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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Critical Practice in Fashion Media

Student interpretation of the digital imprint of social media.
Student interpretation of the digital imprint of social media | BA (Hons) Fashion Media Practice and Criticism | London College of Fashion | University of Arts London
College
London College of Fashion UCAS code
P206 Start date
September 2025 Course length
3 years (optional 1 year placement)

Use the tools of fashion media and communication to create positive change around the world, engaging with critical writing, image-making, curation and more.

Course summary

Applications suspended 2026/27

We are not recruiting for this course for entry in 2026/27. Discover more courses at UAL.

Why choose this course at London College of Fashion

  • Activism: Utilise fashion media and communication as powerful instruments for creating positive change in the world and address urgent issues related to social, racial, and climate justice.
  • Experimentation: Understand how you can influence audiences to bring about meaningful change whilst experimenting with writing, content creation and emerging technologies.
  • Work placement: See first-hand how the fashion and associated industries are managing change, with an optional work placement as part of the course.
  • Collaborate: Network and build relationships with students from across LCF's disciplines in projects that simulate industry practice.
  • Employability: As a graduate you will be prepared for a wide range of careers in communication, activism, strategy, education, social responsibility, policy, and more.

Global experiences

This course offers the opportunity to study abroad short-term over the summer break (subject to meeting requirements). Going abroad as part of your degree is an exciting experience that broadens your horizons and helps you build a global network.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Use our scholarship search to discover if you are eligible for any scholarships, bursaries or awards.

Course overview

Introduction

BA (Hons) Critical Practice in Fashion Media is a distinctive fashion media and communication course that understands fashion as a powerful tool through which to critically engage, confront and intervene in the most urgent issues facing us today. Critical practice means using the tools of fashion media and communication to create positive change with a focus on social, racial and climate justice.

In the first year of the course, you will learn how fashion activists and critical practitioners across the globe use fashion media and communication to influence audiences and produce meaningful change. You will develop skills in storytelling, futures thinking and speculation and have the opportunity to experiment with writing, content creation and emerging media.

The focus of the second year is to learn how to set objectives for change and develop methods for measuring the impact of your work on local communities and audiences. In addition, you will be given the option to undertake a work placement to see first-hand how the fashion and associated industries are managing change.

In the third year you will combine the creative, technical and strategic skills gained in years 1 and 2 to research, develop and realise an independent Critical Practice project. The aim of the project will be to produce meaningful change in or through fashion in the context of climate, racial and/or social justice. You have the option to undertake your independent Critical Practice project in the form of a business plan supported by staff in the Business School.

In each year of the course you will support your work using cultural and historical frameworks led by staff from the Cultural and Historical Studies team. 

What to Expect

  • Fashion communication for change: Learn how to engage and influence audiences through fashion and use storytelling to produce positive change. 
  • Diverse Teaching Methods: Attend lectures, seminars, workshops, open studios, tutorials and peer-led activities which are structured to allow for part-time work and work-experience opportunities. 
  • Collaboration: Participate in cross-course collaboration to experience content beyond your discipline and network with students from other courses. 
  • Specialist support: Learn from a course team of academic experts and industry guests and benefit from language, academic and employability support throughout your studies.
  • State-of-the-art facilities: Taught at LCF's East Bank campus, you'll have access to our extensive library, specialist equipment, media stores and take part in specialist technical workshops.  

Diploma in Professional Studies (DiPS)

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Professional Studies Placements, which is an accreditation awarded by University of the Arts London. This will give you an opportunity to undertake a placement with either one company for the entire academic year or divide this time between a maximum of three placements. During the placement/s, you will experience the pace, atmosphere and discipline of working in industry through involvement in the day-to-day activities of a creative business. 

Careers

Graduates of the course are suited to traditional communication roles such as writers and editors, content creators and social media managers as well as roles that focus specifically on change, such as learning and impact co-ordinators, inclusion and diversity leads, sustainability strategists, campaign managers, and roles within policy and advocacy. Graduates can expect to gain roles in a spectrum of employers from third-sector organisations, in corporate social responsibility as well as in fashion brands with change-making goals.

Climate, Social and Racial Justice

UAL is committed to ensuring that your skills are set within an ethical framework and are working to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice into the course.

Contact us

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

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

You will be required to complete 360 credits at levels 4, 5, and 6 to be awarded the BA (Hons) Critical Practice in Fashion Media.

After achieving 120 credits at level 4 you can opt to be awarded CertHE.

After achieving 240 credits (to incl. minimum of 120 at level 5) you can opt to be awarded DipHE.

After achieving 360 credits (to incl. minimum of 120 at level 5 and 120 at Level 6) you will be awarded BA (Hons).

