Fashion Designing courses

About Bachelor Of Design (fashion Technology & Design) in Ara Institute of Canterbury

Establish a name for yourself in the fashion industry by combining your flair, creativity and passion with professional expertise and technical skills

Our degree programme aims to give you tools to become an independent designer or garment producer. You'll learn key skills in design strategy, drawing, garment construction and pattern making. You'll also get to choose two courses from a wide range of electives that will help you to develop specialist skills that suit your goals. As well as studio courses, you'll complete a group of core courses in academic subjects, including both professional and contextual studies, which will give you great communication skills, knowledge of a range of creative practices, and basic business skills.

You'll gain real-world industry experience in year one, hearing from guest speakers about their journeys and inspirations, and benefitting from the learning their career paths have given them. We'll also give you opportunities like competitions and fashion events to expose your work to the wider industry.

In year two you'll undertake a 40-hour industry placement, which is collection-based. Here you'll gain real world learning about current trends and marketing methods.

In the final year you'll have the opportunity, with the guidance of Ara fashion staff, to undertake a further 80-hour work placement where you'll design your own collection based on a designated brief. The company hosting your placement will critique your work and you'll gain invaluable industry experience from those at the top of your field.

To conclude your final year you'll undertake a major project encompassing all of the skills you've acquired in design, marketing, small business ownership and construction. This culminates in a fully professional catwalk show to an audience of your peers, your family, and industry representatives.

Career opportunities

With the expertise gained from completing this programme you'll be prepared for a range of roles and opportunities in the fashion industry.

These include becoming a:

• fashion or textile designer
• visual merchandiser/marketer
• pattern maker/ tailor's assistant
• online fashion retailer
• costume designer
• seamstress
• stylist/design assistant

Study pathways

Graduates may choose to enrol in a wide range of programmes including postgraduate study including:

• Bachelor of Media Arts (Honours) (Wintec)
• MFA (University of Canterbury)
• PGDipFA (Massey)
• PstGrad Diploma in Art and Design

Recommended school subjects

• Design
• Photography
• Art
• Graphics
• English or English-rich subjects

Academic requirements

• NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at Level 3 and 20 credits at Level 2 or higher) which must include 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects and

  • Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing and
  • Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)

  OR

  New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4)

  OR

  New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 4)

  OR

  New Zealand Certificate in Fashion (Level 4)

  OR

  New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Media (Level 5)

  OR

  New Zealand Diploma in Digital Design (Level 5), or equivalent

  If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

  * NZQA approved subjects: see http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance/

Alternative requirements

• Still want to study but don't meet the Academic Requirements?

  If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry.

  Note: The number of courses you have to complete for this qualification may be reduced where you have relevant credits from previous study, or evidence of similar learning or experience in the workplace. Contact Ara for advice.

Additional requirements

• In addition you need to:

  • Provide a written statement. You are required to answer three set questions based on your portfolio and future aspirations.
  • Present a portfolio demonstrating your art/design work with your application. The portfolio should comprise 16 photographs of visual work including art, graphic or design work in any media giving clear evidence of your ability to generate ideas and concepts towards a specific purpose. Drawing (process, descriptive or imaginative), composition, and technical skills will be given special consideration.
  • You may be required to attend an interview if there are any questions raised by your portfolio or written statement.

English requirements

• What if English is not my first language?

  If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.

  Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.

  OR

  • If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
  • If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, book an IELTS or other test through the AraExamination Centre or in your home country.

  IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.

Ara Institute of Canterbury Tuition Fees

New Zealand Living Expenses

You'll require between $20,000 and $25,000 a year ($380–480 per week) for housing/rent, food, transportation, phone bills, internet usage, and entertainment, in addition to your tuition and insurance fees. The average living expense will be the same for everyone, regardless of their tuition or course price. Please keep in mind that these are only suggestions; the Immigration New Zealand requirement is $15,000 per year including return travel or an additional $2,000.

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