Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles

The Bachelor of Design in Fashion and Textiles is an internationally recognised degree that gives students the start they need to pursue careers across all facets of the local and international fashion industry.

The degree provides the conceptual knowledge and garment-making skills required to transform a creative vision into compelling fashion statements. Sustainability and social justice are threaded throughout the course.

While UTS recognises that a commercial framework is important, students are encouraged to become industry leaders through a focus on innovation, experimentation, systems thinking and futuring methodologies.

They have full access to world-class textile and fashion workshops, working under the close supervision of expert staff.

This experimental spirit is balanced by close industry ties. Students get the opportunity to work on real-world projects with brands such as Australian Wool Innovation, Liberty London, ISKO Denim and Swarovski.

UTS also understands that the fashion industry is as much about people as it is about garments: through studio work and subjects in Design Studies students gain the communication and teamwork skills to develop, articulate and present their ideas to peers and industry.

Graduates are recognised globally and many have gone on to work or study overseas, including fashion capitals London, New York, Tokyo and Milan. Leading international designers employing UTS graduates include Alexander McQueen, Kenzo, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Helmut Lang.

The course is designed to provide students with an outlook and ambition that extend beyond the University, cultivating a collaborative and global vision of design.

Central to the course is the integration of theory and practice in relation to fashion and textile design. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the formation and application of their own individual design language and theoretical position in relation to historic and contemporary contexts. Design is presented as a potent agent in society and systems change.

The first year introduces design principles and design thinking. In the second year students have the opportunity to diversify according to their area of interest and strength, including innovation in material research, types of technologies, engaging with digital design, methods of construction, and approaches to either flat patternmaking or drape.

The fashion and textile studio and professional practice subjects in third year have been designed to extend students' understanding of local and global fashion and textiles, and provide students with a choice of design projects and areas of specialisation.