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Course type
Degree  

Degree

  • Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
  • Internationally respected, universally understood.
  • An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
  • Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
  • Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Credits
120  

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Part-time study – 6–9 years
Time limit – 12 years
Study method
Distance learning
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements
Ask a question

BA (Honours) Textiles

Course code: A49

This innovative online degree offers a comprehensive exploration of textiles, from surface design and material manipulation to fashion and interiors. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced textile artist, you'll develop your skills, push creative boundaries, and build a distinctive practice. With guidance from industry professionals, you'll blend traditional techniques with contemporary approaches, preparing for a dynamic career in the textile and design industries.

This online course is available through our college dedicated to the creative arts, the Open College of the Arts.

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Key features

  • Master a diverse range of textile techniques, from weaving to digital printing
  • Explore the intersection of textiles with other design disciplines
  • Engage with sustainability and ethical considerations in textile production
  • Develop a professional portfolio tailored to your career aspirations
  • Benefit from flexible online learning supported by industry practitioners

Course highlights

This honours degree in textiles has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll begin your textile journey by exploring fundamental techniques and concepts. Throughout this stage, you'll experiment with various materials, colours, and processes to develop your technical skills. You'll learn the importance of sampling in the creative process and start to cultivate your unique approach to textile design. As you progress, you'll engage in a series of creative exercises that will introduce you to different aspects of textile creation, from basic weaving to digital printing. This stage is designed to support students from all backgrounds, guiding you through the basics of academic study while nurturing your creative practice.

Stage 2 (120 credits)

Building on your foundation, you'll deepen your textile practice by engaging with current themes and innovative approaches. You'll transition from novice to skilled practitioner as you develop a more personal style. Throughout this stage, you'll explore how your work fits within contemporary creative contexts, drawing inspiration from your own community and experiences. You'll have opportunities to experiment with more advanced techniques and technologies, refining your technical abilities while broadening your conceptual understanding of textiles. You'll also start to consider how your textile work can respond to and influence broader social and environmental issues.

Stage 3 (120 credits)

In this final stage, you'll take creative control of your textile journey through self-directed projects that align with your personal vision. You'll strengthen your individual practice through rigorous experimentation and critical inquiry, pushing the boundaries of what textiles can be and do. Throughout this stage, you'll develop a distinctive body of work demonstrating your readiness for professional practice or further study. You'll also prepare for your future in the textile industry by creating a portfolio that showcases your unique creative voice and technical expertise. By the end of this stage, you'll have developed a sustainable creative practice that can carry you forward into your career or further academic pursuits.

Course type
Degree  

Degree

  • Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
  • Internationally respected, universally understood.
  • An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
  • Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
  • Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Credits
120  

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Part-time study – 6–9 years
Time limit – 12 years
Study method
Distance learning
Entry requirements

Find out more about Entry requirements

Ask a question

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website. 

Entry requirements

This open-access degree welcomes students from all backgrounds. No formal qualifications are required – just bring your passion for textiles and willingness to learn. You'll need basic IT skills, a reliable internet connection, and English language proficiency equivalent to CEFR B2 to engage fully with the course.

Fees and funding

Read the detailed description on the Open College of the Arts website to learn more about this degree's fees and funding options.


How will I study this course?

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

  • a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
  • course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
  • module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
  • details of each assignment and their due dates
  • a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
  • online versions of some printed module materials and resources.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

See how our module websites work.

Tutor support

Student, Joe, talks about balancing working at the NHS and studying with the OU and how he has the best of both worlds.

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

  • mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
  • guide you to learning resources
  • support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms and are sometimes recorded.

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

  • Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

  • You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
  • They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
  • Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

  • The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
  • Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

  • Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
  • You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
  • Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
  • If a module has an in-person exam (that you must take at one of our exam centres) or is invigilated online, we’ll make this clear in the module description.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.

Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

  • our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
  • other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
  • the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
  • free Microsoft Office 365 software
  • IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Having a course that was really varied and studying in a style that worked for Nick, was key to him launching his own business and becoming an entrepreneur.

Interested in finding out more?

This degree is delivered by The Open University's Open College of the Arts.

To explore this course in detail, including entry requirements, fees and funding options, and how to apply, visit the Open College of the Arts website.

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