Stage 1 (Level 4)

The units you will study in Year 1, Stage 1, Level 4 are as follows:

Introduction to Fashion Communication (20 Credits) 

In this unit you will be introduced to your course, its subject specialism and effective learning at undergraduate level. You will learn the practices and knowledge base needed to understand your discipline, and develop skills for independent and collaborative learning, reflection, and self-development. 

Fashion Activism (40 Credits)

Explore change-making and activist practices in fashion and understand how critical practitioners have harnessed fashion to make positive social change. You’ll develop a range of technical skills (such as photography, moving image, typography and layout and software for social media) to produce inclusive fashion media and communication outcomes in relation to climate, racial and social justice.

Fashion Cultures and Histories (20 Credits)

You’ll take a philosophical and theoretical approach to the study of fashion and its role in representing and communicating identity. Understand key ways of thinking about fashion across its cultural, historical, social and political contexts. Engage in debate and analysis of fashion as a key marker of social and cultural change and a means of understanding the relationship between individuals and communities.

Storytelling for Change (20 Credits)

Use fashion as a starting point to speculate and tell stories which connect with others and initiate meaningful change associated with climate, racial and social justice. You will explore a variety of narrative tools and techniques as well as experiment with different storytelling media.

Fashion Communication: Community of Practice (20 Credits)

In this unit you will develop your understanding of the fellow disciplines in the Fashion Communication programme. You will consider how this community of practice can contribute to a more socially conscious future and produce a proposal for a project that promotes change making through collaboration. 

Stage 2 (Level 5)

The units you will study in Year 2, Stage 2, Level 5 are as follows:

Critical Issues in Fashion Research (20 Credits)

Expand your critical understanding of fashion in a global context and examine emerging debates in fashion research. You’ll engage in collaborative research around current and emerging cultural issues and be guided through researching and writing about fashion across its social, historical, political and cultural contexts, building on the first-year unit Fashion Cultures and Histories. You’ll develop your own independent research path and interests.

Fashion Communication: Situating Your Practice (20 Credits)

You will explore and develop your fashion communication identity and position yourself within the professional fashion eco-system. You will examine the possibilities available to you now, and in the future, to determine your skills and examine the opportunities relevant to you within the fashion sector. You will consider how your work has purpose, addressing your motivations and values.

Proposal for Change (20 Credits)

Formulate achievable strategies for change relating to fashion. Building on the speculative work you did in the previous unit at the end of Year 1, you will generate insights based on primary research with communities connected to London College of Fashion. Creatively present your research with the aim of producing positive change aligned with UAL’s climate, racial and social justice principles.

Fashion Communication: Professional Practice Placement or Portfolio (20 Credits) 

You have the option to choose: 

  • Placement 

In which you will undertake a short-term placement in industry which is suitable for your own development and career aspirations. The Graduate Futures Placement Team provides support to get a placement and you can directly apply to companies. 

or

  • Portfolio 

In which you will experiment with creative practice and develop an outcome for your portfolio in response to an industry brief. Using a process of design principles, you will define, ideate, and test your ideas with an external audience in mind. There will be support throughout from both academic and industry practitioners. 

Fashion Activation (40 Credits)

Contribute to a critical fashion ‘activation’ that aims to produce positive change relating to climate, racial and/or social justice in an identified audience. Develop skills, tools and methods to understand and assess the impact of your work on this audience. You will design and produce a report that evaluates the outcome and provides evidence of its impact.

Stage 3 (Level 6)

The units you will study in Year 3, Stage 3, Level 6 are as follows:

Research and Development for Critical Practice (20 Credits)

Perform primary and secondary research to inform a project proposal that you will produce during the Critical Practice unit in Block 2. You will explore a current issue or debate relating to fashion and its audiences in the context of positive action towards climate, racial and/or social justice. Your proposal will include a research question or theory of change statement.

Creative Industries: Theories and Practices or Fashion Communication: Theories and Contexts (40 Credits) 

You have the option to choose: 

  • Creative Industries: Theories and Practices 

In this unit, you’ll complete an independent research project and engage with industry professionals to learn about current debates and issues that shape and inform cultural production across media, communication and performance. You’ll be encouraged to respond to these debates in the form of an extended essay with supporting research materials. This unit will equip you with critical thinking, literacy and communication skills for both academic and professional contexts. 

or  

  • Fashion Communication: Theories and Contexts 

In this unit, you will examine how fashion operates as a system shaped by relationships between people, bodies, media and technologies. You will apply media and communication theory to a case study of your choice and present your research in a format that best suits your approach. By the end of the unit, you will have developed confident critical thinking, research and communication skills for academic and professional contexts.

