Fashion Design aims to educate students to become professional practitioners in the field of fashion and related industries. Students are encouraged to have an awareness of fashion in its social and cultural context and to bring that understanding to their work.

The department places great value on its industry and professional links that gives students an insight into real-world commercial requirements. Emphasis is placed on developing informed, creative designers, who are prepared for the needs of industry.

Unleash your creativity and bring your fashion ideas to life through design, textiles, and silhouette. This dynamic course blends hands-on garment construction with forward-thinking design, sustainability, and innovation. From sketchbook to runway, stage to screen, you’ll develop the technical and creative skills to make your mark in the fashion and costume industries both nationally and internationally.

This one year Fashion Design course will introduce you to all the elements involved in creating your own designs and making beautiful unique pieces of clothing. The aim of this course is to give you all the training and skills you need to start you off on a career path in Fashion Design.This course is designed to Introduce students to the theory and processes of contemporary fashion design; Enable students to communicate design ideas effectively; Provide students with the educational support and professional expertise necessary to pursue a career in Fashion Design; Enable students to prepare a portfolio of work to present at interview with a prospective employer or at a third level college and Assist students to develop the range of skills needed to produce a cohesive collection of garments for a fashion show.

The aim of this programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to work under direction in a design or retail setting in the field of fashion and or textiles and or to progress to further and or higher education and training.

This advanced-level course prepares students for the vibrant, creative, and constantly evolving world of fashion design. It fosters innovation, technical proficiency, and a deep understanding of the fashion industry, from concept development to garment realisation. Students will explore both the creative and commercial aspects of fashion, building a portfolio that reflects individuality, craftsmanship, and professional design standards.

The course promotes awareness of current industry trends, sustainability in design, and the importance of strong visual presentation and communication skills.

This course has been designed to develop students' skills, interest and knowledge in the area of Fashion, Costume and Textile Design and also to promote and inspire creativity within students' work. This one year course prepares students for entry into all Third Level Colleges of Art and Design or allows students to progress directly into careers within the Fashion industry. The course puts huge emphasis on the NCAD portfolio brief which is completed as part of the course. This brief forms the basis of portfolio work required for entry to all colleges of Art and Design.

Students are encouraged to embrace their creative flair on this course. Students are supported to develop the key skills and the design processes for use in the Design, Art, and Fashion Design industries, as they progress through key modules such as Drawing, Design skills, Pattern drafting, Sewing, Combined materials, and Fashion Industry.

Students will have the opportunity to develop a quality portfolio of work to use when applying for further studies in a University.

This intensive portfolio course provides the learner with a strong grounding in drawing and design skills for entry into third-level institutions. Learners are introduced to the textiles and fashion disciplines of combined materials, embroidery and garment construction. This course also gives learner over the age of 18 the opportunity to be selected for an Erasmus+ European mobility project (subject to funding), which enables them to spend three weeks on work placement in Italy.

The Advanced Fashion Design course focuses on the creative skills of theme and concept development for fashion design. Core technical modules in advanced pattern drafting and garment construction equip the learner with the skills required to make their own menswear, womenswear or costume collections. Learners will also develop art and design portfolios suitable for application to Institutes of Technology and Universities.

The advanced fashion design course is suited to learners who have already achieved a level 5 certificate or equivalent in fashion design.

This one year Fashion Design and Dressmaking Course develops your fashion awareness and design creativity. You will learn to enhance your creative skills in fashion and design. The course introduces students to the theory and processes of contemporary fashion design enabling students to communicate design ideas effectively. The course provides students with the educational support and professional expertise necessary to pursue a career in Fashion Design preparing and supporting students to prepare a portfolio of work to present at interview with a prospective employer or at a third level college. The course assists students in developing the range of skills needed to produce a cohesive collection of garments for a fashion show. 

The Fashion Design and Styling course offers a vibrant introduction to the fashion industry, with a strong focus on creative studio practice. Students develop hands-on skills in drawing, garment construction, and design development, while also exploring fashion media, Creative Hair Styling, and Fashion & Media Make-up.

Through practical studio based projects and styled shoots, learners build a professional portfolio of garments, styled looks, and visual content — ideal for progression to higher education or creative careers.

This course prepares the student for the vibrant, creative and challenging world of fashion. The course promotes awareness of current fashion industry trends, along with an understanding of the importance of good presentation skills.

This programme is for creative, innovative, and business-minded students. They may have a flair for fashion or want to bring innovation and business acumen to the fashion industry. Or they may want to develop fashion products and use photography and film to promote a business idea online. Students on this programme will explore their creative strengths. Each year, students will complete a fashion design project, which is very much concept-driven.

This one-year course introduces the student to the profession of Fashion Design and Styling. A broad range of subjects aims to impart an understanding of the technical and creative aspects of design, the processes involved and an awareness of commerciality.

In addition to technical skills in garment construction and pattern drafting, this course promotes a strong design & styling ethic. This rare combination of fashion theory and practical design and construction skills make this a unique and highly desirable course. The styling and creation of a professional photo shoot provides students with a firm skill base within this niche industry. 

This course introduces students to the vibrant, creative, and fast-paced world of fashion design. It provides a strong foundation in both the creative and technical aspects of fashion, promoting an awareness of current industry trends, sustainability, and the importance of effective visual presentation and communication.

Students will learn how to research ideas, develop design concepts, and transform their inspiration into finished garments. The course emphasizes the development of a personal design style while encouraging experimentation and innovation.

The BA (Hons) Fashion Management is an industry-focused level 8 honours degree awarded by University of Essex that prepares students for careers in global fashion.

The programme combines fashion business, branding, marketing, retail strategy, and leadership with industry-focused learning, enabling students to develop expertise in fashion management, consumer behaviour, sustainability, garment production, and commercial decision-making.

This dynamic course prepares students with essential knowledge to meet the fashions industry's core business needs. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of apparel, manufacturing, and movement in the supply chain as well as the management of the value, costing and quality of apparel until it reaches the consumer. The course also explores the drivers of fashion change within the 21st Century sourced production. The concept of developing, producing and marketing a product from initial concept to retail sale is introduced. The role of the customer-driven industry is explored and students are encouraged to develop new strategies for retailing, marketing and promotion.The course is a further development of the First Year Fashion Buying and Merchandising course. 

Students will learn the essential theory and concepts of Fashion Styling & Visual Merchandising and gain an understanding of brand image and consumer behaviour. Through practical projects and educational trips, learners will study the principles underpinning trend forecasting and how to translate those trends into a commercially visually appealing display.

Students will also learn the importance of photography as a visual medium and will style and photograph fashion shoots. They will create eye-catching product displays and store layouts designed to attract customers. This course will also prepare learners for the variety of the VM industry from in-store visual merchandising / styling photoshoots / content creation for digital media / product launches / in-store client events / window display and exhibition design.

This course covers the skills required to perform effective make-up techniques suitable for various professional media, fashion, retail, theatre and stage productions. In order to demonstrate competence in make-up techniques, students produce a portfolio of work covering a wide range of topics. This portfolio is developed throughout the course with guidance from tutors. The course also includes a module on Skin Treatments which will allow students to acquire professional skills in the manual facial elements of beauty therapy, including eyelash and brow tinting.