Skip to main content
Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Image and Promotion

Two people looking into a mirror in a public toilet, one taking a selfie on a phone
Florence Omotoyo
College
Central Saint Martins
UCAS code
W21P
Start date
September 2024
Course length
Three years full-time or four years full-time with Diploma in Professional Studies

BA Fashion Communication is for the fashion literate, ambitious and observant individual eager to study and communicate fashion.

Course summary

Applications closed 2024/25 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2024/25 entry to this course.

Visit the Courses with places available page for a full list of UAL courses that are open for application.

This course nurtures students to become innovative, informed, responsible writers, communicators and promoters, central to the industry's future. It is part of the Fashion programme.

Why choose this course at Central Saint Martins

  • Pathway structure: On BA Fashion Communication, you can choose to study one of three pathways: Image and Promotion; Histories and Theories; and Journalism.
  • Professionals and sponsors: The course provides opportunities for collaboration with external professionals and sponsors. Previously, these have included Alexander McQueen, Birkenstock, Christian Dior, Liberty, L'Oréal Professionnel, Louis Vuitton, MatchesFashion.com, Paul Smith, Puma, Stella McCartney, SHOWstudio, the Terrence Higgins Trust and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
  • Visiting professionals: All pathways are led by academics and supported by industry practitioners. Visiting lecturers have included Anat Ben-David, Anna Burns, Robin Derrick, Kathryn Ferguson, Mandi Lennard, Penny Martin, Raven Smith and Iain R Webb.
  • First-hand insight: The course is taught alongside BA Fashion at the College. This gives you direct insight into fashion design in the making, enhancing your subject awareness.

Open days

The next open day for this course will take place on Friday 18 October. Book now.

Virtual tours:

You might be interested in checking out the College’s facilities and technical spaces through our virtual tours.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Fashion Fund

Find out how to support fashion's global future at Central Saint Martins [PDF 2.6mb]

Course overview

BA Fashion Communication comprises three pathways: Image and Promotion, Histories and Theories, and Journalism. We encourage collaboration at every stage, and throughout the course you will work on projects with the other pathways and with students of the BA Fashion Design course. 

Fashion Communication: Image and Promotion is a fashion-focused visual communication pathway, placing emphasis on creative problem-solving, experimentation and innovation. The curriculum includes film, photography, digital design, event production, graphics, publishing and performance, but is not limited to specific media or platforms. Students explore print, digital and physical media, for both editorial and commercial settings. Our students are encouraged to explore fresh approaches to existing media, and to predict the future by developing new modes of communication. 

Fashion Communication at Central Saint Martins has a global reputation for innovation and creativity. Our students are encouraged to be adaptable, to think laterally and to challenge existing modes of representation, and critique. All aspects of the course relate to current professional and critical practice in the fashion industries. Some projects are client-led or may include participation in live competitions. Our alumni work at the forefront of an ever-evolving field, in an ever-diversifying range of roles. Students go on to become stylists, art directors, photographers, film makers, casting agents. 
 
In the Central Saint Martins Fashion Programme, we work to be at the heart of the debate about the future of fashion. Learning is our core purpose and our research, industry and external relationships enrich our approach. We are committed to reflecting and influencing the sustainable transformation of the industry.  Social, racial and climate justice are our core values and we believe in a fairer world for all. Our outlook responds to decolonising the curriculum agendas by focusing on inclusive and diverse fashion pedagogical thinking and practices that reflect the international nature of our community and global fashion systems. We believe we must constantly challenge ourselves to shape ethical approaches in creative practice. 

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

On this pathway, emphasis is placed on professionalism, innovation and creativity, and the ability to develop and realise your ideas. You will be introduced to various media and disciplines, expanding your subject knowledge, and informing and supporting your creativity. These will include research methods and specialist technical skills such as photography, filmmaking, and digital design. You will engage with the global debates informing the communication of fashion, exploring how activism and promotional strategy can raise awareness of social and racial justice and the climate emergency. Your knowledge will be enhanced through targeted projects and the guidance of lecturers who are specialists in their field. The whole course is a learning journey.
 