Critical Practice (40 Credits)

Using your research findings and the research question/s identified in the Research and Development unit, you will develop, produce and document a substantial critical fashion media/communication outcome and an evaluative commentary or report. Your outcome should aim to produce meaningful change in or through fashion in the context of climate, racial and/or social justice.

Professional Presentation (20 Credits)

Consolidate your learning and prepare for future employment or postgraduate opportunities. Reflect on your career goals to position yourself and your work for future professional contexts. You will be supported by tutors and creative practitioners to select appropriate media and platforms to creatively and professionally present you and your work.

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 block for the duration for their course of study at LCF
  • group tutorials as required
  • an appropriate level of confidentiality.

Optional Diploma Year 

Diploma in Professional Studies: Industry (Optional)

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 Professional Studies: Enterprise (Optional)

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.

Diploma in Creative Computing (Optional)

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) Critical Practice in Fashion Media (with Creative Computing).

Diploma in Storytelling (Optional)

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Storytelling. Enhance your creative voice and discover how to engage audiences and enact change through compelling storytelling - a skill that's in demand across a range of creative industries. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Critical Practice in Fashion Media (with Storytelling).

Programme specification

Download course specification (PDF File 1.1 MB)

Learning and teaching methods

The assessment programme is designed to follow the learning and teaching methods which are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes:

  • Demonstrations and workshops;
  • Technical workshops;
  • Lectures;
  • Group discussions and team working;
  • Self-directed study;
  • Simulated work briefs and work placements;
  • Group and individual tutorials;
  • Seminars;
  • Work in progress sessions;
  • Supported studio time;
  • Panel discussions.

Assessment methods

The following assessment methods are employed to assess the achievement of learning outcomes in an integrated approach:

  • Set projects, external or simulated projects;
  • Research development;
  • Portfolio development;
  • Written reports;
  • Peer and self-evaluation;
  • Essays and written evaluations;
  • Presentations;
  • Extended essay.

Showcasing at LCF

There are a range of showcasing opportunities students can take part in whilst studying at LCF. End year showcasing at London College of Fashion, UAL, is one of the moments students can celebrate graduating from their courses. However, degree shows are not part of the learning outcomes in a course curriculum and are therefore not guaranteed as part of studying with us. Students must register by a deadline to take part, and we are not able to show all student work so submitting students will have their work curated.

UAL Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on UAL Showcase

Latest news from this course

Facilities at LCF

Staff

Sophie Barr, Course Leader

Sophie Barr has worked in creative higher education for over a decade with a focus on the intersection of media arts theory and practice. Sophie supports students to explore the complex, multi-sensory phenomena of contemporary fashion communication and use it to create genuine change. Sophie is actively involved in academic and practice-based research in the arts and humanities as well as the scholarship of learning and teaching. Her outputs range across practice, theory and hybrid forms, including delivering papers, practice-based research and art work at national and international academic symposia and conferences.

Jenn Leung

Jenn Leung is an educator and technical artist. Working across different emerging technologies in game development, virtual production, mocap, AR/VR, 3D asset optimization, and real-time streaming tools, she has exhibited in multiple international shows and festivals. Jenn is co-founder of Xalon, a multiplayer community project to foster learning in networked environments. She is also a member of Off World Live, an engineering and research group for Unreal Engine Creators.

Karolina Cialkaite

As both a design researcher and a research designer, Karolina Cialkaite merges her skills and experience in graphic design with an interest in cultural production and education futures. Examining systems across physical, digital and 2D experiences, Cialkaite’s work focuses on cross-disciplinary interactions. She plays the role of a creative connector in the design realm – working with everyone from curators and architects to scientists and psychologists. In addition, she is training as a psychoanalyst.

Alice Hattrick

Alice Hattrick is a writer and video producer. They are the author of the non-fiction book Ill Feelings (2021). They studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and the Royal College of Art. Their criticism and interviews have appeared in publications such as frieze magazine, ArtReview and The White Review and included in Whitechapel Documents of Contemporary Art: HEALTH (ed. Bárbara Rodríguez Muñoz, 2020). They are the co-producer of Access Docs for Artists, a resource for disabled and/or chronically ill artists, curators and writers, made in collaboration with artists Leah Clements and the late Lizzy Rose.

Carrie Mok, Programme Director

As an educator and a creative director, Carrie Mok focuses her work on driving innovation through connection, co-creation and collaboration as well as nurturing creativity in its purest forms. Throughout her career, Mok has worked with leading global brands including Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, along with major educational institutions. She is also the founder of Soft Launch, a creative community incubator that supports emerging talent through mentoring, thoughtful partnerships and entrepreneurial development.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,790 per year

This fee is correct for entry in September 2026  and is subject to change for entry in September 2027.

