The Bachelor of Arts in Textiles, Fashion and Design with Business Management programme is a full time 3 year honours degree programme which combines Textiles, Fashion and Design with Business Management and Marketing. This programme aims to meet the needs of students who have a strong interest in textiles, fashion and design and those with an interest owning their own fashion business or working in the fashion industry. The textiles, fashion and design combined with business skills, makes the programme unique in Ireland, increasing employability including a work placement (end of Year 2).

Anna Vahey (Ana Faye Handbags), lecturer on the course explains the value of this degree:  “The combination of Fashion Design, Textiles, and Business Management is so unique to have. The students get the basic knowledge of these three major components and they can begin to see things in the bigger picture. It really broadens their knowledge in all these areas and gives them great base to start their own business one day. No other fashion courses offer that in Ireland, you either get the element of Fashion, Business or Textiles. So having all three together really is original.”

Emma Curtis, first year student describes her enthusiasm for the course:  “I have studied fashion at a Level 5 and Level 6 stage previously. Last year I was accepted to Limerick and NCAD but I turned them down for the BA course here. It gives me such a broad range of Fashion, Textiles and Business, We have great lecturers and I think the small group of students is ideal for this kind of work, I really feel I am developing.”

St Angela’s College, Sligo is proud that this BA in Fashion and Textiles is the first in the North West region. Although there are other fashion courses in Ireland, they all seem to focus on one area, fashion, design, textiles or management. The course in St. Angela’s is dynamic and unique in the fact that it offers all of these things. “We are not trying to compete with these courses, but merely filling the gap in the market.  We can achieve this with the expertise of experienced lecturers who have worked in the business and the programme content we have developed here in St. Angela’s.” says Ursula O’Shea, Lecturer and Course Coordinator.

You can apply for the course through CAO (code AS053), the closing date for CAO is 1st February 2014. Portfolios are to be submitted by March 21st 2014.

What we are looking from a portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of work that shows a range of the applicant’s skills and knowledge in a variety of presented projects or studies. It is a visual representation of interests, explorations and final pieces. Ideally, a portfolio should include art and design work completed in school, further education courses or independently during the years prior to application.

It is important that your portfolio demonstrates your ability to develop ideas in visual form: from concept to completed work. If you are currently studying on a course that has a fashion element, you may include images of your project work.

We are interested in seeing any art and design or textile study that has involved creative decision-making, evidence of working with materials or processes with skill, confidence and artistic self-expression. A portfolio can comprise of a sketchbook, examples of investigation, design development and refinement leading to final pieces. This can include drawing (observation and life), colour study, photography and collage, written notes, two-dimensional stitched textile samplers, sketches of unfinished work and presentation sheets. Three-dimensional pieces are best photographed and presented within the portfolio.

The portfolio should contain a maximum of 15 carefully selected diverse pieces which reflect your interest in textiles and fashion. For further detail and portfolio guidelines please see www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie

Who is this course aimed at?
The course is aimed at school leavers and mature students who have a strong interest in Textiles or Fashion Design, who meet the entry requirements and have a proven design ability assess through their portfolio presentation. Students from nontraditional entry routes will also be considered.

Programme Outline:

Career opportunities for graduates:
On successful completion of the BA graduates will have the skills, knowledge and competences the industry requires for careers as fashion and textile designers and as buyers, stylists, forecasters, production management, pattern and garment technicians, costume designers, celebrity/TV and movie style consultants, or to set up businesses as designer makers, crafts people and textiles artists. The degree course also affords the opportunity to pursue further studies at postgraduate, masters and PhD levels.

For more information on the course you can contact Ursula O’Shea
Course Coordinator and Lecturer
Textiles, Fashion and Design Studies
T: 071 9143580
E: uoshea@stangelas.nuigalway.ie
W: www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie