Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £13,995 per year (£1,200 for placement year)

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Course summary
- Learn through a variety of industry projects, seminars and placements.
- Develop creative thinking and practical design skills.
- Embed ethical and sustainable practices at every level.
If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) courses, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year – which has been designed to encourage exploration and experimentation.
This course is designed to build your confidence and help you take the creative risks needed to succeed in fashion design. You’ll work on projects that reinforce core industry skills such as illustration, CAD/CAM, garment manufacturing and more. You’ll reflect on your career direction as we challenge you to work ethically and to communicate your personal view of the world through your work.
Creative Industries Federation (CIF) membership
We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means our art and design students are members as well until they graduate. With 10,000 members in its network, the CIF represents champions and supports the UK’s creative industries, advocating on the issues that matter the most to creative communities.

View our students' work
View our gallery of student work and learn more about the exciting projects they've been working on this year.
How you learn
You’re supported to choose learning opportunities that reflect your personal interests and professional aspirations. We take an experimental approach, grounded in contemporary fashion theory and focusing on design processes that push both industry and personal boundaries. In the first ‘induction’ module you’ll learn to work confidently and creatively with a wide range of different materials. In the second ‘project’ module you’ll be taught by tutors from the BA (Hons) course supported by foundation tutors.
You’ll learn through
- group and individual tutorials
- interactive lectures
- seminars
- practical activity-based sessions
- demonstrations
- applied industry (live) projects
- creative thinking workshops
- studio-based project work
- work review sessions
- study trips
- peer group activities
- Blackboard online learning portal
- self-directed study
Take a look at the department's Instagram to see what innovations and creations our students have been working on.
Course leaders and tutors

Lee Harding
Course Leader in Fashion DesignI am an experienced senior educator and design practitioner with a strong interest in collaboration and interdisciplinary practices. Throughout my career I have garn … Read more
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a single or multiple work placement/s in between your second and third years of the full course. Previous students have worked with Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Reiss and ASOS. You may also be able to work or study abroad with the possibility of funding (subject to the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus+ programme following the Brexit transition period).
Enterprise year
If you have a business idea, you will have the opportunity to develop this between the second and third years of the full course. During this time, you can take advantage of the university's business support network, the Hallam i-Lab (a business incubator), an allocated start-up advisor, workshops and opportunities to apply for funding.
Live projects
Students have worked on commercial briefs with the design and marketing departments at Ted Baker, Amanda Wakeley, Adidas and Vivienne Westwood, with awards such as cash prizes or work placements within the industry.
Students can also take part in renowned graduate events such as the British Fashion Council and Graduate Fashion Week.
Field trips
We endeavour to go on study trips both in the UK and abroad – with free travel and accommodation for all mandatory field trips. These could include workshops, design conferences or visits to practitioners’ studios, museums and special collections. You can also further enhance your studies with optional field trips, though these will incur additional costs. Previous trips have involved a behind-the-scenes visit to Burberry's headquarters and flagship store, exclusive talks from world-leading companies such as Tommy Hilfiger, as well as visiting leading fashion, textile and design museums.
Competitions
Students are supported to enter national and international competitions such as British Fashion Council design competitions and the RSA Student Design Awards. Our students are frequent finalists and winners of international competitions, enabling them to showcase their work online and at prestigious events such as Graduate Fashion Week.
Future careers
This course prepares you for future study and careers in
- womenswear design
- menswear design
- print design
- production management
- fashion illustration
- styling
- creative pattern cutting
- garment technology
- product development
Many of our graduates are either self-employed or working in a variety of roles for some of the biggest names in the fashion industry – such as Barbour, Adidas, H&M, Topshop, Amanda Wakeley and Zara.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of online lessons and face-to-face teaching with access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
You'll enjoy a wide variety of facilities across the university campuses – including a 24-hour learning centre, Students’ Union, cafes and eateries, exhibition spaces and more. You'll be based in a fully equipped studio, with state-of-the-art facilities including
- industry-standard computer hardware and software
- lock stitch and overlock machines
- coverstitch machines
- industrial steamers
- heavy duty press and Rollermatic
- binding, buttonhole and range of hardware
- ultrasonic welder
- hot air taping machine
- range of dress forms and mannequins
- flatbed cutter
- Optitex digital pattern cutting software
- digital print facilities
We also have an on-site store where you can borrow or purchase core materials and equipment.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
This must include at least 32 points from at least one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (to include a relevant subject, such as Art, Design and Technology, Textiles or Graphics). For example:
- CDD at A Level with a grade C in a relevant subject.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
- A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M in a relevant subject and may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies
- Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Art and Design.
We treat the foundation year as part of the Art and Design degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Art and Design degrees.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider either the International Foundation Programme: Art, Design and Media or Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Portfolio review
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend a portfolio review, this is where you can showcase your relevant work and highlight any pieces you are particularly proud of.
In light of the updated advice from the Government about the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we are not currently offering face to face portfolio reviews but are instead accepting portfolios through digital submission. Find out about what happens at a portfolio review and how you can prepare to produce a strong portfolio.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You can take an optional placement in year three.
Year 1
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Foundation Induction | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Foundation Projects | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Fashion Fundamental One: Formation | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Fashion Fundamental Two: Concept Realisation | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Exploration, Application And Realisation | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Module: Negotiated Fashion Projects | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 4
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
Module | Credits | Assessment |
---|---|---|
Module: Graduation Project | Credits: 120 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2021/22 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2021/22 is £13,995 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Art and design courses (PDF)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
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