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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear

Embellished, colourful boots on a black background.
Zia Lee | BA Cordwainers Footwear | 2021 | Photographer: Xinming Lia | London College of Fashion | University of Arts London
College
London College of Fashion
UCAS code
J445
Start date
September 2023
Course length
3 years / 4 years (with placement year in industry)

As the only footwear course in the world with Cordwainer’s heritage, this BA awakens truly creative shoe design through the powerful knowledge of craft.

BA Cordwainer’s Footwear enables your imaginative ideas to become physical, functional and prized pieces. Celebrating dynamic work, this course provides the skills to drive the Footwear business forwards and front a new era of innovation and creativity.

Apply to start in September 2023 

This course has places available. Read our Guide to applying for a course starting this September through UCAS Extra. For a full list of UAL courses open for 2023/24 entry, visit the Courses with places available page.

Course undergoing re-approval

Please note 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.

Placed within London’s rich, cultural and fashion scene, and with access to impressive facilities, the latest technology, digital software and skills passed directly from the Cordwainers, this course produces uniquely impressive shoe makers and designers. Students will leave with industry experience and the confidence to present distinct design ideas.

Welcome to an endlessly inspiring and creatively addictive discipline, where you can be a big voice in a small community. This course celebrates an impressive alumni list, each valued for their ability to bring remarkable design to life through the precision of technical skill. Graduates work for names such as Nicholas Kirkwood, Kurt Geiger, Jimmy Choo and Malone Souliers.

With a Cordwainer in almost every major design company, this is your time to find your unique place in the footwear industry.

Why choose this course at London College of Fashion

    • Career preparation: excellent vocational preparation for a career in innovative footwear design.
    • Facilities: unrivalled access to specialist facilities appropriate to the industry.
    • Sustainability: supports students to learn and develop new more sustainable practices, working at the forefront of changes within the industry.
    • Cordwainers and Leathersellers support: the Cordwainers and Leathersellers livery companies support the Cordwainers courses through prizes, scholarships and industrial visits.
    • Where graduates have gone on to work: recent Footwear graduates have gone on to work for Nicholas Kirkwood, Kurt Geiger, Jimmy Choo and Malone Souliers.

Open Days

The next open day for this course is taking place on Tuesday 4 July. Book your place.

Course overview

Introduction 

BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear is delivered with employment in the relevant industry in mind.  You will study a range of units that will equip you with the relevant professional, communication and business skills.  

What to expect 

  • Students may undertake live projects set by industry, including presentations to and from the companies involved.  

  • This course focuses on producing graduates who are encouraged to make an innovative and visionary contribution to footwear product development within the fashion industry.  

  • The Cordwainers and Leathersellers livery companies support the Cordwainers courses through prizes, scholarships and industrial visits. 

Work experience and opportunities 

There is 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) Cordwainers Footwear runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.  

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

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

  • Introduction to Footwear (20 credits)
  • Product Design and Technologies (40 credits)
  • Product Creativity (20 credits)
  • Better Lives (20 credits)
  • Fashion Cultures and Histories (20 credits)

In Stage 2 students are required to complete 120 credits of which a minimum of 100 must be at level 5.

  • Professional Practice (40 credits)
  • Critical Issues in Fashion Research (20 credits)
  • Creative Design (20 credits)
  • Industry Project (40 credits)

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

  • Concept Vision (40 credits)
  • Contextualising Your Practice (20 credits)
  • Concept Realisation (60 credits)

On successful completion of Stage 2 students are offered the option of a professional placement leading to an extra qualification; the Diploma in Professional Studies.

The Diploma in Professional Studies carries 120 credits, and constitutes an independent award. Credits achieved on the Diploma are not part of the final degree award.

The Diploma year is a single unit, undertaken as a form of full time study, with placement activity at its core. For those who take up the option of studying the Diploma, the experience is designed to be an integrated and assessed part of a student’s journey through the course. It allows students the opportunity to experience the atmosphere, pace and discipline of working in the industry, through total involvement in the day-to-day activities of a company. It will build on the knowledge gathered through course work to practically demonstrate the roles and functions, and operations typical of the fashion industry and the student’s chosen specialism.

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:

  • Lectures. 
  • Seminars. 
  • Tutorials. 
  • Group and individual projects.
  • Critiques. 
  • Peer group presentations.
  • Practical workshops. 
  • Demonstrations. 
  • Open access work. 
  • Visiting speakers.
  • Field trips. 
  • Self‐directed study.
  • Reflection and self‐evaluation.

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Graduate Showcase

  • Woodland Wanderers
    Woodland Wanderers, Jasmin Lancaster, 2022 BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear: Product Design and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • Elements by Dora Aradi
    Elements by Dora Aradi, Dora Aradi, 2022 BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear: Product Design and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • DIAGRAM
    DIAGRAM, Lewis Spark, 2022 BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear: Product Design and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • WELCOME TO MY PLAYGROUND
    WELCOME TO MY PLAYGROUND, SHASHA XU, 2022 BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear: Product Design and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL
  • ATTA
    ATTA, Stanislava Miteva, 2022 BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear: Product Design and Innovation, London College of Fashion, UAL

Student and graduate work

  • Victoria-Andre.jpg
  • Victoria-Andre2.jpg
  • Samantha-Mills.jpg

BA (Hons) Cordwainers Footwear: Product and Innovation

Graduate work from the LCF summer series 2021

Latest news from this course

LCF facilities

  • Library, John Princes Street
    Library, John Princes Street Photography by: Ideal Insight
    LCF library and archives

    Take a tour of LCF's world renowned fashion library, ideal for research and study.

