Teesside University, Ferrari Fashion School’s academic partner for its Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Master of Arts with Advanced Practice programmes in Milan, has achieved its highest-ever position in the Guardian University Guide 2027, ranking 32nd in the UK. The result reinforces the value of an international academic partnership combining British higher education with fashion education in Milan.
Teesside University has climbed 24 places, from 56th to 32nd in the UK, in the Guardian University Guide 2027, becoming the second highest-ranked university in North East England.
The result marks the University’s strongest performance in the ranking to date and provides further recognition of its commitment to teaching, student experience and graduate outcomes.
For Ferrari Fashion School, the achievement also highlights the value of its academic partnership with Teesside University, which validates the School’s Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Master of Arts with Advanced Practice programmes delivered in Milan.
Teesside University in the Guardian University Guide 2027
The Guardian University Guide is one of the UK’s leading university rankings, with a particular focus on the undergraduate student experience.
Its methodology considers indicators including teaching satisfaction, feedback and assessment, student-to-staff ratios, continuation rates, value added and graduate career prospects.
Teesside University’s rise to 32nd place in the UK, up 24 positions from the previous year, represents its best-ever result in the ranking and further strengthens the profile of Ferrari Fashion School’s UK academic partner.
Ferrari Fashion School and Teesside University: fashion education in Milan with a UK academic framework
Through its partnership with Teesside University, Ferrari Fashion School delivers UK-validated degree programmes entirely in English in Milan, one of the world’s leading fashion and luxury capitals.
The partnership brings together complementary educational strengths: the Italian culture of fashion design, craftsmanship and luxury manufacturing and the British emphasis on experimentation, independent research and critical thinking.
At undergraduate level, the partnership includes the BA (Hons) Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Fashion Styling & Communication and BA (Hons) Fashion Business & Digital Marketing.
At postgraduate level, Ferrari Fashion School offers the MA Fashion Design & Creative Direction with Advanced Practice and the MA Fashion & Luxury Management with Advanced Practice.
Students also have the opportunity to spend a semester at Teesside University in the UK as part of their programme, with no additional tuition fee, adding an international study experience to their education in Milan.
A practice-led academic model connecting assessment and professional experience
Ferrari Fashion School’s BA (Hons) and MA programmes follow an academic model in which students are evaluated primarily through assessments rather than traditional written exams.
Depending on the programme and module, assessment can include projects, portfolios, presentations and critical reflection, allowing students to demonstrate not only what they know, but how they apply knowledge to creative, strategic and professional contexts.
Professional experience is also embedded in the academic journey. All BA (Hons) and MA programmes include an internship or structured professional practice component, creating a direct connection between academic education and the fashion and luxury sector.
At postgraduate level, the Master of Arts with Advanced Practice programmes are structured over 16 months and include a dedicated Advanced Practice semester, which can be completed through an internship or research-based project.
Together, these elements create an international educational experience that combines English-taught study, academic assessment, professional experience and international mobility within a UK-validated academic framework.
Teesside University’s highest-ever position in the Guardian University Guide therefore represents an important recognition for Ferrari Fashion School’s academic partner and further strengthens a shared educational model connecting academic quality, creative experimentation and professional preparation.
