UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice (Fashion & Textiles) Study Mode: Full Time | Course Level: Level 3
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice (Fashion & Textiles)
Where will this course lead?
Studying UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Fashion and Textiles can lead to a wide range of opportunities within the fashion, textiles, design, and creative industries. The course helps you develop skills in fashion and textiles design, garment construction, a variety of textile techniques, trend forecasting, and creative problem-solving, while building a professional portfolio that showcases your individual style and abilities. After completing the qualification, you can progress to higher education courses in fashion design, textile design, costume design, fashion communication, buying and merchandising, or related creative subjects. It can also provide pathways into careers such as fashion designer, textile designer/artist, stylist, costume maker, fashion buyer, visual merchandiser, or creative entrepreneur. The course equips you with the practical, technical, and creative skills needed to succeed in a fast-paced and innovative industry
What will I study?
On the UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Fashion and Textiles course, you will explore a diverse range of creative disciplines, developing both practical skills and conceptual thinking through experimentation and project-based learning. You will study techniques such as drawing, painting, printing, and mixed media, alongside fashion and textile practices including fashion illustration, garment design, fabric manipulation, surface pattern, silk-screen printing, and stitch. The course encourages you to investigate contemporary and historical artists and designers, develop your own creative identity, and respond to briefs through research, idea generation, and critical evaluation. By building a strong portfolio of work, you will gain the skills, confidence, and experience needed to progress to higher education or careers within the creative industries.
How will this course be delivered?
The UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Fashion and Textiles course is delivered across 2 years through a combination of practical workshops, studio-based learning, creative projects, independent research, and one-to-one tutorials. You will develop your skills through hands-on experience in areas such as fashion design, garment construction, a variety of textile techniques, fabric manipulation, and surface decoration, using specialist equipment and processes. The course encourages experimentation, creativity, and problem-solving, with opportunities to respond to creative briefs and explore contemporary art, design, fashion and textile practices. Regular feedback sessions, group critiques, and portfolio reviews will support your development, helping you build a professional body of work that prepares you for progression to higher education or employment within the creative industries.
This two-year programme involves up to 24 hours of study per week over a maximum of four days. Alongside taught sessions, you will be expected to undertake independent study to support your practical projects, research, and reflective practice. Teaching typically takes place between 9:00am and 4:15pm; however, schedules may vary depending on the programme.
What qualifications will I get?
You will achieve a UAL Diploma or Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication specialising in Fashion and Textiles at pass, merit or distinction. The Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A levels and is a valid qualification to progress to higher education.
How will I be assessed?
You are assessed on your understanding and ability of working through the creative process. You will complete 3 units in year 1 and 3 in year 2. The course is completely assessed on coursework with no external exams, unless retaking GCSE Maths.
Each unit is delivered in an approximate 10-week project.
Units 1 and 2 in the first year (Diploma) are assessed on a pass-only basis. Unit 3 is the graded unit, where learners can achieve a Pass, Merit, or Distinction. In the second year (Extended Diploma), Units 4 and 5 are also assessed on a pass-only basis, while Unit 6 is the graded unit, allowing learners to achieve a Pass, Merit, or Distinction.
You will receive feedback after each assessment and will learn what grade you are working at and how to challenge and improve your work.
All work is assessed internally by a portfolio of practical and written/verbal evidence and are subject to UAL Awarding body's external quality assurance.
How do I get a place on the course?
You must complete an application form. Once your application has been registered you will be invited to attend an interview to determine your suitability for the subject and level.
Places on the course are offered following a successful interview where you must present a portfolio of your work and produce a positive reference.
Portfolios can be physical or digital sketchbooks, presentations or work photographed on your phone, but we are unable to offer places without a valid portfolio.
You will also be invited to attend a welcome day in late June, where you will have the opportunity to view an exhibition of current students work, meet the teaching team and other students who will be beginning the course in September.
What are the entry requirements?
At least 4 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, two of these must be in Art or Textiles and English language, or a Level 2 Diploma in Art and Design at a Merit grade or above with GCSE English Grade C/4
What else do I need to know?
Trips to galleries and various locations take place, which will be an additional cost. This should be paid upfront during induction weeks. There is an expectation to visit galleries independently and to work independently on your practical work and to keep up to date with research and reflection.
There is financial support available on the college website that can support with travel, equipment, food and trips. Please complete this as soon as possible upon gaining a place
We provide materials for workshops and a wide range of other resources, but any specific and specialist materials will need to be purchased by students. You will also need to provide any additional stationery which is required for your coursework.
Good levels of English and Maths are important for success on your course, your chosen vocation and life. English and Maths skills are embedded throughout your specialist pathway.
If you have not achieved a A*/9 - C/4 grade in Maths at GCSE, you will be working towards achieving that qualification alongside your fashion and textiles course.
If you have a learning difficulty or disability, please let us know when you apply. You will be offered support in your interview. If you need help completing your application, we assist with this too.
What can I do after this course?
After completing the qualification, you can progress to higher education courses in fashion design, a variety of textile design pathways, costume design, fashion communication, buying and merchandising, or related creative subjects. It can also provide pathways into careers such as fashion designer, textile designer/artist, stylist, costume maker, fashion/textiles buyer, visual merchandiser, or creative entrepreneur. The course equips you with the practical, technical, and creative skills needed to succeed in a fast-paced and innovative industry.
