Fashion Design With Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom, Salford

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945

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Home/United Kingdom/Salford /University of Salford/Fashion Design With Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom , Salford

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

Course ID W228

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

Fashion Design With Foundation Year

About

Introduction

In a nutshell

The Foundation Year of this four-year programme aims to provide you with an understanding of the subject to allow you to progress on to the BA (Hons) Fashion Design course, which is ranked in the top 10 for Fashion and Textiles in the Guardian University Guide 2023.

The world of arts and media is changing at a phenomenal rate, and there has never been a better time to explore your creativity and the ways in which you can apply it to the world around you.

This Foundation Year provides the perfect opportunity for you to explore the key principles of art, design and media. The course is designed to help you develop your creative skills, it gives you a chance to build a larger portfolio, and provides a good transition period to familiarise yourself with the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology and life as a student at Salford. You will then be in a strong position to progress onto your chosen degree pathway.

This is a shared Foundation Year across Art, Design and Media disciplines, and will give you a collaborative environment to explore ideas, take creative risks and become confident independent learners. You will be joining a thriving and creative community.

Find out more by signing up to our upcoming Open Day, or if you have any general questions please contact course enquiries.

You can also find helpful FAQs, learn more about student life at Salford or explore all our Fashion courses. Continue reading to understand more about this BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Foundation Year course.

You will:

develop your creative skills and academic confidence
familiarise yourself with student life
prepare to study on one of our degree programmes

Placement

options available

This is for you if...

You have enthusiasm, passion and dedication for fashion

You are eager to develop your creative ideas and visual communication skills

You want to study in an environment where personal talent and individual potential are nurtured

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

What you need to know

This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.

By applying to this Foundation Year you are applying to a four-year programme - the shared Foundation Year, followed by a three-year art, design or media degree here at University of Salford. The Foundation Year is not a standalone qualification.

APPLICATION PROCESS

For your application, you’ll need to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements. This is a written piece (up to 4,000 characters) of your academic, professional/life experience and future goals.

As part of the selection process, you may be invited to submit an online portfolio of your work. You may then be invited for an interview with our tutors. If you are called for interview we will send you further guidance well in advance.

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.

A Levels

64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Arts & Design qualification preferred

T Levels

Pass: D or E in core subject.

UCAS tariff points

64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Art and Design qualification preferred

BTEC National Diploma

MPP including Art & Design

Scottish Highers

64 points including Art & Design

Irish Leaving Certificate

64 points including Art & Design

International Baccalaureate

24 points including Art & Design

European Baccalaureate

Pass Diploma with 60% overall (relevant subject)

Access to HE

Pass Level 3 Access to HE Diploma with 64 points (relevant subject)

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

How Much?

Type of study	Year	Fees
Full-time home	2025/26	£8,505.00 for Foundation Year and £9,535.00 for subsequent years.

Additional costs

Students should expect to pay their studio levy each year. Most undergraduate students will receive £150 per year from the Salford Inspire scheme which can be put towards your studio fee. In addition, in year three of study, students will also incur a cost to participate in shows.

Foundation Year students will not need to pay until they go into their first year.

First year costs: £150
Second year costs: £150
Third year costs: £350

For optional trips, you should expect to pay from £350 to £1,200. Costs are approximated based on the current academic year.

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

English Program Requirements

Equivalent qualifications

English language requirements are shown on individual course pages. Generally, this is shown as an IELTS grade, however we accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

As a general guide:

For undergraduate courses we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For postgraduate courses, we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For the International Foundation Year, we require IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum 4.0 in each component) in UKVI IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

The approved equivalent qualifications list includes the following:

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

University of Salford English language courses

Regional-based qualifications

Majority English Speaking Countries as deemed by UKVI

Medium of English Institutions

Applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK may require evidence of a Secure English Language test rather than an examination or qualification due to visa requirements, as deemed by the UK Government Home Office, Visa and Immigration (UKVI).

Career

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

Graduates entering the fashion industry work across a diverse range of careers – as designers, stylists, pattern cutters, buyers, visual merchandisers, illustrators and retailers. Many have set up their own labels. Recent graduates have found employment with companies such as Adidas, John Lewis, Levi's, Max Mara, New Balance, Puma, River Island, Topshop, Warehouse, Peter Pilotto, H&M, Superdry, Roland Mouret and many more.

A taste of what you could become

A Fashion designer

A Visual merchandiser

A Buyer

An Illustrator

and more...

Career Links

Students have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with a wide range of industry professionals. The valuable knowledge and experience that visiting speakers bring ensures that you are kept informed of the current changes and demands within the fashion industry.

You will benefit from hearing a professional perspective which complements your learning and development while providing inspiration and an acute awareness of the fashion world.

Our visiting speakers are a valuable asset to the course and help us to maintain our contemporary outlook. Recent guests have included the H&M design team; the director of Crane TV; Lee Lapthorne, creative director of Doll & On-Off; and London-based designer Justin Oh. These guest speakers were invited as part of a lecture series, workshop or live project.