Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years -
Location
Brunswick -
Fees
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
Duration
Full-time 2 yearsLocation
Brunswick
Overview
Your journey starts here. You will develop creative and technical skills while working closely with the fashion industry. Study design, pattern making and cutting-edge technology to produce everything from ready-to-wear through to made-to-measure fashion.
You'll learn to blend theory with practice through a series of industry-driven and live international projects and activities.
Through your studies you will gain the skills required to be industry-ready, developing the knowledge and know-how to secure jobs in the fashion industry – especially in computer-aided design (CAD) and the global supply chains.
You will develop a broad range of skills and study the underpinning theory of the design process, including fashion range development, trend research, specification development, design and production management, and pattern and garment construction skills.
In your studies you will learn:
- fashion design and drawing
- computer-aided design
- patternmaking and grading
- computer-aided patternmaking and grading
- fashion trend research
- production planning
- specifications
- garment construction
- supply chain management
- sustainability
You will also work on design briefs from local and international companies such as Alpha60, Cotton On, Denimsmith, Etal, Bizwear and Nobody Denim, working to specifications relating to demographic, colour, fabric, trends and budget.
These experiences will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to work locally or internationally as part of a design team or to start your own business.
This program will unlock your creative potential, enabling you to pursue a career in fashion design or start your own fashion business.
Graduate successes
- Brian Khoo
Owner “Brian Khoo”, Malaysia
(previously Design Assistant for Christian Dior Couture, Paris) - Linden Blick
Designer, Cotton On - Jodie Hayes
Co-creator and designer of indie ocean activewear label U&I - Paul Cordero
Draper and patternmaker at Chloé, Paris
Details
This program offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches that give you direct insight into and experience in the global fashion workplace.
You will interact with key people from the Australian and international fashion industry. You will undertake hands-on work with fabric and fashion and explore traditional skills, new technologies and computer systems.
You will work in the state-of-the-art Fashion Design Studio, giving you the opportunity to study in an authentic fashion studio setting. In a simulated industry workroom, you will produce your designs using industrial sewing machines and speciality equipment.
You will learn through:
- practical hands-on studios
- lectures
- workshops
- presentations
- group discussions
- teamwork
You will use Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as internationally recognised, industry-specific software such as Gerber and Lectra.
You will be expected to attend approximately 20 hours of classes and undertake approximately eight hours of extra study and research weekly. There are often concentrated periods of self-directed study, research and out-of-class work when assessments are due.
Class sizes are approximately 21 students per workshop.
You will be assessed via examinations, essays, reports, verbal and visual presentations, group projects, research and practical assignments.
All programs are delivered in English. You will have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
The work placement scheme in your second year offers hugely beneficial hands-on, real-life experience working with major Australian or international fashion companies. Many graduates gain employment with these companies and past students have worked while simultaneously continuing their degree-level studies.
Companies where students have secured work placements range from small to large fashion design and production-related businesses, including:
- Gwendolynne
- Carla Zampatti
- Akira Isogawa
- Pacific Brands
- Willow
- Country Road
- Forever New
- Yakka
- Cotton On group
- Life with Bird
- Nobody Denim
- Holeproof
- The Just Group
- Adidas
- Marianna Hardwick
- Anna Campbell Bridal
- Alpha 60
- Zimmerman
- Myer
- Jeanswest
- Lui Hon
You will also connect with key industry figures from major Australian and international companies through exhibitions, industry events and public lectures.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
You can undertake overseas study experiences ranging from 2 weeks to an entire semester.
A program highlight is the study tour to Paris where you will explore Paris fashion houses, galleries and attend lectures at our partner universities in France.
Some of the partner institutes you can exchange with are:
- Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Netherlands
- Nottingham Trent University, UK
- Fashion Institute of Technology, New York
- University of Salford, UK
- Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, LA, USA
- Ryerson University, Canada
There are also opportunities to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences.
Through your studies you will develop in-depth knowledge on range development, colour, fabric, trends and budgeting, including technical specifications and computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM).
