UCAS code: J420
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Edinburgh College of Art
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
We offer a rich exploration of textiles in their broadest sense for a range of contexts. You will be encouraged to take an experimental approach to materials and processes to produce innovative and contemporary design work. This may include textiles for fashion, interiors or alternative contexts for designs, exploring combinations of materials, texture, colour and pattern.
Textile students explore materials, colour, pattern, texture and image manipulation through a wide-ranging approach to drawing and personal research. You will be encouraged to embrace new technology and develop new ways of working, alongside the study of traditional textile techniques in both print and embroidery.
Cross-programme collaborations combined with industrial projects will help you to contextualise your place within the textile industry, offering you a rich and stimulating education and preparing you for future employment.
Textiles graduates from Edinburgh College of Art are renowned for their excellent drawing skills and clear understanding of the requirements of industry alongside an innovative and professional approach to the discipline. Integrated with the practical studio work, contextual and theoretical studies provide a sound understanding of the holistic nature of contemporary textile design.
You will be introduced to the theoretical and practical concepts of textile design, initially through a series of creative drawing projects, leading to more focused, textiles outcomes.
Projects will incorporate research and concept development, drawing, materials exploration, and technical skills workshops. As part of the School of Design, you will participate in interdisciplinary collaborations and classes that will help to expand your creative ability.
You will be able to take up to 60 credits of option courses, either within ECA, or across the wider College. These are subject to availability but offer the flexibility to construct a suite of courses that reflects your interests and enhances your main study.
Basic principles, theories, working practices and technical instruction will be covered at this level. You will gain confidence in your ability as a designer, by developing skills in drawing, research, embroidery, dye techniques and an introduction to silkscreen printing.
Collaborative opportunities across the School of Design and with external industry partners (where appropriate) will also help you to develop your specialism.
Again, you will be able to choose option courses, subject to availability.
Undertaking a series of design briefs you will develop personal research concepts and creative responses through industry-linked projects. You will continue to experiment and develop a range of relevant textiles techniques with a strong focus on the intended context for your design ideas.
You will develop approaches to professional presentation of your work, while building your CV to help secure internships within the field of textiles and design. You will be encouraged to take part in appropriate competitions and study visits and to work on live external projects.
Option courses are available from within the wider University and opportunities for study abroad help broaden an understanding of the discipline.
You will strengthen your ability to express creative ideas, techniques and aesthetics through your practical and theoretical work.
Live industry briefs and external competitions will complement the development of your personal research.
You will consolidate and refine your textile practice through the design and production of your final developed project. You will also have the opportunity to exhibit your work in the ECA Degree Show and at New Designers, London.
Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.
To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.
Design students benefit from studio-based learning at our Lauriston Place campus, along with the exhibitions and events associated with a vibrant art college. Option courses are usually taught outside the School across the wider university campus. You will also have access to the University's extensive libraries and computer facilities.
The University is investing in the ECA estate and facilities to further develop our flexible, stimulating, supportive and sustainable learning and research environment for students and staff.
Further information is available on the ECA website.
Facilities and resources at ECA
In consultation with students, we link our undergraduates with placement opportunities as a complementary activity to the main coursework in Year 3. We have excellent links with industry and ensure where possible that every student has this opportunity.
Study abroad is optional in Year 3.
Guaranteed study abroad funding for students required to complete a year abroad
The majority of design teaching and learning is through involvement in a range of experiential projects situated in a studio environment. Conceptual, material and technical issues are explored through seminars, workshops, lectures, tutorials and critiques.
Research, critical thinking and study of the visual, intellectual, social and professional contexts that shape creative design practice are regarded as essential to your development. This often involves participation in exhibitions, competitions, collaborations and live industry projects.
Formative assessment is continuous throughout the year, aiming to give you meaningful feedback and to encourage experimentation in the studio and beyond. Formative assessment for compulsory courses is through a mix of verbal and written modes such as portfolio, presentations and essays.
There is a mid-session review, usually at the mid-point of any given course you study. Summative assessment at the end of all the courses you take is informed by your academic and creative progress and performance throughout.
Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.
To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.
Graduates go on to employment in a wide range of careers across the creative industries. These include disciplines more traditionally associated with textiles, such as fashion-related and interiors-related careers, as well as careers in illustration, graphics and even architecture.
The typical offer is likely to be:
Applicants will be asked to submit a digital mini-portfolio to provide evidence of artistic aptitude and potential, this will form an important part of the selection process. The deadline for mini-portfolio submission is 12:00 noon GMT on Tuesday 30 January 2018 and late mini-portfolio submissions will not be accepted. (Revised 11/09/2017 to provide more accurate information.)
Applicants studying Pearson BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design will be considered for entry with the following:
Applicants studying the University of the Arts London Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design will be considered with Merit. (Revised 16/08/2017 to provide more accurate information.)
Find out more about entry requirements
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.
Entry to the second year is available. Successful completion of a Foundation Diploma (at Merit Grade), a relevant HND or equivalent is required. Applicants will normally be expected to have undertaken these qualifications in addition to having met the minimum entry requirements (Highers, A Levels, IB etc). In some of our less competitive programmes it may be possible to consider applicants presenting ABC (or equivalent) or above at A-level. These grades must have been achieved in a single first sitting.
You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.
If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:
About English language requirements
For SQA and GCSE students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.
It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.
Please note that some programmes do not have Unistats data available.
There are likely to be additional costs for materials.
In addition, some programmes offer study trips and individual field-based projects. You will usually be required to cover accommodation, subsistence and travel costs.
Your actual contribution will depend on the programme and courses you select and on the nature of each trip: * Year 1: £99.00 * Year 2: £222 * Year 3: £230 * Year 4: £317 plus £350 for the New Designer Show London
For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.
