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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting

Black and white photograph of models standing in a line in a carpark-style building.
Student work by Chen Chen | BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting | London College of Fashion | University of Arts London
College
London College of Fashion
UCAS code
2P45
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years / 4 years (with placement year in industry)

BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting prepares students for a successful career in the industry by teaching skills in traditional craft practice and the latest digital technologies.

Why choose this course at London College of Fashion

  • Focus on industry skills: students learn a range of skills across market levels from bespoke tailoring methods to high street manufacture.
  • Industry links: the course has excellent industry connections for both work placements and employment which have an international scope.
  • Varied learning: students are taught broad ranging skills, from traditional craft skills to cutting edge digital technologies.
  • Career opportunities: students have the opportunity to undertake an industry placement year and gain valuable experience before graduating.

Open days

There are currently no Open Days scheduled for this course, please check back at a later date.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Course overview

Introduction 

BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting focuses on innovative cutting, fabric sourcing and digital technologies in the development of structured and unstructured clothing. Students learn design research and interpretation, 3D realisation, fit alteration, pattern drafting and adaptation, construction and manufacture. There will also be a focus on trend investigation and market analysis. 

What to expect 

  • Students will acquire broad academic skills which will allow them to see the context of their study in the wider perspectives of fashion, society and the environment. Students will build the professional, communication and business skills they will need for successful employment in today’s global fashion industry. 
  • BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting gives students the skills to approach the 3-Dimensional design process and realise garments, working with designers to create both experimental and commercial creative products. 
  • At the end of their studies, students will be equipped to enter the fashion industry with an innovative and professional portfolio and a range of skills that make them highly employable. 

Work experience and opportunities 

The course focuses on both craft skills as well as digital technologies to give students the well-rounded creative and technical base that the industry demands. Students have an opportunity to undertake an optional industry placement year between the second and final year of the course which will enhance the employability of students by offering valuable experience and contacts within the industry as well as earning an additional Diploma in Professional Studies qualification. 

Mode of study 

BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks. 

Climate, Social and Racial Justice Statement

We are committed to developing ethical fashion pattern cutting practices. To achieve this, we are working to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course.

Course units

Stage 1

In Stage 1 you are required to complete 120 credits at level 4 in order to progress to Stage 2.

  • Introduction to Fashion Pattern Cutting; 20 credits
  • Form and Silhouette; 40 credits
  • Sleeves and Collars; 20 credits
  • Drape and Form; 20 credits
  • Fashion Cultures and Histories; 20 credits

Stage 2

In Stage 2 you are required to complete 120 credits at level 5 to progress to Stage 3.

  • Structure and Form; 40 credits
  • Critical Issues in Fashion Research; 20 credits
  • Visual Research Methods; 20 credits
  • Professional Engagement; 40 credits

Optional Diploma Year

Industry DIPS

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.

Enterprise DIPS

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an enterprise placement year where you will explore a business idea from proposal to minimal viable product (MVP). As well as developing enterprise skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.

CCI 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 degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting (with Creative Computing).

CCI Apple Diploma 

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Apple Development. This will give you an opportunity to become an accredited apple developer alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting (with Apple Development).

Stage 3

In Stage 3 you are required to complete 120 credits at level 6.

  • Construction and Transformation; 40 credits
  • Contextualising Practice; 20 credits
  • Final Major Project; 60 credits

A 20-credit unit is approximately equivalent to 200 hours of learning time, which includes a mixture of taught time, independent study and assessment.

All students are entitled to a tutorial package that consists of:

  • one induction tutorial (group or one to one);
  • one tutorial per term for the duration for their course of study at LCF;
  • group tutorials as required;
  • an appropriate level of confidentiality.

Learning and teaching methods

The following teaching and learning methods are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes:

  • Demonstrations.
  • Studio workshops.
  • Lectures, seminars and workshops.
  • Group discussions and team working.

BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting | Undergraduate Degree Show 2023

BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting | Undergraduate Degree Show 2021

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

Latest news from this course

Staff

Amer Kamal is the course leader. Amer studied Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design in New York. He has worked as a freelance designer for 25 years, running his own business in both New York and Milan, also showing at New York Fashion week. He established the BA Fashion Atelier programme at UCA Rochester and has been teaching in higher education for twelve years and continues to work as a freelance designer and pattern cutter. Amer completed his MA in NABA in Milan and a PgCert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education at UAL.

