Key Facts

BTEC Level 3 Fashion, Textiles and Costume

The National Diploma in Fashion, Textiles & Costume is a specialist course tailored to give students the opportunity to explore and develop their interest in working within one of the biggest global industries - Fashion Textiles and Costume design within the film & theatre industry.

Students will investigate and explore a broad range of industry - specific skills and techniques for design, 2D and 3D textiles, illustration, digital media, marketing, pattern drafting & construction and design history to ensure they gain an understanding of their potential within these specialist areas which could lead to further studies at university for a degree or entry to the industry.

This course is based at our new Fashion and Textile campus at the Creative Industries Centre in central Kingston. This facility benefits from a newly designed textile lab, pattern cutting and garment construction studio alongside industrial machinery and specialist digital media suites.

The National Diploma in Fashion, Textiles & Costume is a one year full-time course and is equivalent to 1.5 A-levels. The natural progression on successful completion is towards the second year for the Extended Diploma; the year two Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A-levels and a widely recognised qualification for entry to university.

We have an excellent track record of helping our students to secure university places for a range of degree courses not just within Fashion design, our recent graduates have gained offers from prestigious universities to study at degree level for:

BA (Hons) Fashion

BA (Hons) Costume Construction for Screen and Theatre

BA (Hons) Fashion Graphics

BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Brand Management

BA (Hons) Fashion Illustration

BA (Hons) Interior design

BA (Hons) Textiles

FdA (Foundation Degree) in Fashion and Textiles (Kingston College)

  • Entry Requirements


    We will invite you to a Meet the Tutor event where you will receive information, advice, and guidance about the course you have applied for. This will be an opportunity for you to gain valuable information about the course and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

    You will provide a copy of your last school report and / or a reference from an employer or relevant professional other this will include attendance. This is to ensure we can support to be able to achieve well on the course. Applicants with 85% or below attendance will have been deemed not to have met this criteria. All applicants are given an opportunity to discuss any evidence based mitigating circumstances that may have affected the reference / school report.

    A portfolio or example of your work to demonstrate that you have the appropriate level of skill required to succeed on the course. We love to see your creativity!

    4 x GCSE's at C/4 or above, or a Level 2 Certificate / Extended Certificate or above (at merit or above) in a relevant subject.

    You will have gained either English and/or maths at GCSE C/4 or above, or L2 Functional skills in English and/or maths.

    We are firmly committed to finding the right course for you to ensure you can flourish. Talk to us today if you have any concerns about the application process, we are here to help take you to the next level.

  • Course Content


    Students will learn:

    Fashion and Styling Design

    Textile Design

    Illustration

    Garment Construction and Pattern Cutting

    Visual Studies/Communication

    Marketing

    Digital Design

    Costume Design

    Design History

    Progression Studies

    Work is selected for our Fashion Show in June. There are visits to London galleries, museums and other locations.

  • Progression Next Steps


    The National Diploma in Fashion, Textiles & Costume is a one year full-time course and is equivalent to 1.5 A-levels. The natural progression on successful completion is towards the second year for the Extended Diploma; the year two Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A-levels and a widely recognised qualification for entry to university.

    There are lots of opportunities available to you to progress across the South Thames Colleges Group and into the world beyond education.

    During your time with us you will have access to a dedicated team of careers and education advisors who will help you as you take the next steps towards achieving your goals.

  • Additional Information


    Some materials are provided; however, students are expected to provide their own specialist equipment. A materials list is provided during enrolment. There will also be occasional trips to exhibitions, which will incur some extra cost.

    Special contact: Anita Wan, Programme Leader for Fashion, Textile & Costume, email direct to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.