Â鶹ƵµÀ

TOP 20 in the UK for Fashion and Textiles

 on the Guardian University Guide 2025

Undergraduate courses/Fashion and Textiles courses/Footwear Innovation (Level 6 Top-up)

Key facts

Entry requirements

Level 5, HND or Foundation degree in related subject

Additional entry requirements apply to this course Full entry requirements

UCAS code

WWF9

Institution code

D26

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,250

Additional costs

See all the key facts

Entry requirements

Level 5, HND or Foundation degree in related subject

Additional entry requirements apply to this course Full entry requirements

UCAS code

WWF9

Institution code

D26

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,250

Additional costs

See all the key facts

Our strong connection to the footwear industry means industry leaders frequently reach out to us with employment opportunities for students, with our alumni excelling worldwide.

This top-up programme is designed for Level 5 students who have completed their education to an HND (level 5) or international equivalent) in Fashion Design or a related practical discipline, offering a fast track to gain a BA (Hons) in Footwear Innovation in just one year.

With strong industry connections and partnerships across global fashion and performance sectors, this programme focuses on practical technical skills, guiding you through the entire design process—from research and ideation to developing cutting-edge solutions that meet international footwear standards.

This course emphasizes essential practical skills like material experimentation, pattern cutting, and prototype production. You'll engage with CAD, VR, and refine your presentation skills while exploring key categories such as Men's, Women's, Children's, and Performance footwear.

You’ll also have the chance to participate in competitions, awards, and live industry projects, offering opportunities for international travel and work experience. Career development is embedded in every module, ensuring you build the professional skills and portfolio needed to excel in the global footwear industry.

Career development and professional networking are integral to the curriculum, ensuring students graduate with a competitive portfolio and industry-ready skills; our strong connection to the footwear industry means industry leaders frequently reach out to us with employment opportunities for students, with our alumni excelling worldwide.

Completing this programme will give you the chance to progress to the Design innovation and Management Ma/MSc at DMU, gaining two degrees in two years.

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments – rather than lots of exams at the end of the year – and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging. Read more about block teaching.

Free Creative Essentials At DMU, we believe financial constraints should never limit your ability to explore and express your artistic vision. That's why we offer a range of free materials giving you a unique opportunity to create without limits.
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What you will study

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Structure

You will experience a wide range of teaching methods during your studies but there are no formal exams as part of the Footwear Innovation curriculum. Details of this provision and the module will be explained and supported in the module handbook, online and taught sessions.

Teaching methods include:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Practical Studio
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops
  • Self-Directed Learning (studio, practical workshops).

Assessment methods include formative (intermediate) and summative (final) assessment, written assignments, reports, and oral presentations. The bulk of the assessment work, however, is centered on project work as it is appropriate for design-based learning outcomes.

Contact hours

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, studios, group work and self-directed study. You will normally attend around 14 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 25 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.

Ask a question Chat to a student

Footwear Innovation (Level 6 Top-up) in the spotlight

Student work

Jihwi Ahn

Ode to a Metaphor

A womenswear collection that is influenced by the abstract use of metaphors as an essential tool for communication. Pushing the boundaries of the written word’s meaning to enable familiar concepts to be perceived from a different perspective. 

Shoes made with a variety of fabrics and textures in greens, blues and greys
Digital sketches of various iterations of shoe designs
Three iterations of shoes made with a variety of fabrics and textures in greens, blues and greys

Madison Harwood-Scott

Flux

This collection focuses on the importance of shape, sculptures and wearable art. The inspiration is modern surrealism; influenced by surrealist artists and sculptors such as Barbara Hepworth, Salvador Dali, and Jean Arp.

Three iterations of shoes with abstract shapes and designs
Digital sketches of various iterations of shoes with abstract shapes and designs
A high-heeled shoe, where the heel is made from a transparent globe filled with water

Finn Grear

Gunpla

This collection is a fusion of Gundam (Japanese Mecha style robots), formal and outdoor styling. Inspired by Gundam’s colour palette, angular shapes and art style, with references to vintage video game character designs.

A white, masculine dress shoe with red, yellow, and blue highlights in a Gundam style
A sketch of a Gundam style dress shoe
A digital rendering of the final shoe design

More from our students

Fin Taberer
Jake Collinson
Jamie O'Grady
Jiwon Joung
Jong Won Kim
Brandon Haley
Ellie Gray
Ryan Roddy - New Balance Project
Ryan Roddy - Hi-tec project
Open Days at DMU
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Our facilities

We offer specialised resources tailored to the needs of our footwear design students. Our well-equipped, open-plan studio provides an inspirational teaching space for footwear design skills and illustration, and a study area for creativity that is bathed in natural light. We have specialist cutting tables, and a range of specialist tools for pattern making, as well as access to digital design software and 3D printing tools that will help you create and develop your digital portfolio.

Footwear Workshops

From 3D Printing to post-machines, we have a range of facilities to support you.

Footwear Workshops

Vijay Patel Building

It is a major landmark on the Â鶹ƵµÀ campus and provides students and staff with the space and resources they need to thrive.

Explore the Vijay Patel

Our expertise

Profile picture for Jonathan Morss

Jonathan Morss

Programme Leader

Jonathan is recognised for his expertise in Footwear Design and successful entrepreneurial ventures. His career includes designing at Nike and Adidas.

