Fashion Design

Fashion is an exciting area of study that combines art, design, technical skill and commerce. Turn your creative flair and passion for clothes into a career in the fashion industry. Teachers are all industry-current, with national and international experience.

This two-year qualification, designed as an entry-level qualification into fashion design, will enable you to establish your own design label or continue onto a university degree in the industry. Learn in a simulated industry design room with industrial machinery and the latest software to design and produce customised fashion garments for your professional portfolio of work. Our textile area is using new technology to address sustainable and environmental practices for jobs of the future.

Industry Placement

CIT has strong connections with local and national design labels, providing students with the opportunity to participate in unpaid work experience. This experience furthers their understanding of the fashion industry and maximises their chances of gaining employment after graduating. You will have the opportunity to participate in a red-carpet fashion event presenting your designs to the public.

  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising | MST50119

    CRICOS: 0100772

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    2 years

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    2023 Semester 1 (February)

    2024 Semester 1 (February)

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Reid

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    Tuition Fees:

    2023: $7,450 per semester (Total qualification tuition fee $29,800)

    Extra Fees:

    Material fees: $1385 approx. for the 2 years
    Sewing component kit: $110
    Drawing component kit: $83
    Printing costs: $5 approx. per week during each semester

  • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small fee increases may happen annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. Fees are subject to change.

  • Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements:

    • Year 12 Certificate (or equivalent)
    • A portfolio of work that demonstrates your aptitude for design. A portfolio may be either:
      • A collection of your own work from a range of activities and media types or
      • A collection of design solutions that you have found while researching this area of design, showing you have an understanding and appreciation of design basics. Images should be accompanied by a paragraph explaining why you appreciate the image/design. These may include: drawing, photography, painting, printmaking or graphic design projects. You may also focus on an artist, architect or designer whose work you enjoy.
      • You may be asked to attend an interview to demonstrate appropriate design aptitude and understanding with a portfolio in an art and design area.
      • Students over the age of 20 may be eligible for adult entry. Please refer to Entry Requirements for more information.

    English requirements

    Students must meet one of the following English requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (no band score less than 5.5)
    • TOEFL iBT - 60
    • PTE Academic - 50 (minimum of 36 in each band)
    • Cambridge English test (C1 Advanced and B2 First) - 169
  • Course Subjects - Diploma

    Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising | MST50119 – 35 subjects

    Core: Complete all 9 subjects

    • MSMENV272 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
    • MSTFD4006 Interact and network with fashion industry participants
    • MSTGN2013 Identify fibres, fabrics and textiles used in the TCF industry
    • MSTGN2014 Operate computing technology in a TCF workplace
    • MSTFD4023 Calculate cost estimates for TCF products
    • MSTFD5010 Develop and present design concepts within specific guidelines
    • MSTCL3001 Identify fabric performance and handling requirements
    • MSMWHS200 Work safely
    • MSS402051 Apply quality standards

    Electives: Complete 26 of 27 subjects

    • MSTFD3004 Draw a trade drawing for fashion design
    • MSTFD4001 Apply design studio process
    • MSTCL3009 Develop patterns from a block using basic patternmaking principles
    • MSTFD4003 Assist in preparation of preliminary design concepts
    • MSTFD4005 Communicate and sell design concepts
    • MSTFD4010 Create pattern to meet design specifications applying advanced patternmaking principles
    • MSTFD4011 Cut fabrics for prototype designs
    • MSTFD4013 Grade 2D patterns
    • MSTFD5011 Produce fashion illustrations to assist product visualisation
    • MSTCL3002 Prepare and produce a complex whole garment from specifications
    • MSTFD2005 Identify design process for fashion designs
    • MSTFD4015 Create pattern from block to meet customer specifications
    • MSTFD4020 Use electronic fashion design tools
    • MSTFD5015 Develop patterns for complex fashion garments
    • MSTFD5018 Determine and specify advanced construction processes
    • MSTFD5019 Analyse individual fit and make pattern alterations
    • MSTFD4014 Identify influences on contemporary fashion designs and construction techniques
    • MSTFD5017 Apply design studio processes to meet client brief
    • MSTFD5005 Manipulate fabrics to create new finishes
    • Fashion design studio processes (This subject achieves Unit of Competency MSTFD6006 Develop a fashion range.)
    • MSTFD5021 Conduct digital patternmaking and grading
    • MSTFD2006 Use a sewing machine for fashion design
    • MSTFD5025 Analyse influences on contemporary fashion designs
    • MSTFD5024 Evaluate fashion designs against set criteria
    • MSTFD5023 Develop marketing plans for fashion products
    • MSTFD5029 Assess impact of current fashion industry innovations and practices
    • MSTFD5016 Grade complex patterns
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Fashion designer, junior designer, fashion design support, product developer, patternmaker, grader, fashion magazine assistant, stylist.

  • Teaching Methods and Assessment

    Modes of study include:

    • Industry simulated workplaces: To practice professional skills, the Fashion studio is equipped with industry relevant equipment, machinery and software.
    • Class activities reflect a functioning design studio, with tasks completed as if working as a professional for a fashion company.
    • Industry professional lectures and live projects
    • Industry Exposure: Enriching opportunities for the students at CIT arise out of international study-tours, simulated work environments, industry guest lectures and industry relevant design briefs
    • Collaborative learning between the different units taught on the course
    • Participation in the national fashion parade - FASHFEST
    • On-line learning with resources and assessments available through E-learn
    • Excursions and field trips

    Students will be assessed in the following ways:

    • Students participate in work-based projects or assignments, replicating tasks completed within the industry
    • Assessment may be competency based or graded, or a combination of the two
  • Pathways to Further Study
    • University of Canberra - Bachelor of Design
    • Australian National University - Bachelor of Design

    Because CIT offers nationally recognised qualifications accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), students can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to most universities within Australia and receive credit towards a degree, even where formal credit transfer arrangements are not in place; however, this is not a guarantee.

    We advise you speak directly with your chosen university in relation to credit transfer, entry requirements and their application process.