De Montfort University and CircKit partner to embed circular technology into fashion education

De Montfort University (DMU) has become the first higher education institution to publicly partner with fashion technology platform CircKit, embedding its industry-grade circular design and compliance software directly into its curricula starting September 2026. The initiative, delivered through the "CircKit for Universities" academic licensing programme, aims to address a growing skills gap by shifting sustainability instruction away from theoretical lectures toward active, tool-based practice.

As legislative measures such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) redefine operational standards across global supply chains, fashion brands are prioritizing candidates with practical fluency in eco-design and regulatory compliance. By integrating CircKit across multiple courses, DMU will allow students to conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), analyze material impacts, and simulate real-world commercial scenarios during the initial design phase, long before products reach production.

The platform’s methodology centres on balancing commercial viability, regulatory compliance, and climate performance. According to Stuart Lawson, Deputy Head at DMU’s School of Design Innovation, the adoption aligns with the Design Council’s Skills for Planet framework, embedding LCAs directly into teaching to help students understand and act on sustainability metrics. CircKit Founder and CEO Joe Darwen noted that DMU’s early adoption establishes a new benchmark for higher education by treating circularity as a core business driver rather than a creative limitation.

The partnership highlights a broader movement among fashion institutions seeking to update their academic models in response to tightening global regulations and evolving market demands. With applications now open for the September 2026 academic term, CircKit is currently onboarding additional fashion schools and universities, signaling a sector-wide transition toward software-driven, compliance-ready fashion education.