Textile Design (A-level)

This A-level enables you to work in one or more area(s) of Textile Design listed below. Combinations of these areas are also possible: 

• Garments/fashion
• Accessories
• Soft furnishings
• Printed and/or dyed textiles
• Constructed textiles
• Textile installation
• Expressive textiles
• Digital textiles

The course combines well with studies in Humanities, English, Media, Film and Modern Foreign Languages. 

If you are interested in studying A-level Textile Design, you may also be interested in our additional pathways, Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design: Creative or Level 3 Higher Foundation in Art and Design. All A-level applicants are encouraged to research alternative pathways before accepting their offer to study A-levels

You need five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including Maths and English Language. 

You should also have a portfolio of textile design to share at interview with the course leader.

Year 1

• Initial practical workshops and introductory project to build your understanding and skills in textiles design.
• Component 01 Personal Investigation and Related Study (60% overall grade). Learners must produce two elements in response to a centre- or learner-set starting point, brief, scenario, or stimulus: a portfolio of practical work and a related study. This component is a non-exam assessment. It is marked out of 120 and contributes 60% to the overall weighting of OCR’s A-level. The related study should consist of a guided minimum of 1000 words of extended written response.

Year 2 

• Component 01 Personal Investigation and Related Study (60% overall grade).
• Component 02 Externally Set Task (40% overall grade). The early release paper will be issued on 1 February in the year of certification. It will provide learners with a range of themes, each with written and visual starting points, a brief and stimuli. From these, one option must be selected by the learner on which they must base their personal response. Centres will allow learners a set period of time, at their discretion, to prepare for the Externally Set Task timetabled 15-hour supervised time. The Externally Set Task is a non-exam assessment. This component is marked out of 80 and contributes 40% to the overall weighting of OCR’s A-level.

Lessons will be delivered on site through a blend of practical and theoretical sessions.

You will need a textile design starter pack at a cost of £30.

All Year 1 A-level students will be expected to attend the Ad Astra educational visit to London. This will incur a contribution of approximately £40 per student. Students entitled to bursary support will have the full cost covered.

You will be assessed by your teachers by submitting your portfolio and sketchbook for regular formative assessment against the grading criteria. Feedback will be given so you can make further progress.

You will be internally assessed by your teacher and your grades will be standardised within the College before being externally moderated by OCR.

Following successful completion of this Advanced Level course, it is expected that learners will have achieved the in-depth knowledge, understanding and skills in Textiles that will aid their progression to foundation and degree-related study.

For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk