This qualification is not listed on the DfE 16 – 19 performance tables because it is not designed to meet the requirements of the Key Stage 5 performance tables.
- England
- Northern Ireland
Vocational qualifications are either work-related qualifications designed to enable students to gain the skills required to perform a particular job, or qualifications that may be taken as part of a wider study programme or apprenticeship.
Schools and colleges may offer qualifications that are not included in the DfE performance tables, if approved for teaching to 16 – 19 year olds by the Secretary of State for Education in England under Section 96, where this is in the best interests of individual students.
The UAL Level 3 Diploma for Fashion Studio Assistant has been designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary to work in the fashion industry, with a specific focus on working in a fashion studio. The qualification has been developed in collaboration with the British Fashion Council, Creative Skillset, and representatives from industry, universities, further education colleges, and employers. It provides students with the skills, knowledge, and understanding needed to prepare them for employment and/or support a role in the workplace.
This qualification has primarily been developed to support the delivery of the Fashion Studio Assistant Apprenticeship standard. However, it can also be delivered as a standalone qualification. The objectives of this qualification are to give students the opportunity to:
- develop and demonstrate industry knowledge to support their competence development
- develop and demonstrate a range of technical skills and behaviours to support their competence development
- progress their personal growth and engagement in learning
- achieve a recognised qualification
It is expected that the majority of individuals enrolled on this qualification will be new to the industry. However, those who are currently working in the industry can use this qualification to accredit their existing skills and knowledge, while providing opportunities to develop them further. Through completion of this qualification, employers should recognise an individual’s ability to work to the recognised standard.
This qualification is suitable for students aged 18 and above. There are no specific entry requirements, although it may be beneficial if students have undertaken a Level 2 qualification in an appropriate related qualification. This qualification may be delivered as part of the Fashion Studio Apprenticeship standard, or as a standalone qualification. For those who already work in a fashion studio, this qualification can accredit their existing skills and knowledge, while providing opportunities to develop these further.
Who supports this qualification?
This qualification is recognised as preparing students for progression into employment. The following employers endorse this qualification:
- Roksanda Ilincic
- Tom Lipop
- Matthew Miller Ltd
- LR Studio Ltd
- Richard James
- Osman Yousefzada
- Christopher Raeburn
- Lou Dalton
- Burberry
- Marios Schwab Ltd
- Mulberry
- Jonathan Saunders Ltd
- Jasper Conran Ltd
Letters of support can be found on the UAL Awarding Body website at: www.arts.ac.uk/about-ual/awarding-body/qualifications/fashion/level-3-a….
This qualification is designed for post-16 students and falls under the oversight of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). A significant number of students will undertake these qualifications post-19.
Following its 2012 review of post-19 qualifications, the ESFA removed 1,800 qualifications from public funding, and a further 1,000 in 2014. In March 2014, the government published a Reform Plan for Vocational Education.
This qualification has not been subject to the same reforms as Applied General and Tech Level qualifications (which are specifically designed for 16 – 19 year old students), however the ESFA has implemented a new set of business rules for the approval of qualifications for funding, based on the 2013 Review of Adult Vocational Qualifications in England. These rules recognise that adults may have different needs, aspirations, and ambitions to younger people, and include that qualifications should be:
- relevant to individuals and employers, and affordable for all sizes of business and for individuals
- rigorous and based on a robust future-looking occupational standard, designed and assessed by the sector
- recognised as worthy of investment, giving a clear signal of the economically valuable skills, knowledge, and understanding required in an occupation, now and in the future
Regulation of vocational qualifications
The regulation of vocational qualifications is the responsibility of the respective regulators in each UK country – Ofqual (England), CCEA Regulation (Northern Ireland), SQA (Scotland), and Qualifications Wales (Wales). The regulatory approach undertaken for vocational qualifications is different from A levels. This is because there are no specific qualification criteria for vocational qualifications, as there currently are for GCSEs, and AS and A levels. Vocational qualifications must comply with the regulator’s general rules, as is the case with all regulated qualifications.
The qualification has been written to support a range of delivery options, and focuses on underpinning processes and principles. It deliberately avoids specifying detailed contexts in which delivery should occur.
