British Fashion Council
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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.

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.

Applications for new Members are now closed.

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

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

Access to Graduate Preview Day
£300 / a year + VAT (subject to separate application process)
Unlimited access to the Institute of Positive Fashion Forum (IPF Forum) digital content all year round post event. (one bespoke login per university to share with course member students)
£500 / a year + VAT
Discounted Access to The Fashion Awards
 

Why Join?

  • 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

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

BFC Colleges Council Steering Committee 

The BFC Colleges Council is guided by a steering committee of academics from some of the BFC Colleges Council members. It’s an essential part of our long-term plan to help govern and evolve the BFC Colleges Council programme as well as making sure we address key challenges facing minority communities in gaining fair representation within the fashion industry and beyond. The Committee’s priorities include supporting the BFC to set the bar for accountability and best practice for all fashion universities, acting as a student and university representative, and harnessing relationships between education and the industry.  

This is voluntary and not a paid opportunity. You have to work at a BFC Colleges Council member to apply.

Applications are now closed. 

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