BA Textile Design explores the three main textile design practices – print, knit and weave – alongside digital and non-traditional approaches to textile design, trend prediction and presentation.
It also offers workshops in alternative surface treatments, media and technologies.
This course is part of the Jewellery and Textiles Programme.
The next round of open days will take place from mid October to early December 2019, please check back here mid September 2019 to book online.
Mead Scholarships and Fellowships
Fung Scholarships
Clothworkers’ Foundation Materials Fund
The Clothworkers Foundation Print Bursary
Talking textile careers: Sian Zeng, Founder of Sian Zeng London
Talking textile careers: Derek Lawlor, Designer
Talking textile careers: Susan Campbell, Junior Designer at a high street brand
Caroline Broadhead talks about the Jewellery and Textiles Programme
In the wake of the Creative Unions exhibition at Central Saint Martins, Kate Keara Pelen, Creative Producer: Gallery and Public Programmes and Sarah Campbell, Museum and Study Collection Curator discuss the three […]
With the Central Saint Martins Creative Unions exhibition now at a close, we continue to take a closer look at the themes and works which comprise the show. History is made manifest […]
With our Creative Unions exhibition now open at Central Saint Martins, we take a closer look at the themes and works which comprise the show. History is made manifest in many ways […]
With our Creative Unions exhibition now open at Central Saint Martins, we take a closer look at the themes and works which comprise the show. The 53 works in the exhibition are […]
Head of Central Saint Martins Museum and Study Collection Judy Willcocks shares her knowledge and expertise on socially engaged practice and the museum’s recent series of workshops in collaboration with […]
A unique, social enterprise, Project_Sweat combines cutting-edge design, advanced technical fabrics and a charitable mission, resulting in a series of bespoke kit bags which are visually striking, sustainable and can […]
Khai Teoh design and make collection bridges Print and Weave #textiledesign #weave #print #screen-printing #pattern #des...
Recycled mixed media embellishment by Ed Grund #designandmake #experimentation #mixedmedia #upcycling #textiles #embelli...
Urban narratives by year 2 printer Memunatu Barrie #screenprinting #designandmake #urban #drawing #figurative #textilede...
Natural dyed knit design by Nicole Pinborough year 2 #knitting #knit #designandmake #sustainable #textiles #naturaldye #...
Find out more about our Print and Dye facilities
Find out more about the Knit workshop at Kings Cross
Find out more about our Weave workshop at King's Cross
Information provided by the University is accurate at the time of first publication. Courses, however, remain subject to change. Changes may be necessary to improve the quality of educational services, in order to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body, in order to bring course content in line with best practice activities across the Higher Education sector, in response to student feedback, and/or due to a lack of student demand for certain units or options. Events may arise outside of the reasonable control of the University which lead to changes to courses. Such events may include industrial action, civil disorder, severe weather, and changes in applicable laws and/or safety requirements.
If you have accepted a place on a course, we shall notify you of any changes as soon as reasonably practicable.
BA (Honours) Textile Design explores the three main textile design practices - print, knit and weave - alongside digital and non-traditional approaches to textile design, trend prediction and presentation. This course is part of the Jewellery and Textiles programme.
BA Textile Design also offers complementary workshops in the use of alternative surface treatments, media and technologies. During your first year you'll study two or three of the specialist areas, gradually learning which suits your talents best. Early in the second year you'll decide which of them to study in depth.
The degree course aims to maximise your creative and intellectual potential by developing your individual strengths and design philosophy. You'll gain an understanding of the professional context and practice of textile design. You'll also build a personal creative identity and aesthetic vocabulary informed by historical, cultural and technical knowledge, and by the practical experience of making textiles.
BA Textile Design graduates are equipped to pursue a wide range of careers such as designers, designers / makers, researchers, buyers, stylists and illustrators. They work in concept and trend forecasting, in the theatre or journalism and are able to embrace a wide variety of opportunities presented by the global textiles and design industries, and postgraduate study. You are introduced to this complex professional context and the skills it demands through your project work, workshop practices, the international professional practice and research experience of your staff and the Visiting Speakers, Careers, Business Awareness, and Cultural Studies programmes.
Students on BA (Honours) Textile Design work alongside those studying textiles at postgraduate level as well as students on the BA and MA Fashion Courses.
BA Textile Design runs for 90 weeks full time over three years, and is divided into three Levels (or Stages), each lasting 30 weeks. The whole degree course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each Level (Stage).
Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the Levels for a BA are: Level 4 (which is stage 1 of the course), Level 5 (Stage 2) and Level 6 (Stage 3).
There's a progression point at the end of each Level and, in order to progress, all units of the preceding Level must normally have been passed.
If you're unable to continue on the course a Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4, or a Diploma in Higher Education following the successful completion of Level 5.
To gain a BA (Honours), students must successfully complete 360 credits. The final award consists of marks from Level 6 units only, weighted according to their credits.
BA Textile Design has three specialist pathways - Knit, Print and Weave. Regardless of pathway, learning is student-centred with a focus on development of the individual. There's no set formula for success. You're expected to take responsibility for your own ideas and to become increasingly independent in your learning as you progress.
Stage One introduces you to the three principal areas of print, weave and knit, and to areas of visual research.
In these first three terms you'll progress from introductory design workshops to a series of structured projects developing your research, drawing, colour, design and technical skills in two or three of the textile specialisms. You'll also explore digital and non-traditional approaches to design, structure and surface.
During this stage you'll do further research and begin to develop ideas into textiles and textile products. Your substantial research helps you to apply all the knowledge and skills you gained in the first year and to meet the challenges of turning your ideas into finite textiles or textile products.
Spring term marks the point where you begin to focus your studies on Knit, Print or Weave. The three specialisms have distinctive requirements and characteristics in terms of their subject knowledge. Aims and learning outcomes, however, are shared - they involve extending your professional and contextual knowledge of textile design for fashion, accessories, interior, exterior and product applications while continuing to develop your design experience and identity. You'll also continue to explore digital technologies and non-traditional approaches to design for structure and surface.
During this stage you'll be introduced to professional working practices in areas such as market research, range building and promotional presentation. And you'll continue to carry your own expertise and knowledge towards more independent judgment.
Your final year allows you to target strengths and weakness before embarking on your final degree project. You'll start developing your personal interests, focusing on designing textiles and surfaces for fashion, accessories, interior, exterior or product contexts.
The degree course's project-based structure is replaced increasingly by a more self-directed progress towards the realisation of your major project. With the support and guidance of academic and technical staff you'll develop your portfolio and collection towards the degree examination and public show.
The cultural studies programme is designed to enhance your communication, research, critical and writing skills. The discipline involves the study of cultural and creative processes, but goes beyond history and theory of art and design to encompass various aspects of cultural knowledge. In stage one and two you attend lectures and seminars on units relating to the city and creative culture, you explore key cultural concepts and choose from a range of elective choices such as art and fashion, postcolonialism, visual cultures, the body and sexuality. In the final stage of your degree you undertake dissertation research under the supervision of an assigned tutor who supports your research on a subject of your choice. It may be weighted at 20 or 40 credits. The dissertation is a written project where you explore an aspect of visual, textual material or spatial culture. There are many areas to explore in the cultural studies programme such as art, design, technology, concepts of taste, material culture, multiculturalism, identity politics, gender, consumerism, ethics, sustainability and media studies.
Personal and Professional Development (PPD) helps to prepare you for employment and career development by providing you with skills to enable you to take responsibility for your own learning. The core study of Textile Design also helps develop many of these transferable skills, which play their part in equipping you for a professional career and the generic activities of creative practice.
PPD is integral to BA Textile Design and is embedded in many aspects of both the studio and cultural studies programmes as a planned part of their structure and learning content. PPD activities take place in all Stages of the degree course and aim to improve your capacity to understand what and how you are learning and to help you to review, plan and take responsibility for your own learning. A considerable number of the skills learned in the academic context of BA Textile Design have a wider value and use in other areas of life. These transferable skills are highly valued by employers.
BA Textile Design maintains active collaborations with key cultural institutions, venues and commercial enterprises to introduce you to London's networks of creative practice.
Current collaborations include work with Gainsborough Silk Weaving Co Ltd, WGSN, Worshipful Company of Weavers, Ballantines, Gianfranco Ferré, Vanners. Polartec, Timothy Everest, Pure, Muraspec, Stoll, Anthropologie, Next and The Wellcome Trust.
Working with paying clients on live briefs will give you valuable commercial experience which may mean your work being taken forward for production or, if so desired, in the purchase of your intellectual property. All paid projects are conducted within a carefully developed legal framework, which includes student agreements to protect your work and help you realise its commercial value.
Recent client projects in the Textiles and Jewellery programme include: DAKS, Lego, Anthropologie, WGSN, Vanners, Timothy Everest, Vlisco, Dashing Tweeds, The Wellcome Trust.
