B.Des. in Fashion Design is a 4-year undergraduate course, the minimum eligibility for which is a Higher Secondary Certificate (10+2) qualification with a minimum aggregate score of 50%. The program is spread over 8 semesters, with the final semester being based on the candidate’s chosen stream of study.

Admission to the course is based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant qualifying examination. Some institutes such as NIFT conduct their own entrance test for assessing and shortlisting candidates for admission.

Such graduates are hired in capacities such as Fashion Coordinator, Cutting Assistant, Costume Designer, Graphic Designer, Fashion Consultant, Personal Stylist, Fabric Buyer, Technical Designer, Show Room Sales Representative, Illustrator, Fabric Quality Control Manager, Fashion Show Organizer, Fashion Show Coordinator, among others.

The average tuition fee charged for the course in India ranges between INR 2,000 and 7 Lacs for a span of 3 years, whereas the average annual salary offered to such professionals ranges between INR 2 and 10 Lacs, increasing with experience and expertise.

B.Des. in Fashion Design: Course Highlights

Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.

B.Des. in Fashion Design: What is it About?

Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design builds in eligible candidates a foundation in design and fashion towards creating competent and professional designers and managers in the field of fashion. Its curriculum’s core-content consists of an integrated approach to design, technology, management, and communication.

The course’s focus is on providing candidates greater exposure to the complexities and nuances of different segments of the Apparel Industry. Designers learn to integrate design elements within appropriate social, cultural, ethical and environmental contexts. The course provides an integrated approach to design rather than producing specialists, and is flexible with a broad range of skills allowing them to work across a wide range of design disciplines.

The program caters to aspiring candidates wishing to explore their creative side and proficient in expressing creative ideas. Ideal candidates of the course would possess sharp observation skills as well.

Top Institutes offering B.Des. in Fashion Design

Tabulated here are the names and corresponding details of some of the top institutes in India offering Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design:

Eligibility for B.Des. in Fashion Design

Candidates wishing to apply for the course need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

1. Senior Secondary (10+2) qualification completed from a recognized educational Board in any stream.
2. A minimum aggregate score of 50% at the 10+2 level.

B.Des. in Fashion Design: Admission Process

Mostly in India the, private institutes offering Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design admit students based on their performance in the High Secondary School exam. However, NIFT conducts its own entrance exam which is divided into 2 parts:

1. CAT (Creative Ability Test)
2. GAT (General Ability Test)

Students are offered admission based on the cumulative score in these two tests.

Some other institutes in India which provide admissions on the basis of entrance test are as follows:

1. National Institute of Design (NID) Exam is conducted by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
2. CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design) is another national level exam. MIT Institute of Design Examination is another exam conducted by MIT.

B.Des. in Fashion Design: Syllabus and Course Description

A semester-wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated here.

B.Des. in Fashion Design: Career Prospects

Successful B. Des. graduates are lucratively recruited in both private and public sectors, besides exhibitions and auctions of creative works in India and abroad.

Such graduates are hired as Graphic Designers for advertisement agencies, publishing house, etc., or may opt for teaching jobs in the discipline. As a Fashion Designer, one specialises in a particular area of design such as sportswear, children's wear, footwear or accessories.

Graduates interested in pursuing higher studies in the discipline may go for M.Sc. in Fashion Designing or research degrees such as a Ph.D. in the subject.

Some of the popular professional avenues open to successful graduates of the course are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.