MRes Leadership and Strategy
The University of Greater Manchester offers a wide array of undergraduate and postgradu...
BA (Hons) Textiles and Surface Design
Bolton
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
This course nurtures creative vision and technical dexterity, guiding students in developing unique design aesthetics and market-aware textile solutions. It emphasizes experimentation, surface innovation, and the use of both digital and hand-crafted processes. Students engage with live briefs, trend forecasting, and surface design strategies while cultivating a critical understanding of the role of design in culture, sustainability, and industry.
Curriculum: The curriculum includes key modules in textile innovation, print and embroidery techniques, material manipulation, digital design, color theory, and surface embellishment. Students develop their own visual language through project-led learning, combining sketchbook research, studio experimentation, and industry feedback. Elective pathways may explore sustainable design, surface design for interiors, fashion applications, or interdisciplinary collaborations. The final year culminates in a professional portfolio and major design project, reflecting the student’s personal vision and career goals.
Research Focus: Research at the University of Greater Manchester drives innovation in sustainable materials, surface technologies, and design practices. The BA (Hons) Textiles and Surface Design program is shaped by faculty-led investigations into eco-conscious production, textile heritage, digital fabrication, and material futures. Students are encouraged to question conventions, engage in critical discourse, and contribute to ongoing research themes, positioning design as a tool for social and environmental change.
Industry Engagement: The program maintains robust connections with local and international design firms, textile studios, and manufacturing partners. Students benefit from industry-led workshops, guest lectures, live projects, and placement opportunities. These collaborations provide real-world insights and networking experiences that bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. Many graduates secure placements with major brands, design houses, or start their own creative enterprises.
Global Perspective: With an eye toward international trends and global design dialogues, the course fosters a culturally aware and globally competent approach to textile and surface design. Students explore how surface design is interpreted across different markets and traditions, supported by exchange programs, global competitions, and collaborative projects. This global perspective enhances their adaptability and positions them as forward-thinking professionals ready to navigate the evolving creative industries.
Location
Bolton
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 15950
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 59.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Greater Manchester offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence and assist students in pursuing their studies in the UK.
Global Futures Scholarships: The university provides the Global Futures Scholarships, which offer financial support to international students. These scholarships are available to both undergraduate and master's students holding an offer for full-time study on campus in Manchester.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Textiles and Surface Design program at the University of Greater Manchester develop a strong creative identity, technical proficiency, and an understanding of both artistic and commercial aspects of surface design. This well-rounded skill set opens doors to a variety of exciting career opportunities across the design, fashion, interiors, and manufacturing industries.
Textile Designer: Creating original designs for printed, woven, knitted, or embroidered fabrics used in fashion, interiors, or homeware, often combining traditional techniques with digital innovation.
Surface Pattern Designer: Specializing in repeat patterns and decorative designs applied to surfaces such as wallpaper, ceramics, stationery, or packaging, blending creativity with commercial awareness.
Interior Textiles Designer: Developing fabrics and surface treatments for interior applications such as upholstery, curtains, wall coverings, and soft furnishings, collaborating with interior brands and design studios.
Fashion Print Designer: Designing textile prints specifically for fashion garments and accessories, working with fashion houses, high-street retailers, or independent labels.
Trend Forecaster: Analyzing market trends, consumer behavior, and cultural shifts to predict future design directions, informing color palettes, materials, and aesthetics for upcoming seasons.
Textile Technologist: Working at the intersection of design and production, textile technologists focus on fabric innovation, performance testing, and sustainable material development in manufacturing contexts.
Freelance Designer or Illustrator: Many graduates pursue self-employment, offering services in textile design, surface illustration, or creative consultancy for global clients and creative agencies.
Product Designer (Surface Focus): Contributing to the development of consumer products such as homeware, furniture, or lifestyle items by enhancing surfaces with unique textures, finishes, and patterns.
Print and Embroidery Technician: Applying practical skills in studio or industrial settings, assisting in the creation, production, and sampling of printed and embroidered textiles for commercial or artistic use.
Creative Entrepreneur: Launching a personal brand, studio, or product line that showcases original textile and surface design work often blending craftsmanship with digital marketing and sustainable practices.
