Fashion BA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Design

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

W230

Award

BA (Hons)

Duration of study

3 years, 4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Lauriston campus

Start date

September 2026

School

Edinburgh College of Art

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Placement

Available

Second year entry

Available

Open days and events

About the degree programme

The Fashion programme at Edinburgh College of Art is renowned for its cutting-edge approach to fashion education, emphasising personal creative freedom, design innovation, and individual student identities.

Our programme allows you to explore unique and innovative design methods, ensuring you are well-prepared for employment and career growth. 

We firmly believe that fostering individuality is key to developing future fashion innovators. By nurturing expressive and diverse design identities, our programme empowers you to become an independent thinker and designer with a deep understanding of the global fashion industry. 

By integrating technical, artistic, and practical design projects with contextual and theoretical studies, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of contemporary fashion design.

The programme delivers a broad range of key design and professional skills vital to becoming a future designer in the field, and allows our students to become skilled makers across a range of garment types. The skills you will develop include:

  • research methods
  • sketch and digital design skills
  • portfolio building
  • creative and advanced pattern-cutting methods

The curriculum emphasises the importance of designing for equality and diversity, encouraging you to celebrate all people, backgrounds, and abilities through your research and design work.

We also advocate for sustainable and environmentally responsible design, production, and materials. 

We frequently collaborate with industry, offering a range of industry-connected projects that provide you with real-world insights into designing for clients. Additionally, you may have opportunities to showcase your work at live events, including exhibitions and fashion shows.  

Discover what it's like to study BA Fashion from our staff and students.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is usually studied over 4 years, however, some students may be eligible to enter in the second year and complete the programme in 3 years.

Programme benefits

  • The programme allows you to define your own design identity, supporting you to develop a unique and personal artistic vision. 
  • You will learn a broad range of creative, technical, and professional skills, applicable to a wide range of contexts upon graduation. 
  • You will engage with a diverse array of academics and experts from various fashion fields, deeply enhancing your learning experience with a range of unique and important perspectives. 
  • You will benefit from unique and tailored approaches to developing a personalised fashion portfolio. 
  • Our programme places emphasis on designing for inclusion and sustainability, reflecting contemporary industry values and positioning our graduates as future positive changemakers.  

The Edinburgh College of Art curriculum and teaching approach taught me what it means to be a designer with a moral compass. It is so important for fashion graduates to embrace an inclusive attitude to their end-consumer; to be eloquent in the language of empathy led design. I attribute the Edinburgh curriculum as the driving factor that equipped me to be the designer I am today.

Rhys McKenna graduated 2018 (Designer at Adidas)

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for BA (Hons) Fashion

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BA (Hons) Fashion.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

Costs for the programme vary depending on selected research themes and your choice of materials for your designs. Additionally, we regularly seek donated or sponsored materials for key projects, although this may vary year to year.  

For Years 1 to 3, depending on your choice of designs and materials, you will have to pay the following basic costs:

Year 1

  • Design book printing (portfolio) costs: approximately £50
  • Equipment costs for pattern cutting: approximately £65
    • pattern master: £25
    • fabric scissors: £25
    • pencils: £5
    • measuring tape: £2
    • pins: £5
  • Fabric/Material costs: approximately £60 to £80
    • calico/prototyping: £30
    • final fabrics/zips: £30 to £50, although you may find donated fabrics or upcycle materials

Year 2

  • Design book printing (portfolio) costs: approximately £50 
  • Equipment costs for pattern cutting: approximately £65
    • pattern master: £25
    • fabric scissors: £25
    • pencils: £5
    • measuring tape: £2
    • pins: £5
  • Fabric/Material costs: approximately £60 to £80
    • calico/prototyping: £30
    • final fabrics/zips: £30 to £50, although you may find donated fabrics or upcycle materials

Year 3 

  • Design book printing (portfolio) costs: approximately £70
  • Equipment costs for pattern cutting: approximately £37
    • pattern master/fabric scissors: £25
    • pencils: £5
    • measuring tape: £2
    • pins: £5
  • Fabric/Material costs: approximately £80 to £130
    • calico/prototyping: £30
    • final fabrics/yarn/zips: £50 to £100, although you may find donated fabrics or upcycle materials

Materials and tools for pattern cutting and manufacture are included in the costs listed by year group. General costs for design methods are also accounted for within these estimates. 