Stage 1
Unit 1: Introduction to the Fashion Programme and to Studying at CSM 
Unit 2: Methods and Media
Unit 3: Investigation and Experimentation
Unit 4: Creative Unions

In Stage 1, all students arrive at CSM with different skills and experiences, which add richness to the course. This first year aims to improve your understanding and approaches to learning and will provide a base level of skills to enable you to be successful in your pathway. You will focus on the skills needed to communicate information effectively and will be introduced to resources which support your studies. Units 2 and 3 will provide a foundation in the generation and development of fashion communication. Collaborative approaches form the foundation of the CSM community, and you will work on both individual and team projects, within your own discipline and with other pathways. Throughout the year, you will be introduced to socially engaged and participatory practices to address common world challenges. Creative Unions provides you with the opportunity to engage collaboratively with students from different disciplines at CSM. The unit introduces you to ways of thinking about cross-disciplinary, participatory practice to address common world challenges. Working in a small team you will identify a context where social and environmental issues arise and produce a collective response that seeks to activate positive and ethical change.
 

Stage 2 
Unit 5: Positioning and Professional Preparation
Unit 6: Collaboration and Context
Unit 7: Audience and Perspective
Unit 8: Fashion Critical Studies

In Stage 2, Unit 5 encourages you to consolidate the necessary skills to develop and articulate your own practice. You will further enhance your knowledge of industry and collaborative working with a focus on your future employability. During this year, you will benefit from the opportunity to interact with, and gain feedback from external guest speakers or live project partners. In Units 6 and 7 you will explore the breadth of your subject, gaining confidence, developing your individual talents to allow you to form your own opinions but also understanding your own role as part of the wider network of fashion.  Learning includes studio and formal tutorial guidance, seminars, lectures, external projects and competitions, critiques, personal research, independent study and team projects. Unit 8 offers a range of research methods and approaches which will support you in undertaking more self-directed study. This may include visual and material culture, social theory and media studies.

Stage 3 
Unit 9: Project Manifesto
Unit 9a: Project Manifesto (Option 2)
Unit 10: Dissertation 
Unit 10a: Dissertation: Extended (Option 2)
Unit 11: Project Portfolio

Stage 3 gives you the opportunity to manage your own learning. You will begin to define your individual creative identity as an image-maker and promoter. By the end of Unit 9, you will have completed the initial research and design phase and presented your degree project manifesto and plan. Your final year focuses on the production of a portfolio of work that represents your specialist skills, career intentions and understanding of the media and audiences of contemporary and future fashion communication. 

Your dissertation represents the culmination of your cultural studies work for your degree. It extends your research, analytical and communication skills. You will focus on a selected aspect of visual, textual, material, social, media or spatial culture, this will align with an area of interest for your studio-based work. 
 

Optional Diploma Year  
 

Industry Diploma in Professional Studies (DIPS)  
This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you will undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days. As well as developing industry skills, you will gain an additional qualification upon successful completion: BA (Hons) Diploma in Professional Studies. 


CCI Creative Computing  
Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you will graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Image and Promotion (with Creative Computing).  

CCI Apple Diploma  
Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Apple Development. This will give you an opportunity to become an accredited apple developer alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you will graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Image and Promotion (with Apple Development). 
 

Mode of study  

BA Fashion Communication runs for 90 weeks in full-time mode. It is divided into three stages over three academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.    You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.    
 

Credit and award requirements 

The course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each stage (level).   

On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons degree).  

Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the stages for a BA are Stage 1 (Level 4), Stage 2 (Level 5) and Stage 3 (Level 6). In order to progress to the next stage, all units of the preceding stage must normally be passed: 120 credits must be achieved in each stage. The classification of the award will be derived from the marks of units in Stages 2 and 3 or only Stage 3, using a dual algorithm.  If you are unable to continue on the course, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4 (or 120 credits), or a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) following the successful completion of Level 5 (or 240 credits). 
 

Learning and teaching methods

  • Technical demonstrations
  • Individual tutorials 
  • Creative studio practice
  • Lectures
  • Peer learning 
  • Self-directed study
  • Group tutorials, critiques and seminars
  • Moodle
  • Critiques
  • Collaborative activities
  • Live projects
  • Guest speakers 
  • Moodle
  • Independent study  

Assessment methods

  • Research 
  • Development work and processes (physical, digital and/or hybrid).
  • Practical project outcomes
  • Critiques 
  • Presentations