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Nanette Westberg-Brown

Senior Lecturer in Footwear Design

Nanette brings a wealth of experience and technical knowledge in women's footwear and a strong commitment to education. She is dedicated to preparing students for their future careers and nurturing valuable industry connections.

Profile picture for Phil Stewart

Phil Stewart

Senior Lecturer in Footwear Design

Phil is a highly accomplished lecturer with expertise in pattern cutting, and manufacturing. He is honoured as one of the ‘Footwear50’ by the prestigious British Footwear Association.

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Michaela Wilson-George

Technical Instructor in Footwear Design

Experienced Technical Instructor shaping future footwear designers with industry insights and technical expertise.

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Dr Elizabeth Lambourn

Professor of Material Histories

A broad background in Design History teaching. Her own research focuses on interactions between the Middle East and South Asia.

Awards, memberships and links

Ranked as one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2022 and 2023 (CEOWORLD, 2023) and in the top 10 in the UK for 'career after 15 months' (The Guardian University Guide 2022), our innovative and widely-respected courses help prepare students for fulfilling futures in this fast-paced industry.

Green Gown Award logo

Green Gown Award

The School of Fashion and Textiles won the Next Generation Learning and Skills Award in the Green Gowns Awards 2021 and received global recognition in the International Green Gown Awards 2022. These awards are the gold standard for sustainability in universities around the world and this puts DMU at the forefront of sustainable fashion and textiles education in the UK. Sustainability is at the heart of our curriculum and teaching, empowering our students to be agents of change within the industry.

UK Fashion and Textiles Association logo

UK Fashion and Textiles Association

We are members of the UK Fashion and Textiles Association which ensures our teaching stays up to date with the latest developments in the sector and provides valuable industry links that enhance our courses.

Logos for The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers and The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers

Cordwainers and Pattenmakers

The Footwear Design course at Â鶹ƵµÀ has a prolific history spanning many decades, producing hugely talented and successful graduates, and maintaining exceptional links within the industry with various individuals, brands and organisations. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers and The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers both provide vital support to the course through their generous monetary funding, enabling us to recognise and honour student achievements within their studies with us.

Each year, The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers sponsor our Classic Bespoke Footwear Award, whilst the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers sponsor our Bespoke Orthopaedic Footwear Award. Both awards are part of our specialist Bespoke Principles module of study, which is one of the oldest forms of manufactured footwear, providing students with unique skills and hands-on training in the shoemaking techniques involved in producing Bespoke, Orthopaedic, and Biomechanical Performance footwear.

The continuing support of The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers and the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers for the Footwear Design Programme at Â鶹ƵµÀ is central to its success in preparing students for their future roles in industry. Their support provides encouragement and confidence as well as much needed opportunities to extend their study and skill.

What makes us special

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Block learning

With block teaching, you’ll learn in a focused format, where you study one subject at a time instead of several at once. As a result, you will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, have a more simplified timetable, and have a better study-life balance. That means more time to engage with your DMU community and other rewarding aspects of university life.

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DMU Global

DMU Global is the award-winning international experience programme for DMU students, aiming to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons.

Students on this course have been on DMU Global trips to shoe factories, tanneries and exhibitions in Italy, France and Spain. They have also visited to Copenhagen to explore sustainability in the fashion and textiles industry and travelled further afield to New York.

Where we could take you

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Placements to make you work-ready

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Previous Footwear Design students have taken up placements at renowned brands such as Puma, Clarks and Lacoste.

SAM LILLEY - with Cordwainers Footwear Award

Your future career

Our graduates have forged successful careers within the footwear industry ranging from roles in design, technical product development, buying and marketing. They work for big brands internationally such as Givenchy, Jimmy Choo, Sophia Webster, New Balance, Adidas, Nike, Lacoste, Kickers, Dr. Martens, Irregular Choice, Kurt Geiger, Dune, Office, Next and Foot Soldiers to name but a few.

Graduate Sam Lilley won top prize at the prestigious Cordwainers Footwear Awards 2022 in London and has landed a job with luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen.

Take your next steps

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Find out how to apply

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Open Days - Book your place

Course specifications

Course title

Footwear Innovation (Level 6 Top-up)

Award

BA (Hons)

UCAS code

WWF9

Institution code

D26

Study level

Undergraduate

Study mode

Full-time

Part-time

Start date

September

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,250

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

Additional costs

Entry requirements

This is a top-up programme available to students who have already completed a:

  • Year two (Level 5) in a Fashion Design, or other relevant practical design discipline; or
  • HND course in Fashion; or
  • Foundation degree in a related Fashion or discipline

Mature students

  • We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

English language

  • If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Interview and portfolio

Applicants with relevant qualifications will be invited to submit a portfolio of work. Please see our portfolio advice page for full details.

Non-standard applicants may be invited to attend an interview via MS Teams with a portfolio.

UCAS tariff information

  • Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Contextual offer

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So, if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find out more about contextual offers.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Interview and portfolio

Interview required: No

Portfolio required: Yes

Please see our portfolio advice page for full details.

Additional costs

Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs, which for this programme could include the following:

  • Art and design materials: £100-200, these costs may vary depending on what materials you choose to work in.

There will also be a range of optional showcasing activities that will be available to you, the costs of which will vary depending on the opportunities you choose.