Fashion, Marketing and Communication with Foundation Year

This course will help you develop fashion design skills, and expand your knowledge of key business aspects through a combination of creative and practical study. 

The core purpose of fashion marketing is to supply, disseminate and manage information regarding a brand, company or individual to the public and press.

The course is for anyone wishing to be both creative and strategic. It will help you develop fashion design skills, and expand your knowledge of key business aspects through a combination of creative and practical study. It is designed for those who want to learn about the business of fashion but have a desire to design and make. Ultimately, this course is for anyone wishing to pursue a fashion marketing career.

You'll gain a valuable insight into the commercial elements of the fashion sector, from an integrated perspective encapsulating emerging fashion design and marketing concepts. This new programme of study incorporates expertise from the BA (Hons) Fashion  programme, creating an integrated programme of study encouraging 'bespoke' approaches to personal study. 

In year one you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of fashion design practice and market sensing, for the ready-to-wear market. In year two there is a greater emphasis on the commercial world, with a focus on branding and influencing. You will also be encouraged to participate in national and international competitions – several of our recent students have won national competitions over the past few years. 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. Modules dedicated to business and entrepreneurship correctly position these activities with a commercial context.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Employable graduates – we’re ranked 15th highest amongst all UK universities and 12th for English institutions with 96% of graduates in work or further study within six months of completing their degree: HESA 2016. The course incorporates enterprise and entrepreneurship providing essential support for individuals wishing to start up a business.

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.