Kingston uni fashion

Recently got an offer to study fashion at Kingston. I’m unable to attend an open day due to the distance and cost but was wondering if any current students can give me an insight into the course and what it involves. Just overall more detail about the course and experience there

Reply 1

Kingston Reps

Official Rep

15

Original post by Anonymous #1

Recently got an offer to study fashion at Kingston. I’m unable to attend an open day due to the distance and cost but was wondering if any current students can give me an insight into the course and what it involves. Just overall more detail about the course and experience there

Hi there @Anonymous #1,

I am a 2nd year BA Fashion student here at Kingston University! :smile:

Firstly, congratulations on receiving your offer to study fashion a Kingston! I would say that Kingston's BA fashion is a fast paced practical course training you to answer industry design briefs while exploring your own interests within the world of fashion. Compared to some other fashion courses within London, Kingston does not have specific pathways but instead allows you the flexibility in print, knit, menswear and womenswear. Hence everyone gets the same briefs and it is up to you how you want to interpret them!
I would describe the the first year as more creative and free, giving you opportunity to explore different mediums such as knit, print and styling. The second year is much faster paced, where you will be taught how to swiftly create commercially viable industry design projects within 4 weeks for companies (eg. GAP, Inditex...) while juggling a trouser and jacket make project. The final year is mainly focused on your dissertation and final collection where you can decide if you want to do womenswear, menswear, knitwear or print (or a mix of both)!

The greatest highlight for me would be the open access Workshops, from metal, wood, digital making, ceramics to print, Kingston's open access workshops allow for any student from any course to have the opportunity to use any medium!
Kingston is also implementing Future Skills programme within all of its courses. Within Fashion, this translates to additional self directed projects such as an accessory project that allows you to explore what good design means to you.

Here are some blog posts I have written in the past about my experience in Kingston that you may find helpful:
Life as Fashion Student 1st year - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7313370A Week in the life of Fashion Student 2nd Year - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7427535
Helping in the Graduate Show - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7333142
3D Workshop - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7338430
Knit Workshop - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7341074

Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any additional questions about the course or in general life in Kingston! :smile:

Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by Kingston Reps

Hi there @Anonymous #1,

I am a 2nd year BA Fashion student here at Kingston University! :smile:

Firstly, congratulations on receiving your offer to study fashion a Kingston! I would say that Kingston's BA fashion is a fast paced practical course training you to answer industry design briefs while exploring your own interests within the world of fashion. Compared to some other fashion courses within London, Kingston does not have specific pathways but instead allows you the flexibility in print, knit, menswear and womenswear. Hence everyone gets the same briefs and it is up to you how you want to interpret them!
I would describe the the first year as more creative and free, giving you opportunity to explore different mediums such as knit, print and styling. The second year is much faster paced, where you will be taught how to swiftly create commercially viable industry design projects within 4 weeks for companies (eg. GAP, Inditex...) while juggling a trouser and jacket make project. The final year is mainly focused on your dissertation and final collection where you can decide if you want to do womenswear, menswear, knitwear or print (or a mix of both)!

The greatest highlight for me would be the open access Workshops, from metal, wood, digital making, ceramics to print, Kingston's open access workshops allow for any student from any course to have the opportunity to use any medium!
Kingston is also implementing Future Skills programme within all of its courses. Within Fashion, this translates to additional self directed projects such as an accessory project that allows you to explore what good design means to you.

Here are some blog posts I have written in the past about my experience in Kingston that you may find helpful:
Life as Fashion Student 1st year - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7313370A Week in the life of Fashion Student 2nd Year - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7427535
Helping in the Graduate Show - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7333142
3D Workshop - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7338430
Knit Workshop - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7341074

Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any additional questions about the course or in general life in Kingston! :smile:

Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)

Hi, how is the studio space there and are there many studios? Are the studios big to work in? Does each year get their own space? How is the jump from a foundation year into the first year in terms of workload and settling in?

Reply 3

Kingston Reps

Official Rep

15

Original post by Anonymous

Hi, how is the studio space there and are there many studios? Are the studios big to work in? Does each year get their own space? How is the jump from a foundation year into the first year in terms of workload and settling in?

Hiya @Anonymous #1, regarding your question on Kingston's Fashion Studios, I would say design studio space is usually tight during teaching hours as all 3 years share the same set of studio space. Here at Kingston, we have 2 - 3 main studios used for pattern cutting and 4 other studio rooms for conducting tutorials. In addition to studio space, we also have our knit workshops and sewing workshops where technical workshops like sewing and machine knitting are conducted and machines are free to use. Fortunately, the department has recently managed to acquire 2 more studio rooms for fashion students to use. That said, our Townhouse library at Penrhyn Rd Campus are open 24/7 on weekdays during the 2nd half of term and there is usually space in the design studios after teaching hours from 4pm - 9pm on weekdays and 10am - 5pm on weekends.

Unfortunately, I did not do a foundation before coming to university so I can't say exactly how big a difference it is but based off what my classmates have told me, the workload is definitely more and faster paced. Although the first year is not counted, expect to be juggling 2 to 4 projects concurrently within the first year. The workload tends to increase as the term passes within the first year but I am sure you will do well as long as you apply yourself to the course. I hope this helps! :smile:

Useful links:
Life as Fashion Student 1st year - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7313370
*Images of Sewing & Knit workshops - https://www.kingston.ac.uk/faculties/kingston-school-of-art/about/facilities/fashion-workshop/
*(scroll down for gallery images, please ignore the 3D virtual tour of the design studios and knit workshops as they are outdated)

Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep,)

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

Hi, I recently received an offer for fashion at Kingston university. I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about what takes place in the critical and historical studies as this is something I'm interested in! Thank you :smile:

Reply 5

Kingston Zhi En

Official Rep

7

Original post by Anonymous

Hi, I recently received an offer for fashion at Kingston university. I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about what takes place in the critical and historical studies as this is something I'm interested in! Thank you :smile:

Hi there🙂 congratulations on your offer for Kingston University! Critical and historical studies(CHS) is basically the academic writing side of the BA Fashion course where we have weekly lectures or group tutorials on a different themes and discourses within Fashion. Within CHS, we are taught to develop our academic writing skills and critical analysis through various research and essay writing assignments in preparation of our final dissertation in the final year 🤗 I hope this helps and answers your question!

Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)

Reply 6

Anonymous #2

Original post by Kingston Zhi En

Hi there🙂 congratulations on your offer for Kingston University! Critical and historical studies(CHS) is basically the academic writing side of the BA Fashion course where we have weekly lectures or group tutorials on a different themes and discourses within Fashion. Within CHS, we are taught to develop our academic writing skills and critical analysis through various research and essay writing assignments in preparation of our final dissertation in the final year 🤗 I hope this helps and answers your question!
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)

That sounds amazing and thank you!

Kingston uni fashion

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