Top Fashion Schools in the World 2025

If you love to express your creativity in the form of clothing & fashion and are interested in exploring more about sewing, knitting, fabrics and materials, then you might consider pursuing a degree in Fashion. This article contains the list of top fashion schools in the world for those planning their education abroad.

Additionally, a strong platform to access a global network becomes crucial. Therefore, pursuing fashion studies from a school with an active alumni network and strong industry collaboration becomes highly important. Fashion studies is not just about the clothes. It includes a variety of courses in the history of fashion, design, marketing, business and more. Here are some of the best fashion schools located in some of the biggest fashion capitals of the world specifically in New York, London, Milan, and Paris, which are considered the ‘Big Four’ fashion capitals. In today's world, fashion is ever-changing. For a long time, Paris was the fashion capital of the world. However, New York has done a great job of becoming one of the most important fashion capitals in recent years, with many designers being based in Manhattan. London has also risen in importance as it has become an international fashion centre. Milan is known for its design and craftsmanship.

Top 10 Fashion Schools in the World 2024-25

 If you are looking to up your game in this field, considering the following best fashion schools in the world is going to be worth it.

1. Fashion Institute of Technology, New York
2. Parsons, The New School for Design, New York
3. Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, London
4. London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London
5. Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Finland
6. ESMOD International, Paris
7. Polimoda, Florence, Italy
8. Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp
9. Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan
10. Bunka Gakuen, Tokyo

Source: QS Top Fashion Schools 2024 and Vogue Best Fashion Schools For Design, Marketing, and More 

Details on the Top Fashion Schools in the World

Check out the details on the top fashion schools in the world below. 

1. Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

Ranked among the top fashion schools in the world, The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) located in New York is a hub for fashion, business, design, marketing, and technology. It is a part of the State University of New York (SUNY)and offers programs connected to the fashion industry. The institute boasts of having superior networking access with industries and platforms around the world as it is part of one of the largest comprehensive university systems of the United States. It provides students with hands-on learning opportunities and an unparalleled faculty of industry professionals. FIT’s strategic location, New York, one of the top four fashion capitals of the world gives an upper edge to its students. FIT alumni include world-famous designers Calvin Klein and Michael Kors. FIT’s 3 academic schools, a graduate school, and the Centre for Continuing and Professional Studies offers various competitive programs suiting your interests whether be it business in fashion or pure fashion studies. For example, you can pursue a degree in International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries or opt for a degree in Fashion and Textile Studies. Some of the most popular programs of FIT include BS and MS in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management, Associate in Applied Science (AAS), BFA and MFA in Fashion Design, AAS and BS in Fashion Business Management, Master of Professional Studies in Global Fashion Management to name a few. The total cost of tuition for AAS and BS programs may range from $35,000 to $45,000 annually and full-time graduate programs are estimated to be around $ 13,000 per semester.

2. Parsons, The New School for Design, New York

Parsons School of Design in New York is a private art and design school and often ranked among the top fashion schools in the world. The school’s location and innovative curriculum enable its students to collaborate with peers, industry partners and communities around the world to develop their skills and knowledge. Parsons offers undergraduate, graduate, associate degrees (AAS), online programs and summer programs in a wide range of disciplines including fashion, design management, design studies, media, studio design and more. When it comes to fashion studies you can choose from a range of courses basis your qualifications and career plans – AAS Fashion Design, AAS Fashion Marketing, and Communication, Certificate in Fashion Business (Online), Certificate in Fashion Design, BFA Fashion Design, MFA Fashion Design and Society, MPS Fashion Management and MA Fashion Studies. Tuition fees are the same for both international and domestic students, the fee may range from $20,000 to $30,000 per term. All students applying to Parsons are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of applying. Parson graduates are located in more than 120 countries creating their own fashion lines with many receiving honours such as Emmy and Coty Awards. You can visit their website and drop an email to the friendly admissions team for any enquiry before applying.

3. Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, London

Central Saint Martins or CSM is a highly ranked public tertiary art school in one of the world’s most stylish cities and “Big Four” fashion capital, London. A constituent college of the University of the Arts London, CSM offers a variety of full-time courses from foundation to postgraduate levels in disciplines such as Drama, Fashion, Art, Higher Education, Spatial Practices for Architecture and Interior Design to name a few. The school’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Fashion have been consistently ranked among the top ten by many academic league tables including Business of Fashion, QS Ranking, and Times Higher Education. CSM has programs designed for fashion aspirants at all levels. Popular fashion programs include BA (Hons) Fashion: Fashion Design with Knitwear, BA (Hons) Fashion: Fashion Design with Marketing, BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Journalism, MA Fashion, MA Fashion Communication. If you are keen for a shorter program at the postgraduate level you can consider the 1-year Graduate Diploma in Fashion. CSM’s various short courses and online programs are also highly in demand catering to specific interests. So, if you are keen to start your own fashion label you can opt for the short course in Fashion Business! CSM is one of the oldest art colleges in England since its inception the school has been producing world famous fashion designers, film producers, politicians and more. Famous fashion alumni include designers Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs. Applications to CSM are made online, go through the website for program specific requirements to start applying.

Also read: Skills required to be a Successful Fashion Designer

4. London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London

Yet another top-ranked fashion college of the University of the Arts London, the London College Fashion (LCF) is the only college in Britain to specialize in Fashion education, consultancy, and research. The college offers numerous undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses in areas ranging from fashion business to fashion curation producing famous designers including footwear designer Jimmy Choo or fashion designer William Tempest. LCF also includes a unique study abroad semester program to Paris to learn more about fashion and culture. If you are just out of college and looking for a world-class undergraduate degree consider one of the many BA and BSc and integrated MSc programs in disciplines like Psychology of Fashion, Hair, and Make-Up for Fashion, Cosmetic Science, Fashion Sportswear, Fashion Journalism to name a few. If you hold a degree and looking to further your skills or a shift in a career you can check out the postgraduate courses of LCF such as MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear and Womenswear, MA Fashion Retail Management, Executive MBA in Fashion, LCF MBA, Graduate Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology among others. Interested students must check program-specific admission requirements before applying. International students can also contact of LCF’s international representatives for more personalised advice.

5. Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Finland

Located in Finland, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture is a leading school for Fashion, and a perfect choice if you are interested to explore Nordic and Scandinavian fashion, popularly known as Scandi fashion and create your own unique collection. The university offers courses in design and architecture, which are perfect for those who want to pursue these areas further. Known for its top-notch industry collaborations, research activities and challenging programs, the school’s academic programs are delivered by 5 departments. Fashion aspirants can study design, fashion, co-design, design leadership or sustainable development.  At the bachelor’s level, one can opt for Design, Fashion or the Aalto Bachelor Program in Design. At the Master’s level, one can opt for either Collaborative and Industrial Design or Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design; or Contemporary Design programme. Programmes are designed in such a way that students can not only develop their artistic skills but strategic thinking and research skills too. Further, Aalto’s unique Fashion/textile Futures research group works towards exploring human-centered design research. The estimated tuition fee for a bachelor’s program is €12,000 per year and a Master’s program is €15,000 per year for international and non-EEA citizens. European Union (EU) citizens or European Economic Area (EEA) member state, are not required to pay tuition fees for degree studies. Deserving candidates may also obtain a scholarship.Applicants must check the website to learn about the admission requirements and deadlines before applying.

6. ESMOD International, Paris

The École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode, or ESMOD situated in Paris, one of the ‘Big Four’, has been a highly regarded private French fashion school for over 173 years.  ESMOD have five networks of schools around France and 20 schools in over 13 countries including Dubai, Istanbul, Beijing, Tokyo and more. The school offers various programs in Fashion Design (ESMOD) and Fashion Business (ISEM). The many programs you can choose from including Foundation Course in Fashion Design & Business, Fashion Designer – Undergraduate, Graduate Program Diploma – Creative Director, MBA short courses in pattern making, a fashion business and many more.  If you are a Fashion Business or a third-year Fashion Designer student, you may land yourself an internship or employment with one of the fashion giants Chanel or Hermes, the headquarters of which are located close to the campus. ESMOD and ISEM’s large alumni and industry network offers students with career support and placement. Interested candidates must check program-specific admission requirements, you can also drop an email to the admission offices at any one of their branches for admission advice. Download the brochure too.

