The Bachelor of Fashion Design is a three-year career focused qualification that prepares you to work as a creative professional in the global fashion industry. You’ll refine your craft at the Fashion Design Studio, a leading force in the Australian Fashion industry since 1955. This degree aims to identify and nurture your individual design aesthetic and fashion interest, and to equip you for sustained creative fashion design practice. You are taught through a global fashion business lens, and we draw on our international links to ensure your learning is aligned with current trends.
You’ll participate in two work placements and be ready to enter the design world with confidence and establish your professional networks. In your third year, you’ll create and present your collection and graduate with a portfolio of realised work.
Graduate as a highly creative, work ready fashion designer with the skills to work as an independent design professional or as a member of a collaborative design team.
3 years full time or 6 years part time
084563C
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
Apply and develop a broad understanding of the different techniques, technologies and practices impacting the fashion industry worldwide
Support a sustained creative fashion design practice by deepening your knowledge of the critical aspects of fashion design as a discipline
Research, assess and synthesise complex information to develop and create innovative and sustainable fashion design concepts and business solutions
Communicate effectively using fashion specific communication methods and technologies to optimise outcomes
Apply your knowledge and skills in fashion design across various contexts, working both independently and collaboratively
Develop specialist skills to gain an advantage in the job market
Graduate with a Bachelor Degree (AQF 7)
A comprehensive fashion portfolio of your realised designs that is presented to industry at our graduate showcase
Experience professional networking opportunities through 2 industry internships and showcase at Australian Fashion Week if your designs are selected
The ability to manage fashion design projects from original concept through to the runway show
Membership of an impressive alumni community that has shaped the face of Australian fashion
Experience in creating your own business plan, branding collateral and building a promotional platform to communicate your brand
A deep understanding of ethical, social and environmental sustainability through your research and practical design projects
Real world experience with internal peer review and insight from industry experts
The opportunity to showcase your designs at Australian Fashion Week
The opportunity to apply for the Vanguard Education Fund, a mentorship scheme established by Net-a-Porter and the British Fashion Council designed to help final-year BA students gain a foothold in the fashion industry
This course has been accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol
A NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) or its equivalent as evidenced by a certified copy of your certificate or transcript or
A Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation or its equivalent as evidenced by a certified copy of your certificate or transcript or
A completed certificate IV or higher vocational qualification as evidenced by a certified copy of your certificate or transcript
Submit a portfolio of artwork to demonstrate your creative talent. This must include 12 examples of your original fashion design ideas. (Copies of original work only, A3 maximum size)
Submit an essay comparing the work of two prominent designers that have inspired you to become a fashion designer. This should describe the similarities and differences between the two designers’ works and why their designs resonate with you. (550 word maximum)
Attend a pre-admission interview. You should bring your portfolio to this interview
Your certificates, transcripts and other entry requirement evidence must be certified through a Justice of the Peace or other authorising officer
During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
A strong sense of design and innovation
An interest or skills in fashion design
A strong work ethic
Excellent time management skills
A desire to succeed in a creative industry
The ability to purchase textiles and materials to complete learning and assessment tasks
If you need help preparing for study, contact us about your options.
You do not require an ATAR score for entry into this course.
If you are unable to meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for special admission.
Please continue with your application and you will be guided to identify as mature aged (at least 21 years old in your first year of study) or disadvantaged (disability, serious or chronic illness, interrupted education, lack of support for study, serious personal problems and/or serious family responsibilities). Please contact us to find out more.
TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.
Our graduates go onto roles like:
Fashion Designers plan, design and develop clothing, accessories, footwear or other items of personal apparel considering the form and construction of clothing, historical styles and contexts, contemporary and cultural trends, colour, fabric, and decoration, and the techniques and processes available for manufacture.
89%
2,000 workers
37 years
$1,290
46 hours
Very high
87% female
Moderate Growth
Other jobs include: fashion designer, costume designer, product developer, pattern cutter, stylist, fashion illustrators, textile print designers and garment technicians.
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Alternative pathways into this course
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
The Bachelor of Fashion Design does not have any post-graduate courses.
Strengthen your expertise and expand your employability
The Bachelor of Fashion Design does not have any related courses.
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
Completion of this course requires you to successfully complete 24 subjects (240 credit points) made up of 21 core subjects and 3 elective subjects
Core Subjects
Elective Subjects
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations – get social with our student community