Textile Design (BA)

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

In your first year, you’ll explore and experiment by taking part in creative projects, workshops, seminars, lectures and optional study trips. This will help you identify your strengths and interests in preparation for choosing which pathway you want to specialise in for the rest of your degree:

• printed textiles - learn a wide range of screen printing, dye and CAD (computer aided design) processes for fabric, paper and more
• knitted textiles - exploring the structural, conceptual and technical possibilities of yarn,  including hand and digital knit processes
• woven textiles - discover the process of weaving using different materials, new technologies, and hand processes

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• coursework
• individual and group projects

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

Course leader

Charlotte Ellis is the course leader.

This degree is designed to create forward-thinking, innovative textiles practitioners with technical and digital skills. You'll develop the ability to think creatively to design new collections and products.

With a comprehensive understanding of textiles, real-world industry experience, and a portfolio that highlights your talents, you’ll be highly employable when you graduate. 

We have an excellent track record for employability. Our graduates have secured roles at companies, including:

• Kent and Curwen
• Alexander McQueen
• Fairbairn and Wolf Studio
• Cole and Son
• Marks and Spencer
• Nike
• Vanners
• Liberty’s
• ASOS
• WGSN Trend Forecasting & Analytics

Our former students work in a variety of roles such as:

• colourists
• illustrators
• interior stylists
• textile buyers
• designers
• design managers
• teachers
• studio assistants

We focus on your employability throughout your studies by offering:

• ongoing advice from tutors with extensive textile design experience
• careers events and site visits to introduce you to potential employers
• collaborative relationships with organisations such as Urban Outfitters, Arcadia and Hampshire Cultural Trust

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Our in-house Studio 3015 provides paid design and marketing internships for our graduates.

Through our network of institutional, professional and industry contacts, you’ll work on ‘live’ projects to build a wide-ranging, professional portfolio to show employers.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations 

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: TD23
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

Applicants will receive an invitation to submit their portfolio whilst their academic qualifications are being reviewed. Download our portfolio advice for textile design (PDF, 168.72 KB).

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000