7. Polimoda, Florence, Italy

Ranked among the top 20 by leading fashion league tables, Polimoda is a private fashion school in the beautiful city of Florence, Italy. The school offers different programs at undergraduate and masters levels. In addition, a wide range of seasonal programs is also offered during Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. The programs are mainly under four branches – Fashion Design, Fashion Business, Art Direction, and Design Management. At the undergraduate level, you can find fascinating programs such as Fashion Technology, Leather Technology, Fashion Art Direction, Fashion Design Management and more. At the master’s level, you have an even more extensive platter to choose from - Knitwear Design, Bag Design, Fashion Merchandising and Buying, Fashion Trend Forecasting, Creative Direction to name a few. Seasonal programs include Bespoke Fashion, Fashion Photography, Fashion Jewellery, Sustainable Fashion, Luxury-Design Management among others. Polimoda’s undergraduate programs are of 3 years and the master’s studies are of 9 months. The seasonal short programs are of 1-month duration. Programs are the most up to date and run by industry experts and international guest lecturers. Students are allowed to engage in fashion shows, museum trips, and internship opportunities. The application process is online, includes an interview, check Polimoda’s website for the admission requirements before filling up the application form. Deserving candidates may also be eligible for a scholarship.

8. Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp

Located in Antwerp, Belgium, the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts is one of the oldest of its kinds in Europe. The school offers a variety of programs from Sculpture and Spatial Art to Sound Design. The bachelor and master degree programs in Fashion Design offers specialisations such as graphics, tailoring and pattern design, theoretical courses on world literature, art history, cultural studies and more. Final year master degree students are given complete freedom to develop their all-round final collection based on inspiration from a favorite artist, celebrity or even a social question. The school focuses on a well-rounded development crucial for a successful fashion designer. Popular programs include Bachelor and Master of Visual Arts – Costume Design, Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts – Fashion. The institute conducts an entrance exam for most of its programs. Interested candidates must check the application requirements in order to apply.

9. Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan

Based in Milan, one of the four biggest fashion capitals of the world, IED or Istituto Europeo di Design also present in Spain and Brazil offers leading programs in Design, Fashion, Visual Communication and Management in several languages – English, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.  IED offers undergraduate, masters, short summer and winter courses and continuing programs. Popular courses include Fashion Design, Visual Communication – Fashion Printing, Fashion Trends Investigation, Fashion Marketing, short programs such as Fashion Design Summer Kids, Beachwear Design and many more to choose from depending on which area you would like to specialize in. Programs are taught by industry experts and international faculties. The location of IED’s main campus in Milan simply adds an ‘oomph’ factor, allowing students to visualize, ideate and create superior work being present at the centre of fashion, art, and culture.  Notable alumni include fashion designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, the first female creative director at Dior. In order to start the admission process, candidates must visit the IED website and contact the IED admission office through the webpage of the relevant course. An admission advisor usually sends out the forms, necessary brochure, login credentials, and fee information prior to starting the online application process.

10. Bunka Gakuen, Tokyo

Bunka Gakuen University’s fashion school in Tokyo is one of Asia’s highest-ranked fashion schools and one of the most prestigious in the world. Studying in Tokyo, one of the top 10 fashion capitals of the world, means you can access the best of East-West Fusion, Tokyo’s new-generation avant-garde designers, the region’s contemporary art style and many more. Fashion courses at Bunka Gakuen are offered by Bunka Fashion College and Bunka Fashion Graduate University. Programs offered range from Fashion Design to Research and Creation Fashion Technology. Undergraduate programs at Bunka Fashion College are divided into four departments – Fashion Creation, Fashion Technology, Fashion Marketing and Distribution, and Fashion Accessories and Textiles Department. The Bunka Fashion Graduate University offers graduate programs in Fashion Creation, Design and Fashion Management. Those interested in Fashion Business can go on to pursue Fashion Business Administration or Research Project Fashion Management Course. Interested candidates may download the application form and check the requirements before applying or write to the college for enquiries. International applicants interested to study at Bunka Fashion must take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and pass the Japanese University Admission for International Students. Additionally, for foreign candidates interested to pursue a masters must hold a 16 years bachelor degree.

In addition to the above schools, a few more notable fashion schools around the world and worth considering include:

• Shenkar College of Engineering, Design, and Art, Israel
• Rhode Island School of Design, USA
• Pratt Institute, New York
• Design School Kolding, Denmark
• Fashion Design Studio TAFE, Sydney
• AMFI Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Amsterdam
• Geneva School of Art and Design
• National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi
• Paris College of Art, Paris
• LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore

This was all about the best fashion schools in the world for the year 2024-25. 

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