Sustainable Fashion BA at University of Leeds

Explore the cultural, social, business, technological and consumer factors that shape how the fashion industry can have a sustainable future. By developing your understanding of the dynamic and interconnectedness of the industry and practical perspectives of sustainability you can contribute to this future.

During the course you’ll explore the complex nature of fashion and develop your understanding of sustainability issues that are associated with this vast global business that has significant impacts on the environment, on workers and on consumers.

This course will encourage you to consider the interconnectedness of sustainability, business and technology, and the changing nature of consumption and consumer behaviour for fashion. As sustainable fashion is also of growing importance with governments, NGOs and the media, you’ll study the role of these organisations in the changing of the fashion agenda. Ultimately you’ll develop your skills to be able to investigate sustainable solutions for fashion that meet the needs of the planet, as well as the industry and its customers.

By using a multidisciplinary approach to learning, this course will support your exploration of many different facets of sustainability and fashion, and with our strong connections with industry, the use of real life case studies will form a major part of your learning journey. You’ll have opportunities to engage with many of the current national and international issues associated with the fashion industry and to explore the solutions to these issues.

With our unique approach to teaching and through the exploration of the complex nature of sustainable fashion, upon graduation you’ll be equipped to choose from a diverse range of career paths and roles within the fashion industry including: retailing, manufacturing, product development, and Corporate Social Responsibility, as well as having a firm foundation for further study at postgraduate level. With the expertise you gain from this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to build a career that contributes to the shaping of the future of the industry.

Career opportunities

This degree is designed to equip you with a wide range of skills that are highly desirable to employers in the fashion industry.

You’ll have an understanding of the design process and be able to translate a design into a workable production process using the right materials. You’ll be able to put all of this in the context of how the finished product will be marketed, purchased and used. As the fashion industry places increasing focus on sustainability, the course will equip you to meet these challenges head on.

This holistic knowledge of fashion technology, the supply chain and the industry will equip you to succeed in a range of different careers with clothing brands and retailers and their suppliers. These roles could include buying, product development, technology, retail and supply chain management among many others.

In addition, the understanding you’ll gain of operational issues, manufacturing processes and project management could open doors for you in a range of other sectors.