Blossomfield Campus
Sept-2026
Various
TBC
N/A for 16 to 18 Year Olds
CACAZ092BCF0
Full Time
Visual Merchandiser
Merchandisers and window dressers replenish stocks of goods in stores, advise retailers on the optimum display of merchandise and create displays of merchandise in shop windows.
What’s Involved?
Visual Merchandisers monitor stock movements, consider customer requirements and assist customers in completing orders. They supply information about the product to the retailer and sales staff and deal with customer enquiries. They consult with advertising and sales staff and advise retailers on the optimal display of a product and of any promotions. They also implement plans from display designers or display managers or develop ideas and plan for merchandise display or window dressing. They prepare area for new display, construct or assemble displays from a variety of materials, and dismantle existing displays and return merchandise to relevant departments. They provide feedback about displays to senior managers.Arts Director
Arts officers, producers and directors assume creative, financial and organisational responsibilities in the production and direction of television and radio programmes, films, stage presentations, content for other media, and the promotion and exhibition of other creative activities.
What’s Involved?
Art Officers/Producers/Directors choose writers, scripts, technical staff and performers, and assume overall responsibility for completion of project on time and within budget. They direct actors, designers, camera teams, sound crews and other production and technical staff to achieve desired effects. They break scripts into scenes and formulate a shooting schedule that will be most economical in terms of time, location and sets. They also prepare rehearsals and production schedules for main events, design of sets and costumes, technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals. They ensure necessary equipment, props, performers and technical staff are on set when required. They also manage health and safety issues. They select, contract, market and arrange for the presentation and/or distribution of performance, visual and heritage arts.Artist
Artists create artistic works using appropriate techniques, materials and media; design artwork and illustrations; and restore damaged pieces of art.
What’s Involved?
Independant Artists conceive and develop ideas and ways of working for artistic composition. They select appropriate materials, medium and method. They prepare sketches, scale drawings or colour schemes. They also build up compositions into finished work by carving, sculpting, etching, painting, engraving, drawing, etc. They approach managers of galleries and exhibitions in order to get finished work displayed. They use artistic skills to restore damaged artworks. They liaise with writers and publishers to produce book illustrations. They also market and sell finished work directly to customers. They produce work on commission basis for clients.Graphic Designer
Graphic designers use illustrative, sound, visual and multimedia techniques to convey a message for information, entertainment, advertising, promotion or publicity purposes, and create special visual effects and animations for computer games, film, interactive and other media.
What’s Involved?
Graphic Designers liaise with clients to clarify aims of project brief, discuss media, software and technology to be used, establish timetable for project and define budgetary constraints; They undertake research into project, consider previous related projects and compare costs of using different processes; They prepare sketches, scale drawings, models, colour schemes and other mock-ups to show clients and discuss any required alterations; They also prepare specifications and instructions for realisation of the project; They liaise with other parts of the production team to ensure graphic design fits with other elements, processes and timescales; They produce or oversee creation of the final product.Journalist
Jobholders in this unit group investigate and write up stories and features for broadcasting and for newspapers, magazines and other periodicals, evaluate and manage their style and content and oversee the editorial direction of these types of output and publication.
What’s Involved?
Journalists determine subject matter and undertake research by interviewing, attending public events, seeking out records, reviewing written work, attending film and stage performances etc. They write articles and features and submit draft manuscripts to newspaper, magazine, periodical or programme editor. They select material for broadcast or publication, check style, grammar, accuracy and legality of content and arrange for any necessary revisions. They also liaise with production staff in checking final proof copies immediately prior to printing.Fashion Designer
Product, clothing and related designers plan, direct and undertake the creation of designs for new industrial and commercial products, clothing and related fashion accessories, costumes and wigs, and for building interiors and stage sets.
What’s Involved?
A designer liaises with client to determine the purpose, cost, technical specification and potential uses/users of product; undertakes research to determine market trends, production requirements, availability of resources and formulates design concepts; prepares sketches, designs, patterns or prototypes for textiles, clothing, footwear, jewellery, fashion accessories, set props, wigs, ceramics, plastics, motor vehicles, domestic appliances and engineering products; prepares sketches, designs, mock-ups and storyboards; submits design to management, sales department or client for approval, communicates design rationale and makes any necessary alterations; specifies materials, production method and finish for aesthetic or functional effect, and oversees production of sample and/or finished product; observes and manages intellectual property issues.CAD Technician/Draughtsperson
CAD Technicians or Draughtspersons prepare technical drawings, plans, maps, charts and similar items.
What’s Involved?
A CAD Technician examines design specification to determine general requirements. They consider the suitability of different materials with regard to the dimensions and weight and calculate the likely fatigue, stresses, tolerances, bonds and threads. They prepare design drawings, plans or sketches and checks feasibility of construction and compliance with safety regulations. They prepare detailed drawings, plans, charts or maps that include natural features, desired surface finish, elevations, electrical circuitry and other details as required. They arrange for completed drawings to be reproduced for use as working drawings.
Shopkeeper
Shopkeepers and proprietors in this unit group co-ordinate, direct and undertake the activities in the running of small, independent retail and wholesale establishments.