Student Perspectives: BA Fashion Communication and Promotion

Student work

  • Greta-2.png
    Greta Urbonaviciute
  • Jebi-Labembika.jpg
    Jebi Labembika
  • Jessica-Madavo-Mock-Up.png
    Jessica Madavo
  • Stacy-Chau.jpg
    Stacey Chau
  • Victoria-Ruiz.png
    Victoria Ruiz

Leo Schlueter

UAL Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • OBSERVATION
    OBSERVATION, AHRIM SHIN, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Visceral Bodies
    Visceral Bodies, Mika Kailes, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Isabel MacCarthy
    Isabel MacCarthy, Isabel MacCarthy, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Sometimes
    Sometimes, ZHUO CHEN, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Hide and Seek
    Hide and Seek, Margarita Galandina, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • My Stringbean, My Woman
    My Stringbean, My Woman, Carina Kehlet Schou, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • A Fashion Story
    A Fashion Story, Flo Meijer, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Sebastiane
    Sebastiane, Federico Cantarelli, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Barzakh: A Visual Exploration of Otherness
    Barzakh: A Visual Exploration of Otherness, Zara Manzoor, 2021 BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion, Central Saint Martins, UAL

Fashion Communication stories

  • L to r: Patrick Garvey, Izzy McCormack, Bhavna Madan Mohan, Joshua Obichere and Funmi Olawuyi. Photo: Cameron McColl

    2024 MullenLowe NOVA Award winners

    Six graduating students spanning fine art, product design, fashion and character animation are recognised with MullenLowe NOVA awards for their final projects at Central Saint Martins.

  • Evy Prentice, MA Graphic Communication Design

    MullenLowe NOVA Awards 2024 shortlist

    Presenting the 2024 shortlist for the MullenLowe NOVA Awards for Fresh Creative Talent. Fifteen works by our graduating students across art, design, performance, fashion, materials and culture.

  • Tong Yin, BA Textile Design

    MullenLowe NOVA Awards 2024: the nominees

    The nominations for this year's MullenLowe NOVA Awards are a filter of the CSM class of 2024: fifty ideas across art, design, fashion, architecture, materials and performance that bring us to a closer understanding of our selves and our future.

  • Designs l to r: Noa Nomad, Ciaran MacDougall and Finn Barker Flower. Photography: Jake Saint Love Axler and Ellie Hoffmann.

    READY SET: BA Fashion declares a reset

    On 7 December 2023, BA Fashion Design and BA Fashion Communication first year students presented READY, SET, a reset of the Central Saint Martins White Show tradition.

Facilities

Staff

Joint Stage One Leader: Simone Konu-Rae

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Additional costs

You may need to cover additional costs which are not included in your tuition fees. These could include travel expenses and the costs of materials. For a list of general equipment needed for all UAL courses, visit our living expenses and additional costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about accommodation options and how much they will cost.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Find out more about bursaries, loans and scholarships.

If you’re based in the UK and plan to visit UAL for an Open Event, check if you’re eligible for our UAL Travel Bursary. This covers the costs of mainland train or airline travel to visit UAL.

How to pay

Find out how you can pay your tuition fees.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows: 

One of the following accepted full Level 3 qualifications: 

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4) and one A Level at grade C or above 
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects include Art, Art and Design or Design and Technology) 
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma 
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma equivalent to 64 UCAS tariff points (preferred subjects include Art, Art and Design or Design and Technology) 
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4) plus equivalent EU/international qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma (24 points). 

And three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*–C). 
Entry to this course will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio. 

AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning 

Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by: 

  • Related academic or work experience 
  • The quality of the personal statement 
  • A strong academic or other professional reference 

Or a combination of these factors. 
Each application will be considered on its own merit but cannot guarantee an offer in each case. 

English language requirements 
IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements webpage). 

Selection criteria

We select applicants who can demonstrate current ability and potential to: 

Work imaginatively and creatively in visual and material media: 

  • Engage with experimentation and invention 
  • Show imagination and ambition in proposals for their work 
  • Take informed risks. 

Demonstrate a range of skills and technical abilities: 

  • Through their portfolio, demonstrate a range of approaches to design 
  • Development, originated from personal experience or visual research 
  • Progressed through logical stages to finished design solutions 
  • Evidence handling a medium or material with sensitivity to its qualities 
  • Demonstrate engagement with a technical skill 
  • Demonstrate an awareness of planning and time management skills. 

Provide evidence of intellectual enquiry within their work: 

  • Demonstrate relevant research skills 
  • Evidence your ability to critically reflect and evaluate their achievements. 

