Fashion and Fashion Business

Why choose this course?

• Practical fashion design with an in-depth understanding of business
• Work with leading designers and brands
• Showcase work to Industry at the prestigious Graduate Fashion Event

You're not just entrepreneurial, you're a creator 

We offer one of the few Fashion and Fashion Business degrees in the country where you'll learn about the global fashion industry from both a business and creative angle. You'll graduate with a competitive edge. We'll teach you everything we know about how the fashion industry works. We'll teach you about creative design and product development.  Buying and merchandising, e-comm and digital to sales and marketing and promotion.  We'll teach you about the critical path, the supply chain, customers and markets. You'll learn about what it takes to set up and run a fashion business, the steps to its success, and navigating challenges. We'll provide a space to debate fashion issues, and you'll explore the sustainability of the fashion industry. You know how important climate matters are. So do we. We'll teach you how fashion is adapting and changing, reusing and repurposing materials and garments into something new.  We'll teach you about transparency and traceability, the circular economy and ethical behaviour. 

We'll teach you about global brands and how they function in different markets.  You'll gain practical fashion design skills and learn how to develop products and tech packs to industry standards.  We'll teach you how fashion business departments work together. Not a lot of courses offer both design and business, but we do. We'll teach you the financial considerations of running a business. You may want to make fashion for the high street, the runway, or a boutique. Either way, your customer is key. You'll study customer psychology, behaviour and market trends. What type of contribution do you want to make? We'll teach you about every stage of the fashion cycle from concept to sales.  We'll teach you how to write impactful reports, produce creative ideas and produce industry-standard technical documents.  We'll develop your presentation skills and nurture your confidence.   

You want space to create

You're highly motivated and want to develop your unique style. We'll encourage you to work independently whilst being on hand to offer support. At Herts, you'll join an inspirational and collaborative community. You'll have the technical facilities to explore your creativity. Our studios have everything you need. You'll have access to mannequins, sewing machines, cutting tables, and metres upon metres of fabric and accessories. You'll use Computer Aided Design to visualise and test your ideas in 2D and 3D.  You'll benefit from our expertise and experience. We're passionate about fashion. We're dedicated to your success. You know you can thrive in the right environment. So, do we. You can succeed at Herts.  

Build your reputation. Kick-start your brand

You'll benefit from our team of talented academics, technicians, industry experts and guest speakers. We collaborate with leading brands, designers and organisations. Ellesse, JORDANLUCA, and leading entrepreneurs like the founder of All Saints, to name but a few. You'll gain access to global competitions, inspirational workshops, seminars and talks, work placements and employment, and live industry projects. There's even the chance to win sponsorship: we're a member of the British Fashion Colleges Council, meaning you can compete in prestigious competitions. In your final year, you'll have the chance to exhibit your work to industry leaders at Graduate Fashion Week. Could you become a GFW finalist or win one of their globally recognised awards? Some of our graduates already have. Our Alumni achieve top awards in the University of Hertfordshire's Flare Ignite competition and secure funding, mentoring and recognition for their exciting business ideas. With all this opportunity to be seen by the right people, you'll have everything you need to launch a meaningful career in fashion. 

You want to study fashion culture

You want to study art and design philosophy. You want to explore the evolution of fashion through culture, technology and innovation. Why do we gender clothing? What's the role of social media in global fashion? You'll extend your knowledge of expressive and functional fashion, of people and markets. Delve into ethical issues facing the global fashion industry and challenge convention. What's the true cost of fast fashion? We'll encourage you to investigate how society responds to and influences the fashion world. You'll critically approach a variety of topics as you delve into case studies. You'll research, evaluate, and analyse design and texts. Most importantly, we'll encourage you to form your own views. You'll become a fashion creative and critical thinker who's ready for the next design challenge. You'll inspire your ideas with your passion and your thought-provoking research.  

What's the course about?

In the first year, you'll learn core design and business skills. You'll practice hand rendering techniques to produce technical drawings. You'll visualise your designs with 2D and 3D technology. You'll become competent in fitting and pattern cutting. We'll teach you how different fabrics behave and the best way to construct garments. We'll examine the issues facing contemporary fashion. You'll visit fashion houses to gain insights from industry experts. You'll start to understand different management approaches for a complex supply chain. You'll study business strategy, theories, and principles. You'll develop research, inquiry, and analysis skills. We'll explain industry-relevant language, so you'll feel confident to write reports and design proposals... you'll develop photographic, presentation and portfolio skills... you've got to sell your idea, right?  

In the second year, you'll improve your technical design skills. You'll learn advanced pattern cutting techniques using 2D and 3D technology. We'll teach you new construction methods. You'll explore your creativity on a deeper level. You'll work independently and in a team. We'll set you 'live' assignments from our industry partners. You'll design functional and commercially viable fashion. You'll design for real people, real shapes, real sizes. We'll encourage you to enter your work in British Fashion Council and Graduate Fashion Foundation competitions. You'll create engaging and inspired portfolios. We'll teach you to articulate your ideas. You'll explore customer psychology. You'll focus your research on a global fashion company to produce a detailed case study. You'll examine their products, branding, business processes and market research. We'll encourage you to be proactive. You'll have two opportunities this year to take a work placement. What will you discover? 

Between your second and final year, you will have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for a year. This will not only give you an amazing experience to talk about, but you'll also boost your cv. If you'd rather go straight to your final year, that's absolutely fine too.  

In the third year, you'll work with a greater level of independence. You'll focus your business case study on your dream career. You'll analyse company strategy. We'll encourage you to initiate work placements. Spend time understanding a company's unique challenges. Do you have a solution? You'll use your research, critical analysis, and communication skills to produce a stimulating report. You may even design and make a protype to complement your findings. You'll also pursue a detailed inquiry into an aspect of design culture that fascinates you. You'll examine it from a historical, economic, and technical viewpoint to write a powerful essay. We'll teach you how to communicate a visual identity. To develop your brand. We'll help you to graduate with a professional portfolio. You'll have the chance to enter your portfolio in the prestigious Graduate Fashion Week held at the Truman Brewery in London. One of our 2020 graduates did just that and became a finalist for the Digital Fashion Communication Portfolio Award. We'll give you lots of opportunities to prove you've got what it takes.  

Your main campus is College Lane  

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you'll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.  

Tawajihiya with 70% or above. High School Diploma with a minimum overall average of 3.0, 2 Advanced Placement (AP) with a minimum score of 3.0

Apply via UCAS

All applications for undergraduate university degree courses are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Typically, they must submit their application to UCAS by 15 January deadline to give them the best possible chance of securing a place at their preferred university. For further details, look up the key UCAS dates so you are aware of what you have to do when.

They can choose up to 5 courses to apply for. These can be at one university or spread across different institutions. The same application is used for the 5 choices so selecting similar topics will make it easier to write a focused submission.

Completing the UCAS application

If you have questions on how to apply, you can talk to staff during a university open day visit.

The UCAS application is made online. Information required include:

1. personal details and information about support requirements.
2. background details.
3. course and university choices.
4. education and qualifications overview.
5. employment details and experience.
6. personal statement.