FAQs

School of Design Professional Learning offers professional development courses designed to help individuals build new skills, expand their knowledge and advance their careers. Our courses combine academic expertise from the University of Leeds School of Design with industry insights to support lifelong learning and professional growth.

Our professional learning courses cover a wide range of subjects, including fashion, textiles technology, design thinking, problem-solving, fashion management, sustainable fashion, visual communication, fashion branding and other specialist creative disciplines. 

Each course is developed with input from experts to provide relevant knowledge, practical skills and insights that can be applied directly within professional contexts. 

Our courses are designed for professionals, individuals and organisations looking to develop their skills. Whether you are looking to enhance your existing expertise, explore a new area of interest or support career development, our courses offer flexible learning opportunities to suit different goals and levels of experience. 

Each course page outlines the intended audience, recommended experience level and any specific requirements. 

Yes. Our courses are designed to support professional development by helping learners gain new knowledge, strengthen existing skills and explore emerging areas in fashion, textiles, fashion marketing, branding, design, creative thinking and management.  

Many learners use professional learning courses to support career progression, enhance their portfolios, prepare for new opportunities or develop specialist expertise. 

Our courses are designed to support professionals at different stages of their careers, from those building foundational knowledge to experienced practitioners developing specialist expertise. 

We offer: 

• Introductory and Intermediate (Levels 3–5) – Suitable for early-career professionals, graduates, career changers or those building core skills. 
• Advanced (Levels 6–7) – Designed for experienced professionals seeking deeper knowledge and strategic expertise. Some Level 7 courses are delivered at postgraduate-level standard. 

Each course page outlines the recommended experience, course level and expected commitment to help you choose the right course. 

Each course page includes information about the course content, intended audience, learning outcomes, delivery format, duration and requirements. If you are unsure which course is best suited to your goals, our team can provide guidance and help you identify the most suitable learning opportunity. 

Yes. All of our professional learning courses are designed with working professionals in mind. Flexible online learning options allow you to balance your studies alongside professional and personal commitments. Please check individual course pages for details about expected study time and course schedules. 

Yes. Our courses are open to learners from around the world. Online courses provide flexible access for international participants, while on-campus courses can also accommodate international learners.  

Yes. Our courses are CPD recognised and designed to support continuing professional development by providing relevant knowledge and practical skills. They are officially certified by The CPD Certification Service, ensuring they meet recognised educational standards.

Upon successful completion of a course, learners will receive a certificate of completion from the University of Leeds. Some courses may have additional requirements, such as successfully completing an assessment, to receive further recognition. 

Please refer to the individual course page for details about completion requirements and any additional certificates or recognition available. 

Yes. Upon completing a School of Design Professional Learning course, you will be invited to join our professional learning alumni network. The network provides opportunities to stay connected with fellow learners, continue engaging with the School of Design community and hear about future learning opportunities. 

Currently, we do not offer payment plan options. 

Yes. Many learners have their studies funded by their employer as part of their continuing professional development (CPD). If your employer needs further information to support approval, our team can provide relevant documentation. 

Yes. We welcome enquiries from organisations wishing to enrol multiple employees. 

Please contact the School of Design Professional Learning team to discuss group bookings, tailored learning opportunities or bespoke professional development for your organisation. 

Refund eligibility depends on the course and the applicable cancellation terms. 

Please review the refund policy provided during enrolment for full details. 

If you have questions about courses, enrolment, accessibility or choosing the right programme, our team will be happy to help. Please contact us through the enquiry options provided on our website. 

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates about new courses, events and professional learning opportunities. You can also follow School of Design Professional Learning on LinkedIn for the latest news and announcements. 

We offer a range of learning formats to support different learning preferences and professional commitments, including: 

Online self-paced courses, allowing you to learn flexibly at your own pace 

Online cohort-based courses, combining structured learning with peer interaction, live sessions and academic support 

On-campus courses, providing opportunities for face-to-face learning, networking and access to University of Leeds facilities 

Online self-paced courses allow you to complete your learning independently, giving you the flexibility to study at a time and pace that work for you. 

These courses are designed for professionals and learners who want to develop their knowledge and skills while balancing other commitments. You can access course materials online and progress through the content according to your own schedule. 

The duration of each course varies depending on the subject area, level and amount of learning content included. Each course page provides an estimated completion time to help you plan your study schedule. 

Completion times are intended as a guide and may vary depending on your prior knowledge, learning pace and the amount of time you choose to spend exploring additional resources. 

Our online self-paced courses are designed to be flexible. The recommended study time will vary by course, but we provide guidance on the expected commitment on each course page. 

We encourage learners to engage fully with all learning materials, activities and knowledge checks to get the most from their learning experience. 

To enrol, select your chosen course from the School of Design Professional Learning website and follow the enrolment instructions. 

You will be directed to our online learning platform, where you can create an account and complete your enrolment by clicking on the price listed in the box.  

Once you have enrolled and created your account, you can access your course through our online learning platform. You’ll find the link in your sign-up confirmation email or in our main menu.  

Your course materials will be available online, allowing you to return to your learning whenever it is convenient. 

You will need: 

• A reliable internet connection 
• A computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone 
• A modern web browser 

Some courses may require additional software or tools.  

No, our online courses do not include an assessment. Instead, they include knowledge checks and quizzes throughout to review your learning and comprehension and help reinforce learning without a final assessment.  

Lessons may require you to complete specific activities before you can progress. 

To move to the next section, make sure you have engaged with all required content, including videos, readings, interactive activities and knowledge checks where applicable. 

You will have access to your course materials for 12 months from the date of enrolment, allowing you to revisit content and continue your learning journey. 

We are committed to supporting inclusive learning and providing reasonable adjustments where possible. If you require alternative formats, additional descriptions or other accessibility support, please contact the School of Design Professional Learning team before or during your course. 

On-campus courses provide an immersive learning experience at the University of Leeds, giving you the opportunity to learn directly from academic experts. You’ll benefit from hands-on activities, live demonstrations, opportunities to ask questions and valuable networking with fellow professionals. 

To enquire about an on-campus course, visit your chosen course page on the School of Design Professional Learning website and complete the online enquiry form. A member of our team will then contact you with the next steps and enrolment information. 

Before your course begins, you’ll receive a welcome email containing all the information you need, including arrival times, campus location, directions and any instructions to help you prepare for your first day. 

Course duration varies depending on the subject and level of study. Full details, including course dates and expected learning hours, are available on each individual course page. 

Yes. Complimentary refreshments are provided throughout the day, including tea, coffee and water. 

We also provide a light breakfast selection, which may include fresh fruit, yoghurt pots, pastries and cookies. Please note that catering options may vary seasonally. 

We are committed to providing an inclusive learning experience for all participants. If you require reasonable adjustments or have specific accessibility requirements, please let us know before your course begins. We’ll work with you to identify appropriate support wherever possible. 

Requirements vary by course. Individual course pages outline any materials or equipment you’ll need to bring. Unless otherwise stated, participants will receive a notebook and any course-specific learning materials required during the course. 

Yes. Course materials and presentation slides will be made available through our online learning platform after your course has finished. Login details and access instructions will be shared following the course. 

Parking may be available for participants who require it. 

If you need parking, please let us know when completing your pre-course information or welcome form, and we’ll advise you on the arrangements. 

Yes. Approximately one month before your course begins, you’ll receive a comprehensive welcome pack containing everything you need to prepare, including: 

• Arrival information and campus directions 
• Accessibility information 
• Parking details (where applicable) 
• Contact information for the course team