Demonstrate cultural awareness and/or contextual framework of their work: 

  • Evidence an interest in contemporary fashion design communication and promotion 
  • Identify social and/or cultural influences on their work. 

Articulate and communicate intentions clearly: 

  • Discuss their work in individual and group situations 
  • Present their work appropriately and effectively. 

Demonstrate commitment and motivation in relation to the subject and the course: 

  • Develop their own ideas and address both set and personal project briefs 
  • Show willingness to collaborate 
  • Show initiative. 

What we are looking for 
In this fast-moving global industry it takes hard work, flexibility and passion to succeed. This course is aimed specifically at applicants who are passionate about fashion, but do not want to follow the design route: spirited, informed and mature individuals who want to be innovative, confident, responsible, informed, skilled and adaptable graduates who will become the fashion photographers, stylists, art directors, fashion-show producers, film-makers and public relations experts, bloggers and social networkers, on-line marketers, “traditional” writers, journalists, curators, commentators and theorists of the future. 

Information for disabled applicants

UAL is committed to achieving inclusion and equality for disabled students. This includes students who have:

     
  • Dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difference
  • A sensory impairment
  • A physical impairment
  • A long-term health or mental health condition
  • Autism
  • Another long-term condition which has an impact on your day-to-day life

Our Disability Service arranges adjustments and support for disabled applicants and students.

Read our Disability and dyslexia: applying for a course and joining UAL information.

Apply now

Applications closed 2024/25 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2024/25 entry to this course. Applications for 2025/26 entry will open in Autumn 2024.

Apply now

Applications closed 2024/25 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2024/25 entry to this course. Applications for 2025/26 entry will open in Autumn 2024.

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum 25 pages
  • include a variety of work to demonstrate your wide-ranging skills such as sketches, photographs, illustrations, graphics, film and animation work, 3D work etc.
  • include both finished works and works in progress to demonstrate your development processes and creative vision
  • include annotations to explain your creative process and any reflections or evaluations
  • include any research and inspiration that has helped inform and shape your work and creative identity.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

BA Fashion Communication graduates work across a very wide spectrum of careers in fashion. From curators and archivists to journalists, stylists, photographers, fashion show producers, illustrators, editors and retailers the range of career opportunities is diverse.

Many of our graduates have gone on to work with fashion companies throughout the world:

Love Magazine | Port Magazine | The Telegraph | Pop Magazine | Acne Paper, Burberry | 10 Magazine | SHOWstudio.com | Grazia Magazine | Six Creative | Vogue.com | Reiss | Proud Galleries | Gainsborough & Whiting Show Production | Alexander McQueen | Burberry | Margaret Howell | Bonhams | Asos.com | Daphne Guinness Collection | Christian Louboutin | Somerset House | Topman | Urban Outfitters | i-D | The Face | Net-a-Porter

Others have gained a reputation as important fashion creatives:

Ib Kamara | Campbell Addy | Hanna Moon | Joyce Ng | Gareth Wrighton | Holly Hay | Andrew Davis | Laura Bradley | Kay Barron | Tamsin Blanchard | Alex Fury | James Sherwood | Alexandra Gordienko | Julie Grieve | Jeremy Langmead

Recent graduates have also entered postgraduate study at the following institutions:

Royal College of Art | Goldsmiths | London College of Fashion | Royal College of Art/Victoria and Albert Museum | The Courtauld Institute of Art

Developing your links

Located at the heart of the London fashion industry, BA (Honours) Fashion Communication is able to link education and industry providing students with 'live' projects and professional feedback. The BA (Honours) Fashion Communication course has also developed an excellent relationship with the international fashion community, so that placements for its students are drawn from a wide and distinguished range of sources.

Students benefit enormously from studying in London. While there are other fashion courses on the outskirts of the capital, none can offer you the daily stimulation and advantages of being in the middle of an international cultural and fashion centre, surrounded by all levels of the retail market and sectors of the industry within which you will later find employment.

Current collaborations across the design pathways include work with L'Oreal Professional, Triumph, Liberty, Tie Rack, Paul Smith, Dior and Christian Dior Couture. Fashion History and Theory students collaborate with Pringle of Scotland. SHOWstudio.com, Somerset House Embankment Galleries, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Historic Royal Palaces/ Kensington Palace and Alexander McQueen.