Entry requirements
A minimum of 240 UCAS tariff points or equivalent qualification.

About the course
This unique course offers students who have a textile sensibility the opportunity to create both fabric and form. It remains the only dedicated pure fashion knitwear course, developed for students interested in both fashion and knitted textile fabrications. This specialism offers students an opportunity to develop an exciting and innovative approach to fabric design, whilst being in control of the whole process through to the final product. Students work towards fashion knitwear garments or products and have an opportunity to incorporate wovens to support their ideas. Individuality is the key, with some students taking a strong direction from fabric whilst others take their lead from product shape. As a specialism, students are offered the opportunity to gain an insight into a specific strand of the creative design industry which is challenging and allows for the development of core design skills, but also enables graduates to enter into broad areas of the industry. With strong industry links it offers students an opportunity to learn about their craft in an industrial context, with placements abroad in the US and in the UK.

Applicants are not required to have any machine knitting experience, but are required to show an interest in construction, 2D/3D manipulation, use of colour, plus have a strong awareness of fashion. Students are required to demonstrate an ability to communicate with confidence and to express individual concepts with innovation and creativity.

The course offers students practical and theoretical experience; industrial projects; well-equipped workshops and access to essential materials; computerised technology; studio space; modern, purpose-designed buildings; up-to-date library and resource facilities; professional and creative staff; placement support; international student exchange; optional overseas study visit.

Year 1
Introduces students to the skills required to build a critical design base. Students gain confidence in the process of knitting through a series of textile and fashion design workshops. This learning framework then develops to include machine knitting, pattern cutting, garment manufacture, styling and imaging and IT. Other Design and Visual culture modules focus on contemporary design issues such as Modernism and Post Modernism.

Year 2
Introduces the subject within the context of industry and commerce: modules include knitwear production, computer-aided design (CAD), team working, designing for specific markets. Design modules in Year Two also incorporate innovation and experimentation. A specific portfolio module is provided to prepare students for impending placement interviews. The Design and Visual Culture course began in Year One is developed through Year Two.

Placement Year
This is an important feature of the course, with students expected to complete a minimum of 30 weeks with one or more companies, nationally or internationally. The School has a placement office and actively supports students in securing paid placements. Students benefit from practical work experience, which puts into context the skills learned on the course. It is an excellent opportunity to make contacts, and many students who graduate go on to work for placement employers. Paid placement opportunities exist in both the UK and the USA. Students benefit from an opportunity to engage with industry and to enhance their CVs. It is an opportunity to network, make contacts and have a taster of lively areas of the industry which the student wishes to ultimately enter.

Year 4
At final year, students have an opportunity to engage in personal and in-depth enquiry through individually negotiated briefs and external projects. Portfolio developments are part of the central focus of the final year and afford students the opportunity to develop a creative response through traditional and new technology methods including CAD and digital imagery, resulting in challenging 2D concepts. Students work towards a final year fashion experience of catwalk/exhibition and have an opportunity to develop a personal design philosophy in the form of 2D and 3D designs. This usually results in a fashion collection, that includes both knitted and woven elements. Alongside the practical design experience, students complete a Design and Visual Culture dissertation which again is personally negotiated and encourages the student to engage with contemporary design or popular culture issues.

Assessment
The course is expressed as a series of modules, which are continuously assessed through the presentation of project work and written work. All assessment is in a form appropriate to the nature of the study undertaken and all modules have clear assessment methods and criteria.

Special features
The knitwear course has strong industrial links, both in terms of student projects, for live external exposure, as well as international contacts, offering overseas opportunities for educational exchange as well as industrial placements. Currently within the portfolio, opportunities exist in the USA and Hong Kong.

Study abroad options
We currently run an exchange scheme with the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. However, the scheme is only available to a limited number of students through interview during Year One.

Your future career
Graduates work mainly as designers and design managers at all levels of the market nationally and internationally. Other possibilities include buying, colour prediction consultants, fashion stylists, yarn developers and CAD/CAM designers. Some graduates continue to postgraduate courses.

Application and selection
Selection is through application form and, where invited, interview and portfolio. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the School during the publicised open days.

For further information please contact artanddesign@ntu.ac.uk.

Other fashion and arts related courses at Nottingham Trent University: