Undergraduate
College
London College of Fashion UCAS code
W241 Start date
September 2024 Course length
3 years / 4 years (with placement year in industry)
BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development provides creative, strategic and practical skills to prepare you for a career as a fashion product designer or developer.This innovative course teaches students important research methods alongside design and manufacturing skills. Studentswill developan understanding ofsustainable issues within fashion design and are asked to engage directly with them.
Why choose this course at London College of Fashion
- Where graduates have gone on towork: graduates of this course haveworkedat renowned fashion companies including Burberry, Jaeger and Jasper Conran.
- Facilities:students will have access to design, sewing and pattern-cutting facilitiesatCurtain Road.
- Staff expertise:learn from staff who work within the industry with support by visiting and guest lecturers. Thisgivesthe course a contemporary industry focus.
- Industry links:students will undertake live projects set by industry with presentations to and from the companies involved.
Open days
There are currently no Open Days scheduled for this course, please check back at a later date.
Scholarships, bursaries and awards
UAL Bursaries
UAL Travel Bursary
Course overview
Introduction
BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development supports the student’s personal creative development and their ability to create fashion products through the application of informed fashion systems-thinking, industry analysis and responsible design approaches.
We recognise the challenges facing the global fashion industry and encourage our students to re-think current industry practices through innovation, technology and future-thinking. Students learn to develop their own individualised practice-led approaches that engage directly with real-world issues; designing solutions and product with empathy, critical thinking, and sustainable methodologies.
Through collaboration and discussion, our students gain wider perspectives and deeper insights into the fashion industry in relation to diverse cultures, societies, environments and business practices. Through creative design and industry opportunities, our students engage with industry analysis, research methods, design and manufacturing processes that centre around aesthetics, craftsmanship, diversity, inclusivity and function.
The course provides our students with specific and transferable creative, practical and strategic skills, enabling them to become confident, successful designers and product developers, preparing them for a career within the fashion industry.
What to expect
- The course produces graduates who are fully equipped with an industry skillset that enables them to be creative and innovative whilst communicating their ideas effectively.
- There will be opportunities to collaborate throughout the course.
- Students will learn essential skills and techniques alongside gaining a comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry.
- In the final year students will make a collection, where they will research, design and develop their ideas into fully realised products that show their aesthetic and creative vision for a specific area of the fashion industry.
Work experience opportunities
Students will be given the opportunity to work collaboratively with industry through set and live briefs during their second year. There is also 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. Previous students from this course have gained placements at Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Balenciaga, , Christopher Raeburn, JW Anderson and Roksanda Illincic.
Mode of study
BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.
Climate, Social and Racial Justice
The course is committed to embedding UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice.
Course units
Stage 1
In Stage 1 you are required to complete 120 credits at level 4 in order to progress to Stage 2.
- Introduction to Fashion Design and Development; 20 credits
- FDD Creative Technologies; 40 credits
- Fashion Cultures and Histories; 20 credits
- FDD Product Development; 40 credits
Stage 2
In Stage 2 you are required to complete 120 credits at level 5 to progress to Stage 3.
- Critical Issues in Fashion Research; 20 credits
- FDD Professional Project: 40 credits
- FDD Industry Project:40 credits
- FDD Future Technologies; 20 credits
Optional Diploma Year
Industry DIPS
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.
Enterprise DIPS
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.
CCI Creative Computing
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 degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development (with Creative Computing).
CCI Apple Diploma
Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Apple Development. This will give you an opportunity to become an accredited apple developer alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development (with Apple Development).
Stage 3
In Stage 3 you are required to complete 120 credits at level 6.
- Contextualising Practice; 20 credits
- FDD Concept Development; 40 credits
- FDD Product Realisation; 60 credits
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 comprises:
- 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 blended teaching and learning methods are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes. There will be a combination of physical and virtual online delivery:
- Lectures.
- Seminars.
- Critiques.
- Group presentations.
- Studio based workshops.
- Open access work.
- Visiting speakers.
- Field trips.
- Experimentation.
- Demonstrations.
- Self‐directed study.
- A process of enquiry and exploration using multiple research resources and tools, to deepen understanding of a subject, task or field.
UAL Showcase
Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase
-
Alex Leleszis - Lucy Pye
- Jian Lee
- Yafen Zhang
- Jiaqi Li
- See more work by the students on this course on UAL Showcase Arrow Right
Student and graduate work
BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development
Graduate work from the LCF summer series 2021
Latest news from this course
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As part of our focus on sustainability and social values, London College of Fashion collaborated with pre-loved clothing charity FARA in a project centred on student creativity and ingenuity through upcycling.
