Course units

BA Fashion Design: Knitwear is primarily fashion and design oriented and there is a strong focus on technical ability. You will become familiar with a variety of techniques from hand skills to computerised machinery. You will be expected to investigate creative avenues to develop individual outcomes. You will extend and challenge concepts of fashion design, underpinned by a fluency in traditional and contemporary techniques. The range between hand crafting and computerised machinery is encouraged to push the boundaries. You will be expected to experiment, using established and new fibres and materials to develop an individual and creative approach to knitwear. 

Stage 1

Unit 1: Introduction to the Fashion Programme and to Studying at CSM 
Unit 2: Research Creative Development and Technical Skills Part 1 
Unit 3: Research Creative Development and Technical Skills Part 2 
Unit 4: Cultural Histories and Theories (Fashion)

In Stage 1, you will improve your skills, understanding and approaches to learning. You will focus on the skills needed to communicate information effectively. You will be introduced to resources which support your studies. Units 2 and 3 will provide a foundation in the generation and development of design ideas. Through practical workshops, you will learn the unique aspects of the Knitwear pathway. You will also be introduced to other course pathways. In Unit 4, you will focus on a range of research methods used to analyse relevant objects, images, spaces and cultural practices.  

Stage 2

Unit 5: Research Methods and Approaches (Fashion)
Unit 6: Further Development of Pathway Expertise Part 1 
Unit 7: Further Development of Pathway Expertise Part 2 
Unit 8: Positioning and Professional Preparation 

Unit 5 offers a range of research methods and approaches which will support you in undertaking more self-directed study. This may include visual and material culture, social theory and media studies. In Units 6 and 7 you will explore the breadth of your subject, developing your individual talents. Learning includes studio and formal tutorial guidance, seminars, lectures, external projects and competitions, critiques, personal research, independent study and team projects. Unit 8 encourages you to consolidate the necessary skills to develop and articulate your own practice. You will further enhance your knowledge of industry with a focus on your future employability. 

Stage 3

Unit 9: Degree Project Research and Development 
Unit 10: Dissertation 
Unit 11: Degree Project Resolution and Presentation  

Stage 3 gives you the opportunity to manage your own learning. You will begin to define your individual creative identity as a designer. By the end of Unit 9, you will have completed the initial research and design phase of your degree collection.  

Your dissertation represents the culmination of your cultural studies work for your degree. It extends your research, analytical and communication skills. You will focus on a selected aspect of visual, textual, material, social, media or spatial culture. In some cases, students may wish to place greater emphasis on the dissertation. There is a route in place to accommodate this which you must make an application for. This will allow you to demonstrate a focused study of your chosen subject. In the final unit of the course, you will complete and present your degree collection and portfolio of work.  

Diploma in Professional Studies

Between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the course there is an option for you to work with industry for the duration of an academic year (across three terms/two blocks) and complete a Diploma in Professional Studies. Whilst the Diploma is an optional aspect of the course, it is designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course, if you do take up this option. The Diploma results in a standalone qualification (rated at 120 credits), which involves researching, undertaking and reflecting on a 100 day/20-week (minimum) placement related to your professional interests and aspirations. The Diploma provides a valuable opportunity to make professional contacts and to develop your personal employability skills.  

Mode of study 

BA Fashion Design runs for 90 weeks in full-time mode. It is divided into three stages over three academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.   

You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.   

Credit and award requirements

The course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each stage (level). 

On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons degree).

Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the stages for a BA are: Stage 1 (Level 4), Stage 2 (Level 5) and Stage 3 (Level 6). In order to progress to the next stage, all units of the preceding stage must normally be passed: 120 credits must be achieved in each stage. The classification of the award will be derived from the marks of units in Stages 2 and 3 or only Stage 3, using a dual algorithm.  

If you are unable to continue on the course, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4 (or 120 credits), or a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) following the successful completion of Level 5 (or 240 credits). 

Learning and teaching methods

The learning and teaching methods devised for this course include: 

• Workshop and studio tuition 
• Project work 
• Interdisciplinary group and teamwork 
• Briefing documents and briefing meetings 
• Seminars 
• Lectures or studio talks 
• Presentations 
• Group critiques 
• Studio demonstrations 
• Field study visits (external visits will be subject to availability due to distancing guidelines)
• Peer learning and feedback 
• Independent study 
• Self-evaluation 
• Individual and group tutorials.

Selection criteria

We select applicants who can demonstrate current ability and potential to:

Work imaginatively and creatively in 2D and 3D visual and material media:

• Engage with experimentation and invention
• Show imagination and ambition in proposals for their work
• Take informed risks.

Demonstrate a range of skills and technical abilities:

• Through the portfolio, demonstrate a range of approaches to design development, originated from personal experience or visual research and progressed through logical stages to a finished design solutions
• Evidence handling a material or medium with sensitivity to its qualities
• Demonstrate engagement and improvement in a recently learned technical skill
• Demonstrate an awareness of planning and time management skills
• Provide evidence of intellectual enquiry within their work.

Demonstrate relevant research skills:

• Evidence your ability to critically reflect on and evaluate your achievements.

Demonstrate cultural awareness and/or contextual framework of their work:

• Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary fashion design communication and promotion
• Identify social and/or cultural influences on their work.

Articulate and communicate intentions clearly:

• Discuss their work in individual and group situations.
• Present their work appropriately and effectively.

Demonstrate commitment and motivation in relation to the subject and the course:

• Develop their own ideas and address both set and personal project briefs
• Show willingness to collaborate
• Show initiative.

What we are looking for

BA Fashion Design is for the talented, self-motivated fashion enthusiast. Spirited, informed and mature enough to commit to a course that is demanding in its breadth and depth, you will thrive in the competitive atmosphere that has spawned many of fashion's brightest talents. In this fast-moving global industry it takes hard work, flexibility and passion to succeed.