BA (Hons) Fashion

The BA (Hons) Fashion degree focuses on developing students' creative and intellectual capabilities to set them up for a career in fashion design across a broad industry, including luxury fashion houses, high street brands, and independent designers. Students will create a variety of garments, from mass-produced ready-to-wear to custom bespoke pieces, and develop a theoretical and practical understanding of pattern cutting and garment construction.

Key Information

• Programme code: W230
• Level: Undergraduate
• Delivery type: Full Time
• Degree qualification: BA (Hons)
• Mode of delivery: On-Campus
• Duration: 3-4 years
• Location: Scottish Borders
• Start date: September

Course Content

The programme explores a cross-section of market sectors, ranging from high-street fashion to ready-to-wear, suitable for both UK and global markets. Students will undertake internal and external projects as part of their learning journey, helping shape their understanding of the worldwide fashion industry. These skills can ultimately open the door to incredible career opportunities in their chosen sector.

Your Student Experience

Students' learning will be informed by the fashion and textiles faculty and staff, whose work covers many key areas, including:

• Smart Nanotextiles Nanofibres and Nanoyarns
• Fashion Technology
• Fashion Sustainability
• Design Innovation
• Printed Textile Design
• Medical Compression Design
• Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Management
• Brand Management and Marketing
• Garment Making and Pattern Cutting

Go Global

With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, students can carry their studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding their horizons on the way.

European Exchange

This Exchange Programme enables students to study or work in Europe as part of their degree programme, usually for a full academic year.

Worldwide Exchange

This Exchange Programme enables students to study outside of Europe as part of their degree programme, usually for a full academic year.

Course Structure

Year 1

• Introduction to the chosen course, researching and developing individual strengths and skills in the analysis, evaluation, and contextualisation of the contemporary fashion marketplace.
• Mandatory courses:
  • Rethinking Design 2: Develop and Deliver
  • Rethinking Design 1: Discover and Define
  • Garment Construction
  • Introduction to Photography
  • Textiles 1

Year 2

• Specialisation in the chosen pathway, exploring pattern design, creation, and production in greater depth.
• Mandatory courses:
  • Fashion Product Development
  • Fashion Buying
  • CAD for Design 2
  • Tailoring & Innovation
  • Promotion & Advertising

Year 3

• Cross-disciplinary projects and fashion industry collaborations through a combination of independent study, team working, and external projects.
• Mandatory courses:
  • Fashion Process and Presentation
  • Fashion Design & Make
  • Journalism content creation
  • Capsule Fashion Collection
  • Diffusion Collection
  • Critical & Contextual Studies 3

Year 4

• Consolidation of skills and exploration of individuality through the initiation, development, and completion of a contemporary fashion-led collection accompanied by a strong fashion design portfolio.
• Mandatory courses:
  • Collection Part 1
  • Advanced Practice and Evaluation
  • Collection Part 2
• Optional course:
  • Marketing Strategy for Design
  • CCS Essay

Teaching Staff

The programme is led by experienced staff, including:

• Danying Yang, Assistant Professor
• Bruce Munro Roberts, Assistant Professor

Fees and Funding

• September 2026 intake tuition fees:
  • Scotland: Paid by SAAS
  • England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland: Ł9,790
  • International: Ł20,080
• Additional consumable fee charged per year of study.
• Scholarships and bursaries available, including the Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to Ł3,100 per year) for students from England, Northern Ireland, or Wales.

Entry Requirements

• Standard entry requirements:
  • Highers: BBBB (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels: BCC and successful digital portfolio
  • International Baccalaureate: 29 points
  • BTEC: Extended Diploma DMM
  • HNC: C in graded unit
  • HND: CC in graded units
• Minimum entry requirements:
  • Highers: BBBC (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels: BCC
  • International Baccalaureate: 29 points
  • BTEC: Extended Diploma DMM
  • HNC: C in graded unit
  • HND: CC in graded units
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

Employability

• 95% of BA (Hons) Fashion students are working 15 months after graduating.
• Average UK salary: Ł24,000.
• Potential career paths include design occupations.

Heriot-Watt University

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Overview:

Heriot-Watt University is a research-focused institution with campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, as well as an online presence. It is known for its career-focused degrees and strong links with industry. Heriot-Watt is highly regarded for its research, with a significant portion ranked world-leading and internationally excellent.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Heriot-Watt offers a diverse and international student community, with one-third of its Edinburgh Campus students coming from outside the UK. The university provides a range of facilities across its campuses, including healthcare, libraries, food and drink, sports centers, and more. Students can participate in clubs and activities, and the university offers accommodation options near its campuses.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Career-focused degrees:

Heriot-Watt is ranked first in Scotland for graduate employability and its graduates are first in the UK for CEO or MD roles.

Global reach:

The university has campuses across the UK, Dubai, and Malaysia, providing students with a truly international experience.

Strong research:

Heriot-Watt is valued for its pioneering research, which is informed by the global needs of business and industry.

Diverse student community:

The university boasts a diverse international student community, fostering a multicultural learning environment.

Beautiful campuses:

Heriot-Watt's campuses are located in stunning settings, offering students a unique and inspiring learning environment.

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Academic Programs:

Heriot-Watt offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

• Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics
• Computer Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences and Business
• Art and Design
• Languages and Culture

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Other:

Heriot-Watt is committed to sustainability and is actively working towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The university also offers a personalized virtual experience through its online tour platform, allowing prospective students to explore its campuses virtually.