Fashion Design: Admission 2025, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Fashion design is the applied art devoted to the designing of clothing and lifestyle accessories. This art is influenced by cultural and social attitudes and has evolved over time and place. It is one of the most lucrative, appealing, glamorous and exciting career options in today's world. If you have a penchant for creativity, style and originality, a career in fashion designing is the one tailor made for you. There are many good institutions that offer on field experience to students by making them work with different companies on job training project. Many a times interaction sessions with who's who of the fashion industry are organised.  Some of institutions hold graduating fashion shows for students, thus giving students a real time exposure to what it is to work on and off the ramp. Check the websites of some of institutions for more details. Good luck.

Fashion designing just designing something, but fashion technology means blending the designing by using technology such as computer. Good luck.

The life of a Fashion Designer is a captivating blend of creativity, passion, and dedication, intertwined with the realities of a highly competitive and ever-evolving industry. Fashion designers are the architects of style, responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and bringing to life the clothing and accessories that define our sartorial landscape. 

Design Aptitude Test (DAT) is one of the most important Design entrance exams. It is administered by the renowned National Institute of Design (NID). Several colleges accept NID Entrance Exam Scores for BDes & MDes Courses. Design aptitude tests (DAT) are important because they offer insightful information about a person's capacity for creative thinking and problem-solving.

Though there are no set guidelines for DAT preparation, focusing on one's creative abilities, imagination, sketching, and observational skills will help the candidates clear this section. Students can learn more about DAT preparation here.

Fashion Designing and Fashion Modelling can be said that without each other they are not complete, both of the careers need skills that are different because to be a fashion designer you should be creative, more familiar with the skills in seeing or drawing, feed with clothes, pattern, a colour so you can miss match them and create masterpieces.

But to be a fashion model you have the skills to carry what are you wearing with sophistication, look good in any design, skills on walking on ramps, makeup, and confidence.

You can be both but what you want to do is on you because juggling between two can be tiresome, you can choose to do one after one if you like but if you want to just choose one then choose based on skills you have.

Of course, you can become a Fashion Designer by pursuing an online Fashion Designing course. Digital Fashion Innovation Specialization, Diploma in Fashion Design, Modern and Contemporary Art and Design Specialization, and Professional Certificate in Fashion Design and Creation are some of the top online Fashion Designing courses you can opt for.

If you have a creative mind and interest in clothing or accessory design and wish to pursue a career in the Fashion Design field, you should opt for a Fashion Design course as it will provide you with the foundational knowledge about not only Fashion Design but also about the industry. Along with this, it'll teach you how the technical aspect of Design works, give you more networking opportunities to thrive in your career journey, and more.
Having skills and interest in a field helps you more in a successful career when you gain a professional recognizition in the same field.

Fashion Design is one of the most secure fields today, with people having a constant demand for new fashion, be it in clothes, accessories, or shoes. This industry is constantly thriving and will continue to, with technology integration like online shopping, online try-on features, etc., not only the demand for the Fashion industry will increase but also employment opportunities will grow.

At the undergraduate level, NIFT Bhopal offers a BDes programme to students. The basic eligibility criteria to apply for the BDes programme at NIFT Bhopal is to pass Class 12 from a recognised board or passed a three or four-year Diploma recognised by the AICTE or the State Board of Technical Education. Apply for admission to various postgraduate and undergraduate courses as soon as the seats open. The seats are limited and the students applying for admission are many. So prepare well in advance for a successful admission.

The eligibility criteria for the Fashion Design course do vary from college to college, but the basic eligibility criteria followed by them have been mentioned below:

• Aspirants who have cleared their Class 12 from any stream (Science/ Commerce/ Arts) can pursue a Fashion Design course at the graduate level. 
• For PG level, aspirants who have completed a similar course at the graduate level are preferred for admission.
• Students are advised to appear for popular common entrance exams to increase their chances of getting accepted into best Fashion Designing Colleges in India.

To know more about the UG and PG level Fashion Designing Colleges in Bangalore click below:

• UG Fashion Design Colleges in India
• PG Fashion Design Colleges in India

Yes, there are plenty of After 10th Diploma courses for Fashion Designing you can choose from. The basic eligibility criteria for these courses are usually Class 10 scores with all the base subjects including English. Interested candidates can click here and check out more Fashion Designing Online Courses & Certifications. 

Yes, you can definitely pursue a Fashion Design course irrespective of your stream in Class 12. You just need to pass Class 12 with a minimum of 50% aggregate score from a recognized board.

There is no specific age requirement to become a Fashion Designer. Some people start their fashion design careers at a very young age, while others may begin later in life. However, to pursue a career in fashion design, it is important to have a strong foundation in design skills and knowledge.
This typically involves completing formal education or training in fashion design and related fields. A degree in fashion design which can be earned at a college or university or through specialised fashion design schools is what many would-be fashion designers decide to pursue.

Though 35% marks can be way more less to get admission to a top-rated Fashion Design colleges in India, there are still many Fashion Design colleges you can get admission to. However, you will need to search for the colleges offering admission on the respective scores and see their eligibility criteria. Regardless of the marks, the eligibility criteria are required to be fulfilled by every candidate.

Yes, more than 150 Fashion Design colleges in India offer a Diploma in Fashion Designing after Class 12. JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Indian Institute of Fashion Technology, Parul University, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, etc., are some prime college examples for After 10th Diploma. Meanwhile, after 10th Diploma in Fashion Design, you don't need to prepare for entrance exams, scores from a recognized board will do the work.

After completing your Class 10, you'll be eligible to opt for an After 10th Diploma and certification courses in Fashion Design. These programs will help you get the foundational knowledge about Fashion Design and learn well during the degree courses. The eligibility criteria for these programs may vary depending on the colleges, however, you'll need to obtain Class 10 scores from a recognised board.

The selection procedure for Fashion Design is in three-folds:-

1) You need at least 55% to get into the selection process.

2) You also have to give a portfolio after you apply for Amity University, Mumbai.

3) Once you have achieved this, you have a written exam of your stream or course that you have chosen. For fashion it is mostly GK in your field, i.e., how the fashion industry works or the latest trends, etc.

4) Finally, you have a personal Interview (PI) where they test your confidence and basic knowledge.

Once all this is cleared, you get selected for Amity University, Mumbai.

Although it varies by school and course level, there may be an age restriction for admission to Fashion Design courses:

• Undergraduate Courses: usually have a maximum age of 17 to 25 years old.
• Postgraduate Courses: There might not be a set age restriction.
• While other institutes might have age restrictions, NIFTs do not.

No there is usually no minimum or maximum age limit to pursue MSc in Fashion Design course. So you can pursue this course at any age. Most colleges and entrance exam conducting bodies allow candidates of all age groups to apply for MSc in Fashion Design course. But some colleges, especially private colleges may have their own eligibility parameters that you may have to comply with. Make sure that you satisfy other eligibility criteria such as academic qualifications, marks criteria etc.

Admission to a fashion design institution requires more than simply a passion for clothing. Here are some things you may do to prepare and improve your chances of admission:

• Develop your artistic foundation by drawing, sketching, sewing and software skills.
• Increase your knowledge and awareness on fashion histroy and trends, sustainability and ethical practices and business marketing.
• Showcase your work and potential by building a portfolio, participating in design challenges and competitions and build connections. 
• Research colleges and programs and prepare for entrance exams. 

Remember that preparing requires time and constant effort. Begin early, keep focused, and demonstrate your talent and passion, and you'll be on your path to being a successful fashion designer.

The following simple steps will help you finish the MSc Fashion Design online admissions process:

• Visit the college's official website.
• Click "Online Registration" and carefully fill out the form.
• Upload the necessary files.
• Pay the registration fee.
• The students' eligibility will be verified by the admission desk.
• The admission desk will email the confirmation.
• Only if qualified, make the required deposit as stated in the prospectus.

During the BSc Fashion Design admission process, you should career a few things important to complete the procedure seamlessly:

• Passport-Sized Photographs
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets
• Valid ID Proof (adhar, passport, PAN Card, etc.)
• Design Portfolio (If you have any)

For an MSc in Fashion Design, the following documents are needed for the NIFT counseling process:

• Academic credentials: grade reports for grades 10 and 12, as well as degree certificates for advanced coursework. SC/ST/OBC certificates, if any, are examples of category certificates.
• Additional documents include a demand draft for the semester fee, a medical fitness certificate, and a call letter generated by the system.
• Additional documents include an anti-ragging form, an undertaking for provisional admission, and a certificate from the Board for 10+2.

Please refer to the table below for the top Fashion Designing Colleges that doesn't require an entrance exam?

The UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design) entrance exam pattern is as follows:

- Duration: The duration of the UCEED exam is typically 3 hours.

- Mode: The exam is conducted in online (computer-based) mode.

- Sections: The question paper is divided into three sections: Part A, Part B, and Part C.

- Type of Questions: 

  - Part A: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that assess candidates' analytical and logical reasoning abilities, visual perception, and observation skills.

  - Part B: Multiple-select questions that evaluate candidates' design aptitude, creativity, drawing, and visualization skills.

  - Part C: Questions that assess candidates' ability to communicate and express their thoughts and ideas through a written response.

- Total Marks: The UCEED exam is generally out of a total of 300 marks, with different weightage for each section.

- Marking Scheme: The marking scheme for the UCEED exam varies across sections. There may be negative marking for incorrect answers in Part A, while in Part B and Part C, marks are awarded for correct answers, and no negative marking is applicable.

- Syllabus: The UCEED syllabus covers various topics, including visualization and spatial ability, observation and design sensitivity, environmental and social awareness, analytical and logical reasoning, language and creativity, design thinking and problem-solving, and drawing.

It's important to note that the detailed exam pattern, including the number of questions, marking scheme, and syllabus, can be found in the official UCEED notification or website. Candidates are advised to refer to the official sources and exam guidelines provided by the conducting authority for accurate and up-to-date information regarding the UCEED exam pattern.

The NID DAT entrance exam is conducted once every year.

The exam has two sub-exams - DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Candidates are shortlisted for DAT Mains based on their scores in DAT Prelims.

The DAT Prelims exam is conducted around December/ January.  The DAT Prelims exam for the current session will be conducted around the 4th week of December 2024.

The scores of NID DAT 2025 will be considered for admission to the B.Des and M.Des courses offered by participating NIDs. 

The online application form for NIFT 2025 is closed.

With regular fees, the application was open from November 22-January 6, 2025. With late fees, applications were accepted from Janaury 7-9, 2025.

The application was available online at niftadmissions.in. The NTA also released the detailed admission notification, including the eligibility criteria and information brochure.

Candidates who met the precribed eligibility criteria for their programme could fill out the NIFT 2025 application form before the last date.

Note that NIFT application form will be for admission to the B. Des, M.Des B.FTech M.FTech and MFM courses offered by participating colleges.

The CUET PG 2025 exam pattern has been amended for the academic session 2025-2026. The exam duration has been reduced to 90 minutes from 105 minutes for all question papers. 

CUET PG exam pattern depicts the exam format in which candidates will get to know about the types of questions asked in the CUET PG 2025 examination. Also candidates will get to know about the CUET PG negative marking scheme, time duration provided by the exam officials to attend the CUET PG exam.

CUET PG 2025 exam pattern consist of the following parts:

• Type of Questions- Multiple Choice Questions.
• Exam Duration- 90 Minutes
• Total Marks- 300 marks
• Marking Scheme

Exam officials will not make any arrangements for stationery items for appearing in the exam. So, it is the sole responsibility of the candidate to bring the necessary stationery. Here are the basic stationery one needs to take the UCEED 2025 exam: pens, pencils, sketch pens and colours for the examination. The candidate, however, mustnt bring any drawing sheets with them to the exam hall. It is recommended that the candidate carefully goes through the list of allowed and barred items before arriving at the UCEED 2025 exam centre.

To pursue a career as a fashion designer, it’s beneficial to focus on subjects in grade 10 that will help you develop relevant skills and knowledge.

• Art and Design: This subject will help you develop your creativity and understand design principles, which are crucial for fashion design.
• Textiles or Fashion Studies: If available, this subject provides specific knowledge about fabrics, garment construction, and fashion history.
• Mathematics: Understanding measurements, proportions, and basic geometry is important for pattern making and garment fitting.
• Business Studies: An introduction to business concepts can be useful for understanding the fashion industry, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
• Computer Studies: Knowledge of design programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is becoming more and more crucial in the field of fashion design.
• English: To effectively convey your ideas and concepts you must have strong communication skills.

The 1st year of the B.Des in Fashion Design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) syllabus usually includes a mix of basic courses covering various aspects of design, textiles, and fashion principles. Here’s a general overview of the subjects you can expect in the 1st year:
- Elements and Principles of Design
- Color Theory
- Design Drawing and Sketching
- Introduction to Fashion
- Fashion History and Evolution
- Fashion Forecasting

Some good fashion designing books are here:

Which subject is best for fashion designing in class 11th - is one of the most prominent questions students often wonder about. Subjects chosen after 10th grade have a sound impact on one's decision to pursue Fashion Designing courses. Though requirements may differ in different universities, the following guidelines have proved to be useful while making a decision. 

