Fashion with Foundation Year

You'll have excellent placement opportunities at companies such as Asos, Alexander McQueen, Puma, Temperley, Aitor Throup, and more.

You'll have the opportunity to exhibit your final collection and your portfolios at the graduate fashion show. Students are given the opportunity to participate in competitions too. Recent successes from Fashion students include Olivia Noble winning the David Nieper Scholarship Award 2019, Freya Whittaker, winner of the Fashanne Design Award 2018, Sarah Woodward was Midlands Emerging Designer winner 2015 and Nicole Wells won St Andrews Young Designer in 2015. We also successfully collaborate with industry to enhance the curriculum with cutting edge learning environments.

In year one you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of fashion design practice for the ready-to-wear market. In year two there is a greater emphasis on the commercial world. Independent study, throughout year three, provides a unique opportunity for you to advance your thinking and practice, through a self-managed process of risk taking, experimentation and resolution. Contextual Studies and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) runs consistently through all years, aimed at giving you a positive advantage within the fashion industries. As you develop your profile as a creative individual, you’ll experiment with ideas and techniques, working with increased independence.

You will study at our Chandos Pole Street building, a purpose built learning environment where you will have access to new specialist Fashion and Textiles facilities. These include light and airy studio spaces as well as industry-standard equipment and design facilities. 

We encourage all second years to take a work placement in industry, which will also give you an additional qualification - the Diploma in Professional Practice. Placements are sometimes hard work but give you fantastic experience and are deeply rewarding. We have previously had students placed at a wide variety of companies including, Marks & Spencer, Temperley London, Erdem, Mother of Pearl, Preen, Aitor Throup, Tommy Hilfiger and Roksanda, amongst others.

Students applying from one of the University of Derby's Partner Schools or Colleges are guaranteed a place or interview, if students meet the minimum entry criteria for their chosen course and apply by the January deadline date.

Student success at Graduate Fashion Week 2025

Graduate Fashion Week is the pinnacle of graduate fashion success. Housed in London's The Truman Brewery, the mixture of catwalk shows, talks and exhibitions, showcases the best in new fashion talent and is presented by Debenhams. 2025 student successes were; Mara Boll, Winner in the Collective Catwalk Show and Shortlisted for The Graduate Fashion Week x Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial Runway Show as well as Michael Hothersall, Shortlisted for The Graduate Fashion Week x Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial Runway Show.

On behalf of the Fashion teaching team, Senior Lecturer for BA (Hons) Fashion, Fiona Hawthorne, said: "The annual event is always exciting and provides an opportunity for our students to showcase their work at the highest level ready for entering the industry and employment. This year was just amazing to have two of our students shortlisted in two of the main categories. The competition each year is fierce and seeing the ‘best of the best’ fashion students pitch their ideas and showcase their collections to industry professionals is always nerve racking for both the students and university staff teams as you can never predict the outcome. It was a great moment to be recognised through Mara and Michael, to put Fashion at Derby on the map and the confirmation that we need to keep doing what we’re doing – we are so proud ‘Congratulations’ Mara & Michael." 

Mara's collection, Relaxed MR(S). Cooper, was inspired by 1930s fashion, architecture and furniture design in particular highlighting German Bauhaus. An important aspect of this collection is the juxtaposing of feminine and masculine connotations, by including those into a contemporary collection that keeps the integrity of the cutting, fabric, colour, and attention to detail by maintaining the important minimalist aesthetic. Here's what Mara had to say about the experience: 

"An intense and memorable year at the University of Derby culminated in an exciting and emotional weekend at Graduate Fashion Week in London. After completing the first two years of my degree in Vienna, I was very excited to spend my final year at the University of Derby, and my expectations were exceeded. I was immediately welcomed by my lecturers and peers and really enjoyed my final year at university. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to represent the University of Derby at this year's Graduate Fashion Week in London. Many thanks to my lecturers who have given me such great support over the past year and prepared me for this event, as well as to everyone involved in Graduate Fashion Week who made this great event possible." 

Michael's shortlisting as a candidate for the GFW x Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial Runway Show has given him a sense of validation and encouragement as he starts his career in fashion. Here's what Michael had to say about the experience and studying Fashion at Derby:   

"Being shortlisted meant so much to me because it was a recognition of the hard work, creativity, and countless hours I poured into my collection. It is a moment I will always be proud of and grateful for. My collection was based more on the concept of tarot and the meanings. I enjoyed playing with pattern making and manipulation techniques and I felt I showcased this quite well. I originated from a medical background and had taken a year in Forensic Science, as I then took a risk and decided to join Fashion Design instead which was entirely new to me, and I had to start from scratch. The lecturers have been very supportive along the way as I have expanded my knowledge and skills, and more importantly my confidence and social skills."

