AQA A Level

Why study Fashion and Textiles?

This course will appeal to students who have an interest in Fashion Design or Textiles, and who enjoy working in a creative and practical environment. Fashion and Textiles offers you the opportunity to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of these subjects and to develop your designing and making skills through a variety of practical activities.

This course provides a logical progression into a wide range of degree courses and careers that include Fashion Design, Styling, Clothing Manufacture, Marketing, Fashion Retailing, Textile Design, Costume Design and Interior Design.

What will I study?

This course encourages you to take a broad view of Fashion and Textiles. You will enjoy developing your understanding of the visual world, learning practical skills and responding to ideas and issues

in ways that are personal to you. You will study and work with a wide variety of fabrics and components used in the design and manufacture of fashion and textile outcomes. Practical activities will include sketching and designing techniques, pattern cutting, decorative techniques and product manufacture. These are all supported by critical evaluation and an awareness of contemporary and historical influences.

How will I study?

This is a practical course in which you learn by doing, so you will be able to create imaginative personal work. You will find out about a whole range of media, techniques and processes. You will develop your creativity and independent thought, learn to express yourself visually and let your imagination flourish.

Throughout Year 12 the emphasis will be on a series of workshops and projects designed to expand your knowledge and understanding of contemporary sources and historical styles, whilst exploring a wide range of practical techniques, processes and making skills.

In Year 13, you will conduct a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme, that is personal to you. You will further research, develop and refine your ideas and produce a final practical outcome. You will also have an externally assessed project set by the exam board that involves a 15 hour practical exam. 

How will my work be assessed?

This is a linear course with all assessment taking place at the end of Year 13.

In Component 1 you will develop work for a personal investigation into an idea, issue, concept or theme supported by written material. This will count for 60% of your total A-level marks.

In Component 2 you will produce personal work in response to one of eight exciting starting points which will count for 40% of your total A-level marks.

What are the entry requirements?

Art or Textiles GCSE Grade 6 or above