You will study in authentic studio settings with state-of-the-art machinery, equipment and technology. This environment will provide you with the learning space to develop work-ready skills and knowledge.
Year 1
You will:
- design and create fashion garments with an emphasis on design, drawing and illustration, textiles and pattern making,
- study commercial and creative fashion trends
- develop CAD skills on Illustrator and Photoshop
- learn about fibres and fabric
- choose a specialisation/stream in fashion design or fashion knitwear
Year 2
You will:
- research and create original designs
- develop a deeper understanding of the design, production and fashion business within your specialisation/stream
- undertake real-life design briefs with fashion companies
- work with industry on real projects to produce a range of designs and garments
- develop quality design prototypes, marketing strategies and a final range presentation to professional industry standards
Graduates of this program can apply to complete one additional year of study to gain the Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology).
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology | Brunswick Campus |
2 years full-time
|
2 years full-time
|
AD014 | 074685J |
Choose a program structure
Program code: AD014
Career
This program provides you with high-level skills in fashion design and expert skills in specialist pattern making, managing design and product development.
With experience, you can be working as a designer or product developer, or in management positions within international fashion businesses.
Graduates of this program have found employment with leading fashion organisations in Australia and overseas as designers, pattern makers and graders, product developers, specification technicians, quality assurance officers, production controllers, illustrators and small fashion business owner/operators.
Graduates of this program can apply to complete one additional year of study to gain the Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology).
As a fashion designer your work activities may include:
- researching emerging trends in fashion, fabrics, colours and shapes
- creating design concepts and presenting them using hand-drawn or computer-aided design sketches
- developing fashion ranges
- working within a team to develop patterns or adapt existing patterns and designs for either boutique or large scale production
- overseeing production
- liaising with design teams, buyers and forecasters
- sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments
- developing sample garments
Current student and graduate can apply for membership to the:
- Fashion Technician Association Australia (FTAA)
- Design Institute of Australia (DIA)
You are eligible to join the DIA as a student member while studying. Graduates can apply for associate membership and full membership once they have obtained their professional experience.
Please note: eligibility for full membership is based on a points system.
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent qualification).
Prerequisites
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL, or equivalent studies.
Rankings and adjustment factors
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on the assessment of their selection task.
You must complete and submit the Fashion Design and Technology selection task.
- VTAC applicants must register and submit the selection task here.
- All tasks must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Early round (Non year 12 only): 30 September 2020
- Main round (All applicants): 6 November 2020
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 29 January 2021
- RMIT current or recent students please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
- All tasks must be submitted by 5 February 2021. Tasks will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior.
- All tasks must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
Advisory letters will be sent in late October (Early round) and mid December (Main round).
The selection task requires:
- an applicant statement outlining how you believe your current skills and capabilities and / or past experience will support you in this fashion program. (maximum 250 words).
- a folio of 6 - 10 images of your work demonstrating your interests and creative and conceptual thinking. It should reflect your design, problem solving and technical skills in some or all of the following:
- Garment construction
- Pattern making
- Design
- Drawing
- Creative use of colour
- Use of materials
- Visual arts or graphics
Your folio should include evidence of how ideas were developed as well as finished work. Include work that shows how you document your ideas and creative thinking and any work that demonstrates your potential to follow a design process. Your folio does not have to be garment or fashion related, if you have studied a different folio based subject, this may be included in your selection task.
You can include work from secondary school, previous study and personal or work-related design experience (including sketchbooks), and the work can come from a variety of discipline areas (e.g. garment construction, design, wearable art, illustrations, accessories, photography).
Your folio must be collated to a single PDF (maximum 10MB), or a URL to a single webpage if online. Under each image provide a brief explanation, including the purpose and background of the work (maximum 50 words). Please include the page number, and your full name and Application Number on each page of the PDF. Please provide the username and/or password to your online folio if applicable.
