Design courses

About Footwear Design BA (hons) in De Montfort University

With a rich heritage from the end of the 19th century to the contemporary footwear industry, this degree will help to equip you with the skills and experience to set you apart in the fashion sector. You will be working directly with industry professionals and big brands to gain valuable insights into new products and technologies.  

Throughout the course your shoe design and technical making skills will be developed, emphasising the crucial relationship between design and manufacture and the needs of the footwear industry. You can specialise in performance footwear, which is unique for a UK university, or men’s, women’s, or children’s footwear. 

You will develop drawing and illustration, bespoke biomechanics and model prototyping skills, along with the ability to present and communicate ideas and concepts to a high professional standard. You will learn technical modern shoemaking skills and make a range of prototype shoes using our excellent specialist studio facilities, including 3D design equipment.

Key features

• DMU is ranked in the Top 10 for Fashion and Textiles in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2020). 
• Work on live projects with industry experts to gain valuable skills and experience. Recent briefs have been set by TOMs, New Balance and Sophia Webster.
• Benefit from opportunities to enter prestigious national and international competitions to boost your industry exposure. Previous graduates have won a number of accolades, including first prizes at the Lineapelle Footwear Competition, the prestigious Bata International Design Award and the Moda Footwear Competition.   
• This course has a global reputation with industry experts, with recent graduates employed as designers, buyers and agents for well-known names, including Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Kurt Geiger.
• 100% of our Footwear Design graduates from summer 2017 are in work or further study after graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2016-17 report). 
• Gain valuable international experience as part of your studies with our DMU Global programme. Previous trips have taken students to visit shoe factories, tanneries and exhibitions in Italy, France and Spain. 
• The award-winning Vijay Patel Building  provides both the space and the facilities to foster creative thinking, where ideas can develop and flourish for all of our art and design students. 
• We provide core workshop materials  at no cost, and give cash awards – £150, £200 and £300 in years one, two and three respectively – to support personal materials/printing costs*.

Typical entry requirements 

A good portfolio and normally:

• Art and Design Foundation or
• 112 points from at least 2 A ‘levels and including grade C in Art and Design or
• BTEC Extended Diploma DMM in an Art and Design related subject or
• International Baccalaureate: 26+ Points including Art and Design

Plus five GCSEs grades 9-4 including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above.

• Pass Access with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit in Art and Design and GCSE English (Language or Literature) at grade 4 or above

We will normally require students to have had a break from full time education before undertaking the Access course.

• We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GCSEs including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above

International students

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.

De Montfort University Highlights

De Montfort University The tuition fee (In GBP) for various programs is tabulated below:De Montfort University Average Cost

De Montfort University The Average Tuition Fees and Other Expenses

DMU International Scholarship up to 1500 pounds

• TEF Gold Outstanding Alumni Scholarship up to 3000 pounds
•  Leicester Castle Business School Scholarships:

1. Global MBA Scholarship £3,000 - £5,000
2. Full Postgraduate Scholarship

• LGBTQ + Allies Scholarship-two fully funded post graduate taught scholarship packages including full fee weaver and maintenance bursary.
• Vice Chancellor's Sports Scholarship- three different scholarship packages are available with eligible students being awarded up to 6000 pounds of support.

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