Employer engagement
Good practice in relations to employer engagement includes:
- offering flexible delivery and assessment to meet the needs of the employer and student, through the use of a range of approaches. Examples include virtual learning environments (VLEs), online lectures, videos, printable online resources, virtual visits, webcams for distance training, and e-portfolios
- structuring on-the-job training activities, and encouraging employers to support development through things such as: coaching, mentoring, shadowing, reflective practice, collaboration, and consultation
- structuring and supporting off-the-job training, through activities such as practical demonstration, observations, feedback, roleplaying, and workshops
- developing a holistic approach to assessment, by matching evidence to different assessment criteria, learning outcomes, and units. This will reduce the assessment burden on students and assessors
- discussing and agreeing with the student and employer suitable times, dates, and work areas where assessment can take place
- helping the employer understand how the qualification supports achievement to the apprenticeship standard
- UAL Awarding Body
The qualification is made up of a mandatory Foundation Core and a choice of one of three pathways:
- Mandatory Foundation Core: students will gain understanding, demonstrate knowledge, and apply learning in the following areas in preparation for a professional context:
|
Foundation Core |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Health and Safety in a Fashion Environment |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Professional Practice in a Fashion Environment |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Communication for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Introduction to the Fashion Industry |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Introduction to Critical Path |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Administration for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
6 |
30 |
Plus one of the following:
- Pathway 1 – Product Development: students will gain understanding, demonstrate knowledge, and apply learning in the following areas in preparation for a professional context within the Product Development pathway:
|
Optional Group 1 – Studio Management |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Studio Management for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Studio Management for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Studio Management for the Fashion Industry |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 2 – Materials |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Materials Handling and Application |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Materials Handling and Application |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Materials Handling and Application |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 3 – Pattern Knowledge |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Pattern Construction Techniques and Processes |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Pattern Construction Techniques and Processes |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Pattern Construction Techniques and Processes |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 4 – Garment Construction |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Garment Construction Techniques for Fashion Production |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Garment Construction Techniques for Fashion Production |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Garment Construction Techniques for Fashion Production |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 5 – Buying and Sourcing |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Buying and Sourcing for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Buying and Sourcing for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Buying and Sourcing for the Fashion Industry |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 6 – Product Management |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Product Management for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Product Management for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Product Management for the Fashion Industry |
4 |
12 |
60 |
To be awarded the Level 3 Diploma for Fashion Studio Assistant (Product Development), students must complete all units in the Foundation Core to make a total of 30 credits, and at least one unit in each optional group to make a minimum of 36 credits.
This means, at a minimum, all students must take two three-credit units, three six-credit units, and one 12-credit unit from the optional units to make a total of 36 credits. The student, provider, and employer will assess the student’s ability and opportunities in the workplace to achieve the learning outcomes in the 12-credit units.
- Pathway 2 – Sales and Operations: students will gain understanding, demonstrate knowledge, and apply learning in the following areas in preparation for a professional context within the Sales and Operations pathway:
|
Optional Group 1 – Sales Strategy |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Sales Strategy for Fashion Environments |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Sales Strategy for Fashion Environments |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Sales Strategy for Fashion Environments |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 2 – Market Awareness |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Market Awareness for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Market Awareness for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Market Awareness for the Fashion Industry |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 3 – Merchandising |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Merchandising for Fashion Environments |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Merchandising for Fashion Environments |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Merchandising for Fashion Environments |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 4 – Logistics |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Logistics for Fashion Environments |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Logistics for Fashion Environments |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Logistics for Fashion Environments |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 5 – Showroom |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Showroom Management for Fashion Environments |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Showroom Management for Fashion Environments |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Showroom Management for Fashion Environments |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 6 – Customer Relationship Management |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Customer Relationship Management for Fashion Environments |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Customer Relationship Management for Fashion Environments |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Customer Relationship Management for Fashion Environments |
4 |
12 |
60 |
- Pathway Three – Fashion Marketing and Communications: students will gain understanding, demonstrate knowledge, and apply learning in the following areas in preparation for a professional context within the Fashion Marketing and Communications pathway:
|
Optional Group 1 – PR Strategy |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Marketing and Communications Strategy for Fashion Environments |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Marketing and Communications Strategy for Fashion Environments |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Marketing and Communications Strategy for Fashion Environments |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 2 – Online Brand Communication |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Online Brand Communications for Fashion Environments |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Online Brand Communications for Fashion Environments |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Online Brand Communications for Fashion Environments |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 3 – Offline Brand Communication |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Offline Brand Communications for Fashion Environments |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Offline Brand Communications for Fashion Environments |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Offline Brand Communications for Fashion Environments |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 4 – Events |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Events Management for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Events Management for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Events Management for the Fashion Industry |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 5 – Media and Influencer Relationship Management |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Media & Influencer Relationship Management for Fashion Environments |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Media & Influencer Relationship Management for Fashion Environments |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Media & Influencer Relationship Management for Fashion Environments |
4 |
12 |
60 |
|
Optional Group 6 – Content Creation |
Level |
Credit |
GLH |
|
Understanding Content Creation for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Demonstrating Content Creation for the Fashion Industry |
3 |
6 |
30 |
|
Applying Content Creation for the Fashion Industry |
4 |
12 |
60 |
- Fashion: Product Development
- Fashion: Sales and Operations
- Fashion: Fashion Marketing and Communications
- Level 3
Level 3 qualifications are regulated to the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England and Northern Ireland and the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales, though many may be offered on a three-country basis.
