Higher Certificate in Fashion Design

Course Code

SAQA 94796

Faculty

Business and Innovation

Accreditation

HCERT.FD

Study options

1 Year 

Starting February 2025

Tuition from R29500

APPLY NOW

2 Year 

Starting March, July and November

Tuition from R25900

APPLY NOW

Course overview

The Higher Certificate in Fashion Design prepares students for working in the local fashion design industry. The course offers students an opportunity to develop an industry ready fashion design portfolio. The programme equips students with the essential skills needed to develop contemporary garments promoting sustainable design principles. These garments including the patterns, technical drawings and renderings are showcased in a final design portfolio, typically needed for job applications. An emphasis is placed on how responsible fashion design can contribute towards a circular economy in both local and global markets.

A Higher Certificate is a one-year; full time face to face learning course or a two-year part time distance learning course that allows students the opportunity to work towards accessing a higher qualification such as a Diploma or Degree.  Students choosing to use the Higher Certificate to advance their studies, still need to meet the institutional entrance requirements. The Higher Certificate allows for entry into the job market by providing hands on fashion design knowledge and skills. An industry relevant Higher Certificate will include work integrated learning as part of the curriculum to prepare you for the working world.  

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Objectives

  • Develop students’ ability to apply concepts like sustainability in the fashion design workflow in local contexts.  
  • Equip students to conceptualise and design clothing, draw patterns, detail technical drawings and construct garments. 
  • Provide students with fundamental skills like understanding the design process through project-based assessment  
  • Expose and encourage students to manipulate fabrics and sewing machines to create various results  
  • Develop professional garment fitting and construction techniques using measuring, sewing and hand stitching. 
  • Introduce students to computer aided design (CAD) for fashion and other digital tools to create technical drawings and specify clothing production details. 
  • Prepare students for work in the local fashion design sector/business. Create student awareness of sustainable fashion design and the importance of moving towards a circular economy. 
  • Students complete experiential training and add portfolio-based evidence of being industry ready. 

Course details

This qualification is an introduction to basic garment design and construction. It includes history of costumes, textile exploration and business basics like fashion planning and professional practice management for fashion designers.

Study Options (2)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

SOUTH AFRICA

  • National Senior Certificate with admission to a Higher Certificate, Competent in English at NQF level 4.

SPECIAL ADMISSIONS

  • We offer mature age exemption to Degrees, Diplomas and Higher Certificates as per USAF requirements.
  • Inscape Education Group will consider Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) based on informal or non-formal learning for admission to this course.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

  • For admission to Higher Certificate: South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation of National Senior Certificate NQF4 equivalence.

All students studying towards a qualification that is offered via the distance mode must have access to data and a reliable internet connection. 

FEES

Higher Certificate in Fashion Design

Fees Cost
Tuition R29 500
Study PackR8 000
Pre-verificationR900*

*Pre-Verification Fee is non-refundable.

Visit the Fees and Funding section or download the fees booklet below. 

What’s Included in your fee?

  • Tuition
  • Preliminary Stationery & Equipment
  • Software
  • Textbooks

Career Opportunities

This qualification provides students with the competencies required to progress a career in fashion design, or to study further within the discipline. 

Potential careers include: 

  • Junior Fashion Designer 
  • Fashion Buyer or Fashion Stylist 
  • Pattern Maker or Dressmaker 
  • Fashion Illustrator 
  • Visual Merchandiser 

Take your Next step

Ensuring that every active participant is challenge-ready, work-ready, life-ready and society-ready.

Please select a study option

1 Year 

Starting February 2025

Tuition from R29500

APPLY NOW

2 Year 

Starting March, July and November

Tuition from R25900

APPLY NOW