Fashion, Brand and Communication BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
female smiling while overlooking a sewing fabric book

This course is for students who are interested in the diverse and ever-expanding field of fashion media. It is designed to develop innovative, informed, responsible writers, communicators and promoters, central to the fashion industry's future.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

W23M

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

The course supports you to explore how fashion is communicated, promoted and represented creatively via different media, through a curriculum which will include photography, fashion illustration, graphics and branding, trends, styling, public relations, fashion film, fashion show production, set and installation design and the creative use of new digital platforms.

  • This course shares a common first year with both BA (Hons) Fashion and BA (Hons) International Fashion Business, which enables you to work alongside students studying similar courses to you. This offers you, as a communicator, first-hand insight into fashion design in the making.
  • This course aims to relate all aspects to current professional and critical practice in the fashion industry.
  • The interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum is designed to provide a microcosm of the professional fashion world.
A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • This course benefits from being taught alongside our BA (Hons) Fashion and BA (Hons) International Fashion Business courses, with all three courses sharing a common first year. As a suite, these three courses offer insight and introduction to the evolving fashion industry in its broadest sense. Students working within any of the three courses will have the opportunity to work alongside other students, providing a more well-rounded experience.
  • The BA (Hons) Fashion, Brand and Communication course is a hands-on creative course. With theory embedded throughout module activities, the work you will undertake will be creative in its content and approach. You will work towards a creative portfolio demonstrating your skills as an innovative and directional practitioner who is able to do more than write about a topic- you can apply your knowledge to creative solutions.
  • Outstanding creative spaces in our purpose-built Delia Derbyshire building offer space and light along with industry standard equipment and technologies4. You will work in a range of scales, materials and processes. You will be encouraged to develop and apply both 2D and 3D techniques and will apply both analogue (traditional) and digital (new technology) approaches to ensure you develop your individual creative identity and ways of working relevant to current and emerging creative sector standards.
  • You will be introduced to future proof interpretations of communication and will have the opportunity to develop work beyond a digital portfolio. You will be encouraged to seek opportunities for communication in a range of products, campaigns, and media- offering you potential to create a truly individual body of work ready to pursue your graduate goals.
  • This course, along with others in the suite of Fashion courses is highly internationally focused. You can benefit from a wealth of international experience established by the course founders; who are passionate about ensuring global collaboration and industry readiness and who seek opportunities to develop solid international awareness and experience where possible. Themes included within course modules embrace this global approach and you are encouraged to consider diverse perspectives and references from the start of the course2.

Learn more about Graduate Fashion week which attracts Industry and International audiences from across the world2. Find out more here


What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.  

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, so upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements). 

Common first year courses 

  • Fashion BA (Hons)
  • International Fashion Business (BA Hons)

In your first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

In your second year you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your: 

  • technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge
  • study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner
  • professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career
  • global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen.

You will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: fashion communication, promotional practice, and critical fashion, amongst others. 

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. 

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement. 

Modules

Your third year aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor. 

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Teaching and learning mirrors the needs of the creative industries with the aim of ensuring that our graduates are equipped with the skills and attributes to become Industry specialists, leaders and innovators to drive social responsibility and design global change.

Our studio and workshop culture ensures you are socially responsible in our creative community and develop critical thinking in research and ‘make’ processes. This course aims to give you skills to become collaborative communicators and make you culturally competent in the ever-changing world of art or design.

As the creative arena is an ever-evolving space, being curious and adaptable learners is key to our school’s graduates. You will learn how to recognise your strengths and learning needs, how to self-reflect and grow. You will identify your personal development and drive your projects for ambitious career aspirations 


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

You will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. We design our assessment methods to replicate the creative industry ways of working. This ensures that you have the chance to learn skills for future career opportunities.

Assessment methods may include:

  • reports
  • practical coursework
  • presentations
  • individual assignments
  • group work elements.

