BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Industry Practice

Award Structure

The programme is structured as eight 10-week terms spread across two academic years, transitioning from RQF level 4 to RQF level 5 in term three, before progressing from RQF level 5 to RQF level 6 in term six. The programme offers a unique blend, combining academic rigour and industry engagement with practical and professional skills, drawing on the expertise of Condé Nast and the College’s wide network of industry professionals.

Programme Structure

To view more detailed Programme Specification click here

To view Programme Handbook 2023-2025 click here.

Admissions

Exceptional ideas and eye-opening perspectives are sought after from individuals interested in learning about the fashion and media industries and having something valuable to contribute to the future of fashion.

To be eligible for this course, individuals must be at least 18 years old on 1st September at the start of the academic year in which they intend to begin their studies, and must meet the following entry requirements:

Academic Entry Requirements | UK Applicants

Applicants will need to have achieved a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points from one, or a combination, of the following full RQF Level 3 qualifications, and include the appropriate transcript(s)/certificate(s) with their application:

• Two or more A-Levels
• Vogue Fashion Foundation Programme
• At least grades Merit, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma
• Access Diploma
• Access to HE Diploma
• an equivalent full Level 3 qualification

Applicants can work out how many UCAS points their qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

Academic Entry Requirements | International Applicants

Applicants will need to have achieved EU or non-EU qualifications that are generally equivalent to grades BBB at A-Levels in the UK, and include the appropriate transcript(s)/certificate(s) with their application:

Examples of equivalent overseas qualifications can be found on our International Qualification Equivalents Guidance document. If international applicants are unsure whether they meet the requirements, they can contact us for clarification. If we do not have a good enough understanding of an international qualification, we may ask an applicant to obtain a Statement of Comparability from UK ENIC

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

Exceptional applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements may still be considered through APEL if they can demonstrate the skills and capacity necessary for academic study at this level. Sometimes experience is as beneficial as what is learnt in a classroom. The admissions and academic teams will consider applications that show exceptional strengths and alternative evidence, which may include:

• Work experience
• Non-accredited courses
• Extensive reading and research
• A brilliant, relevant and credible personal statement
• An exceptionally strong academic or professional reference
• OR a combination of these

Each application will be considered on its own merit, although we cannot guarantee every applicant an offer.

English Language Requirements

International applicants will require a CEFR Level B2 in a standardised English language test e.g. IELTS Academic for UKVI Level 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking), and include the appropriate results certificate with their application.

Full information can be found on our FAQs page.

Portofolio

Applicants must submit with their application a digital portfolio that displays creativity and intellectual skills, and must include:

ONE written piece (600-800 words) – an existing piece of writing covering any subject, or a new piece covering one of the following fashion and media topics:

• Fashion Shows: Do they belong to the past – is it a still a valid way to promote and show fashion? What could be the future of the show for a more sustainable era?
• What purpose does a print magazine serve in 2023/24

AT LEAST TWO creative pieces (e.g., photography, videography, styling, creative writing, illustration).

If you don’t have an existing portfolio, then please create the following:  a visual moodboard to show to show ideas for a fashion shoot for a magazine of your choice, featuring a model/celebrity/cultural icon of your choice. Indicate which designers you would feature and explain with the moodboard, your reasons for your choices.

We also accept web, blog, or video portfolios; a document with a link to the relevant portfolio format should be submitted as part of the application in place of a PDF portfolio document.

The portfolio should showcase intellectual and creative abilities, originality, and a commitment to fashion, media, and luxury lifestyle. Self-directed projects are welcome where examples of suitable or relevant work do not already exist.

Portfolios should be submitted as one file/body of work, ideally as a PDF with links to any pieces (such as videos) which cannot be displayed within the document, and must be included as a supporting document as part of a course application.

If you are applying through UCAS, you will need to send this to us separately at admissions@condenastcollege.ac.uk

Personal Statement

Applicants are required to submit with their application a 500-word personal statement/statement of purpose that demonstrates their understanding of the focus of the course, the relevance of their background and their reason for applying

Application Deadline

UK applicants must submit their applications by 6.00pm GMT on 31st January 2024

Non-UK applicants must submit their applications by 6.00pm GMT on 31st January 2024

What Happens Next?

We will review applications against the entry requirements and asses the examples of work and the personal statement submitted. Please note that any missing supporting documents will cause a delay in an application assessment, and could result in an application rejection.

Those who pass this first application review will be invited to a 20-30 minute online interview to further assess suitability for the course. Please note that, unfortunately, not all applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews will take place on specific interview dates, details of which will be sent to you if invited to interview. These dates are fixed and will be the only opportunity for us to meet with you.

When reviewing an application and during an interview, we are looking for applicants to demonstrate their potential and current ability in the following areas:

• Demonstration of a strong personal identity
• The potential to benefit from the course
• Excellent communication skills
• Evidence of motivation and commitment A final outcome decision will be sent to applicants within 5 working days following an interview.

