UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Fashion (Design, Textiles & Communication)

When & Where

7 September 2021 - 28 June 2023 ( 980 hours, 70 weeks )
Chelsea Centre

Suitable For

All age groups are permitted on this course

Quick Facts

Availability Yes (course free to 16-18 year olds)
Course Code C21FACB04B

What you will learn

The UK fashion industry combines cutting-edge design and refined craftsmanship, with the industry now supporting 797,000 jobs. The Chelsea Centre for the Creative Industries' prestigious fashion department is located in the heart of London, close to important museums and galleries. This successful course offers a playful and experimental curriculum enabling students to develop technical and creative skills through a broad range of highly practical workshops and projects covering: Design development, drawing and illustration, fashion print, knit, weave, embroidery and embellishment, styling and photo shoots, trends, market awareness and branding, sampling, garment construction/modelling on the stand, live projects and relevant industry competitions. Develop your creative practice by exploring the design process and strengthening your technical skills. You'll work through a series of exciting, ideas-led projects, working with diverse and individual concepts, while learning more about the fashion industry. You will be taught in small classes, based in specialist studios containing industrial sewing machines and other industry standard equipment. Your studies are supported by expert tutors, excellent industry links, live projects and contextual studies. During the first year you'll develop a range of skills within design, illustration, textiles and fashion communication. In your second year, we'll guide you as you choose your own specialism and develop a portfolio. The course will help you organise, plan and realise ambitious outcomes. You will gain the confidence, independence and resilience to succeed. The Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A levels and is nationally recognised by universities as an excellent preparation for progression onto a degree.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Apply an understanding of specialist industry practice to a creative project
Produce a self-initiated project proposal
Use research to inform and direct a creative project
Use technical skills and materials associated with a specialist industry practice
Resolve problems within a creative project
Use specialist practice visual language to communicate ideas and concepts
Use specialist presentation techniques to present ideas and outcomes
Apply reflective practice to a creative project
Student produce a specialist portfolio to support progression to degree courses, apprenticeships or appropriate entry level roles within the fashion industry

Class format and activities

As part of a close knit group you will work in a supportive atmosphere learning through practical workshops, individual tutorials, exciting peer to peer work and class critiques. You will also have access to 24 -7 learning with a blend of in college practical activities and workshops supported by dynamic online resources via Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams. Your learning is further enriched with a range of study visits to museums and galleries. Industry engagement and live projects develop the skills and independence required to progress to degree courses, apprenticeships or appropriate entry level roles within the fashion industry. Assessment Methods: Achievement on the course will be measured by completion of projects, course units and the final major projects. Your progress towards achieving the learning outcomes will be reviewed throughout the course. At the start of the course you will have an opportunity to discuss these with your tutor and set your own personal targets, linked to the learning outcomes and future goals. In order to ensure you make the best possible progress on your course, you will have regular constructive and supportive feedback from your tutors.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have at least 4 GCSEs (including English and Maths grade 4, or equivalent, or IELTS 5 and above). Students who apply for this course are normally studying for/have studied GCSEs in art or textiles and have good drawing skills but we welcome applications from a diverse range of applicants. If you are under 19 and are yet to achieve your GCSE English or Maths at grade 4 you will be provided with the opportunity to study these. This is an important and mandatory requirement of your Study Programme and non attendance will result in withdrawal. Entry can be supported for students applying from alternative routes where a full package of GCSEs may not have been studied. For further information please email the course contact.

What you need to know before you enrol

This is a fast-moving, proactive and forward-thinking course, you will be expected to put time in outside of course hours to achieve a high standard of work. We provide full support to students who need extra help in any aspect of their studies, for example to dyslexic students.

What you need

You need a positive, can-do attitude with plenty of enthusiasm for the creative industries. You will be eager to learn, bursting with potential and ready to challenge your understanding of the world in which we live. Collaboration will be necessary as a part of this program, so you will be capable of playing a key role in group work. You will be asked to purchase a prepacked A2 folder of equipment and to pay a small studio fee to cover paper. The cost is Class pack: £45 and Paper fee: £15

What you can do next

Progress to degree courses, apprenticeships or appropriate entry level roles within the fashion industry