Your selection task will be assessed using the following selection criteria:
- Evidence of development and finished work
- Ability to provide context for your work
- Previous knowledge, skills and/or experience
Selection criteria by applicant type
Please select the highest level of education you have or will be completing in order to find out the selection criteria that applies to you:
Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
- The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary participation by giving priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to eligible applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.
Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12.
Equity access schemes
- Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
- This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
- Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
- If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
- If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
- The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education training, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program
STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.
You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:
Equity access schemes
- Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
- Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
- If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
- If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
- The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with higher education study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program
STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.
You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:
Equity access schemes
- Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
- Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
- If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
- If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
- The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with work or life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program
STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.
You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:
Equity access schemes
- Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
- Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
- If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
- If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
- The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Additional information
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent Year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about RMIT’s commitment to admissions transparency.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 60% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Selection tasks for international students completing year 12 in Australia and applying through VTAC
Selection task
Semester 1, 2021
You must complete and submit the Fashion Design and Technology selection task.
- VTAC applicants must register and submit the selection task.
- All tasks must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Main round (All applicants): 6 November 2020
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 18 January 2021
- All tasks must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
Advisory letters will be sent in mid December (Main round).
Selection task requirements
You are required to provide the following:
- a statement outlining how you believe your current skills and capabilities and / or past experience will support you in this fashion program (maximum 250 words)
- folio of 6 - 10 images of your work demonstrating your interests and creative and conceptual thinking. It should reflect your design, problem solving and technical skills in some or all of the following:
- garment construction
- pattern making
- design
- drawing
- creative use of colour
- use of materials
- visual arts or graphics
Your folio should include evidence of how ideas were developed as well as finished work. Include work that shows how you document your ideas and creative thinking and any work that demonstrates your potential to follow a design process. Your folio does not have to be garment or fashion related, if you have studied a different folio-based subject, this may be included in your selection task.
You can include work from secondary school, previous study and personal or work-related design experience (including sketchbooks), and the work can come from a variety of discipline areas (e.g. garment construction, design, wearable art, illustrations, accessories, photography).
Your folio must be collated to a single PDF (maximum 10MB), or a URL to a single webpage if online. Under each image provide a brief explanation, including the purpose and background of the work (maximum 50 words). Under each image provide a brief explanation, including the purpose and background of the work (maximum 50 words). Please include the page number, and your full name and VTAC ID on each page of the PDF. Please provide the username and/or password to your online folio if applicable.
Your selection task will be assessed using the following selection criteria:
- evidence of development and finished work
- ability to provide context for your work
- previous knowledge, skills and/or experience
Art and Design application tips
View the following videos for some practical application advice:
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.0 (with no individual band below 5.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 60 (with minimum of 10 in Reading, 9 in Listening, 16 in Speaking and 19 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 50 (with no communication band less than 42)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 169 with no less than 162 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Even though there are no formal pathways into this course, there are often other ways you can gain entry.
Depending on the course, this may include completing a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree or undertaking recognised professional experience.
For more information, use our Pathways finder or contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.
Credit and recognition of prior learning
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience. Find out if you might be eligible.
Direct pathway - one additional year to gain a degree
Graduates of the Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology with a minimum GPA of 2 out of 4 in the final year are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology).
You are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Fashion (Design Technology) when you successfully complete the Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology and achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (out of 4.0) in your final year.
If you achieve below the minimum GPA, you may still apply and will need to submit a digital folio. You will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and entry is not guaranteed.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.
Fees
2021 indicative fees
In 2021, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$3,700 to AU$14,500*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Paying your fees and applying for refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
The Australian Government has announced amendments to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students commencing their program in 2021 and are subject to the passage of legislation. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2021
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2021 |
Agriculture, english, languages, mathematics, nursing, postgraduate clinical psychology, teaching |
$3,700 per standard year $462 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Architecture, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, health, information technology, science |
$7,700 per standard year |
Dental, medical and veterinary science |
$11,300 per standard year |
Arts, commerce, communications, economics, humanities (excluding languages), law, management |
$14,500 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
SA-HELP Loans
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2021 is $313.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2021 is AU$31,680
The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$64,320.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.