UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Fashion Design

Is this course for me?

Do you want to work in fashion design, textiles, costume, fashion styling, wardrobe assistant, merchandising or theatre prop-making? If so, this fashion diploma is for you! 

Equivalent to three A Levels, our Fashion & Textiles course is developed to teach you how to create visually captivating designs that bring fashion and performance to life. You’ll explore fashion and textile design, costume creation and theatrical prop-making, developing the skills to produce bold, innovative and engaging visual concepts for the runway, stage and screen.  

Whether you’re interested in designing for a fashion brand, working behind the scenes in theatre or creating iconic props and costumes for film and TV, this textiles diploma provides the essential skills to help you break into the industry. 

Study Overview

This fashion and textiles course equips you with industry-standard techniques and practical skills using professional workshops, studio and digital design software. You’ll be taught by experience industry professionals to develop your creative vision through: 

• Fashion and costume research – become competent researching the history of fashion and costume and how to use this to inspire your own designs 
• Fashion design and construction – learn how to design, pattern cut and construct unique garments, from concept to finished product  
• Costume design and construction – Understand and practice the specialist skills required in costume design, construction, embellishment and performance  
• Textile design – from initial ideas to final designs – tell a story through textile designs using a variety of mediums 
• Props for theatre & film – learn prop-making techniques for stage and screen productions 
• Digital design – build a portfolio of styling, branding and visual storytelling using Adobe Creative Cloud 
• Sustainability in fashion & costume – discover how to work as an ethical, environmentally conscious designer 

Through lectures, workshops, industry briefs and live projects, you’ll refine your craft in our specialist sewing, textile and prop-making workshops, photography studios and IT suites. 

Industry Experience & Enrichment 

We believe in hands-on experience, giving you the chance to: 

• Work on live industry briefs, designing costumes and props for theatrical productions and fashion editorials 
• Exhibit your work in professional showcases  
• Collaborate with industry professionals, gaining insight from guest speakers and theatre practitioners, including Chelmsford Theatre 
• Create your own professional website and brand identity to launch your career 

We also offer exciting field trips, with past experiences including: 

• Theatre shows, backstage and costume department tours 
• Harry Potter Studio Tour & cinema screenings 
• Visits to The Fashion & Textile Museum and The Victoria & Albert Museum 
• Leading London exhibitions and galleries 

Progression and Employment Opportunities

This course prepares you for a diverse range of careers in the fashion, costume, and creative industries, equipping you with highly sought-after skills. Whether you want to go straight into employment, start your own business or continue studying, you’ll have plenty of options, including: 

• Entry-level job roles, apprenticeships or freelance work in fashion design, costume design, theatre prop-making, styling, branding and digital marketing 
• Progressing to Level 4 in Creative Enterprise – delivered at Chelmsford College 
• UCAS-recognised qualification, enabling you to apply for BA degree courses in Fashion, Costume Design, Theatrical Arts, Creative Direction, Set & Prop Design and many more 

This course is your pathway into the world of fashion, theatre, and creative storytelling — are you ready to bring your vision to life?