Bachelor of Fashion (Design) (Honours)
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
-
Duration
Full-time 1 year -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
Duration
Full-time 1 yearLocation
Melbourne CityFees
AU$40,320 (2022 total)
Next intake
February
Overview
In this honours degree, you will have the opportunity to expand your fashion design knowledge, refine your vision, further research your design practice, and pitch your work to industry.
We seek to imagine future commercial contexts, create ethical design propositions, and use cross-disciplinary design strategies to drive global and competitive fashion design practices. You will extend your design, communication and presentation methods and strategies for fashion garments, products, accessories, objects, artefacts, materials, spaces and experiences of and for the body.
You will graduate with a portfolio of practice, development and research to prepare you for your career. Additionally, you will work with academic staff and industry experts to produce a digital publication, showcasing your graduate outcomes globally.
Fashion at RMIT has a global reputation for excellence. This degree has a stellar record of students and graduates winning major fashion design awards and scholarships, and receiving the invitation to participate in national and international showcase events.
Your career in Fashion
Graduates create independent and niche practices, work in leading commercial, luxury and emerging contemporary brands, and go on to establish independent and collaborative research practices and enterprises both in Australia and all over the world.
Amy Lawrence, Fashion Design Honours Collection, 2020. Models Cherry De Vere, photography by Zoe Kostopoulos.
Details
You will work with guest practitioners and industry experts, providing you with key practice experience. This may include the review and critique of your design practice, collaboration on activities and projects, masterclasses to enhance your learning experience, as well as direct collaboration with you for projects, assessments, events and activities that contextualise your practice.
Your teachers will guide you through advanced studio practice, bookmarked by industry-relevant assessments that link to emerging contexts, markets and research practice. You can expect to attend open studio critiques, course tutorials, guest presentations, workshops and events to support and enhance your learning experience. You will become confident in self-directed research, experimentation, construction, prototyping and presentation in a variety of media.
This course will enable you to articulate your position within the community of fashion practice, and deepen your understanding of its social and cultural context.
Students and graduates have been invited to international events, including:
- Australian Fashion Foundation (AUSFF) Award
- Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) National Graduate Showcase
- Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA) St. George NextGen Showcase
- Copenhagen Youth Fashion Summit
- Redress Design Award Hong Kong
The Bachelor of Fashion (Design) (Honours) has strong relationships across a range of industry, research and community partners. We collaborate with our partners on a range of activities to ensure you are immersed in current industry practices, techniques and strategies.
Recent industry projects include students collaborating with Nike on a series of RMIT x NIKE makers labs and graduates participating in their Global Talent Recruitment program.
Students and graduates have undertaken placements and have gained roles at the following brands and designers:
- Louis Vuitton
- BALENCIAGA
- Vetements
- Marc Jacobs
- Calvin Klein
- Dior
- Versace
- Acne Studios
- The Row
- Alexander McQueen and McQ
- Romance Was Born
- Dion Lee
- Country Road
- Zimmerman
- Wittner
Many alumni have gone on to establish independent design practices, and have remained connected with RMIT. These practices include:
- Di$count
- Gauntlett Cheng
- FIXXED
- Arnsdorf
- Lois Hazel
RMIT’s Global Experience Office (GEO) supports students to undertake exchange or short-term mobility activities with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
- Dr Ricarda Bigolin, Associate Dean, Fashion and Textile Design
- Chantal McDonald, Program Manager
In your first semester, you will complete two core foundational topics, and one Fashion and Textiles elective.
In your second semester, you will choose between two study stream options. One stream provides you with the opportunity to select a major course in either a design project, a design collection, or a design placement. The other stream is for students intending to pursue further study in research.
Prior to starting this degree, expression of interest and academic advisement are required to determine the best option for you.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Fashion (Design) (Honours) | City Campus |
1 year full-time
|
1 year full-time
|
BH127 |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BH127
Career
As a graduate, you will be able to meet the challenges of competitive fashion industry practice, as well as having confidence in your capabilities to launch independent and emerging brands. These roles are in fashion enterprises, emerging international brands, luxury and high fashion brands, as well as in related disciplines contexts of design, production, communications, creative direction and styling, branding, buying, media, publications and textile and product development.
As a graduate, you will be an engaged designer, critically aware of the larger ethical, social, cultural, environmental and political concerns that need to be addressed in contemporary relevant design practice.