Level 3 is broadly aligned to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 6/7.
The qualification and all units are graded Pass/Fail.
All units that make up the UAL Level 3 Diploma for Fashion Studio Assistant are internally assessed and verified by qualified staff within a centre, and externally moderated by UAL Awarding Body. All assignments and projects are devised by the centre, or must provide appropriate opportunities for students to generate the evidence required to meet the assessment criteria for the unit or units that the assignment or project relates to. Students are required to develop a portfolio of evidence for all assignments and projects set. There is no external assessment in these qualifications.
The qualification and all units are graded Pass/Fail.
To achieve the Level 3 Diploma for Fashion Studio Assistant, students must successfully demonstrate their achievement of all learning outcomes and assessment criteria, across the mandatory and optional units that make up the intended qualification. Students can achieve a maximum of a Pass as an overall grade.
UAL Level 3 Diploma in Fashion Studio Assistant
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| P | 32 |
<
There are a number of key considerations for HEPs when reviewing vocational qualifications that are not listed on the DfE 16 – 19 performance tables for England:
- Some of these qualifications are occupational, and may not be designed specifically for progression to HE.
- Applicants holding these qualifications may be school or college leavers, however, some may be more mature students who are likely to have other relevant experience alongside these qualifications.
- These qualifications may have been taken as part of a wider study programme or apprenticeship.
- If they are presented for admission to HE, it is likely to be in conjunction with other qualifications.
The units in the qualification focus on the underpinning skills, knowledge, and understanding that support all fashion studio assistant activities, to prepare students for progression to higher education, employment, or an apprenticeship.
Students achieving the qualification have a number of routes open to them. Many choose to progress to a more specialist Level 4 course, some progress to higher education, and others go straight into industry roles.
Progression information is captured at the point of results submission, and is published annually in the UAL's chief examiner reports (by qualification).
Timing of assessments is at the discretion of the centre.
Results are not provided at a fixed time. The centres upload the results, the External Moderator must verify the results within five days, and UAL Awarding Body aims to deliver certificates within ten days from verification.
The qualification is current.
The results of these qualifications are reported to UCAS through Awarding Body Linkage (ABL).
View the results available through ABL.
UAL Awarding Body submits data returns to UCAS in June for UAL Level 3 Diplomas.
UAL Awarding Body submits certification information to Ofqual which is accessed by the Northern Ireland regulator, CCEA. UAL Awarding Body also submits certification information to the Department for Education.
Students completing this qualification, either as part of an apprenticeship or as a standalone qualification, may progress to:
1. employment – students completing this may progress directly into employment in the fashion industry, specifically into roles such as:
- showroom assistant
- assistant merchandiser
- sales assistant
- buyers’ assistant
2. higher education - the qualification will support students to develop a portfolio of work, enabling them to progress to higher education in related fashion disciplines, or sales and marketing
UAL Awarding Body website: www.arts.ac.uk/about-ual/awarding-body
UAL Level 3 and 4 Diploma for Fashion Studio Assistant page: www.arts.ac.uk/about-ual/awarding-body/qualifications/fashion/level-3-a….