Access to HE Diploma (Fashion)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
9.2 Crafts, Creative Arts and Design
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ002548
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40008502

New suite of Access to HE Diplomas for August 2024

Our brand new suite of Access to HE Diplomas is available for delivery from 1st August 2024.

New suite of Access to HE Diplomas for August 2024

Changes to Access to HE confirmed by QAA: Diploma Specification and Grading Scheme

Qualification Summary

The aim of this Diploma is to allow learners to compile a portfolio of evidence to show their readiness and ability to progress onto a range of Fashion/Design/Tailoring related degrees. The Diploma will equip learners with fundamental research skills needed for creative degrees as well as the practical design skills needed to undertake the practical components of design degrees. Learners also have the opportunity to develop business skills which would provide a solid basis for commercial applications of their creativity.

The Diploma will allow adults from non-conventional academic backgrounds to enter a Diploma and progress to university. This is made possible through the combination of units which allow learners to have a thorough grounding in fashion, tailoring, design and business. If the learner has gone straight into employment, they may not have studied at Level 3 and so this Diploma will be useful in supporting their existing skills and provide a good grounding for further study.

The Diploma will provide Learners with underpinning skills to support academic study and provide a level 3 qualification linked to their proposed HE study. A broad range of skills related to care will be acquired, whilst the underpinning skills within the ungraded units will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto relevant degrees.

Why choose this qualification?

The aim of this Diploma is to allow learners to compile a portfolio of evidence to show their readiness and ability to progress onto a range of Fashion/Design/Tailoring related degrees. The diploma will equip learners with fundamental research skills needed for creative degrees as well as the practical design skills needed to undertake the practical components of design degrees. Learners also have the opportunity to develop business skills which would provide a solid basis for commercial applications of their creativity.

The diploma will allow adults from non-conventional academic backgrounds to enter a diploma and progress to university. This is made possible through the combination of units which allow learners to have a thorough grounding in fashion, tailoring, design and business. If the learner has gone straight into employment, they may not have studied at Level 3 and so this diploma will be useful in supporting their existing skills and provide a good grounding for further study.

The Diploma will provide Learners with underpinning skills to support academic study and provide a level 3 qualification linked to their proposed HE study. A broad range of skills related to care will be acquired, whilst the underpinning skills within the ungraded units will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto relevant degrees.

Rules of Combination

Learners must achieve 45 credits

Units

Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must complete 30 credits from the mandatory group, a minimum of 6 credits from the optional Research group and the remaining 9 credits must be taken from the optional Fashion group.

3D Design Extended Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025818
Click here to view full unit details

Fashion Culture and Context

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017346
Click here to view full unit details

Garment Construction: Detailed Garment Construction

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU017372
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to the Fashion Industry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017354
Click here to view full unit details

Pattern Cutting: Pattern Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025983
Click here to view full unit details

Visual Studies 2D

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025820
Click here to view full unit details
Graded Research Units

Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.

Research Skills - Fashion

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU026526
Click here to view full unit details

Research and Creative Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025822
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Graded Academic Units: Fashion

Learners must complete 9 credits from this group.

Fashion Brand Communication

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017368
Click here to view full unit details

Fashion Buying and Merchandising

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017366
Click here to view full unit details

Fashion Design: Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025977
Click here to view full unit details

Fashion Design: Illustration Techniques

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017352
Click here to view full unit details

Fashion Markets

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017370
Click here to view full unit details

Fashion Media

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017356
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Production Processes within the Fashion Industry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU017348
Click here to view full unit details

Tailoring: Tailored Garment Construction

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU025440
Click here to view full unit details

Visual Merchandising Displays

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU018549
Click here to view full unit details
Ungraded Units

15 credits must be taken from the Ungraded group.

Mandatory Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 12 credits from this group.

Academic Writing Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025276
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to 3D

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU008279
Click here to view full unit details

Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025532
Click here to view full unit details

Study Skills for Creative Arts

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025980
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must complete 3 credits from this group.

Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007486
Click here to view full unit details

Developing Professional Attributes

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025278
Click here to view full unit details

Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU028487
Click here to view full unit details

Study Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018318
Click here to view full unit details

Sustainability Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033854
Click here to view full unit details

The Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033880
Click here to view full unit details

Work Placement

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025609
Click here to view full unit details

Intended learner groups

a) Adults who, because of social, educational or individual circumstances may have achieved few, if any, prior qualifications and wish to progress to HE
b) Adults who have gone straight into industry (perhaps following apprenticeship routes) who wish to progress to HE.

How this diploma meets learners' needs

The diploma will allow adults from non-conventional academic backgrounds to enter a diploma and progress to university. This is made possible through the combination of units which allow learners to have a thorough grounding in fashion, tailoring, design and business. If the learner has gone straight into employment, they may not have studied at Level 3 and so this diploma will be useful in supporting their existing skills and provide a good grounding for further study. The Diploma will provide them with underpinning skills to support academic study and provide a level 3 qualification linked to their proposed HE study. A broad range of skills related to care will be acquired, whilst the underpinning skills within the ungraded units will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto relevant degrees.

What this diploma covers

The graded academic content on the Fashion diploma is split into a variety of subjects for students to obtain specialist understanding of a range of important skills as well as vital knowledge acquisition. These include 2 and 3D design units. Optional tailoring units will allow learners to develop fundamental practical tailoring skills which will give learners the opportunity to progress to internships and apprenticeships. This also gives learners an advantage when competing with fashion and design learners that may not have practical skills to undertake the practical elements on a fashion degree. The inclusion of optional business units will allow learners to create a bespoke programme of study which they can then use to specialise in Business, Fashion or Culture. Ungraded units include those which are relevant to preparation for further study as well as allowing the learners to acquire research skills relevant to creative study. They also explore 3D methods of design to ensure a current approach to design within the fashion industry is captured.

Delivery methods

Face to face
Blended learning
Work placements would also be beneficial as well as visits to appropriate venues such as art galleries, museums or fashion houses/tailoring establishments.

Assessment methods: Projects, storyboard, sketchbooks, case studies, SWOT analysis, discussion, presentations, development of handouts, exam, production of samples and garments, research diary, report, visual presentation, strategy proposal, development diary, self evaluation, peer observation, response to design brief, essay, professional development plan.

Progression routes

• Fashion BA (Hons)
• Fashion Design: Women’s Wear BA (Hons)
• Fashion Design: Men’s Wear BA (Hons)
• Bespoke Tailoring BA (Hons)
• Costume for Performance (HNC)
• Fashion Design and Development BA (Hons)
• Fashion buying and merchandising BA (Hons)
• Fashion Management BA (Hons)
• Fashion styling and Production BA (Hons)
• Business Administration (BA)
• Business management (BA)
• Fashion buying and merchandising (BA)

Provider approval criteria

Specialist sewing equipment and resources will be required for the practical units.

Progression route entry requirements

Learners will probably require a pass maths and English at GCSE level or level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English to progress onto a degree course.

Funding information

There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.

The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:

View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website

The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).

View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search

How to find a learning aim

If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:

How to Use: Find a learning Aim

Additional funding information for Access to HE

  • Access to HE is eligible for funding as part of the legal entitlement offer.
  • Access to HE is eligible for funding via Advanced Learner Loans and appears on the Advanced Learner Loans catalogues published by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
  • Access to HE Diplomas are designed for adult learners aged 19+ and the ESFA only funds young people on these programmes by exception, as stated in paragraph 149, page 39 of the Funding guidance for young people 2020 to 2021.

We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.

This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.

The following support materials will help you deliver this qualification.

Access to HE Quick Guides

Information for Access Centres

Access to HE Administration

Assignment briefs

Centres approved to deliver our Access to HE Diplomas can download assignment briefs for a selection of units in this Diploma. Assignment briefs can be downloaded by logging to Prism and locating the relevant unit. More assignment briefs are being added not all units currently have assignment briefs available.

The assignment briefs can be easily adapted to suit your needs. We recommend checking the rules of combination for the Diploma and adapting the brief accordingly.

To provide a flavour of what’s available, you can download the below samples for free:

Log in to Prism to download more assignment briefs

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