Once you’ve graduated, you may be picked as part of a small team to work on a live creative brief, organised by our Business and Innovation department, under the supervision of an experienced tutor. This can be a valuable first step in working professionally in a chosen discipline and has resulted in graduates being hired by clients.
Programme Director, Jewellery and Textiles; Joint Course Leader, BA Textile Design
Joint BA Textile Design Course Leader
Woven Textile Pathway Leader, BA Textile Design.
Knitted Textiles Pathway Leader, BA Textile Design
First Year Tutor: Linda Florence (Maternity cover: Alice Wellbeloved (September - December 2018)
Cultural Studies co-ordinator: Dr Jane Tynan
Technical Coordinator: Becky Wharmby
Senior Dye and Digital Print Technician: Tansy Hamley
2D Specialist Print Technician: Laura Baker
Specialist Print and Dye Technician: June Fish
Specialist Technician for Constructed Textiles: Linsay Robinson
Specialist Weave Technician: Ayse Simsek
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
One or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:
And three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).
Entry to this course will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio.
Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English Language requirements webpage).
Applicants are selected according to their demonstration of potential and current ability to:
Work imaginatively and creatively in 2D and 3D visual media:
Demonstrate a range of skills and technical abilities:
Provide evidence of intellectual enquiry within your work:
Demonstrate cultural awareness and/or contextual framework of your work:
Articulate and communicate intentions clearly:
Demonstrate commitment and motivation in relation to the subject and the course:
We are looking for lively, energetic, committed, creative people who are hard-working and adaptable; those for whom fabrics, colour, pattern and form have a special fascination.
For EU applicants concerned about Brexit, please see our dedicated page: Brexit Information for Students.
You should apply though Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and you will need the following information:
University code: U65
UCAS Code: W235
We do not consider applications for Year 3 Entry for this course.
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
We recommend you apply by 15 January 2019 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
There are three ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course at Central Saint Martins:
You can only apply to the same course once per year whether you are applying via UCAS, UAL representative or using the UAL online application system. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn.
For further advice on how to apply please visit the UAL International Application page.
If you are applying via UCAS you will need the following information:
University code: U65
UCAS Code: W235
We do not consider applications for Year 3 Entry for this course.
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
We recommend you apply by 15 January 2019 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
Whether you are applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or direct application you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check we will not be able to proceed with your application.
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be invited to submit a mini portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.
The mini portfolio should be no more than 10 pages comprising of your best work showing your skills and thinking. You can create the pages in any layout (For example: presentation boards) but they should be uploaded as jpeg images. It should include:
Following the review of the mini portfolio we select a small number of applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to a full portfolio review.
Full portfolio review takes place at college, normally between February and March. We may conduct short individual interviews in order to clarify aspects of your application or your work.
If you are unable to attend the full portfolio review in person, you will be asked to submit a full digital portfolio (up to 30 pages) through UAL’s online portfolio review system. We may also interview you by Skype.
Please note that we do not accept portfolios by post.
Your full portfolio should demonstrate the following:
Please remember:
You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS track.
£9,250 (2019/20).
Tuition fees for undergraduate degree courses have been set at £9,250 per year for full-time study. This applies from the 2018/19 academic year, subject to changes in the law. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Please visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.
£19,930 (2019/20).
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.
BA Textile Design graduates are equipped to pursue a wide range of careers as designers, designer-makers, researchers, buyers, stylists and illustrators.
They also work in concept and trend forecasting, in the theatre or in journalism, and are able to embrace a wide variety of opportunities presented by the global textiles and design industries. Many go on to postgraduate study.
The Course encourages a culture of ‘flexible specialists’ with a wide range of transferable design skills. Graduates have embarked into successful careers working with companies such as: Calvin Klein, Mark Fast, Alexander McQueen, Paul & Jo, Givenchy, Nissan Europe, Gainsborough, Vanners, Fiorette, Mascioni, H&M, Ford, Nokia, M&S, Ted Baker, Oasis, Dazed and Confused, Anthropology, Lyle & Scott, Liberty and others.
Recent BA Textile Design alumni activity demonstrates the breadth of student activity within the subject, with these names among others achieving prominence: Alice Temperley, Ptolemy Mann, Alex Gore Brown, Elaine Ng, Leutton&Postle, Sian Zheng Terence Coran, Lisa Stickly, Wallace & Sewell, Mary Katranzou.
Awards
Recent graduates have been awarded:
