| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Foundation Degree in Textiles Practice at Bradford College is a part-time, four-year program designed for individuals aspiring to develop professional skills in textile art and design. It focuses on enhancing technical abilities in mixed media, stitch, and constructed textiles, alongside fostering original design development through research and experimentation. Successful graduates can pursue further studies or careers in textile art, craft, education, or design.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Foundation Degree in Textiles Practice at Bradford College is designed for individuals aiming to develop professional skills in textile art, contemporary craft, and designer-made products. The program focuses on enhancing technical skills in mixed media, stitch, and constructed textiles, alongside research, idea generation, and original design development. It explores the connections between historical and contemporary textile practices through guided research and individual work. The part-time structure caters to non-traditional learners and those needing flexible study options. Student testimonials highlight exceeding expectations in learning and achievement, along with positive feedback on experimentation with techniques and confidence building. An external examiner report (2021) praised the exceptional learning and teaching. The program leverages the Bradford College Textile Archive for teaching and research, and benefits from industry links (Bradford Textile Society, local art networks) providing industry talks and activities. Students have access to a dedicated textile print room, handweaving looms, printmaking facilities, sewing machines, digital suites, and a yarn store. The program aims to develop both practical skills and the theoretical knowledge to apply those techniques.
Outline:
The program is a part-time, four-year Foundation Degree.
Assessment:
Assessment tasks are aligned with module learning outcomes and completed by the module's end. Assessments primarily involve coursework based on project briefs, potentially including: research files, sketchbooks, visual journals, illustrated reports, textile sampling, finished products, verbal and visual presentations, exhibitions, or portfolios. Formative assessment occurs throughout the course via one-to-one tutorials, peer review in group critiques, and does not contribute to the final grade.
Teaching:
Teaching methods include group critiques, seminars, group presentations, lectures, workshop inductions, practical demonstrations, and hands-on practical activities. The curriculum incorporates external study visits, trips, and visiting speakers who are practicing artists. These speakers contribute project briefs and tutorials, offering live briefs for creative projects. Online tutorial support is provided, encouraging experimentation with colors and materials. The course design considers diverse artistic and skill backgrounds, and all tutors are exhibiting textile artists.
Careers:
Successful completion allows application to degree-level study, potentially within the Art School's Arts and Media programs. Graduates pursue further study (Masters, PGCE) and careers as textile artists, craft practitioners, archivists, teachers, and designers in greetings cards, textiles, and related industries. A separate section mentions that job holders in this unit group earn around £22,635/year or £11.12/hour with experience, with around 1224 people in Yorkshire and the Humber in this job and 48 vacancies expected that year. A Level 2 NVQ or GCSEs at grades A -C are usually needed for such jobs.
Other:
The Bradford College Textile Archive is used extensively for teaching and student research. Industry links with the Bradford Textile Society and local art networks provide industry-led talks and activities. Students have access to a dedicated textile print room, handweaving looms, printmaking facilities, sewing machines, digital suites, and a yarn store. Students value the Bradford School of Art community and its wider creative network.
HE Tuition: £3,500.00 per academic year Other Costs: You might need to invest in some art materials, depending on your previous experience. Optional: domestic sewing machine.
Bradford College is a major further and higher education institution in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, with a history dating back to 1832, when it was established as the Bradford Mechanics Institute. It serves around 25,000 students, offering a broad range of full-time and part-time courses at different levels, from introductory programs to postgraduate degrees.
Academic Offerings:
- Further Education: The college provides T-Levels, vocational qualifications, and apprenticeships, equipping students with hands-on skills for employment.
- Higher Education: With one of the largest higher education provisions among further education colleges in England, Bradford College offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as professional courses.
- Flexible Learning: Courses are available in various formats, including academic, professional, and vocational pathways, ensuring accessibility for school leavers, adult learners, and working professionals.
Facilities & Industry Connections:
- The college operates across six campuses, each designed to support career-focused learning with modern facilities tailored to industry standards.
- It collaborates with employers and industry partners to ensure that programs meet workforce demands, helping students gain practical skills and real-world experience.
- Students benefit from work placements, apprenticeships, and career development services, enhancing their employability in competitive job markets.
Community & Student Support:
- Bradford College is committed to inclusive education, supporting a diverse student body with personalized guidance, financial aid, and career counseling.
- It offers programs for adults returning to education, providing opportunities for career advancement or skill development.
With a strong reputation in further and higher education, Bradford College continues to empower students by offering career-driven courses, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong industry connections.
T Level qualifications are accepted, a T Level PASS with a minimum of a grade A -C (equates to 96 UCAS points). Non-standard applicants will be required to produce evidence of their ability to study at the Higher Education level. Short-course and relevant work experience may be taken into account. Non-standard applicants will be interviewed with a portfolio of work and may be required to complete a piece of written work as part of their application. Claims for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are welcomed by the College. Students should consult the admissions tutor if they wish to claim such recognition. We also consider individual applicants who can demonstrate relevant learning, work/voluntary experience, using our Recognition of Prior Learning process.
