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A group of students wearing aprons are leaning on a studio table working with pieces of tracing film. There are brightly coloured samples of fabric in the background. Image: Ben Shmulevitch
Undergraduate

Textiles - BA (Hons)

BA (Hons)

Features

4 years
Full-time
Study abroad
Placements

Outline

Colour, texture, pattern, form… our department continues to challenge what defines textiles as a discipline. With many different types of materials, applied to different surfaces, placed in different contexts, textiles has its place in fashion, buildings, science and even health and wellbeing.

What will you learn?

Initially, you will be introduced to techniques in the print room, dye lab and workshops. You will be taught silkscreen and digital printing, dye techniques, embroidery and drawing.

Research will help you understand the contexts in which textiles can be applied. The act of making - exploring materials, techniques, colour, image and tactile sensitivity - will encourage innovation beyond expectation.

Who will teach you?

Our enthusiastic staff have a broad range of expertise which includes print, embroidery, knit and weave as well as upholstery, jewellery and graphic design. This diverse mix of backgrounds adds to the richness of the teaching. Additionally, you will hear from guest lecturers from commercial industry, small businesses and specialists in, for example, web design. This will help put your learning in context.

Hear from our staff and students

Careers

Our graduates are employed as textile designers throughout the world and by leading brands, including Burberry, River Island, Cole and Sons and Pentland Design Group. Some also move into related fields, such as fashion, interior design, fine art and education.

Why you should choose this programme

1

You will develop a broad range of practical skills and a rich understanding of context and application.

2

You will engage with staff from a range of backgrounds who will get to know you as an individual and help you flourish in a close-knit environment where all of our students work in the same studio.

3

We have excellent links with industry, offering students the opportunity to work directly with designers from industry on live briefs and competitions.

4

You will have the opportunity to show your work in the ECA fashion show, group exhibitions and at New Designers in London.

5

You'll graduate with the skills to enter a wide range of related careers.

Opportunities

We actively promote collaboration. You will have the opportunity to design and make with others through projects with industry and with creative practitioners across ECA and the University of Edinburgh. You may, for example, work with fashion designers, interior designers, fine artists and performance costume designers.

You will have the opportunity to show your work in the ECA fashion show, group exhibitions and at New Designers in London.

As well as the option to study abroad in the 3rd year, we support studio placements for all our students, often in London design studios.

Widening Participation

ECA works with the University of Edinburgh Widening Participation (WP) team.

Widening Participation for undergraduates at the University of Edinburgh

Find out about Access to Creative Education in Scotland (ACES), a Widening Participation programme for eligible S4 to S6 students at state secondary schools in the south-east of Scotland.

ACES website

How to apply and entry requirements

If you'd like to study on an undergraduate programme at Edinburgh College of Art, you must apply through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. You can find out how to do this on the University of Edinburgh Degree Finder, where you'll also be able to

  • see the structure of the programme and what you will study each year
  • see detailed entrance requirements for each programme on the Degree Finder
  • get information on what to expect after you apply
  • find out about fees
  • find out where to go for further advice and guidance.

If you have any questions about the application process, your qualifications or deadlines, our Undergraduate Admissions Office will be happy to help you.

Email the Undergraduate Admissions Office: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk

Portfolio guidance

You can find information and guidance about submitting a portfolio for entry in 2025 on our undergraduate portfolio guidance page. 

Undergraduate portfolio guidance | Edinburgh College of Art

Get in touch

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office

futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
+44 (0)131 650 3565

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