Course summary
Textile design plays an important role in fashion and interiors but is also at the cutting-edge of a wide range of other design solutions such as architecture, automotive and bio-materials. With sustainability and emerging technologies at the heart of contemporary design thinking, it is an exciting time for our students as the role of textiles is re-imagined across many aspects of modern life. On this dynamic and well-structured course, you will be introduced to a wide-range of textile processes, ranging from screen-printing to digital sublimation printing, and from hand weaving on a loom, through to digital electronic programming of stitch and 3D printing. Expert technical demonstrators will teach you new techniques and encourage you to experiment, test and play. You also have the opportunity to develop your skills in other workshops such as photography, mould-making, 3D fabrication and more. On this course, you will explore innovative design in a variety of materials: from cloth to paper, plastic to wood, metal to soil and much more. In the design process, you will be encouraged to consider a wide range of issues such as sustainability, global cultural narratives, and the growing desire for sensory experiences in an increasingly virtual world. We encourage group discussions and hold regular peer-to-peer feedback sessions so that students can encourage and support each another. One-on-one tutor time means you get the individual help you need with a variety of projects. You could be working on anything from interior printed textile designs, to the fabrics and materials for use in aerospace, electric cars and futuristic autonomous vehicles. You will have an individual workspace throughout your studies, and extensive contact-time with an expert staff team who can share a wealth of industry experience through studio practice and workshops. All students take Critical Studies, where you can gain fascinating insights into the subject you love. You will explore your specialism and the work of those you admire. We will help you to see your own practice in context with your peers and predecessors; leading to, not only a greater understanding of the rich and varied practice of Textile Design, but who you want to be as a Textile Designer. The things you discover in Critical Studies will help you answer the question: where do I want to take my practice? Industry Links You will work with an exciting team of external practitioners, currently featuring material research consultant and founder of Ma-tt-er studio, Seetal Solanki; surface pattern designer Eve Campbell; Kate Morris, creator and designer of cruelty free vegan knitwear brand CROP; and artisan woven and embroidered textile manufacturer, Alice Timmis. After this Course You will be well-placed to access employment opportunities in the dynamic textiles industry, including: designing for fashion, textiles, and interior; applications in automotive and aviation sector; stylist, trend forecaster; as well as related marketing, media, along with opportunities for further study. Highlights • Exceptional access to workshops across disciplines. • Great level of individual support from tutors and technical demonstrators • The opportunity to learn from a range of industry experts with our high-profile external partners and visiting speakers • A pioneering new module exploring colour, material and finish, co-developed with the industry • Live briefs developed alongside design studios and brand head offices both locally and nationally • The chance to have your work exhibited and sold across the globe at industry trade fairs such as Premier Vision in Paris and New York and New Designers • The opportunity to explore topical issues such as sustainability and the transformational potential of textiles in contemporary design • Module timescales are aligned with industry pace, to ensure our students are fully prepared to step into the world of work.
Modules
From your first day at HCA you will work as a creative, developing your skills and your own voice through a series of projects. You will develop your creative practice, practical skills alongside your critical awareness and theoretical knowledge. You will study a range of modules that build your knowledge and confidence and total 120 credits each year. YEAR ONE/Level 4: Practice in Context 1 (20 Credits), Practice 1 (30), Practice 2 (30), Foundations for Learning (20). Skills 1 (20) YEAR TWO/Level 5: Practice in Context 2 (20), Practice 3 (30), Practice 4 (30), Professional Practice 1 (20), Skills 2 (20) YEAR THREE/Level 6: Practice in Context 3 (20), Practice 5 (30), Practice 6 (60), Professional Practice 2 (10)
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W231
- Institution code:
- H18
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
International applicants
International applicants must be 18 years of age as at the 01 September in the year of entry.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 80 points
Mature applicants with relevant experience will be considered. Portfolio and interview also required. Applicants whose first language is not English and require a Student Visa must achieve Level B2 in an approved secure English language test prior to enrolment. For further guidance please visit the UK Visa and immigration website: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa.
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Portfolio
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9000 | Year 1 |
| International | £13475 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
In addition to the degree fees, the nature of creative arts practice means you will need to allow for additional costs, such as the materials you choose to use in your work and for trips to external events & exhibitions. The courses at HCA have been designed to minimise the impact of additional costs; all course leaders have an annual budget with some trips & materials fully funded by the College or heavily subsidised. However, typically, a student will choose to spend an additional £250 in the first year, £375 in the second year and £400 in their final year, depending on nature of their work and materials chosen.
We appreciate that not all students will be able to invest the same money in their work, and staff assessing it will not judge work by the cost of materials or resources. The college shop includes many specialist materials at good value and digital equipment can be borrowed from the media stores at no cost to students.
Students are offered an optional Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for use outside of college. In the 2022-23 academic year this cost £16.24 per month. NB: Adobe Creative Cloud is provided free to use for any student working within the college.
Students on all courses will also have the chance to take part in optional trips that require payments towards their costs. Again, non-attendance will not incur assessment penalties, though trips are designed to help students develop their practice. There is an optional annual cross-course residential trip abroad. In the 2023-24 academic year, the trip was a four-day visit to Paris at a cost to students of £425. This fee included a shared dorm room and all travel costs from Hereford to Paris including Eurostar tickets.
**Support Available from Hereford College of Arts**
The HCA Cash Bursary: is designed to benefit students who are starting Higher Education for the first time; are ordinarily resident in England; the student must be liable to pay the full £9,000 tuition fee for their course and be from a low-income family (£25,000 a year or less). The student must also be in receipt of the full Higher Education Maintenance Loan. Each cash bursary is £1,000 which students receive in their first year only.
**Care Leaver Bursary**
Care leavers will be offered free accommodation with City Heart at Station Approach accommodation for their first year only. Care leaver students will be able to stay there until the end of their first year (not over the Summer) and will also receive the Cash Bursary of £1,000. Care leaver students will also receive a Care Leaver Bursary of £1,000 in both their second and third year. Evidence of being a care leaver must be in the form of an original letter showing Care Leaver Status from your local authority.
**Partner Colleges Progression Bursary**
A Progression Bursary of £500 is available to students from our progression partner colleges*, in their first year only, who have successfully completed a Level 3 or equivalent course within the last 2 academic years and progress on to a degree programme at HCA.
*Partner Colleges: Bath College, Belfast Met College, Bourneville, South & City College, Cirencester College, City of Bristol College, Coleg y Cymoedd, Dudley College, Evesham College, Gloucestershire College – ALL Campuses, Gower College, Grantham College, Halesowen College, Heart of Worcestershire College, Hereford College of Arts, Herefordshire & Ludlow College, Hereford Sixth Form College, Malvern Hills College, Newent Sixth Form College, NWRC Derry, NPTC group, Plumpton College, Shrewsbury College, South Gloucestershire & Stroud College, Stratford Upon Avon College, Swindon College & Worcester Sixth Form College
**Internal Progression Bursary**
All students who have studied & successfully completed a Level 3 course within the last two academic years at HCA and progress to undergraduate study at HCA will be eligible to receive a bursary of £500 in their first year.
Provider information
Hereford College of Arts
Folly Lane
Hereford
HR1 1LT