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Komal
01 September, 2025
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Are you looking for a career in fashion designing? Tired of searching for fashion designing courses that align with your career preferences? You don’t need to worry, as it is a phase that every fashion designing aspirant once faced. But here is the solution. Before discovering the right courses, it is crucial to learn about your options. There are various types of fashion designing courses. Each programme leads to a specific place in the fashion designing industry. With this blog, we shall provide you with the types of fashion designing courses. Discover the programmes associated with each type of fashion design course. Explore your options thoroughly to make a wise decision for your career. So, let’s get started.
From freshers to professionals, a variety of fashion designing courses in India are available across different types. Here is a brief overview of the types of fashion designing courses. Check out:
| Fashion Designing Course Types | Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s / Undergraduate Degree Courses | 3-4 Years |
| Master’s / Postgraduate Degree Courses | 2-3 Years |
| Diploma Programmes | 1-2 Years |
| Certification Programmes | 3-12 Months |
After 12th, students often consider full-length bachelor’s degree programmes. Take a look at the most popular undergraduate fashion designing courses after 12th in India.
BDes is one of the most popular and generally the first preference of fashion designing aspirants. The undergraduate course lasts 4 years, comprising eight semesters. Bachelor of Design is a top-notch programme that provides you with exposure to the fashion industry. Its well-rounded curriculum ensures conceptual understanding and practical experience with a rich set of internship opportunities. You participate in fashion exhibitions and events, ensuring a broad exposure. It is among the few fashion design courses available in multiple specialisations, such as:
Apart from BDes, the second preferred fashion designing course is a BSc in fashion design. The course generally lasts three years. It focuses on educating you on apparel, footwear, jewellery, etc., and designing. You get an exposure to technicalities in the fashion design industry. Moreover, you can pursue a BSc in several design disciplines, such as:
Bachelor of Arts is better known for its specialisations in arts, humanities, and social sciences. BA also ensures a course in fashion designing that emphasises the core areas. You learn about the basic design principles, pattern making, garment construction, stitching, and fabric studies. The course is often available in a 3-year duration, comprising equally into six semesters.
If you have a flair for technology and innovation, the Bachelor of Fashion Technology is another undergraduate fashion designing course. BFTech offers a four-year curriculum that involves eight semesters. The course is a blend of creativity and technical skills. Enrolling in this course allows you to learn about various industry-based design software and tools. Understand how you can design, execute, and commercialise the fashion products and accessories.
PG fashion designing courses come in handy to advance your skills and expertise. You can consider them after completing your graduation in fashion designing. Here are several top master’s degree programmes in fashion designing that you can consider:
To advance your qualifications, the MDes in Fashion Design is a popular course. Fashion designing graduates can consider MDes courses after completing their graduation. It is an enhanced version of the BDes course that lasts two years. The course provides you with an in-depth understanding of the fashion design industry on a higher level. Having an advanced qualification in fashion design makes you eligible for superior roles in this industry. Like BDes, the Master of Design is also available in several in-demand specialisations such as:
Besides MDes, you can opt for MSc in fashion design. The postgraduate course is a two-year-long programme. The course focuses on advanced fashion designing principles and practices, integrated with science and technical knowledge. It covers areas like garment construction, textile manipulation, fashion business, and conceptualisation. Moreover, there are several specialisations in designing, such as:
Similar to BFTech, MFTech combines the knowledge of fashion design and technology comprehensively. The postgraduate course could offer you top-ranked roles across the fashion industry, especially relevant to technical skills and tools. Furthermore, the course prepares you for managerial roles at advanced levels. MFTech generally lasts two years and offers progressive insights into the use of the latest technology tools in fashion design.
Diploma courses are often considered the best alternatives to full-length degree programmes for those with time constraints or financial limitations. Even learners with no commitments or financial constraints can opt for diploma courses in fashion design. They are short-duration courses as compared to degrees. Also, due to a shorter curriculum, they emphasise more training and practical exposure. Here are several top-notch diploma courses to consider in fashion design:
Another type of fashion designing courses includes certification programmes. They are relatively shorter than diploma courses. Certification fashion designing courses are best for professionals or bachelor’s degree holders. Their duration generally varies from three to twelve months. Moreover, they are available in a variety of fashion designing disciplines. Instead of covering every topic, certification courses are more focused on micro-learning approaches. They are best to gain skills and knowledge in a specific area of designing. Here are several splendid fashion designing certificate disciplines:
Many top-ranked fashion designing institutes offer fashion designing courses in India. While some may facilitate only degree programmes, institutions like NIFTs ensure UG, PG, diploma, and even certification courses. Here are several top-notch fashion designing colleges in India. Check out:
| S. No | College Name | Type of Fashion Design Course Offered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) | BDes / MDes / MFM / MFTech |
| 2 | Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) | BDes / MDes / Certificate Courses |
| 3 | Pearl Academy | BDes / MDes / Certification Courses |
| 4 | Indian Institute of Fashion & Design (IIFD) | BDes / BSc / MDes / MFA |
| 5 | AAFT University of Media & Arts | BDes / BSc / Diploma in Fashion Design |
| 6 | Bonfire Institute of Design, Hyderabad | BA Fashion Design / Diploma in Fashion Design |
| 7 | JD Institute of Fashion Technology | UG Fashion Design / PG Fashion Design / Diploma |
| 8 | National Institute of Fashion Designing (NIFD) | BSc / Diploma in Fashion Design |
| 9 | Indian Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT) Bangalore | BSc / Master’s / Diploma in Fashion Design |
From full-length degree programmes to diploma and certificate courses, we have covered each type of fashion designing courses. Apart from this, you can pursue these courses in different types of learning modes, such as full-time regular, part-time, or online. Consider BDes or BSc if you want to pursue a full-length programme. For advanced qualifications, considering a postgraduate course like MDes, MSc, or MFTech would be ideal. Moreover, for quick responses and career advancement, there are diploma and certificate courses. Choose any one that caters to your requirements the best.
There are primarily four types of fashion designing courses, which can be further categorised by disciplines. It includes undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certification fashion designing courses. For example:
The Fashion Industry involves many career opportunities similar in other corporate companies, such as sales, accounting, merchandising, etc. Here are the top 5 career options:
Fashion Designing
Retail and Wholesaling
Fashion Styling
Fashion Merchandising
Public Relations Specialist in Fashion
A BSc course in fashion designing is primarily a three-year programme. It emphasises the understanding of fashion and design aspects, integrated with technical knowledge. The course is the most preferred option after a BDes in Fashion Design. It is also more affordable than a BDes or BFTech course in designing.
There are several varieties of fashion designing professionals. The main types of fashion designers are costume designers, ready-to-wear clothing designers (prêt-à-porter), and haute couture fashion designers.
After 12th, BDes in Fashion Design, BSc in Fashion and Apparel Design, and BFTech are considered popular fashion designing courses. Bachelor’s degree holders can consider MDes in Fashion Design, MSc Fashion Design, MFTech, MFM, or PG Diploma in Fashion Design courses.
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