  • Mfundo Mahlangu from BA Cordwainers Footwear- Product Design and Innovation; Photographer Alys Tomlinson
    Mfundo Mahlangu from BA Cordwainers Footwear- Product Design and Innovation; Photographer Alys Tomlinson
    Footwear, accessories and jewellery facilities

    Take a tour of Golden Lane's workshops and leather room.

  • Multi-way green loafer prototype with magnetic snap-on accessories.
    Student work by Yvonne Bainton titled 'Sister Ruby: Deco Jubilee' | BA(Hons) Cordwainers Footwear | London College of Fashion | 2021
    Cordwainers

    Discover more about the history of Cordwainers College and the facilities and archives available at LCF.

  • LCF at Stratford Exterior Design
    LCF at Stratford Exterior Design
    LCF's move

    LCF is moving to a new single campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2023. Find more information about the College’s relocation.

Staff

Sarah Day is course leader and graduated from the original Cordwainers Technical College in the 1980s. A childhood obsession with drawing shoes became a career and Sarah has enjoyed a prolific commercial presence developing designs for a wide range of companies, such as Clarks and Pentland PLC’s brands, such as Lacoste. She set up her own design consultancy in 1997, specialising in Far Eastern sourcing, and managed an impressive client list which included her former employers Clarks and other well-known high street companies such as M&S and Next. She began teaching at Cordwainers at London College of Fashion in 2006 and she has taught across all year groups.

Sarah has a goal to enthuse students with the same passion for shoes as she has, and hopes to share the same excitement and energy.  She positively encourages the fusion of traditional craft skills and new technology within footwear design and the course reflects this aspiration. Sarah is a member of the Cordwainers livery company as a Liveryman, and was recently was granted the Freedom of the City of London.  She regularly takes part in Livery events, including the Blenheim Triathlon, to raise funds for the Master’s charities.

Daphne Bikker studied Product Design at the Academy of Art and Design in Arnhem while learning the craft of traditional shoe making. After successfully completing her BA degree, Daphne moved to London to study for her MA in Footwear Design at the London College of Fashion. Soon after receiving a distinction for her MA collection she moved to China to work as a designer for United Nude. Her work embraced modern technology such as 3D printing and unconventional materials such as carbon fiber. While at United Nude Daphne has worked together with artist from different disciplines such as architects, fashion designers and performers. After 5 years of building the range and managing the design team in China, Daphne moved back to London and worked on her eponymous formal men's shoe brand combining traditional shoe making with contemporary techniques. She set up a workshop in London with industrial machinery where she handmade her samples. After a stint in Italy Daphne moved back to London as a Lecturer on the BA Footwear Product Design and Innovation course.

Ian Goff grew up in a world of shoes as his father worked for the Royal Shoemakers H&M Rayne, he would spend many a school holiday and weekend joining him at work. He trained as a footwear designer and maker at the Cordwainers College. Ian then worked for Nafi Mustafa as a design assistant moving on to G.H. Warner Footwear as a product developer and range planner. This involved working with factories in India, China, Thailand, and Spain to produce footwear for a wide range of retailers such as River island, Marks & Spencer & Debenhams to name a few. This gave Ian a good grounding in the industry to have the confidence and desire to develop his own brand of men’s footwear selling to small independent retailers in the UK. It was during this time that Ian was asked to do some teaching at LCF and is now a full time member of the teaching team.

All of the in-house technicians and the footwear specialist visiting lecturers have experience in the industry or have run their own businesses; many have done both. They are passionate about the subject area, enjoy passing their knowledge on to the next generation and integrating emerging technologies into traditional techniques to create new solutions to design problems.

Dai Rees is programme director for the design and craft courses. He is an artist, designer, curator and academic. He launched his eponymous fashion label in the Nineties, showing collections at London Fashion Week and selling to some of the most famous boutiques in the world. His work is held in major public and private collections including at the V&A in London and the MET in New York.

José Teunissen is dean of the School of Design and Technology at London College of Fashion, UAL, and professor of Fashion Theory. José previously worked as a journalist for several Dutch newspapers and Dutch broadcast television, and was curator Fashion and Costume at the Centraal Museum in Utrecht (1998-2006). At ArtEZ in 2002, José was one of the first professors in the Netherlands to conduct research and develop theory in the field of fashion. In 2008, she set up the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) research project National Identity in a Globalised World, working closely with Radboud University Nijmegen and other universities of applied sciences. José took various hot items from the fashion industry, including the effects of globalisation, sustainability and technology, and used them as the basis for research projects, publications and exhibitions in association with ArtEZ Press, which earned her an excellent international reputation.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

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

£25,970 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

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 English, Maths, Art, Design, Textiles and Science);
  • Distinction 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 for footwear in terms of material developments, new designers and fashion trends
  • A potential to achieve a high standard of technical manufacture
  • An 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

Places available 2023/24 

This course has places available for 2023/24 entry. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

This section includes all the information you need on how to apply, how your application is considered and what happens next.