Year 4 

You will have to pay costs for the final production of a Graduate fashion collection, including material costs and print costs for the Design Book (professional portfolio).

Costs for collections are variable, and you are advised to be economical, with a budget plan supported by academics. We will encourage you to seek sponsorships or work with upcycled materials to minimise costs. 

  • Calico costs for collection prototyping: approximately £60 to 80 (excluding final fabric costs, which vary significantly). 
  • Material Costs: as noted above, this may vary based on your material selection. However, if you do not receive sponsorship or use upcycled materials, we advise of a budget of no more than £300 to £400 for fabrics and finishings.  
  • Yarn costs for prototyping: maximum £100 (please note, many knitwear students utilise deadstock donated yarns and sponsorships, so there may be no cost.
  • Design Book costs: £100. 
  • Additional costs: you may have to pay additional costs depending on what you produce. This may include digital printing, 3D printing, embroidery or additional access to wider technical resources.  

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

Throughout your studies, you will undertake a variety of studio-based and context-focused courses and will work closely with specialist staff.

We provide purpose-built studios to work in, first-class technical facilities and workshops, and a wide range of dynamic learning activities that will offer personal as well as professional development.

Design and Screen Cultures

Courses in Design and Screen Cultures are integrated with practical studio work and provide a contextual and theoretical understanding of contemporary design.

Option Courses

In Years 1 and 2, you will be able to take option courses from within ECA or from the wider University. This will depend on availability.

Second year entry

If you are successful in applying for direct entry into our second year, you will not be at a disadvantage compared to peers who began their studies in the first year. Your skill set will align with those of our continuing students, and we will ensure a smooth transition into BA Fashion.

At second-year entry, our fashion courses emphasise the refinement and application of advanced fashion design knowledge, while introducing sophisticated technical skills in pattern cutting and garment construction.

You will engage with a range of design projects that challenge you to explore the dynamic relationship between the designer, the wearer, technology, and manufacturing. The courses will also encourage you to develop and define your unique design identity.

Year 1 offers you a dynamic and creative approach to the fundamentals of design. 

You will be introduced to the foundations of: 

  • understanding the fashion industry
  • fashion drawing and communication 
  • creative pattern cutting and garment construction methods
  • creative and experimental design methods with a 3D outcome
  • research methods 
  • garment construction

In Design and Screen Cultures, you will address the key histories and theories of design. 

You will be encouraged to develop key awareness of the discipline through both contemporary and historical analysis. 

Option courses 

You will be able to take up to 40 credits of option courses. These can be taken within ECA, or from the wider College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 

Your choices will be subject to availability and discussion with your personal tutor and relevant course organisers. 

This offers you the flexibility to construct a group of courses that reflects your interests and enhances your main area of study.

Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In Year 2 you will be introduced to our fashion diversity awareness initiative. 

This will help you learn skills in: 

  • design and research methods applied through a series of creative project briefs
  • designing for celebrating inclusivity 
  • understanding diverse consumer markets

You will also:

  • design and produce garment work to showcase at the annual fashion shows
  • take part in the renowned DesignBook project, introducing computer-based technical drawing and portfolio-building skills
  • take courses in Design and Screen Cultures which address the key histories and theories of design 
  • choose an optional course from the wider college, subject to availability

Introductory methods of classic pattern-cutting and technical garment construction are taught comprehensively throughout the year.

These provide fundamental skill sets required for study in Years 3 and 4.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

This is an industry-facing year where students will be asked to work on a series of briefs, requiring an understanding of their design aesthetics and outcomes in the context of diverse real-world applications.

You will have a range of opportunities in industry, including: 

  • exchange
  • competitions
  • live projects

You will develop business awareness through a live collaborative project designing new brands with:

  • retail
  • marketing
  • costing
  • consumer awareness

At this level, you will develop knowledge of: 

  • innovation in material use in the industry
  • tailoring and outerwear 
  • knitwear 
  • accessory design
  • developing brand identity
  • advanced fashion portfolio methods
  • critical analysis of the wider fashion industry and your place within it

You will take a further Design and Screen Cultures course.