Admissions
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Applicants with Higher Education study
You must have successfully completed a three-year Australian bachelor degree in fashion design (or equivalent overseas qualification) with an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 (out of 4.0).
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Secondary education (Year 12) is not considered for entry into this program.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training
Vocational education and training (VET) is not considered for entry into this program.
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Work and life experience is not considered for entry into this program.
Semester 2, 2022
You must complete and submit the Fashion (Design) (Honours) selection task by no later than 15 July 2022. Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until this date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
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.
The selection task requires:
Applicant statement
Submit a 400-word written personal statement briefly outlining your:
- Plans for what you will investigate in this program (Maximum 100 words)
- Career aspirations and the contexts or markets of design practice (Maximum 100 words)
- Interests in fashion design research and related contemporary issues (Maximum 100 words)
- Current skills and capabilities and past experience that will support you in this program (Maximum 100 words)
Folio
The folio must comprise of no more than 15 pages of your work, and should reflect your design, thinking and technical skills in fashion design practice with a focus on the following:
- Knowledge in fashion design and specialisations of practice
- Evidence of research, critical and conceptual analysis
- Documentation of design process and design ideas
- Sustained written work including practice reflection, academic essays or creative writing
- Finished garments or prototypes in documented form
- Publications, photographs, films or other forms of fashion communication.
Upload your folio as a single PDF or JPEG file with your application. You can photograph or scan your work, but please make sure that it is in focus and well presented. Files should be no larger than 10MB. Under each image, please provide a brief explanation, including the purpose and background of the work (maximum 50 words).
Alternatively, you can provide a URL to your folio (please provide the password if applicable). All images must be contained and visible on one webpage. Provide a brief explanation for each image, including the purpose and background of the work (maximum 50 words).
Semester 1, 2023
Selection task details and submission dates will be available on 1 August 2022.
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.
Subject adjustments
- A study score of 25 in any Information Technology or any Science equals 2 aggregate points per study.
- A study score of 30 in Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 8 points.
Regional adjustments
- RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all programs that select primarily on ATAR. Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.
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.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., level of TAFE qualification completed (including any adjustment factors).
We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.
You will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your highest completed qualification:
- Advanced Diploma: 81
- Diploma: 72
- Certificate IV: 54
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.
- 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.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., GPA (including any adjustment factors).
We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. Previous fail grades in similar courses may affect your eligibility.
You must have satisfactorily completed at least four courses (subjects) (0.5 EFTSL) at an Australian undergraduate level (or overseas equivalent). You will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your GPA.
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.
Personal statement
If you have been excluded from a program due to academic progress you are encouraged to submit a personal statement outlining the strategies you will adopt to ensure academic success.
If you are applying to RMIT through VTAC you can complete and submit the VTAC personal statement via your online VTAC account.
If you are applying direct to RMIT you can upload your completed personal statement via your online direct application.
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.
- 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.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) score (including any adjustment factors).
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent qualification) and meet the stated prerequisites. Work and life experience does not provide any additional consideration for entry to this program. You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
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:
Subject adjustments
BH101AMS, BH101BI, BH101BT, BH101CH, BH101CS, BH101ES, BH101FS, BH101GS & BH101PH:
- Satisfactory completion in one but no more than three of Biology, Chemistry or Physics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 6 points.
BH101AN:
- A study score of 30 in one but no more than one of Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics equals 5 aggregate points per study.
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.
You must complete a pre-selection kit (PDF 96kb) which includes a folio and personal statement.
If you have successfully completed BP328 Bachelor of Fashion (Design) at RMIT with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0, you are exempt from completing the selection task and are guaranteed entry.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 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 Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
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.
When you successfully complete the Bachelor of Fashion (Design) (Honours) you are guaranteed entry into the Master of Fashion (Design) with two semesters of advanced standing (96 credit points).
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into another RMIT postgraduate program or RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.
Fees
2022 indicative fees
In 2022, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$3,985 to AU$14,630*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
- 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.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
The Australian Government has introduced changes 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 2022. 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 2022 for commencing students
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2022 |
|---|---|
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture |
$3,985 per standard year $498 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology |
$8,021 per standard year $1,002 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science |
$11,401 per standard year |
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture |
$14,630 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 2022 is $315.
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 total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$40,320.
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.