Fashion-designing colleges in Australia offer a wide range of programs for students interested in pursuing an entry-level job in the fashion industry or working toward a career in fashion merchandising, textiles, fashion marketing or fashion design. Colleges in Australia cater to citizens of Australian and New Zealand, as well as international students, and admissions requirements vary by school and program.
Colleges
Colleges in Australia that that offer fashion-design degree, certificate or diploma programs include: Raffles College of Design and Commerce, the University of Technology Sydney, Queensland University of Technology, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Gordon Institute of Fashion Design and Technology, the Whitehouse Institute of Design, Canberra Institute of Technology and the Kangam Batman Institute of TAFE.
Admission Process
Students interested in applying to a fashion-design college in Australia as Australian or New Zealand citizens must submit a paper or online application, pay a nonrefundable application fee, submit certified or notarized copies of academic transcripts, award certificates and original English language proficiency test results. Some fashion-design schools in Australia, such as the Queensland University of Technology, require an audition or the submission of a portfolio for certain programs.
Students interested in applying to a fashion-designing college in Australia as international students may need to complete an English language proficiency test, show proof of completing all academic coursework requirements and research requirements depending on where they have already completed high school or college-level studies and, in some cases, provide evidence of relevant work experience. International students will also need to obtain a visa from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and satisfy all financial criteria and other requirements before submitting their application.
Programs
Fashion-design colleges in Australia may offer a diploma, an advanced diploma, a certificate, a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree in fashion design or textiles. Some programs include a work-study component where the student can gain skills in the field and receive college credit.
Diploma, advanced diploma and certificate programs in fashion design, fashion merchandising and textiles teach students to develop their creative skills in design, computer applications and workshop methods to take an entry-level job in the fashion industry or to work independently.
Associate's and bachelor's degree programs in Australia offer in-depth training and hands-on experience for aspiring fashion professionals. Schools such as the Queensland University of Technology offer bachelor's degree programs in a fashion-design studio setting and include classes about fashion history, fashion trends and computer-aided design techniques.
Degree programs in fashion design prepare students to take assistant positions in the fashion industry upon graduation.
Courses
Courses offered at fashion-designing colleges in Australia include garment construction, pattern making, computer-aided design technique, visual presentation skills, fabric and materials, clothing construction techniques, fashion forecasting, fashion trends in Australia, fashion history, fashion theory, fashion collection development, color theory, fashion marketing, fashion business communications and global fashion industry trends.
Costs
The costs of tuition, room and board at fashion-designing colleges in Australia in 2009 vary significantly depending on the location of the school and the diploma, degree or certification program the student enrolls in. Some schools offer scholarship programs based on merit.
According to UniGuru.com, the average cost of a Bachelor of Arts degree in fashion and textile design at Curtin University of Technology is approximately AUS $63,600 for tuition alone. The average cost of a Bachelor of Applied Science in fashion and textile merchandising at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology is AUS $20,160 for the entire course program. The average cost of a diploma in applied fashion design and technology at South Western Sydney Institute is AUS $24,460 for the entire program.
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