How to Apply

UK and non-UK applicants should apply via UCAS (using the course code W230) or directly to the College using the Apply button on this page. All applicants MUST ensure that their application contains all supporting evidence before it is submitted:

• Copy of passport
• Copies of academic transcript(s) / certificate(s) – (or partial transcript / predicted grades if studies are not yet complete)
• Suitable standardised English test results certificate (Non-UK applicants only)
• Portfolio
• Personal Statement

Contact

For entry requirements or admissions enquiries, contact the Admissions Office.

In order to confirm and secure your place on the course, you will be asked to pay a deposit of £3,000 when you receive your offer. The deposit option is not available if booking within six weeks of the course start date.

UK students can pay the tuition fee in instalments over the two years of the course.

International students will be asked to pay their first installment of the course fee in full and in advance of issuing the CAS number necessary for Student Visa purposes.

Tuition fees can rise each year in response to market conditions.

Please note that the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design is not currently eligible for students to receive loans from Student Finance while they are studying here.

The College offers a limited number of means-tested bursaries for this course, which cover the full fee. These are available to lower-income households only. For information on our bursaries, please visit our fees and funding page.

Additional Course Costs

For information on studying in London and what this could cost, please visit our Living in London webpage. For information on accommodation while studying at Condé Nast College, please visit our Accommodation webpage.

There is an optional study trip abroad in year one that is not covered by the course fee. This takes place in the spring and further information is provided at the beginning of the course. The Living in London webpage lists estimated costs for this activity along other additional student costs to consider..

Alumni Discount

Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design offers course fee reduction to our alumni.

For more information visit Terms and Conditions

We are dedicated to empowering our students to excel in the fashion world. We recognise that a thriving career in this dynamic field requires more than just academic knowledge; it demands practical skills, guidance, and opportunities. Throughout your educational journey with us, we will provide an array of career support options tailored to your needs.

This programme contains modules, experiences and opportunities meticulously designed to equip you with the essential skills, knowledge and practice crucial for a successful fashion career, from personal development to professional practice.

The technological developments of recent years have driven new opportunities in the fashion communication sector, and there is no longer such a distinct separation between fashion media and fashion retail. Professionals now move seamlessly between editorial roles and positions with major fashion brands and retailers, and this shift has greatly widened the scope of available careers.

Within the course content, there will be many career and professional development elements and activities available to you, including:

• Professional Development Portfolio module
• Fashion Industry Placement module
• Professional Practice Portfolio module
• Support with finding an industry placement
• Careers Day at the end of the course
• Alumni Career panel during the induction week
• Reality of careers in the fashion industry session

You will also have access to our Career Services including, but not limited to:

• Strengths testing
• CV & Cover Letter Editing
• Mock Interviews
• Career path planning
• Professional Portfolio creation
• Optional 1-2-1 tutorial with our Career Consultant
• Termly 1-2-1 consultation with an Academic

Previous students graduating from our BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Industry Practice degree have gone on to work at: Condé Nast, Vogue, Glamour, Aisle 8, Net-A-Porter, Harvey Nichols, L’Oréal, Hayley Menzies, Grazia, HanSpringett LTD (AKA H-Lans), GQ, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, WGSN, TikTok, Tatler, Louis Vuitton and many more.

For more information on careers, please visit our Careers in Fashion webpage.

Our Campus

Condé Nast College is situated in a historic building at Bedford Square, in Central London. The area was built between 1775 and 1783 and is one of the best preserved set pieces of Georgian architecture in London. The square takes its name from the main title of the Russell family, the Dukes of Bedford, who owned much of the land in what is now Bloomsbury.

Bedford Square is in the heart of Bloomsbury, an exciting area for academia and the arts; originally made famous by Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Set.

The College is a short walk from the headquarters of Condé Nast, as well as Vogue House, which our students visit as part of their exposure to the professional world.

Who Teaches at the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design?

During your course, you will be taught by a range of our academic staff as well as industry guests and visiting lecturers.

Previous industry speakers have included Edward Enninful, Victoria Beckham, Nicholas Coleridge, Natalia Gamero del Castillo, Anna Dello Russo, Adwoa Aboah, Miles Aldridge, Bella Freud, Sarah Harris, Tommy Hilfiger, Anya Hindmarch, Henry Holland, Caroline Issa, Lulu Kennedy, Yasmin Le Bon, Natalie Massenet, Tamara Mellon, Suzy Menkes, Roland Mouret, Kate Phelan, Matthew Williamson and many more.

Building Accessibility Notice

Condé Nast College is located in a historic Georgian building at Bedford Square in Central London. Our campus comprises a Grade I listed building dating to the late 18th Century which is currently not fully accessible to wheelchair users. We are committed to improving the accessibility of our premises, and we appreciate your patience and understanding while we work toward this important goal. Some teaching activities may take place at other venues in central London, which have varying levels of accessibility. If you have specific questions about the accessibility of our campus, either as a visitor or prospective student, please do not hesitate to contact us at dione.hyland@condenastcollege.ac.uk