Textiles

A Level

Home > Courses > Textiles

Course Overview

A Level Textile Design is a dynamic and creative course that explores both traditional and contemporary textile practices. Students investigate surface pattern, fabric manipulation, fashion design, and textile art through a wide range of techniques including embroidery, printmaking, digital design, and mixed media.

The course encourages independent thinking, experimental making, and conceptual development, allowing each student to pursue their own personal direction within textiles—whether that be fashion, interiors, costume, or fine art-based work. The course is ideal for those interested in progressing to fashion design, textile design, costume, surface pattern, or applied arts at university or through creative apprenticeships

ASSESSMENT

Coursework: 60%
Externally Set Assignment: 40%
Awarding Body: AQA

Course Topics

Induction Project: Students begin with an introductory unit that builds confidence in essential textile processes. This includes both digital tools (such as Photoshop for pattern design) and practical techniques like mark-making, hand embroidery, appliqué, and collage. The focus is on developing problem-solving skills and confidence through experimentation. Students respond to a design brief to create a mini collection or concept piece, incorporating research, sketching, and sampling.

Mixed Media Project: This project blends traditional textile techniques with digital processes. Students work in both the art studio and on-screen, exploring surface design through fabric manipulation, screen printing, stitching, and digital layering. Artist and designer research is used to inspire personal outcomes. Students are introduced to creative software and encouraged to combine methods to produce experimental and unique textile pieces.

Component 1: Personal Investigation: Spanning both Year 1 and Year 2, this major coursework project makes up 60% of the overall A Level grade. Students select a personal theme and develop it through research, sampling, and refinement, culminating in a final textile outcome and a written Critical and Contextual Study (1000–3000 words). Outcomes can include fashion design, installation work, textile art, costume, or interiors. Work is submitted in a digital and physical portfolio, with a strong emphasis on process, presentation, and originality.

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment: This unit is based on a list of starting points provided by AQA. Students select one and develop their own creative response, mirroring the structure of Component 1. The project concludes with a 15-hour timed practical exam, during which students produce a final outcome using the techniques and ideas developed in their preparatory work. This component contributes 40% to the overall A Level grade.

BEGIN – IS THIS COURSE RIGHT FOR ME?

This course is perfect for students who enjoy drawing, painting, or experimenting with mixed media. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be curious about fabrics, garments, surface design, or costume—whether inspired by modern fashion, historical dress, or textile art. Above all, you should be visually curious and excited to explore materials hands-on.

BELONG – WHY STUDY THIS WITH US?

Lessons take place in a dedicated textiles studio with access to specialist tools, sewing machines, printmaking facilities, and a wide range of materials. You’ll work in a supportive and creative environment where experimentation is encouraged, and your individual style is celebrated. Alongside learning key techniques, you’ll develop the ability to research, refine, and communicate ideas through professional outcomes.

BEYOND – WHERE CAN THIS COURSE TAKE ME?

By the end of the course, you’ll have built a rich and versatile portfolio that showcases both your technical skill and creative voice. This will support progression to fashion or textile-related degrees, foundation diplomas, or design apprenticeships. Many students use the course as a launchpad into careers in fashion, costume, interiors, or wider design industries, where originality and creative confidence are key to success.

If you are unsure what course you think you should choose or what career you would like to aspire towards then contact Admissions:

01782 854221

Email Enquiry

apply

find an open day

our prospectus

stay updated

Similar Courses

On this pathway

Creative

Transition

This programme is targeted at students who are not ready to start Level 3 but have the potential to progress onto a Level 3 programme of study following a tailored preparation programme.

Media

GCSE

If you want to understand the influence and sway the media has and the impact it has on society then this course is for you. You will explore a range of media areas such as film, newspapers, gaming and online media. This course will empower you to understand the effects the media has on audiences and how media industries operate. What’s more, you will also have the opportunity to create your own media products, working within print.

Photography

A Level

Do you want to be part of one of the fastest growing industry sectors in the UK economy? Then you need to get involved in the creative and media industries, and studying Photography will take you there.

