A person working on textiles surrounded by mannequins and garments.
MJRU-FASHN

Fashion Design

Undergraduate major

Weave together art, culture and your passion for design to produce your own contemporary garment line.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Guaranteed ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Fashion Design Major
  • Credit

    Credit

    200
Course outline

Select your preferred degree

This course belongs to multiple degrees. Select the single degree or double degree below to see the application deadlines.

Course outline
Fashion Design

Outline

Outline

This major suits creative individuals who have a keen interest in fashion and a passion for contemporary design.

You will learn the foundations in creative thinking and the relationship between garment and body. You’ll use theoretical and contextual frameworks to understand the cultural significance and practice of fashion design and global trends, and expand your knowledge beyond the history of Eurocentric fashion to explore non-western pattern-cutting, to reflect global changes in society and culture. 

You’ll learn the principles of design and creative studio practice, and also explore innovative design practices that respond to local and global issues faced by the fashion industry.

At our advanced fashion studio – equipped with industrial machinery, specialist equipment and digital design and digital pattern-cutting software – you'll also develop skills in fabric manipulation and construction, design, pattern making, styling and fashion illustration

This major encourages you to take an innovative approach to design, achieve technical competence and gain industry experience. You’ll graduate with the skills, knowledge and contacts to prepare you for a range of career opportunities within the fashion industry.

Graduating fashion students may also present their work to industry professionals at an end-of-year fashion show.

Fashion Design is offered as part of the Bachelor of Design. You will be able to enhance your degree by selecting to study either two additional minors or one minor and four elective units to support your career goals.

What jobs can the Fashion Design course lead to?

Careers

  • Fashion designer
  • Fashion buyer
  • Theatre costume-maker and designer
  • Fashion stylist
  • Trend forecaster

Industries

  • Fashion
  • Advertising
  • Publishing

What you'll learn

  • apply the principles and technology of garment design and construction; independently research and manage the application of new skills and knowledge to the garment design process
  • apply critical thinking and evaluation to the practice of contemporary fashion design; apply the language and semiotics of garment to the expression of an idea or concept
  • apply the principles of garment design through an investigation of 2D and 3D media; develop a collection through the synthesis of a body of independent research
  • clearly communicate design solutions through the application of written, verbal two and three dimensional information; apply a high level of professional practice in the presentation of work to industry
  • analyse garment technologies for appropriate application to garment design and production; assess the impact of technology on sustainable design practice
  • independently sustain their intellectual curiosity, apply critical thinking and evaluation to the practice of contemporary fashion design
  • research and analyse contemporary garment technologies in relation to global sustainability; integrate knowledge gained from research into the design and construction of new garments for the ‘global village’
  • recognise the theoretical underpinnings of garment and its cultural context; respect and value the diversity of garment design and structure from different cultures
  • develop and demonstrate professional and personal attributes necessary to success in the fashion industry, including interpersonal skills, and an appreciation of business ethics; apply leadership skills to working both independently and in small teams

Why study Fashion Design

Transferable skills

Our humanities courses teach transferable skills for international careers. 

 

Top 1%

We're ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023

Professional recognition

Graduates may be eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia.

Antoinette Raphael

The thing that I enjoyed most about my course and Curtin experience was how much I learnt about myself as an individual: ideas wise and skills wise... I already had the skills of sewing and designing, but they were extremely nurtured through my course, which therefore developed my passion for creating fashion products.

Antoinette Raphael

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • Portfolio entry

    Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English, MC Verbal and Quantitative

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Other requirements and notes for this course

Applicants are required to choose one of the Bachelor of Arts majors when applying. If you wish to study a double major, you elect the second major once you have been accepted into the course.

For additional queries and information, please email dbestudents@curtin.edu.au

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • Portfolio entry

    Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English, MC Verbal and Quantitative

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Applicants are required to choose one of the Bachelor of Arts majors when applying. If you wish to study a double major, you elect the second major once you have been accepted into the course.

For additional queries and information, please email dbestudents@curtin.edu.au

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    • AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of English language proficiency is required; or
    • AQF Diploma; or
    • AQF Advanced Diploma.

  • Portfolio entry

    Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English, MC Verbal and Quantitative

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Applicants are required to choose one of the Bachelor of Arts majors when applying. If you wish to study a double major, you elect the second major once you have been accepted into the course.

For additional queries and information, please email dbestudents@curtin.edu.au

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses at Curtin. 

Higher education course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses from another higher education course provider. 

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Applicants are required to choose one of the Bachelor of Arts majors when applying. If you wish to study a double major, you elect the second major once you have been accepted into the course.

For additional queries and information, please email dbestudents@curtin.edu.au

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Applicants are required to choose one of the Bachelor of Arts majors when applying. If you wish to study a double major, you elect the second major once you have been accepted into the course.

For additional queries and information, please email dbestudents@curtin.edu.au

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Please view the Bachelor of Arts degree for indicative fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

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  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: MJRU-FASHN
  • Last updated on: 20 November 2024

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