Central Saint Michael’s offers A Level Textiles/Fashion Design and Art & Design pathways with textile and fashion elements. These courses are ideal for students interested in fashion design, textile design, garment construction, and creative arts and visual design.
Students explore a wide range of creative and practical techniques including fashion illustration, garment construction, experimental pattern cutting, embroidery and printmaking, photography and mixed media, digital manipulation and textile experimentation. Students develop their own creative direction and portfolio throughout the course.
Textiles courses are mainly coursework-based. Assessment may include personal creative investigations, portfolio development, final practical outcomes and externally set assignments. This makes it ideal for creative students who prefer practical and project-based learning.
Students experiment with both traditional and modern techniques such as Batik and Shibori, freehand machine embroidery, screen printing and monoprinting, jewellery making, fashion photography, digital design and Adobe Creative Suite tools. The course encourages creativity, experimentation, and personal style development.
Students benefit from dedicated textiles and fashion studios, sewing machines and specialist equipment, Adobe Suite design software, access to the Fab Lab with laser cutters, T-shirt printers, vinyl printers and 3D printers. Facilities are designed to reflect modern creative industry environments.
Textiles courses can support progression into careers such as fashion designer, textile designer, fashion photographer, interior designer, costume or set designer, illustrator, creative director or arts administrator. Many students progress into university fashion and creative arts degrees.
Yes, the qualification carries UCAS points and can lead to university study in areas such as fashion design, textile design, fashion communication, costume design, fine art and interior design. Some students also complete an Art Foundation year before specialising further.
Yes, the course develops highly transferable creative skills including visual communication, design thinking, portfolio development, problem-solving, and creative experimentation. These skills are valuable across many creative industries.
Yes, students may benefit from creative industry guest speakers, fashion and art trips, Alumni talks, and visits linked to design and fashion inspiration. These activities help students build portfolios and explore creative career pathways.
Students benefit from a university-style creative learning environment, specialist studios and equipment, experienced creative arts tutors and strong progression routes into university and creative industries. Textile courses are designed to help students develop technical skills, creative confidence, and professional portfolios for the next stage of their career journey.
Begin your career journey at Central Saint Michael’s Sixth Form. Our courses will give you the skills and experience you need to succeed in your chosen career.
We can offer first class guidance and support to help you on your journey.
Our Open Days are a great opportunity for you to find out more about our inspirational facilities and talk to our knowledgeable tutors about the courses you like best.
We want to ensure the right level and type of support is in place for every one of our learners to be successful and treated as an individual. We believe that each student should be individually supported to grow and develop personally and professionally.
When you join us you’ll have access to a network of mentors and online 24/7 confidential counselling services for your emotional wellbeing, as well as a dedicated safeguarding team of staff, student-to-student safeguarding champions and your own personal tutor.
We are a university-style sixth form college based in the centre of West Bromwich, easily accessible from Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield & Great Barr.