Fashion, Brand and Communication BA (Hons)
Study level: Undergraduate
This course is for students who are interested in the diverse and ever-expanding field of fashion media and is designed to nurture students to become innovative, informed, responsible writers, communicators and promoters, central to the industry's future.
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Course code
W23M
Start date
September 2023
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.
- All aspects of the course relate to current professional and critical practice in the fashion industries.
- The interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum is designed to provide a microcosm of the professional fashion world.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why 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.
- You will be able to access the industry standard facilities in the newly refurbished Art and Design buildings, expected to open in 2023, enabling you to 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 way 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.
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)
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
The School of Art and Design 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
We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:
- On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
- Group work
- Self-directed learning
- Work placement opportunities2.
The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 10-12 contact hours per week in the third and final year as you become a more independent learner.
Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 15 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
You will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. In the School of Art & Design 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 and presentations as part of individual assignments or 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. Visits have also been 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.
This course offers an amazing and unprecedented 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!

Entry requirements
Haven't met the entry requirements or don’t have the right qualifications? You may still be able to progress onto a degree you’d love by studying a foundation course.
View our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,250 per year | Not available |
EU | £9,250 per year with EU support bursary** £19,850 per year without EU support bursary** |
Not available |
International | £19,850 per year | Not available |
If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will 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.
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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
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)
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.
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities is joining two of our school’s completely refurbished Art and Design buildings and adding a range of new facilities4.
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.
Fashion studios
You will have access 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.

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

Arts and Humanities Building
We are currently in the process of a major redevelopment of our Faculty of Arts and Humanities buildings. The building will be open to the public, as well as students, and will feature an expansive gallery space.
Careers and opportunities
Students on the course are expected to have ambitions within the creative sector and will be supported towards reaching their goals.
At level 4, you may undertake in-house placements, expanding your network of contacts. The Fashion Futures module directly supports your development here.
At level 5, 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.
At level 6, 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) this course is well placed to offer students and graduates accessible and regional industry experiences, as well as international opportunities2.
How to apply
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UK students
Full-time students applying to start in September 2023 can apply for this course through UCAS from 6 September 2022. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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International students
International codes:
AHU087Full-time students applying to start in September 2023 should apply directly to the university.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
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 permit 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.
4Facilities
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2023/24 contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
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