*Lucy Taylor with her collection ‘Convergence’ Photo by Beth Winsor from Cameo Lab Fine Art Photography

In the below video, Johanna reflects on her experience as an international student studying Fashion at Derby and the inspiration behind her final menswear collection:

Recent successes

You'll have the opportunity to exhibit your final collection and your portfolios at the graduate fashion show at Chandos Pole Street and participate in competitions. Recent successes include:

• Mara Boll: Winner in the Collective Show and Shortlisted for The Graduate Fashion Week x Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial Runway Show (2025) 
• Michael Hothersall: Shortlisted for The Graduate Fashion Week x Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial Runway Show (2025) 
• Marina Mendes: Winning collection from the University of Derby and Hertfordshire University Joint Catwalk Show at The Graduate Fashion Week 2022 along with Lydia Strickler being awarded highly commended from the same show. Both collections joined the 'Best of GFW22 Collections' and Marina Mendes was also named as one of the new innovative designers to watch by The Guardian in a review of Graduate Fashion Week 2022 
• Anika Vo: Winner of the Menswear Design category at the FASHANNE Fashion Designers of the Future Awards (2021)
• Parasto Qalandari: Winner of the Womenswear Design category at the FASHANNE Fashion Designers of the Future Awards (2021)
• Dominica Buonasorte: Winner of the Sustainability category at the FASHANNE Fashion Designers of the Future Awards (2021)
• Sofie Nikl: Winner of the Commercial Design category at the FASHANNE Fashion Designers of the Future Awards (2021)

We also successfully collaborate with industry to enhance the curriculum with cutting edge learning environments.

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

Take a look at highlights from the Fashion Show...

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You'll be taught by a variety of learning and teaching methods which include: problem solving, reflective practice, analysis of given problem with synthesis of solution, portfolio building, group work, the use of influences files, report writing, group critiques, negotiated learning, presentation and demonstration. 

Assessment is 100% coursework based including practical production and oral presentation work, along with written assignments. In the final year, you’ll have the opportunity to write an extended essay on a subject of your choice and work on self-negotiated and independent creative projects.

The programme makes use of field trips in a number of ways to inform and inspire students. Putting students in direct contact with significant cultural and commercial organisations and events, expands learning and understanding of the fashion world. Placements play a key role here too and in addition, create opportunities for students to network.

The programme regularly invites guests from industry to make a contribution to student learning. Guests from industry come in to deliver lectures, participate in tutorials and deliver external projects to students on a regular basis each academic year. 

A viewing of ERDEM 'Imaginary Conversations'

In 2024, Fashion students visited Chatsworth House to view the ERDEM Exhibition 'Imaginary Conversations'. 

This exhibition celebrated the image and legacy of the late dowager Duchess Deborah Devonshire and the Devonshire Collections through the Spring Summer 2024 collection of fashion designer Erdem Moralioĝlu MBE. Students were given an insight into the craftsmanship and tools used to create the collection which translated Duchess Deborah Devonshire's legacy into contemporary fashion. Find out more about student and graduate opportunities through the University of Derby's strategic partnership, which includes The Chatsworth House Trust.

"My favourite part of the exhibition was the insight given into Erdem's narrative development that ran in alignment to creating his garments. It was really interesting to see how he applied rather personal features of Duchess Deborah's life to the garments themselves. I could see the cohesion between each piece but also feel the emotion drilled into the designs. I also loved the experience of seeing the garments and fabric selections in person. I look forward to printmaking due to my love of painting and hopes of applying this to fashion, and Erdem has modelled how that is possible. Along with other textual details like the embroidery and brooches which emanate a sense of attention to detail. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition and found it very insightful to the role of fashion designer."

Erin Higgins, Fashion student

Our graduates have gone on to careers in fashion design, textile design for fashion or interiors, knitwear, sportswear and accessories design, fashion forecasting, illustration, PR, marketing, media, buying and merchandising, photographic styling... and lots more.

You'll get lots of opportunities to showcase your work and get yourself noticed. Some of our students took a collection to London Alternative Fashion Week.

You could also go on to study our MA/MDes Design.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. You may be given the opportunity, within your offer letter, to submit a portfolio. If you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.

Additional entry requirements

• Portfolio: Recommended - view portfolio details

*This is the fee for the Foundation Year. Subsequent UK fees are £9,535 per year. Subsequent International fees are £17,500 per year.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.