Textile Design, BA, University of Leeds

Course content

You'll spend your first year working on drawing and repeat pattern skills, as well as constructed textiles techniques such as knit and stitch and the use of colour. You'll also gain an insight into the technological and cultural aspects of art and design. Once you have a solid grounding in these skills, you'll be able to specialise over the next two years of your degree.

Within digital textiles, you'll focus on textiles for fashion or interiors, experimenting with techniques such as laser cutting and digital fabric printing or combining the two in materials manipulation. Throughout the degree, you'll work on drawing, repeat pattern drafting and in-depth market research.

Whether you choose knitted, woven, stitched or manipulated textiles within the structured textiles route, you'll be able to develop innovative, contemporary designs for fashion or interiors based on your own visual and market research. You'll use different media to explore the potential of knitted and stitched textile structures and techniques, and you'll learn how to influence the form, colour, 3D structuring and other properties of textile materials.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Entry requirements, fees and applying

  Entry requirements

  A-level: ABB

  including an art or design-related subject and not including General Studies or Critical Thinking. If you don't have an art or design-related subject but you are taking Media Studies A-level, we may also consider your application based on a high grade at GCSE in Art/Design and a portfolio of recent and relevant work.

  • Career opportunities

    A degree in Textile Design allows you to develop a range of professional skills, which will help to open doors in a range of careers. You'll present your work publicly in your final year, and you'll always be encouraged to engage with a defined audience through your designs. What's more, because Leeds uses its academic strengths to provide you with a theoretical background to your practice, you'll also develop transferable skills that appeal to all kinds of employers.

    You'll be a strong communicator with presentation, research and analytical skills - you'll be able to find information from a range of sources, think about it critically and explain your own conclusions. You'll also have visual and critical awareness, as well as an understanding of this complex and ever-changing industry. All of these qualities are valued by a wide range of employers in different sectors.

    Graduates have pursued a wide range of careers as a result. Some of those who have continued with professional practice are working as graphic designers or design assistants at firms including Abercrombie and Fitch, Chanel, Cosmopolitan, Alexander McQueen and Sibling. Others have gone into diverse careers in education, PR, journalism, retail, marketing, costume design, sales and recruitment. Many also progress to postgraduate study.

    Leeds alumna Marie Stenton (BA Textile Design 2013) is one of the winners of the 2015 University of Leeds Business Plan Competition organised by Spark, the University's business start-up service.

    Amy Chen, one of our final year BA Textile Design students, has won one of the five Berkofsky Arts Awards for 2015. The award considers the creation or dissemination of artwork that will benefit the development of students' careers in painting, sculpture, drama or music.

    Careers support

    We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

    Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

    The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

  • Study abroad and work placements

    Study abroad

    On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has partnerships with more than 400 universities worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

    Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

    Every Leeds student can spend a year working in industry after their second year of study. The industrial placement is great for your personal and professional development, and some students have even been offered permanent roles at their placement companies.

    Read more about the Year in Industry.