UK students in textiles and fashion design
Check eligibility →BA (Hons) Sustainable Fashion Bachelor's degree at the University of Leeds
BA (Hons) Sustainable Fashion at University of Leeds. Sustainable Fashion at the University of Leeds brings together design skill and environmental responsibility, asking students to rethink how clothing is conceived, made and used at every stage of its life.
About this course
BA (Hons) Sustainable Fashion is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Leeds. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Engineering and technology graduates from this provider, 92% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 90% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Stronger evidence Published sample: 140. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 92% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 6 modules
- Fashion Lifecycle 1: Materials and ProcessCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces the concept of sustainable analysis via the early lifecycle stages of a product. By considering the sustainability issues of the manufacturing of textiles (raw materials, production processes, dyeing and finishing) the module builds on the programme themes for considering sustainability in terms of environment, society, business and culture. This module provides the technical foundation for understanding the full fashion lifecycle and important sustainability issues at eac
- Fashion Lifecycle 2: Products, Users, End of LifeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module extends the concept of sustainable analysis via the full lifecycle concept of a product introduced in Fashion Lifecycle 1. In this module the sustainability of fashion products and the industry is explored for the garment manufacturing, distribution, usage and end of life stages of the lifecycle. This module provides the technical foundation for understanding these stages of a fashion product and supports the programme themes of environment, society, business and culture.
- The Fashion IndustryCompulsory20 credits
Module details
You'll be introduced challenges and opportunities for sustainable fashion within the modern industry, focusing on how environment, society and business are intimately related. The module will provide you with a description of the key operations within the industry in terms of its structure, different sectors, business models, and the supply chain. As 80% of the environmental and social impacts of a product are 'locked in' during the product development process, you'll also explore this process a
- Colour Design and ApplicationOptional20 credits
- Creative ThinkingOptional20 credits
- Introduction to Photography (Digital)Optional20 credits
Year 2 9 modules
- Sustainable Product DevelopmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
You'll apply the knowledge and skills you have developed through the course to the development of the perfect sustainable product. You'll apply the core themes of environment, society, business and culture, and will employ the concepts and technologies to create a blueprint for sustainable fashion products. This module goes beyond simple product design by incorporating product development tools to create a detailed specification and to include analysis of the product to quantify the reduction in
- Green ProcessesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will review the environmental and social impacts of key processes involved in the conversion of raw materials into the finished product for fashion (clothing) products and then present new developments that can be used to minimise those impacts. New developments will be critically considered within the constraints of the business environment and the function of the product. Existing best practice and new innovative approaches to textile processes are included for raw materials, yarn
- Fashion Management Issues & StrategiesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
To create a new design idea and develop it into a successful new product, not only requires an understanding of the design process and the technology that can deliver that design, but also requires a broad understanding of the wider fashion industry. Supply chain dynamics, business strategy, costing structures and management theory are important components of industry, and particularly important for the fast moving and global fashion industry where consumer and society are powerful influences, a
- Design Studies: ExplorationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your research and analysis skills and show you how these can be used to tackle the complex challenges faced by society today. You'll learn how to apply a range of different research methods to explore the role design plays in our lives. This module will equip you with an understanding of how you can use design research to create positive change in the world and the confidence to put this knowledge into practice.
- Strategic Marketing for the Creative IndustriesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module explores the way in which consumer relevant products/services or enterprises are conceived, developed and marketed. The module considers the role of innovation in developing competitive advantage for an organisation. Market factors are explored and the tension between organisational objectives and market demand is discussed. The module concludes with the consideration of designing for the future. Key theories from contemporary design research fields, which may include subjects such a
- Digital PhotographyOptional20 credits
- Designing for ColourOptional20 credits
- Contemporary IllustrationOptional20 credits
- Collage CultureOptional20 credits
Year 3 8 modules
- Major Research ProjectCompulsory40 credits
Module details
As the culmination of the degree programme, this module provides students with the opportunity to investigate a topic of relevance to their programme of study or design more broadly. By conducting original research as part of the final-year project, students will demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge which is informed by the latest thinking in the discipline. While research will be conducted independently, students will be supervised by an academic member of staff.
