Textile Innovation and Sustainability
Textile innovation and sustainability is a degree that addresses the urgent need to transform one of the world's most polluting industries from within. Textiles and clothing production generate vast environmental impacts through water use, chemical processing, carbon emissions, and waste, and the pressure to develop more sustainable materials, processes, and business models is intensifying from regulators, brands, and consumers alike. Engineers and innovators who can develop novel textile solutions to address environmental and ethical concerns are increasingly sought across the industry.
At the University of Leeds, which has one of the UK's strongest textile science and engineering traditions, this three-year full-time programme equips you with the scientific, technical, and commercial knowledge to help change the textile industry for the better. You will study fibre science, fabric construction, dyeing and finishing processes, and the technical properties of materials alongside the sustainability challenges of the global textile supply chain, including circular economy approaches, biomaterials, recycled fibres, and the design of products for longevity and recyclability. Leeds's research expertise in functional and technical textiles, sustainable materials, and fashion supply chain sustainability provides a rich intellectual context for your studies.
A sandwich year in industry, a year abroad, and work placements are all part of the programme, giving you direct experience in textile science, technical textiles, or sustainability roles.
With a typical entry tariff of 152 UCAS points, this programme attracts students motivated to combine scientific and engineering skills with a genuine commitment to sustainability. Graduates pursue careers in textile product development, sustainable materials innovation, supply chain sustainability, technical textiles for performance and medical applications, quality assurance, and environmental compliance within the fashion, textiles, and technical materials industries. Many continue to postgraduate study in textile science, sustainable fashion, or materials engineering.