Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Scheme in Fashion and Textiles

Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Programme Aims

The general aim of the programme is to train competent professionals for the fashion business in textiles, apparel, retailing, design and related organisations. These professionals play an active role in the development of the global fashion and textiles industry in local and overseas markets. In addition to professional competencies, the programme cultivates students’ other essential competencies, such as entrepreneurship, social media marketing, and business analytics, expanding graduates’ skillsets for today’s business environment. Graduates possess personal excellence in leadership, teamwork, healthy lifestyle and lifelong learning; they become trend leaders, innovators, critical thinkers and creative problem solvers; they deploy effective communication and interpersonal skills, and show strong biliteracy and trilingualism; and they become responsible global and ethical leaders and citizens who promote social and national responsibility, engage in local and international affairs, and exhibit cultural and aesthetic appreciation with a global perspective.

Programme Characteristics

Based on their desired careers and academic performance, students can choose one of the following five specialisms under the BA Scheme.

Design

The design specialism nurtures students’ creativity and design ability, develops their awareness of current and emerging technologies in the fashion and manufacturing environment, and promotes their understanding of the supporting marketing and business practices.

Knitwear Design and Technology

This specialism is similar to that of the Design specialism in that it intends to nurture creativity and design ability. In addition to a general education, students attain the essential knowledge and skills of a knitwear designer.

Retail and Marketing

This specialism equips students for the global fashion business. Students learn the fundamental management principles, contemporary practices and operational knowledge of global fashion retail and marketing. In particular, it develops students’ skills in defining, analysing and solving business problems in fashion retail and marketing, from fast to luxury fashion, and from fashion accessories to lifestyle products. Emphasis is placed on fashion sourcing, buying, market research, branding, digital marketing, omni-channel distribution, social media analytics, store management and the distribution of fashion products in both local and global contexts. This specialism ensures that students attain the necessary professional skills to initiate and carry out individual and team research projects.

Intimate Apparel and Activewear

The aim of this specialism is to ensure that students have the necessary academic and practical knowledge of intimate apparel and activewear, including the integration of design and technology. It provides students with a supportive and inspiring learning environment to create imaginative designs using analytical and problem-solving abilities. It also fosters students’ independent judgement and critical thinking for the new development of intimate apparel and activewear. Students are guided to attain first-hand experience of the latest technologies, modern materials and industrial practice.

Technology

The technology specialism nurtures graduates with sound knowledge of fashion products and production processes; who are able to apply their knowledge within a technical, economic, managerial and commercial context; who can respond flexibly to change; and who have the potential to become industrial leaders in product development, process innovation and production management in textiles and apparel in local and global markets.

There are also opportunities for placements in the industry to gain on-the-job knowledge and experience in the workplace.