- Fashion RevolutionsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module explores how the fashion industry is in a constant state of flux and how a number of external forces are driving the constant evolution of the industry. The forces driving change are categorised into three key themes; new technology, changes in consumer attitudes and behaviour and sustainability. These forces are explored and their impact will be considered in the context of their effect on the fashion industry, its mode of operation and how organisations react to these changes. This
- Sustainable Fashion Strategy and InnovationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module extends your understanding of sustainable fashion in terms of the triple bottom line (environmental, social and economic) by engaging you in a process of critical analysis for the industry. You'll be challenged to explore the industry objectively and to identify how the industry could or should be developing strategies to embrace environmental and social sustainability within ethical business models. This module studies new initiatives and cutting-edge approaches to sustainability to
- The Sustainable ProductCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module provides you with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have developed through the programme to the development of the perfect sustainable product. Through this process you will apply the core programme themes of environment, society, business and culture, and will employ the concepts and technologies to create a blueprint for sustainable fashion products. This module goes beyond simple product design by incorporating product development tools to create a detailed spe
- Contemporary AdvertisingOptional20 credits
- Collaborative Marketing and PromotionOptional20 credits
- Fashion Styling and PhotographyOptional20 credits
- Social DesignOptional20 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is structured to move students from grounding to independence. Early study covers core theory, giving students a shared understanding of fashion history, sustainability debates and design principles, alongside research & methods, which introduces the analytical and investigative skills needed to interrogate materials, processes and consumer behaviour critically rather than accepting industry norms at face value. This theoretical base is paired with applied practice, where students put design and construction skills into use on real or realistic briefs. As students progress, they can pursue specialist options, such as areas that let them focus on particular interests within sustainable fashion, before undertaking an independent project that allows for sustained, self-directed work on a topic of their choosing. Professional skills are woven through the course, preparing students for the practical realities of working in the fashion sector, from communicating ideas clearly to understanding how design decisions translate into industry practice.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely curious about clothing beyond how it looks, someone who wants to understand where materials come from, how garments are made, and what happens to them afterwards. It will appeal to students who enjoy both hands-on design work and critical thinking, and who are comfortable moving between a studio bench and a research question. If you like challenging assumptions, asking why things are done a certain way in an industry, and are motivated by the idea of contributing to change rather than simply following trends, you're likely to find the course engaging. Studying here will feel like a mix of creative experimentation and rigorous questioning: some weeks will be spent developing designs and prototypes, others analysing research or debating ethical and environmental issues in fashion. It suits students who are self-motivated enough to take ownership of an independent project, and who want their design instincts backed up by a genuine understanding of sustainability issues rather than surface-level awareness.
Careers & job market
Graduate outcomes data collected nationally, rather than specific to this course or university, gives a sense of what fashion and design-related study can lead to. Across comparable courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 80% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled. Nationally, 88% of students continue past their first year of study, an indicator of course engagement more broadly. On pay, national Graduate Outcomes and LEO data suggest starting salaries in the region of £29,000–£35,000 at 15 months, £26,775–£37,800 after three years, and £33,150–£46,800 after five years, these are national figures across the field, not guarantees tied to this specific course, and individual outcomes will vary depending on role, sector and location. Graduates of a sustainable fashion course could look towards areas such as garment design, textile development, sustainability consultancy or supply chain roles within the wider fashion and design industry, drawing on the combination of creative and analytical skills built throughout the degree.
University & format
The University of Leeds, founded in 1904, is a public, research-intensive institution and a member of the Russell Group. It holds a Silver award in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 for teaching quality and was. The BA (Hons) Sustainable Fashion (UCAS code W250) is a three-year, full-time degree taught in English, leading to a Bachelor's degree with Honours. Most accepted students previously held A-levels or equivalent, around 90% of recent entrants, typically with UCAS tariff scores between 160 and 175 points, though this reflects the profile of past entrants rather than a fixed requirement.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Optional placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code W250). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Leeds →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
students interested in strength and conditioning coaching
Check eligibility →students with business start-up ideas
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Engineering graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £32,000 | £30,000 – £36,000 | 140 |
| 3 years after | £31,000 | £27,000 – £37,000 | 465 |
| 5 years after | £38,500 | £32,500 – £48,000 | 485 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 140. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Engineering nationally
National figures for Engineering graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 140. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.
Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 57% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 11% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 325; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Engineering graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Engineering & manufacturing firms
- Automotive & aerospace
- Energy & utilities
- Defence & consultancies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Engineering graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
92% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £32,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 81% · in work or study 92% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Leeds
Engineering and technology across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around The University of Leeds
3,846 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Engineering right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Leeds from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Leeds; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Leeds’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Leeds and gov.uk before you apply.
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How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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