Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the critical, analytical, conceptual and practical skills necessary for high level contemporary Textiles Practice and which offers them the opportunity to explore their individual ideas and concepts in depth.

• To maintain and expand professional and external links and relationships in appropriate industrial and commercial contexts to support the development of enterprising and highly employable individuals, that also allows students to make informed decisions about their future directions.

• To promote a forward thinking culture in which students are active participants in the School learning community and are encouraged to approach their work with a sense of enquiry, individuality and innovation.

• To ensure that students have broad first-hand experience of processes involved in the planning and production of contemporary Textile outcomes,, whilst developing specialised knowledge aligning with current contextual requirements  - Interiors, Fashion, Textiles Art, Research, and Digital Production.

• To ensure the development of significant skills in the practice of Design, Art and Craft informed by an awareness of historical and contemporary practice, ensuring that students are able to contextualise their work with reference to theoretical, historical, cultural, political and ethical issues, making use of the multiple resources provided by the School to support their learning.

• To create an environment where independent judgment and decision making is undertaken with integrity, and a strong critical awareness, based on a knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The Benchmark Statement for Art and Design
• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
• The QAA Policy Statement on a structured and supported process for personal development

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Generate research, develop ideas, concepts and solutions in response to internally/externally set briefs or within a self-initiated period.

• Conduct personal research demonstrating a critical and questioning attitude to history, theory  and material culture.

• Select and experiment with a broad range of materials and processes appropriate to the production of a range of Textiles outcomes, whilst demonstrating an in depth understanding of one of the specialist areas offered in optional pathways and make use of the resources provided to support their learning. 

• Develop independent, confident and innovative approaches to Textiles production, through Printed, Woven, Multi-Media or Digital processes, demonstrating in depth exploration of individual ideas and concepts. 

• Integrate professional and enterprising practice in Textiles and other design and craft related specialisms.

• Synthesise current and emerging technologies relevant to Textiles production, bringing diverse information and ideas together to create innovative outcomes.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth and variety of opportunity within the Textiles discipline and be able to apply a suitable methodology to realise their own creative goals.

• Achieve a body of Textiles work that is coherent and well resolved and appropriate for the contemporary context, to reflect the strengths of the specialist pathways within the programme.

• Articulate experiments and outcomes with reasoned arguments, and be able to undertake critical analysis to evaluate the aesthetic and functional dynamics of their design outcomes.

• Show independence of concept through discovery, creativity and problem solving, and be able to identify new concepts and approaches within the existing knowledge framework. 

• Identify opportunities for continuing development through further study or employment, and be able to apply their knowledge within a broad range of professional contexts.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Undertake research into Art and Design concepts, processes and contexts. 

• Direct research skills into textiles practice, written assignments and verbal presentations. 

• Work effectively with a range of textiles processes and confidently use specialist equipment necessary for the preparation of yarns, fibres, dyes and materials.

• Evidence experimentation and innovation with materials and processes appropriate to Textile outcomes and final applications, demonstrating  a high standard of technical expertise in Print, Weave, Multi-media or Integrated Digital Practice.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Take responsibility for individual learning and development, initiate independent research, organise and plan work schedules, manage workloads and meet deadlines, plan time to make the best use of equipment and resources.

• Analyse information, and through selection and experimentation make informed judgements and decisions. Evaluate and recognise areas of personal strength and needs. Formulate reasoned responses to the critical judgement of others.

• Present work both visually and orally to a high standard, interact effectively with others through collaboration and negotiation, write on a given or chosen topic either in essay form or project brief, and display design work to exhibition standard.

• Demonstrate information technology skills in word processing and the appropriate computer software applications with which to develop design and practice.

• Co-ordinate the use of common resources, collaborate and share responsibility with others.

• Produce specifications sufficient to reproduce fabric samples, show an understanding of the calculations involved in the use of specialist equipment.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules

4.2       Part B - Degree Modules

Students must choose a 20 credit module from the indicative options.

Optional modules will be available in the following subject areas:

• History of Art, Architecture and Design

• Visual Culture

• Arts Management

• English, Drama, Publishing and Creative Writing

In the 2019 - 2020 academic year the available modules will be:

4.3          Part I – Year Out (Four year Programme only)

Students choose one of the above options

4.4       Part C - Degree Modules

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, and from Part B to Part C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in any Part of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University's special assessment period.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C.  The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 20 and Part C 80 to determine the final mark.