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

£30,890 per year

This fee is correct for entry in September 2026 and is subject to change for entry in September 2027.

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.

Additional costs

You may need to cover additional costs which are not included in your tuition fees, such as materials and equipment specific to your course. For a list of general digital equipment you may need (and how you can borrow equipment), visit our Study costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about accommodation options and how much they will cost, and other living expenses you'll need to consider.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Find out more about bursaries, loans and scholarships.

If you’re based in the UK and plan to visit UAL for an Open Event, check if you’re eligible for our UAL Travel Bursary. This covers the costs of mainland train or airline travel to visit UAL.

How to pay

Find out how you can pay your tuition fees.

Scholarship search

Or view all

Entry requirements

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, a foreign language and Media Studies);
  • 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 Five GCSE passes at grade A*-C or grade 9-4, with grade C (grade 4) or above in English.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning)

Exceptionally, applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered if the course team judges the application 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. 

English Language Requirements

All classes are conducted in English. The level required by the University for this course is IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Selection criteria

The course team seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

  • a broad interest in fashion, visual culture, the media, climate, social and racial justice;
  • an understanding of the need for a critical and analytical approach to the area of study;
  • an intellectually open approach suited to the demands of the course and projected career futures.

Information for disabled applicants

UAL is committed to achieving inclusion and equality for disabled students. This includes students who have:

     
  • Dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difference
  • A sensory impairment
  • A physical impairment
  • A long-term health or mental health condition
  • Autism
  • Another long-term condition which has an impact on your day-to-day life

Our Disability Service arranges adjustments and support for disabled applicants and students.

Read our Disability and dyslexia: applying for a course and joining UAL information.

Apply now

Application deadline

We are not recruiting for this course for entry in September 2026.
Discover more courses at UAL.

Apply now

Application deadline

We are not recruiting for this course for entry in September 2026.
Discover more courses at UAL.

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 examples of creative visual imagery
  • include research demonstrating your knowledge and awareness of the cultural contexts behind the fashion industry
  • include work in progress and finished pieces to demonstrate your ability to experiment and develop ideas from initial concepts to final outcomes
  • demonstrate your engagement with technology for image production.

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. If your course requires a portfolio and/or video task, we may request these 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 considers transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read about how to apply to transfer into year 2 or 3 on our Undergraduate Apply page, and read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If we are unable to consider you for the course you have applied to but your application is really strong, we may make you an alternative offer on a different course or at a different UAL College. This happens when our admissions tutors have found another course that they believe would be a strong match for your skills and interests.

Deferring your place

We can consider deferral requests if the course can accommodate this. 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 2026. 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 considered on a case-by case 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

Your future employability is central to all our courses and as a student with us you’ll have access to a wealth of resources to prepare you for your future career in the fashion industry. Graduate Futures is our dedicated employability team who will work with you throughout your time with us to get you ready for employment. There are also a variety of opportunities on the course to enhance your employability.

Industry engagement

You’ll experience meaningful, real-world engagement through critical industry collaborations. Students have partnered with The Revival in Ghana on fashion waste and sustainability research. Supported by UAL’s Global Seed Fund, the work was recently recognised with the 2024 People’s Prize for Climate Justice and Sustainability.

Locally, collaboration includes working with Newham Sixth Form College and the community charity, The Great Imagining, to co-design exhibitions and public programming.

You’ll also benefit from regular guest speakers, who share their valuable industry experiences and insights. Most recently, we’ve welcomed creative practitioners such as Lucy Hardcastle (Digital 3D Designer and Immersive Storyteller), Ricebox Studio and award-winning brand strategist and consumer researcher, James McLintock.

In the second year, you have the option to undertake a six-week placement, giving you hands-on experience and an opportunity to build your professional networks.

Potential careers

As a student on our course, you’ll develop a critical and creative practice rooted in research, media, and communication. Your skills will range from content production and policymaking to community engagement and innovation strategy.

This means you'll be ready to pursue a wide range of career paths including Policy and Campaigns Manager, Social Communications Strategist, Content Creator or Creative Producer, Events Manager, Sustainability Lead, Research and Innovation Specialist or freelance/self-employed roles in creative and third sector contexts.

LCF alumni

Our graduates have gone on to roles across the industry in a range of companies. Previous graduates have secured positions at:

  • Altava Group
  • British Vogue
  • Dazed Media
  • Element Communications
  • Hugo Boss

London College of Fashion

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 7400

Address

105 Carpenter's Road
London

E20 2AR