International experience opportunities

Throughout the course a range of optional study visits will be offered both in the UK and internationally where it is safe and feasible to do so. Past visits undertaken by courses within the fashion suite have included Paris- to attend Premiere Vision (the World’s Premiere Textile Trade Fair), Berlin to attend Fashion Week and London to attend leading fashion exhibitions. Past visits were also arranged for students to undertake location fashion shoots and have included London, Bristol, The Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Weston-super-Mare2.

This course aims to prepare students to work in a global arena. There is a breadth of employment opportunities for graduates of fashion and fashion communication based courses.

Please note that all UK and international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed2.

This course offers an engaging approach to what Fashion Communication has the potential to be. It really encourages students to work creatively to solve real world problems, and communicate real perspectives in exciting and innovative ways which reflect their own creative identities, the needs of the fashion industry, and the changing market place- I only wish I was a student again myself!

Rebecca Ryder-Caddy, Assistant Professor: Academic & Senior Lecturer in Fashion, Brand and Communication, March 2022
students walking together in the city

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A level BBC
GCSE 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 29 points
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma. Plus GCSE English at grade 4 / C or above

Portfolio

You may be required to attend a portfolio showcase, activity session or audition or submit a portfolio via email (as is appropriate to your course), either virtually or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites for these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Portfolio

You may be required to attend a portfolio showcase, activity session or audition or submit a portfolio via email (as is appropriate to your course), either virtually or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites for these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£19,850 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Other additional costs

  • Any optional specialist supplies, such as materials, or equipment not supplied by the course.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

The Delia Derbyshire provides you with a range of facilities you may use either collaboratively with other students or on individual projects4.

These will include a hyper studio designed for cross-disciplinary projects; immersive studios with cutting-edge virtual reality and mixed-reality technologies. Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities in a unique environment. 

Our current digital and industrial workshops are of industry-standard quality and house 3D rapid prototyping, laser cutters and milling machines. These facilities4 are available to all students on our courses at no extra cost.

Student in fashion studio, working with fabric.

Fashion studios

You will have access to all kinds of industry-grade equipment for a range of textiles: from laser cutting, digital embroidery, sonic wielding and screen printing, to manufacturing tools for accessories, embroidery and garments.

Student with model of car.

Digital Design Workshop

Realise digital designs by using our range of milling machines, rapid prototyping and laser cutting machines.



Delia Derbyshire Building

Delia Derbyshire Building

The Delia Derbyshire complex offers more space to learn, design and make, including a hyper-studio for students across all disciplines to collaborate on projects together, a gallery space and an events atrium.


Careers and opportunities

Students on the course are expected to have ambitions within the creative sector and will be supported towards reaching their overall goals on the course.

In your first year, you may undertake in-house placements, expanding your network of contacts2. The Fashion Futures module directly supports your development here.

In your second year, you will work on a range of branded projects building industry relevant portfolios. Your Fashion Futures: Industry Ready module directly prepares you to apply for industry placements of interest, and to prepare for post-second year plans. The optional sandwich year2 is a real, focused opportunity to gain industry experience – this also helps refine your graduate goals and ensure you have a clear direction for your return to studies.

In your final year, you will develop an industry standard portfolio of work; applying skills gained throughout the course. Through the Fashion Futures: Graduate Ready module you’ll realise an industry facing promotional package demonstrating your employability.

Previous alumni from the suite of courses have undertaken placements at companies including Tatty Devine, Adidas, Karl Lagerfeld, Seraphine, Comptoir Des Cotonniers, Mary Katrantzou, Sainsbury’s TU, The Future Laboratory, Calvin Klein, Natori New York, POP Magazine, Arena Homme and magazine, Vogue, Iris Van Herpen, WGSN, Bottle Blonde, New Look, Burberry, Boden, George, Peter Jensen, Injury Hong Kong, The Fashion and Textile Museum and J Model Management, among others.

The suite of Fashion courses at Coventry University are geographically located in the golden fashion triangle of the UK. Home to the design hubs of the giant fashion retailers including, George, Next, Sainsbury’s TU, Morrisons Nutmeg, Murray and a plethora of independent fashion brands including Bottle Blonde, Alien Cow, Rosie Billington, Lumpy Coffee, (all Coventry University Fashion graduate start-ups).

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