From B.C. to Britain: KPU fashion grads gain direct access to UK degree

From KPU Newsroom

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) and Nottingham Trent University (NTU) have announced a transformative partnership offering KPU graduates of the Diploma in Fashion Marketing program a direct pathway to advanced international studies.

The pathway allows students from the Wilson School of Design at KPU to seamlessly transition to the Bachelor of Arts in International Fashion Business (Honours) program at NTU, located in Nottingham, UK. The one-year top-up degree builds on the two-year fashion diploma program at KPU.

The NTU degree program is launching a refreshed curriculum in 2025, ensuring that graduates are at the forefront of industry trends. The program integrates creative thinking with practical business insights, covering areas such as branding, buying, trend forecasting, sustainability and entrepreneurship. Students will engage in interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, industry guest talks and collaborative projects with leading fashion brands. 

Upon completing the bachelor degree program, students have the opportunity to further advance their education with a Master of Arts at NTU’s Nottingham School of Art and Design, requiring just one additional year. The masters programs include Fashion Communications, Fashion Marketing, Luxury Fashion Brand Management and International Fashion Management. 

Zainab Al-Koubaisi, Director of Global Engagement at KPU says,

Our partnership with Nottingham Trent University reflects our commitment to expanding meaningful, future-focused opportunities for our students. It strengthens KPU’s global engagement by creating a direct pathway for students to earn international credentials and build networks in the heart of the fashion industry.

More information, including admissions criteria, is available on the KPU and NTU partnership webpage.

Photo from the 2025 KPU Wilson School of Design grad show

The Diploma in Fashion Marketing is a two-year program offered at the Wilson School of Design at KPU, catering to students who have an eye for style and an interest in business. The hands-on program equips students with practical skills in business, fashion, communications and marketing, while making industry connections. The program prioritizes individualized mentorship, limiting admissions to 30 students per year.