British Fashion Council - BFC Colleges Council

Founded in 1993 to create an interface between education and industry, the BFC Colleges Council membership programme represents the leading fashion departments in universities throughout the UK and connects the extensive network of experienced course leaders with the fashion and wider creative industries together in support of arts and fashion education.

The BFC Colleges Council organises an annual programme of events and competitions to offer students and course leaders the opportunity to interact with the industry, enriching education and creating opportunity.

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Criteria

Once a Primary Fashion Design Course Membership has been approved, a university can apply for additional membership for other relevant fashion courses, e.g. BA and MA fashion design courses and non-fashion design courses.

To become a member of the BFC Colleges Council a university must:

For Primary Fashion Design Course Membership [One Fashion Design Course]

Be a British public institution
Be a design-based fashion course
Be well-established with at least three years of alumni (under current award title)
Have strong industry links through internships, industry partnered projects and graduate employability with well-respected design companies
Demonstrate a high standard of student work

For an Additional Course Membership [Additional Fashion Design Course/Non-Fashion Design Membership]

Have a Primary Fashion Design Course Membership
Be well-established with at least three years of alumni (under current award title)
Have strong industry links through internships, industry partnered projects and graduate employability with well-respected design companies
Demonstrate a high standard of student work

Members will be required to adhere to BFC’s business best practices and terms and conditions – available to view at the point of sign up

member network

Membership Levels

Primary Fashion Design Course Membership (One Fashion Design Course)

£1000 / a year + VAT

Additional Course Membership (Additional Fashion Design Course/Non-Fashion Design Membership)

£500 / a year + VAT

Additions

Discounted Access to The Fashion Awards

Why Join?

Benefits

Access to fashion design competitions and industry events/webinars that can be added to the curriculum
Staff development through industry-led events, roundtables and inter-university networking through Colleges Council Staff Network
Support of Colleges Council on education advocacy projects such as arts education, internships and Diversity and Inclusion
Inclusion in comms for the Colleges Council: press releases, newsletters and BFC social media channels
Access to Colleges Council logo, photography and videography for editorial purposes
Access to BFC initiatives including The Student Fabric Initiative and BFC Foundation Scholarships. In 2022/23, the BFC supported 32 students who will received funds totalling £248,000
Support of pathways into careers and industry, ie.opportunity for colleges & students to present work to industry via Graduate Preview Day and provide industry professionals access to new talent through competitions
Opportunity for further involvement with BFC events including London Fashion Week and The Fashion Awards

Contribution

Opportunity to help scope government lobbying reports/strategy through the annual member survey
Participation in fashion educators round tables
Opportunity to contribute to industry insight reports
Opportunity for faculty members to join the BFC Colleges Council Steering Committee

Recognition

Recognition of support across BFC Education materials including BFC Annual Report
Recognition of University within BFC networks and profile on the BFC website

Founded in 1993 to create an interface between education and industry, the BFC Colleges Council membership programme represents the leading fashion departments in universities throughout the UK.