Interested candidates are usually advised to opt for the Arts stream in 11th and 12th grades. Also, they should have strong communication skills. Concentrating on subjects like English, Home Science, Psychology, Fine Arts, and Fashion Studies can also be helpful. Besides, students who are good at drawing and painting are given more preference, as Fashion Designers need to have good drawing and sketching skills. 

A Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design (BSc Fashion Design) is an undergraduate course that teaches students how to create original designs for clothing, footwear, jewellery, and more.

The course covers both theoretical and practical aspects of fashion design, and can prepare students for careers in the fashion industry. It teaches new ideas of innovation. it nurtures your skills .

The 1st year Syllabus of the Global Fashion Design course includes the basics of experimentation and innovation. It includes subjects like Design Principles / Design Practice, 2D to 3D, The body as an object (Experimental design & construction), Future Thinking (Forecasting), and so on.
The next year students learn about Transferable Skills including Digital Design, Drawing, Technical Lab, Fashion Systems, etc. Lastly, in the final year, students get to learn Specialism. The 3rd year syllabus involves subjects like Product Development, Communication, Design for occasion, Visual merchandising, and more.

There are several Fashion Designing courses that you can pursue at master's level. If you have completed engineering or Design related courses you can pursue MDes or Master of Design. Engineers can also pursue MFTech course. MA Fashion Design and MSc Fashion Design are popular options among BA Fashion Design and BSc Fashion Design graduates. Graduates and Diploma holders from NIFT and NID (3 year) can apply for MFM or Master in Fashion Management.

If you are a Class 12 passout then you can pursue a Diploma course. There are many colleges in India that offer Fashion Designing Diploma courses. If you have completed graduation then you can pursue PG Diploma in Fashion Design. PG Diploma is an advanced course and is of higher academic level compared to a Diploma.

The table below shows the top specialisations offered by various Fashion Design colleges in Kolkata:

There are many vocational short term courses that are provided by government as well private institutions in fashion technology.

You may look at the NIFT website for continuing education page where they have at least 1yr programme in fashion design.

Also ATDC has a pan India network which is registered under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles that provide 6 months to 2 years of various courses in fashion design. These will even cost you much less than its private counterparts.

Apart from these government institutions, Many private institutes like Pearl Academy, JD fashion school provide short term courses in Fashion.

Hope this will help you find the right course and pursue a career.

Here are some of the Top Fashion Design Courses offered by the top vendors - 

1. Designing Fashion: Design, Science and Value in a Sustainable Clothing Industry by edX
2. Designing and Creating Trousers by edX
3. Designing0 in Fashion Design by Alison
4. Fashion Design by Coursera
5. Digital Fashion Reality by Coursera
6. Fashion as Design by Coursera
7. Digital Fashion Mindset by Coursera

Hi yes, there are many online courses available in the Fashion Design and Merchandising specialization. Among them, Online Retailvarsity Certification in Visual Merchandising is a great option for students who have completed their Class 12. It is a 4-week online programme offering knowledge in the Fashion Design and visual merchandising field.

Given below are some of the best Fashion Design Colleges in India other than NIFT in accordance to their popularity, students’ s preferences etc.:

Given below are the top 10 Fashion Designing Colleges in India:

To read more about the top ranked Fashion Designing Colleges in India: CLICK HERE

It is estimated that joining the best Fashion Design colleges in India can be affordable as most of the colleges have tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:

There are some colleges that offer lucrative placement packages to the students and graduates of Fashion Designing courses. Some of these are as follows:

Joining the top Fashion Design colleges in India can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some of the colleges along with their tuition fees and average placement package:

Hi, here are some of the best Fashion Design college options in India you can pursue a PhD from:

Note: The information is sourced from the official body of the institutes.

Yes, here are some popular online programs you can pursue for free of cost.

Note: The information is soured from the official body of the institutes.

Given below are the average placement package offered by top recruiters who participated in top Fashion Design Colleges in India:

Here are some of the highest-paying job options in Fashion Design industry for a fresher:

Note: The salary information is taken from Ambitionbox.com.

In India, an entry-level fashion designer can expect to earn between INR 2.5–5 Lacs per year. However, salaries can vary based on a number of factors, including:

• Experience: With experience and skill, salaries can increase substantially. Senior fashion designers with over 5–10 years of experience can earn between INR 10–20 LPA or more. 
• Employer: Working for established fashion labels or luxury brands often leads to higher salaries.

Pursuing any course abroad will definitely be more expensive than in India. If you have made up your mind about studying Fashion Design course abroad, then you must assess its cons and pros first and then analyze if it is a right choice for you.