You should apply through UCAS – Universities and Colleges Admissions Service – and you will need the following information:

University code:          U65

UCAS Code:                 J445

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner. Read our Admissions Policy for details, including how to request a deferral and by when.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2 - if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1.
  • Year 3 - if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2.

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry)

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 PM (GMT) on  25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

You can only apply to the same course once per year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Applications for this course can only be accepted for this year of entry.

What happens next

All application forms, personal statements and references are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry requirements and Selection Criteria sections.

If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a portfolio via PebblePad, our online submission tool, which should include a number of images of your work. You can upload a maximum of 30 images which best shows your work – please note however that you do not have to provide this exact number. PebblePad refers to ‘images’ when you upload your work - think of each 'image' as a page in your physical portfolio.

For this course your portfolio should show evidence of: ability to present ideas visually; a level of research, experimentation and development; technical and practical ability; effective presentation techniques; and contemporary fashion and cultural awareness.

The portfolio is assessed by Academic Reviewers who will decide if they are able to make an offer based on the work you have demonstrated. It may be, however, that the tutor wishes to speak with you further about your work and so you will be invited to attend an online interview. At the interview the Academic Reviewer will discuss your portfolio that you submitted in PebblePad; it will be possible to show more of your work during the interview if the tutor feels it necessary for you to do so.

Please note that not all applicants will be invited to attend interview.

If you are made an offer, you will have the opportunity to engage with course teams at a number of planned engagement activities, where you will be able to ask any questions you may have and also speak to current students studying on the course.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

If you applied through UCAS the result of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS through UCAS Track. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.

Places available 2023/24 

This course has places available for 2023/24 entry. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

This section includes all the information you need on how to apply, how your application is considered and what happens next.

There are 2 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course:

You must apply through UCAS, where you will need the following information:

  • University code – U65
  • UCAS course code – J445

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once per year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Applications for this course can only be accepted for this year of entry. Applications for deferred entry cannot be accepted. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner. Read our Admissions Policy for details, including how to request a deferral and by when.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2 - if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1.
  • Year 3 - if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2.

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry)

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

If you are an International applicant and studying outside the UK, please complete your Direct application and then contact us via your UAL Portal to ask to be considered for Year 2/Year 3.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 PM (GMT) on  25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

What happens next

Immigration History Check

Whether you are applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative you will need to complete an Immigration History Check to identify whether you are eligible to study at UAL. Do be aware, if you do not complete the Immigration History Check we will not be able to proceed with your application.

Initial application check

All application forms, personal statements and references are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry requirements and Selection Criteria sections.

If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a portfolio via PebblePad, our online submission tool, which should include a number of images of your work. You can upload a maximum of 30 images which best shows your work – please note however that you do not have to provide this exact number. PebblePad refers to ‘images’ when you upload your work - think of each 'image' as a page in your physical portfolio.

For this course your portfolio should show evidence of: ability to present ideas visually; a level of research, experimentation and development; technical and practical ability; effective presentation techniques; and contemporary fashion and cultural awareness.

The portfolio is assessed by Academic Reviewers who will decide if they are able to make an offer based on the work you have demonstrated. It may be, however, that the tutor wishes to speak with you further about your work and so you will be invited to attend an online interview. At the interview the Academic Reviewer will discuss your portfolio that you submitted in PebblePad; it will be possible to show more of your work during the interview if the tutor feels it necessary for you to do so.

Please note that not all applicants will be invited to attend interview.

If you are made an offer, you will have the opportunity to engage with course teams at a number of planned engagement activities, where you will be able to ask any questions you may have and also speak to current students studying on the course.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

If you applied through UCAS the result of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS through UCAS Track. If you have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL portal. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.

After you apply

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this Portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Once we’ve reviewed and assessed your application, we’ll contact you via UCAS Track or the UAL Portal to let you know whether your application has been successful.

Potential changes to course structure

Please note: the information outlined is an indicative structure of the course. Whilst we will aim to deliver the course as described on this page, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, for example because of regulatory requirements or operational efficiencies, before or after enrolment. If this occurs, we will communicate all major changes to all applicants and students who have either applied or enrolled on the course. Please note that due to staff research agreements or availability, not all of the optional modules listed may be available every year. In addition, the provision of course options which depend upon the availability of specialist teaching, or on a placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed. Please check this element of the course with the course team before making a decision to apply.

Webpage updates

We will update this webpage from time to time with new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please use the register your interest form above.

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. Graduates have gained roles at a number of notable companies including: Kurt Geiger, Jimmy Choo, Malone Souliers, Inditex, Nicholas Kirkwood, Adele Clarke, Georgina Goodman, Topshop, Bloch International, Clarks Shoes, Stella McCartney, Sophia Webster and Dune.