This course will expand your understanding of the environmental problems caused by todays textile industry, and point the way towards sustainable alternatives that you can implement as a designer, retailer, or manufacturer.

The course is organised as a series of lectures, and students are encouraged to ask questions, add their own experience, and get involved in the debate. Each week there is also a wide range of reference material to review, and a practical assignment to help you put your knowledge into practice.

The course begins with a review of the impact of the industry's use of chemicals and scarce resources, poor industry practices, and waste. Then you will learn about the innovations that have the potential to solve these problems.

We will look at new eco-friendly fabrics and fibres, better and cleaner production processes, and ethical considerations such as fair trade and safe working. We will also review sustainable changes in the consumption of textiles, such as recycling, upcycling and changes in consumer habits to reduce landfill when buying clothes. By the end of the course you will be ready to make more sustainable decisions as a fashion professional, benefiting your company and our environment.

Garment technologists, designers, fashion buyers, manufacturers, or Anyone who wants to understand more about the environmental issues in textile and garment manufacture and learn more about ways to use more sustainable products and practices.

Admissions Option 2

Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.

Scholarships and Funding Option 2

Why certain raw materials are environmentally unfriendly

Environmentally sound textile dyes and finishes

Synthetic or man-made fibres and sustainability

Ethical practices such as fair trade, living wage and safe working

Garment care - laundering and disposing of garments

Curriculum

Gained a better understanding of where textiles can be poor for the environment

Learnt about some of the better alternative options when choosing textiles

Gained confidence on the terminology used e.g. organic, fair trade, closed loop, recycled, etc

Completed research on areas of sustainability

Considered the whole process from raw materials, through to textiles and garments and then to retail and consumer

Program Outcome

Program Tuition Fees Option 2

The same course content and learning outcomes

Program delivery

Summer Course

Master

Sustainability Studies

Sustainable Design

Design Studies

Textile Design

University of the Arts London (UAL) is ranked 2nd in the world for Art and Design according to the 2023 QS World University Rankings®, for the fifth year in a row. It has an international reputation in art, design, communication, fashion, media and performing arts. Home to a diverse body of 18,000 students from 130 countries, UAL has over 100 years’ history of teaching across its institutions – Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, Wimbledon College of Arts and UAL Creative Computing Institute.

Sustainable Textiles Online Short Course

Introduction