Fashion and textiles are a vital and essential part of the UK creative industries, and the sector needs skilled people who can design, make and run a business. If you love clothes, fabric and making things with your hands, this two year course will help you turn that interest into a career.
You will follow the full design cycle, from first concept through every stage of designing and making, to photographing, styling and promoting your finished work. You will learn to research, sketch and develop ideas, then sample, pattern cut and construct garments and textile pieces to a professional finish.
You will work in our textiles and fashion workrooms using specialist fashion sewing equipment and industrial machines. You will learn how different fabrics behave and how to choose the right one for each design. This includes working with woven fabrics such as cotton, denim, wool and silk, and knitted fabrics such as jersey and stretch knits. You will also explore surface embellishment techniques and processes to create your own textiles.
Alongside the making, you will learn how the fashion and textiles business sector runs. You will be guided and prepared to start your own fashion or textiles business, from understanding your customer and costing your products to presenting your brand and promoting your work.
What you'll learn
Students will develop an understanding of a broad range of issues relevant to the fashion and textiles business sector, including:
- The creative economy and how creative businesses work
- Audience and consumer needs
- Cultural context and design vocabulary
- Legal and regulatory requirements
- Professional standards and conduct in the workplace
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Research skills and project management
- The full design cycle, from concept and sampling to making to a brief
- Fashion photography, styling and promotion
The creative skills learnt will encourage students to develop their confidence in a wide range of materials, processes and design and making.
T-levels are two-year, Level 3 programmes that follow GCSEs and Technical Awards, offering an alternative to A Levels and Apprenticeships. They combine classroom theory, practical learning, and a minimum of 315 hours of industry placement, ensuring real workplace experience. Developed with employers, T-levels meet industry needs and prepare students for skilled employment, Apprenticeships, or higher study, including university.
How you'll learn and be assessed
You’ll spend 80% of your time in the classroom and 20% on a 45-day placement with an employer to give you the skills and knowledge companies seek.
Your industry placement allows you to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. When and how you complete it depends on the T-level, school or college, and employer. Like A levels, there are no tuition fees to study a T-level if you start before you are 19.
The core knowledge and understanding are assessed through an examination, and core skills are assessed through a practical employer-set project.
Students who complete their T-level will receive an overall grade of pass, merit, distinction or distinction*. They will receive a nationally recognised certificate showing their overall grade and a breakdown of what they have achieved.
Progression
The T Level Technical Qualification in Craft and Design: Textiles and Fashion Maker (Level 3) equips students with the knowledge and skills for highly skilled employment, apprenticeships, or higher-level study in textiles and fashion, or starting your own business.
Potential careers include; fashion design assistant, garment maker, dressmaker, tailor, wardrobe assistant, buyer, visual merchandiser and independent designer maker. The skills also transfer to soft furnishings and upholstery.
Entry requirements
You will need five GCSEs at a minimum of grade 5, including maths and English language, and a genuine interest in fashion and textiles.