- UAL Creative Hack 2023: LCF students collaborate to address London's challenges
Now in its third year the highly anticipated UAL Creative Hack, a three-day creative hackathon event, recently hosted creatives from across all UAL Colleges to collaborate and problem-solve.
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Staff
David Hopwood:David Hopwood is the Course Leader for BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in MA Fashion Womenswear, David has a solid and continuing developing knowledge of the fashion industry both in the UK and Europe. David has worked in several different design and production roles as well as special projects with brands, artists and magazines. David has taught and delivered workshops at a variety of universities in the UK prior to joining the course as Course Leader in 2019.
Yu Lun Eve Lin:Yu Lun Eve Lin is Year Two leader as well as Design Lecturer. She has a PhD from the Royal College of Art (2021) and is a graduate from both the BA and MA womenswear degrees from Central St. Martins School of Art and Design, between 2004-2009. As well as running her own brand thisisevelin.co.uk, she is an award-winning fashion illustrator and designer. Eve has also consulted for different brands around the globe. She has worked as a fashion design educator in London, Taiwan, New York and China, before joining LCF full-time in 2019.
Anja-Sabine Schmidt:Anja studied for her MA in Fashion Design at the Universität der Künste in Berlin. Her work has been exhibited and showcased in various places in Germany and Italy and in collaboration with the Goethe Institute.Anja has worked as Vivienne Westwood’s Personal Design Assistant, as well as a designer and creative pattern cutter for various companies such as Alexander McQueen, Peter Pilotto, Markus Lupfer, Roland Mouret and Victoria Beckham. Alongside she has taught at several different universities in both the UK and in Germany before joining LCF.
Lindsey Riley: Lindsey Riley is Programme Director for the Product Programme and Learning & Teaching coordinator, focusing on cross-school collaborations. Lindsey has a first-class honours degree in Fashion Design and is currently taking MA Academic Practice. Lindsey spent over thirty years in the fashion trend forecasting industry specialising in footwear and leather trends. As Fashion Director and co. owner of trend consultancy Insight ltd. she travelled extensively, researching, guest speaking and working on special projects with a worldwide list of clients. As a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glovers she co-organises the National Glove Design Competition.
Lilia Yip: Lilia Yip is an academic / fashion designer and musician, threading the different strands into a creative practice that makes meaning with material.She graduated from the Royal College of Art MA Fashion Womenswear in 2008 and set up her studio in Brighton, UK. The principles of ethical and sustainable practice underpin her design process where conceptual pattern cutting, imagery, text and a thorough understanding of material and drape are combined to build a subtle form of communication.
Lilia has collaborated with the British Council as their guest designer, showcasing work in the Philippines and running workshops in Saudi Arabia and Morocco.She has exhibited internationally in solo exhibitions and major group shows at Museum Boijmans van Beuningen and the Victoria & Albert museum.
Jane Bowler: After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2010, Bowler established her London fashion studio.Driven by a passion for process, materials, innovation and craftsmanship; the studio creates tactile surfaces which naturally evolve into fashion artefacts. Bowler’s work has been featured in some of the world’s most respected fashion publications, photographed by Nick Knight and Rankin, appeared in film and TV, and has gained a significant celebrity following with the likes of little Mix, Arianne Grande, and Nicki Minaj loaning her pieces.Her work has been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Somerset House and in private showrooms during Paris and London Fashion week.
Bowler developed her education profile whilst working at multiple universities and other high-profile institutions.Her workshops and lectures have been delivered at the V&A Museum, the Design Museum and alongside the British council in Europe and Asia.Her ongoing interest in design and social impact, has also led her to work with charities such as the Princes Trust, Mind, and the Breast Cancer Charity; Walk the Walk.
Eunju MacMahon: Eunju has interwoven teaching and professional practice within the fashion industry throughout her career.Having led multiple design teams in Seoul, Eunju chose the London College of Fashion to complete her MA in Fashion Design and Technology.
Eunju continued to forge her industry credentials as Head of Design for global brands in London and Los Angeles, as well as running her own London design studio which exhibited collections in Paris and London.With her extensive design experience in both womenswear and menswear, she has returned to her alma mater, to teach and inspire the next generation of leaders in fashion.
Mariana Lima: After completing her BA in Fashion at Veiga de Almeida University/Zuzu Angel Institute (IZA/UVA) in Rio de Janeiro, Mariana began her career as a pattern cutter, developing garments for both ready-to-wear and runway for numerous designers in Rio de Janeiro. She also set up and ran her own brand, Sukha.
