for your final major project.

Unit 10 - Professional contexts

In this unit, you’ll define your role as a designer and connect your practice to a wider context.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS)

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.

Diploma in Creative Computing

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Textile Design (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Briefings
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Studio and technical workshops
  • Technical inductions
  • Study visits
  • Critique
  • Peer learning
  • Independent and self-directed study 

BA Textile Design

Open day recording

Programme Director Caryn Simonson gives an overview of BA Textile Design at Chelsea College of Arts.

Student work

  • Print_Ellen-Russell.jpg
    Ellen Russell - Print, BA Textile Design.
  • chelsea-ba-textile-design-jade-pearl-1-knit.jpg
    Jade Pearl - Knit, BA Textile Design.
  • Print_Madeline-Rees_.jpg
    Madeline Rees - Print, BA Textile Design.
  • Stitch_Thomas-Lawes.jpg
    Thomas Lawes - Stitch, BA Textile Design.
  • Knit_Aeyesha-Cundy.JPG
    Aeyesha Cundy - Knit, BA Textile Design.
  • chelsea-ba-textile-design-wing-yu-yeung-knit-2.jpg
    Wing Yu Yeung - Knit, BA Textile Design.
  • Weave_Pan-Chuyi.jpg
    Pan Chuyi - Weave, BA Textile Design.

Film

Show 2022: Natasha Sulkin

BA Textile Design

Facilities tour

Staff

  • Caryn Simonson - Programme Director
  • Cecilia Langemar - Course Leader
  • Lisa Bloomer
  • Melanie Bowles
  • Claudia Catzeflis
  • Matthew Crowley
  • Isabel Dodd
  • Nicholas Dunn
  • Elaine Igoe
  • Sicgmone Kludje
  • Helen Paine
  • Kathy Round
  • Kiren Passi

Visiting Staff

  • Hannah Auerbach-George
  • Victoria Beardsall
  • John Booth
  • Kirstie Eells
  • Mila Harris-Mussi
  • Georgina Hodson
  • Amy Orchard-King
  • Julia Pines
  • Jo Pickering
  • Jennifer Rossi
  • Jodie Ruffle
  • Helen Spencer
  • Chole Swords Cherry
  • Yesenia Thibault-Picazo
  • Alice Timmis
  • Tomoko Yamanaka
  • Samiya Younis

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are one or a combination of the following qualifications:

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum
  • And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • A selective approach/visual research in colour, black and white and various media, this could include moving image
  • Enthusiasm for colour, materials and working with a variety of scale
  • Awareness of contemporary contexts and ideas in textile design
  • Design orientated research – textiles and non-textiles
  • An individual response to ideas/critical awareness showing your design developemen t process

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W231

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W231

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum 30 pages
  • include a wide range of work that explores colour and various medias including moving image
  • demonstrate your interest in surfaces, textual qualities and 3D exploration
  • show your enthusiasm for colour, materials and variety of scale
  • include supporting research to demonstrate your awareness of contemporary and historic contexts and ideas. This can be related to textiles or the wider design industry
  • include individual responses to ideas and critiques to highlight your design development process.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

BA Textile Design graduates have gone on to work in international fashion or interior design studios, trend-forecasting companies and magazines.

Others have set up their own businesses or gone on to postgraduate study on Chelsea's MA Textile Design, Central St Martins MA Fashion, as well as courses at other renowned institutions such as the Royal College of Art.

Some of the course’s most successful graduates have joined design teams and are working within couture and high street production for fashion companies including Anthropologie, Burberry, Céline, Chloe, H&M, Liberty, Stella McCartney, Nike, Zac Posen, Jonathan Saunders and Alexander Wang.

Alumni

  • Yemi Awosile - Textile designer
  • Finchittida Finch - Jewellery label set up by twin sisters Lisa and Tida Finch. Worn by FKA Twigs and Lianne La Havas
  • Bridget Harvey - Designer, maker and activist
  • Henry Hussey - Artist
  • Helen Lawrence - Knitwear designer who has shown at Fashion East and London Fashion Week
  • Margo Selby - Woven textile design company making fabrics, rugs and accessories
  • Hsiao-Chi Tsai - Mixed media textile designer who creates installations and bespoke fashion accessories. She has been commissioned by Harvey Nicholls, Kew Gardens and the South Bank Centre

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.