There are few opportunities nationally to study fashion on a part time basis at undergraduate level and this challenging degree course responds to the needs of those of you who are unable to engage in full time study or who prefer to undertake the flexibility of a part time course.

You will focus on the understanding and interplay of fashion theory and media whilst exploring the culture of fashion from both an historic and contemporary viewpoint. You will explore developments within media and communication relevant to the consumption of the fashion process. This part time course will enable you to develop a solid grounding in the theoretical and practical issues relevant to the communication and cultural understanding of the fashion debate.

UAL statement on learning and teaching

Courses in UAL span a broad range of art, design, communication, business, media, science and communication subjects. So the ways in which you learn and how your time is used will vary according to the specific course you are studying; this may be in studios, labs, classes, involve working alone, learning from peers in pairs or groups, or with external partners. Most importantly, no matter which course you enrol on, you will learn not only about your subject but also about how you learn and how to increase your knowledge base.

Our courses will guide you to take increasing responsibility and ownership of your work and your learning. We do this so that you will be ready and able to take full advantage of the full range of opportunities offered by the creative industries in the global economy.

UAL statement on assessment methods

Assessment always sounds austere and foreboding, but it is not. We see assessment as a very real part of learning, rather than just a means of looking back at past work and measuring achievement; we believe that assessment helps you plan future work and develop new ideas.

Your work will be assessed through projects or portfolios, with written papers or research journals, and, on some courses, examinations. You will be graded according to a set of marking criteria that relate to such things as research, subject knowledge, methodology, and your capacity to analyse and reflect on your achievements. So don’t be afraid of assessment - it is the way to progress.

The specialist units will introduce you to the creative, intellectual, technical and communication skills that are required to operate successfully in this area of the fashion industry, whilst the course will equip students with the wider professional, communication and business skills needed to succeed in today's challenging creative industries.

The course is taught in three stages over four years. Each stage is taught over four terms. The modular structure allows students maximum flexibility to complete at their own pace and exit at three possible points; Certificate of Higher Education (4 terms), Diploma of Higher Education (8 terms), BA (Hons) Fashion Media (4 years).

Example Year 2 Project: Digital Media Design & Communication

Promoting Indian Sustainable Textiles

Operating as members of an innovative visual communications research and production centre, you will investigate, document and promote the concept of 'sustainable fashion'. Your approach will be primarily visual, and you are therefore expected to utilise self-generated still and moving images in the research and presentation of your productions. Your lens-based work should explore the potential of genres such as documentary, fiction and advertising for communicating processes and issues relating to sustainable fashion.

You are also expected to experiment with a variety of digital tools, formats and approaches appropriate to your investigation, including:

• Production and post-production techniques in photography and video
• Online communications tools (e.g. blogs and image sharing websites)
• Graphic design (e.g. illustration & packaging)

Practical digital media work should be underpinned by a sense of critical enquiry into the aesthetic dimensions of social, ethical and environmental issues surrounding the subject of sustainability in fashion. For this reason you will need to contribute a short essay that should be clearly linked to, and integrated with, your creative productions. You may also deploy editorial and creative modes of writing in accordance with your chosen visual direction.

Overall you should aim to provide inspirational image resources and inventive presentation materials that highlight fresh ways of conceiving of, and promoting, sustainable fashion.

Developing your skills

All our undergraduate courses are concerned with the development of your personal and professional skills. On your course you will evolve from learning basic skills in your discipline through to a position where you are an independent creative thinker capable of making an effective contribution to the relevant sector of the fashion industry. PPD (Personal and Professional Development) skills are embedded in all units on every course. Speaker programmes with contributions from alumni, members of industry and others are a part of many courses, as are work placement opportunities in industry. Where relevant, students have the chance to attend trade fairs, enter industry competitions, visit exhibitions and go on field trips and visits. The central position of our John Prince’s Street site in the West End affords students easy access to all sectors of the fashion retail market. In addition, our position as a constituent College in the University of the Arts London means that our students have access to the wide range of activities and events that occur in all the Colleges and at the University’s centre. Last but not least, being in London gives every student opportunities to explore and be inspired by the cultural, intellectual and social life of one of the great capital cities of the world.

Graduates will the have necessary skills and experience to enter the fashion industry within a broad range of opportunities according to personal direction and degree specialism. Students have gone onto have careers in trend prediction, journalism, feature writing.

Showing your work

All final year students are given the opportunity to profile their work online via Showtime. London College of Fashion can make no guarantee that your work (either in sum or in part) will be shown, exhibited or profiled in any way as part of your course. All student work appearing in College organised events, catwalk shows, exhibitions and other forms of showcase, is selected by a panel of senior staff and, in some instances, external industry judges.

For details of the wide range of careers support provided for students, please visit our Careers Support page.

Course Entry Requirements

If the application indicates suitability for the course, applicants will be invited for interview. Applicants will be required to sit a business numeracy test and a written test. If you pass the tests you will have a group interview.

Opportunities for All

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and seek to recruit students from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. We are committed to supporting all our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.

Student Selection Criteria

The programme is aimed at a broad range of people from a variety of backgrounds including those looking for a change in direction or those without any formal qualifications. Mature students are also welcomed. However, as basic requirements you should:

have 2 A Level passes at grade C or above supported by passes in 3 subjects at GCSE grade C or above to include Maths and English

OR

be currently employed or have employment experience in the fashion related industries

OR 

Equivalent awards. For International qualifications see the International Qualifications Guide [PDF - 1.9Mb]

You will need to have a minimum 160 UCAS tariff points. You must also be able to demonstrate through the application process and interview:

• a broad interest in fashion including its industries, and its processes of communication
• a commitment to research, and analysis of contemporary fashion in its various mediums (including television, film, photography and live performance)
• an ability to explore creatively both individually and in groups, ways of communicating your work through the written, visual and oral presentation

Preferred subjects include Art, Business Studies and Economics, English Language and Literature, Fashion Studies, Media Studies, Sociology, Information Technology, Performance Studies, Digital Media forms such as Photography and Video Production.

You should ensure that you present a portfolio of written work: this should include academic essays that you have written. Students who have visual work which could support their application, such as photographic or graphic design work, are encouraged to bring this to interview.

Students who have applied to this course may be asked to submit a written piece of work on a relevant fashion topic either before or after the formal interview.

English Language Requirements

All classes are conducted in English. The level required by the University for this course is IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each skill. 

For more information, read the University's English Language requirements page.

Home/EU Applicants

All applications to study the course should be made direct to the College using the Application Form.

Download Application Form [Word Doc - 126kb]

Download Application Form [PDF - 257kb]

Alternatively, you can request an application form by calling +44 (0)20 7514 7563 / 7582 / 7344. If you have a question, you can ask us through our Course enquiry form.

International Applicants

This course is only available to UK/EU applicants.

Selection Process

Selection is based initially on academic qualifications and/or previous experience, references and your personal statement. The interview process will include a written test and interview with members of the course team. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions about the course.

Applicants have the right to ask for feedback if their application is unsuccessful. Requests must be made in writing to the Student Administrator, and we will respond within 20 working days.