Study abroad

Opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 will help broaden your understanding of the discipline.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In Year 4 you will develop: 

  • an advanced personal research plan
  • a personal design signature that allows sustained exploration of a range of collection design methods
  • advanced ability in material sourcing, and skills in seeking external sponsorship to reduce costs
  • advanced pattern cutting, prototyping and garment manufacture methods
  • opportunities to utilise knitwear, printed and constructed textiles for fashion
  • advanced portfolio skills, including advanced CAD fashion drawing methods
  • a graduate collection that you may showcase at the annual ECA Fashion Shows and exhibit externally

At this level, creativity is combined with an understanding of the context for your design work. 

You will be encouraged to develop innovative approaches to materials, design and garment construction methods. 

You will also produce: 

  • a written dissertation 
  • a DesignBook to serve as a professional portfolio for the industry and career development

You will also receive CV writing support, and help in identifying future career/professional development options.

Typically, at the end of Year 4 you will have the opportunity to take part in our Graduate Show. This is a chance to exhibit your work. You can see work submitted by previous graduates on our 2024 Graduate Show page.

BA Fashion Graduate Show 2024

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.

If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.

A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.

Your study abroad options

Placements

Placements are not mandatory. 

However, we do encourage you to take on paid work placements in the summer months between academic sessions. 

You will also have the option of completing a placement in Semester 2 of Year 3.

Field trips

Opportunities for field trips may vary from year to year. However, the programme encourages and arranges annual field trips to exhibitions and local industries.  

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Most design teaching and learning is through involvement in a range of experiential courses situated in a studio environment. 

Conceptual, material and technical issues are explored through: 

  • seminars 
  • workshops 
  • lectures 
  • tutorials 
  • critiques

We see research, critical thinking, and study of the visual, intellectual, social and professional contexts that shape creative design practice as essential to your development. 

These elements are taught through Design and Screen Cultures courses. This also involves participation in:

  • exhibitions
  • competitions
  • collaborations
  • live industry projects

Our dynamic and award-winning fashion programme emphasises your personal creative freedom and design innovation.

We believe that the only way to create the fashion innovators of the future is to:

  • promote your individual design identity
  • develop and nurture your full creative potential

Our courses offer creative, experimental and risk-taking opportunities. We challenge our students to expand the expectations of their chosen disciplines.

We encourage brave and challenging conceptual thinking. This will provide you with a confident foundation for your studies.

Social responsibility 

Social responsibility is core to our programme's educational structure. We encourage you to strive to create products that have a sustainable and meaningful place in the contemporary design world. To create intelligent design solutions, we will help you develop to be:

  • emotionally considerate
  • empathetic to consumer diversity, with knowledge of their needs

Assessment

We use formative assessment throughout your study. This helps give meaningful feedback and encourages experimentation in the studio and beyond. 

Formative assessment for compulsory courses can include: 

  • portfolio
  • presentations 
  • essays against course learning outcomes

There is a mid-session review, usually at the mid-point of any course you study. 

Summative assessment at the end of all courses is informed by your:

  • academic progress
  • creative progress
  • performance throughout

Your course grades are calculated through this summative assessment and a moderation process.

This timetable may vary from year to year. 

Year 1, Semester 1

  • Fashion Core Course (20 Credits): One day per week 
  • Fashion Illustration & Communication: One day per week 
  • Elective Course: Up to one day per week 
  • Independent Study: Additional weekly hours are expected to be undertaken on non-taught days  

Year 1, Semester 2

  • Fashion Core Course: One day per week 
  • Design and Screen Cultures: Up to one day per week 
  • Elective Course: Up to one day per week 
  • Independent Study: Additional weekly hours are expected to be undertaken on non-taught days  

Support for your studies

ECA’s Student and Academic Support Service (SASS) supports students throughout their studies in all degree programmes at ECA.

You will have a dedicated Student Adviser, based within SASS, who is specially trained to support you during your studies. Your Student Adviser will be your first point of contact for any support, including questions about your studies or your well-being. Your Student Adviser can support you with:

  • personal or wellbeing issues that you are facing, including how to access specialist support
  • queries related to your programme, such as course enrolments, programme transfers and academic progression
  • applying for extensions and special circumstances
  • advice about how to take a break from your studies
  • registering with the Disability and Learning Support Service

If you’re unsure who to ask, you can contact your Student Adviser as a first point of contact.