Digital Film and Video Production

BTEC

If you are passionate for all things film and TV and would like to develop your craft of visual storytelling then this course is fo you. You will in depth practical, technical and creative skills in a range of film and TV areas. This will include scriptwriting, film production, stop motion animation and film editing. In addition to this you will develop proffesional pre-production practices, including storyboarding, casting and logistical film planning

Digital Music Production

BTEC

Music Technology is an ideal mixture of creative and technical skills. It is perfect for you to gain knowledge of the music industry in preparation for further study or employment. Throughout this course you will learn about how the music industry works, including relevant historical developments. You will work with live sound equipment, record real instruments and develop skills in sequencing, music theory and using the musical keyboard for MIDI entry.

Media, Broadcast & Production – Content Creation

BTEC

Graphic Design

BTEC

Do you want to get that job interview-well you will have communication skills a plenty here and employers look VERY favourably upon MFL students and speaking a foreign language is now very desirable.

Dance – Contemporary

BTEC

This course is designed to encourage you to develop as an independent, autonomous learner and grow into a confident, creative dance practitioner. You will develop skills, imagination and new ways of seeing combined with the versatility, creativity and drive to meet the challenges of the competitive and demanding dance profession of today.

Art & Design

A Level

Product Design & Architecture

A Level

Three-dimensional design – Product & Architecture is about looking, learning, thinking and communicating ideas. It inspires creative thinkers, problem solvers and people who enjoy making. It will enable you to select appropriate materials and learn how they fit together, develop an understanding of scale and experiment with texture and surface
finish.

Dance

A Level

Have you ever wanted to create your own imaginative dances and to explore the movement style of famous choreographers through the analysis of fascinating dance works? Are you ready to develop your technical and expressive dance skills to an advanced level and to participate in a range of performances both in and out of College? You will develop your skills in performance, choreography style, culture and notation. The creative, co-operative and communication skills acquired in following this course also prove attractive to a wide range of employers and higher education.

Musical Theatre

BTEC

We are passionate about training young people to be professional and well equipped to cope in the world of performing arts.

Music Performance

BTEC

Music Performance BTEC is the perfect qualification for you to gain knowledge of the music industry in preparation for further study or employment.

Ceramics

T Level

This qualification will help you gain an understanding of the financial compliance and risk activities within financial services. You will specialise in compliance and risk, and apart from the classroom delivered modules, you will complete 315 hours industry placement. Here you will develop your skills in assessing risk, working with clients and communicating complex financial ideas. You will also produce professional reports making recommendations on how both clients and financial service providers can manage the risks they face, securing your dream job.

Digital Games Production (BTEC Extended Certificate)

BTEC

If your interested in the gaming industry whether it be concept art, animation or games design then this is the course to give you the skills to progress in this sector. Its an ideal qualification for those intending to progress directly to employment in the digital games production sector of the creative industries, or to a related apprenticeship such as TV Production and Broadcasting, or to a Creative Digital Media apprenticeship. It is the equivalent of two A levels and is an ideal course to progress to university to study any of the above sectors.

Music

A Level

The A-Level Music course offers a broad, flexible and coherent course of study which encourages learners to engage actively in the process of music study. It provides learners with the opportunity to study music in an integrated way where the skills of performing, composing and appraising reinforce knowledge and understanding of musical elements, contexts and language.

Performing Arts: Acting

BTEC

Are you passionate about Theatre? Do you want to learn about and experience working with a variety of different styles of acting? Do you want to work in an environment designed to replicate being a professional actor? If you have answered yes to any of these questions then this course is for you! You will develop acting and performance technique through a mixture of workshops, lessons and practical performance projects. Workshops will focus on fundamental acting skills: acting technique, voice and movement. You will have at least one session in these areas every week, covering a variety of key practitioner styles: giving you plenty of opportunity to develop your abilities as an actor.

A Level

Are you creative and imaginative? Do you enjoy exploring ideas and looking at things in different ways? Do you enjoy making? If so, you should consider a course in textile design. You will enjoy developing your understanding of the visual world, learning practical skills and responding to ideas and issues in ways that are personal to you.

Digital Games Design & Development (BTEC Extended Diploma)

BTEC

Media Studies

A Level

If you want to understand the influence and impact the media has on society then this course is for you. You will explore a range of media areas through critical debates, theory and academic writing. This course will empower you to understand the effects the media has on audiences and how media industries operate. What’s more, you will also have the opportunity to create your own media products, working within video, print and audio formats.