In 2011, she first came to London for a PG Cert in creative pattern cutting at LCF, and in 2013 she relocated to London permanently. Since then, Mariana has been working as in-house/freelance pattern cutter in London for various companies, including Emilia Wickstead, Alexander McQueen, and JW Anderson, as well as collaborating with independent designers and artists.
Her practical involvement with garment making triggered her interest in the techniques that have been used throughout time to make garments, how they developed, and how they can be applied to contemporary practice. In 2018 she completed an MA in History of Design at the Royal College of Arts/Victoria and Albert Museum, where she investigated material innovations in sixteenth-century garment making, with a particular focus on tailoring practices, and the use of non-woven materials in dress.
James White: Graduating in BA Fashion Design from Falmouth University,Jameshas since has worked a variety of roles in the industry spanning men’s bespoke shirting on Jermyn Street to womenswear RTW; across a vast range of departments including pattern making, cutting, production and ultimately specialising in product and fabric development.James’ work has been showcased in trend forecasting publications such as ‘The Wool Lab’ as well as winning him the ‘European Young Designers Contest’ in 2015, and hasworked on creative one off projects, collaborating with other stylists and designers to create pieces for editorial shoots, magazines and film.
Emma Hamshare: Emma is an Artist, Designer and Academic with a focus on health and tactile technology. She is an experienced creative problem solver with wide ranging expertise in material development and fashion business.Since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2019 Emma has worked in design research to create innovative textiles and garments for Fairspace at Imperial College, to improve the health of astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Addressing contemporary material and spatial challenges, Emma works at the intersection of often delineated disciplines and her artwork echoes the symphonies of everyday life.Emma has worked across several courses and institutions and is passionate about motivating and empowering others to create.
Ana Ogunsanya: Ana is a Designer, Maker and Educator, who places emphasis on craft, culture, and creativity. A graduate of Central St Martins and the Royal College of Art in Fashion Womenswear. Ana has worked in various design and product development roles, with brands such as Lanvin, Givenchy, Michiko Koshino, Design works and Physiolab Technologies.
Ana aims to bring a collaborative and industry reflective approach to her teaching, with her interests in, fashion, textiles, designing for diverse bodies, Afrofemcentrism and responsible designer-maker, to which she places emphasis on process and innovation. With the creativity and responsible design now at the core of Ana's ethos she is committed to exploring this with students in the context of design education.
Giles Pearson:Giles Pearson is a London based fashion designer and design lecturer at London College of Fashion working across pathway disciplines in the school of design technology.
Joining London College of Fashion in 2007 as a part time design lecturer, he continued in his practice as a freelance designer in the music industry and created directional pieces for many performers as well as creating commission pieces for amongst others Vogue, Harpers , Elle, Tate Modern and ITV.
Giles has worked across a wide range of areas in the fashion design industry , from couture and costume to commercial fashion products, printed textiles, jewellery and both womens and menswear. Giles has also worked as a fashion stylist for editorial magazines like Numero and for commercial shoots for product advertising.
Fees and funding
Home fee
£9,250 per year
This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.
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
£28,570 per year
This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.
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 in 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 self-awareness of fashion product in terms of personal research into the fashion industry, material developments, new innovations and personal interests.
- A potential to achieve a high standard of technical manufacture.
- An ability to record and develop design ideas through the use of different methods of communication.
- 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
Application deadline
31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)
If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.
Apply to UAL
Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:
University code:
U65
UCAS code:
W241
Apply now
Application deadline
31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)
If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.
Apply to UAL
International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:
University code:
U65
UCAS code:
W241
or
Apply with a UAL Representative
Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.
Find your representative
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
- feature work that best showcases your technical and practical skills
- demonstrate your ability to present ideas through visual communication
- include work in progress to illustrate how you experiment and develop ideas from initial concepts to final outcomes
- include research to highlight your knowledge and awareness of the cultural contexts behind the contemporary fashion industry.
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. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task 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 accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.
Alternative offers
If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.
Deferring your place
You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circ*mstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. 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 granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contextual Admissions
This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.
This scheme helps us better understand your personal circ*mstances 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
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 go on to work in different areas of the industry, from design, product development, production and manufacturing, in a variety of national and international fashion companies globally. Our graduates are working in a variety of roles and companies such as ASOS, Christopher Raeburn, Mulberry, Victoria Beckham, Arcadia Group and Burberry.
Alumni
- BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development Alum Yung-En (Melissa) Lin
- BA Fashion Design and Development Aluim Ashwini Deshpande
- Head of Sustainable Fashion and Textiles Charlotte Turner
- Footwear and Accessories Designer Squid London
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