Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) is the art and design college of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Fashion is taught in its School of Design.
At a glance
| Founded | 1760, as the Trustees’ Drawing Academy |
| Part of the University of Edinburgh | Since 2011 |
| Location | Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Schools | Art, Design, History of Art, Music, and Architecture and Landscape Architecture |
| Fashion is taught in | School of Design |
What is it?
ECA traces its history to 1760, when a drawing academy was set up in Edinburgh to train designers for Scottish industry. It joined the University of Edinburgh in 2011.
In the four-year Fashion degree, students learn research, sketching and digital design, creative pattern cutting and garment making. They also learn to design in a sustainable, inclusive way, and work on projects with industry.
Schools and departments
- School of Art
- School of Design
- School of History of Art
- Reid School of Music
- Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)
Fashion courses you can study
These are ECA’s fashion, textile and costume courses, with their official names:
Undergraduate
- Fashion BA (Hons) (4 years)
- Textiles BA (Hons)
- Performance Costume BA (Hons)
How to apply
- You apply through UCAS, the UK’s university application service.
- The university’s Degree Finder page explains the portfolio you need and what happens after you apply.
- Entry requirements and deadlines are listed on the Degree Finder page for each course.
Entry requirements, fees and deadlines change every year. Always check the official website before you apply.
Sources
- ECA homepage
- Fashion BA (Hons), ECA
- Fashion BA (Hons), Degree Finder
- Textiles BA (Hons)
- Performance Costume BA (Hons)
- Wikipedia: Edinburgh College of Art (history and schools)
All facts on this page come from the official websites of ECA and the University of Edinburgh, except the history and list of schools, which come from Wikipedia. Last checked: 9 November 2026.