While pursuing Fashion Design abroad will offer you the opportunity to explore different cultures, global perspectives on Fashion, networking options, and better salary packages, it is initially going to be costly, and may give you cultural shock, etc.

Both are beneficial if you plan precisely beforehand. As India has already globally reputed premiere institute like national institute of fashion technology (N.I.F.T.) in which holds very good rank among best 50 institutes in world to study fashion and allied subjects combining core design, technology and management subjects which are excellent ones . 

And also NIFT is the best institute in whole Asian region and holds number 1 position in India since decades and its start. It has till now produced several good designers, brand managers, creative engineers ( fashion technology specialisation ), technical designers, technical executives and managers who are emerging as pioneers in their field of expertise and fashion business.

The full form of the IELTS exam is the International English Language Testing System. The IELTS exam is conducted by IDP and is available in two formats. The IELTS Academic is for candidates looking to study abroad and the IELTS General Training is for aspirants who are looking to migrate to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the US and the UK or applying for secondary education, training programmes and work experience in an English-speaking environment. the main purpose of the IELTS is to evaluate a candidate’s abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking in the English language in under three hours.

No, there is no negative marking in the GRE exam. This means you don't need to worry about deductions to your score for incorrect answers. However, we wouldn't recommend random guessing, as the GRE is a computer-adaptive test. The difficulty level of your next question will be based on your performance on previous questions.

If you're an Indian student aiming to pursue higher education at an English-speaking university abroad, demonstrating your English proficiency through the TOEFL becomes crucial. Many institutions require or strongly recommend specific TOEFL score ranges for admission. Obtaining a strong score showcases your ability to comprehend academic lectures, actively participate in discussions, and effectively communicate your ideas in writing – all essential aspects of success in an English-medium academic environment.

Yes, there is a limit on how many times you can take the GRE exam in a year. A student can appear in GRE test a maximum of 5 times within a 12-months (365 days) period. Also, after appearing a GRE test, you have to wait at least 21 days to re appear in exam. 

Some of the best countries to pursue a Fashion Design course include the USA, the UK, Italy, France, and Spain. These countries are well-known for their advanced fashion and job opportunities. Some of the top colleges for pursuing Fashion Design programs include Parsons, The New School for Design US, Fashion Institute of Technology US, London College of Fashion England, etc.

Following are the skills and qualities of a Fashion Designer: -Creative & Artistic -Original and inventive -Sensitivity to colors, shades and tones -Ability to think in three-dimensions to translate into garments what they visualize -Good communication -Goal oriented -Resilient -Business acumen -Visual imagination -Fashion conscious -Persuasive -Observant -Understanding of market and customer lifestyle -Interest in sketching -Eye for detail Please refe to the link : https://www.shiksha.com/design-an-overview-skill-set-required-courses-top-colleges-article-9767-1 https://www.shiksha.com/fashion-design-job-profiles-top-recruiters-article-11566-1 Hope this information helps. Please feel free to revert. Click on the thumbs up or mark it as the best, if you found this useful. Wish You Luck!

Here are some tips that may help you throughout your Fashion Design journey:

• First, it is a lot of work and not just drawing pretty pictures. You will be pushed to your limit to expand your creativity and also your technical skills. It is so not glamorous at all. 
• You will know pretty quickly if it's for you or not. You will be surprised at what you can create. You will get what you put into it. You must do internships at reputable companies while in school so you can have work experience to get a job when you graduate. You will spend more money than you thought buying materials for your projects.
• It's good to have your own sewing machine (a home machine is ok) so you can continue working on sewing projects while not at school.

Here are some steps you can follow to become a successful Fashion Stylist:

• Obtain a degree or equivalent qualification
• Create a portfolio
• Apply to an internship program
• Build your professional network
• Apply to an entry-level position

You can be one without graduating but formal education is a great way to discipline the mind. But if you really want to go ahead with no graduation, there are tons of ways to do it:

• Learn from wherever and whoever you can. As much as you can.
• Get yourself talking to tailors, they are highly undervalued people with exceptional skills that will teach you a lot about garment construction.
• Try reading about history of fashion. Never forget that fashion is a cycle.
• Follow fashion blogs, maybe even start one.
• Know your fabrics inside out!
• Get subscribed to Fashion and Design Magazines.
• Don't be afraid to experiment, you should be the first person to try out your styles, wear what you create!

As a Fashion Design student, you'll gain skills like Communication, decision-making, technical, creative, etc. To get leadership roles like a Team Leader, Manager, Chief Executive, etc., you'll need to polish these skills with your experience in the organization.