Support for your studies

Our academic staff

At ECA, you'll join a community working across visual and material culture, including:

  • practising designers
  • artists
  • illustrators
  • writers
  • critics
  • curators

Core fashion staff include:

You will meet and work with most of them during your studies. You can explore the ECA People Directory to discover more of the staff you will learn from.

ECA People Directory

Where you will study

Study location

The majority of your teaching, including lectures and seminars, will take place at ECA's Lauriston Campus in the Central Area.

You will also get to experience lectures and classes across the wider University of Edinburgh campus.

Academic facilities

You will have access to a wide range of spaces, facilities and equipment throughout your studies.

Studio space

The majority of our teaching takes place in our studio at ECA's Lauriston Campus. You will be allocated a workspace in our studio each year.

Specialist technical facilities

We offer excellent technical facilities, including: 

  • industrial sewing machines and irons 
  • pattern cutting workrooms 
  • knitwear and embroidery machinery

You will also be able to access: 

  • digital printing
  • 3D printing 
  • laser cutting facilities
  • a range of broader campus and University-wide resources

Workshops are staffed by specialist technicians and practitioners, who will support and guide your technical development during your studies.

In addition to these facilities, we also have the ECA Store on campus where you can purchase materials for your artistic projects, along with our Free-Use Hub where you can access free recycled materials.

You will also have access to Bookit, where you can access and loan a wide range of digital and technical equipment for free as part of being a student.

Bookit - Equipment loans and studio booking

You can find out more on the ECA website.

Facilities and resources at ECA

Investing in our learning environment

Edinburgh College of Art is excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston Campus over the next three years, from April 2024 to April 2027. ​

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.​

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston Campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project at the below link:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston Campus - Edinburgh College of Art

Virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the Edinburgh College of Art and explore our facilities and campus with our virtual tour.

Take a virtual tour of Edinburgh College of Art

Career paths

Upon graduation, we want to ensure that you have the best chance of employment and career development. We cultivate designers with a broad range of abilities. Our students are capable of being in all parts of the fashion design community and are:

  • expressive
  • visionary
  • provocative

Our graduates work in a variety of roles, including:

  • Fashion Designer 
  • Stylist 
  • Fashion Buyer 
  • Merchandiser 
  • Fashion Brand Owner & Entrepreneur 
  • Media and Public Relations Specialist 
  • Fashion Illustrator 
  • Textile Designer 
  • Pattern Cutter 
  • Garment Technologist 
  • Fashion Photographer 
  • Fashion Consultant 
  • Visual Merchandiser 
  • Costume Designer for film, TV, or theatre 
  • Trend Forecaster 
  • Fashion Marketing Specialist 
  • Fashion Product Developer 
  • Academic Researcher or Lecturer in Fashion 
  • Sustainability Consultant in Fashion 

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:

  • a masters degree
  • a postgraduate diploma or certificate
  • a PhD
  • a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study 

Postgraduate degrees you might be interested in could include:

Graduate profiles

Visit our alumni directory to hear from two graduates of BA Fashion.

Alumni profile - Brian Mc Lysaght

Alumni profile - Jennifer Zhu

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

Portfolio

You need to submit a digital portfolio to show your artistic skill and potential. 

The portfolio guidance for 2026 entry will be released in August 2025.

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

What is it really like to study here? Our students share their experiences on our social media.

You can find out what a day in the life is like for an Edinburgh College of Art Student, from late nights in the library to their favourite walks around the city!

Instagram: Edinburgh College of Art

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Our vibrant capital is a blend of culture, history, nature and modern city life. A fantastic place to live, it is also the perfect location to study fashion.

Edinburgh’s dynamic cultural scene boasts the largest collection of historic buildings, museums, art galleries and theatres of any city in Scotland.

The University of Edinburgh’s museums and galleries include:

  • the Talbot Rice Gallery
  • Centre for Research Collections
  • St. Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum

Edinburgh is home to several major annual festivals, each bringing talent from around the world to our streets and stages, making the celebration of diversity an intrinsic part of the city’s culture. These include the:

  • Festival Fringe
  • Film Festival
  • Art Festival
  • Book Festival
  • Jazz & Blues Festival

Some of our students even participate in our annual festivals.

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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Discover Uni data

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.