Tina Fox is senior lecturer on this course and her training and background is as a designer and pattern cutter with experience from haute couture to chain stores, but with particular focus on high street fashion. Many years in industry inform her teaching, and she also has several years of experience of teaching short courses for the International Team ‘Flying Faculty’ at LCF. These include ‘Jacket Design and Realisation’ at IMA in Istanbul, and ‘Draping & Creative Cutting’, ‘Soft Tailoring’ and ‘Product Development’ including Lectra, Optitex and Body Scanning in Dhaka for Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) University of Fashion Technology (BUFT).

Polly Kenny is the programme director for BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles and BA (Hons) Fashion Pattern Cutting and has an MA in Fashion Studies. Her industry experience is extensive and has been through collaborative partnerships with, for example, Broderie Anglaise and Peter Wright Europe Ltd, with clients, including Ronit Zilka and Morris Angels, and at the industry’s textile fairs. She is a member of the Higher Education Academy and vice chair of the London Branch of the Society of Dyers and Colourists. Her practice-based research focuses on the mark of the hand through digital and craft processes investigating the archive and textile memories.

Rob Phillips is the creative director for the School of Design and Technology. Trained in fashion womenswear, surface textiles: print, menswear and illustration Rob went on to become the fashion editor for International Textiles magazine and consultant for fashion brands. Rob's broad skill set of fashion design, process, graphics, presentation, typography, advertising and communication led to his appointment as creative director of Fashion Forecast magazine, where his progressive work promoting young fashion talent garnered him much acclaim from industry. Rob continues to nurture talent at LCF across all courses within the School, teaching holistically about fashion, developing the students’ full potential so they can make their unique contribution to the fashion industry. He furthers the work of the College through many routes, including industry projects, collaborations and competitions. He also curates and directs the School’s events including fashion shows, films, photoshoots, publications and exhibitions. Rob continues to contribute to industry as a fashion commentator (BBC, The Guardian, SHOWstudio and more) and as creative consultant for fashion brands. View Rob Phillip' full profile here.

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 accepted full level 3 qualifications.
  • 112 UCAS tariff points from two or more A Levels (preferred subjects include, Art, Design, English and Maths);
  • Distinction at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design;
  • Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects Art & Design);
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma;
  • Access Diploma or 112 new UCAS tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma;
  • 112 new UCAS tariff points from a combination of the above qualifications or an equivalent full Level 3 qualification;
  • or equivalent EU or non-EU qualifications such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 25 points minimum;
  • and three GCSE passes at grade A*-C or grade 9-4.

Entry to this course will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio.

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
  • OR 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

IELTS level 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English Language Requirements.

Selection criteria

The course team seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

  • A current awareness of fashion in terms of fabric development, new designers and fashion trends
  • A potential to achieve a high standard of technical manufacture
  • The ability to translate 2D ideas to 3D realisations
  • The ability to record and develop design ideas through the vehicle of drawing
  • The ability to work as a member of a team
  • The ability to work independently to develop your own knowledge and skills acquired on the course

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:

2P45

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:

2P45

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
  • showcase your skills in technical drawing and construction
  • demonstrate your ability to think and work in 3D
  • include examples where you have experimented with developing and creating patterns as part of your creative fashion design processes
  • illustrate your knowledge of different fabrics and materials
  • include work in progress to demonstrate how you experiment and develop ideas from initial concepts to final outcomes
  • include research to highlight your knowledge and awareness of the cultural contexts behind the contemporary fashion industry.

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

All of our undergraduate courses offer career development, so that you become a creative thinker, making effective contributions to your relevant sector of the fashion industry.

LCF offers students the opportunity to develop Personal and Professional Development (PPD) skills while studying through:

  • An on-course work experience or placement year. Please note, this is not available on every course; please see the Course Details section for information about work placement opportunities.
  • Access to to speaker programmes and events featuring alumni and industry.
  • Access to careers activities, such as CV clinics and one-to-one advice sessions.
  • Access to a graduate careers service
  • Access to a live jobsboard for all years.
  • Advice on setting up your own brand or company.

Graduates who wish to continue their education at postgraduate level can progress to suitable courses within the College, the University or elsewhere.

Career paths

Many graduates prefer to seek employment as soon as they have completed their undergraduate studies. We are confident that graduates from this course will be able to gain positions in design and sample room, garment and production technology, fabric research, sourcing and manufacture. Technical competence and creative confidencewill enable graduates to become technical managers and innovators, consultants, andproduct developers, as well as defining their own individual career opportunities.