Updated at: 16-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

When you enroll in a university fashion program, you can expect to gain a thorough grounding in the fashion industry, from the basics of the trade to a deeper understanding of the industry’s history, current state, and pressing issues like ethical sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution.

Many of the schools below are not included in the QS World University Rankings® (which only ranks universities that cover multiple subject areas) due to the specialized nature of most fashion schools. They all have stellar reputations, though.

Best Fashion Design Schools In The World

Best fashion design schools in the world

Savannah College of Art and Design

The Savannah College of Art and Design offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the areas of liberal arts, architecture, design, fashion, entertainment, and business, all with the goal of preparing students for careers in the creative industries. Courses in fashion marketing and management, accessory design, fibers and textiles, and fashion are just some of the options available to prospective students at this institution’s renowned School of Fashion. In addition to their academic studies, students at SCAD can participate in the school’s annual fashion shows and events, where they can rub elbows with the likes of Carolina Herrera and Jason Wu.

Bunka Fashion College

Bunka Fashion College

Bunka Fashion College is now widely recognized as a leading institution in the fashion industry, both in Asia and beyond. Over 300,000 people have graduated from the school, and it has produced numerous designers whose work has been seen all over the world. The Tokyo neighborhood of Shibuya, the epicenter of contemporary youth culture and fashion, is located directly across the street from the university campus. Each of the four main academic divisions at this college focuses on a different aspect of the fashion industry: either the creation or technology or marketing or distribution or textiles or accessories.

Parsons School of Design

A global powerhouse in the fashion education sector. New York is home to the prestigious private art and design institution Parsons School of Design.

Students are able to work with others from all over the world to expand their horizons thanks to the school’s location and cutting-edge curriculum.

Parsons is a comprehensive institution that provides education at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, AAS, online, and summer). They specialize in many different areas of design such as fashion, design management, design studies, media, and studio design.

There are many different fashion studies programs from which to select depending on your background and professional goals. – A.A.S. degrees in Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing and Communication, and Fashion Business; a Certificate Program in Fashion Business (Online).

Degrees in Fashion Design include the Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Master’s in Public Administration, and Master of Arts levels.

All students, whether they are citizens of the United States or not, pay the same $20,000 to $30,000.

Any prospective student applying to Parsons will have the opportunity to be considered for merit-based financial aid.

More than 120 countries are home to Parson alums who are busy building their own fashion empires and winning prestigious awards like the Emmy and the Coty.

To ask any questions you may have about applying, simply visit their website and send an email to the helpful admissions staff.

It has a 35% acceptance rate and a 72% graduation rate.

Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University

Education at Drexel University is distinctive from that at other colleges. Classes at this media and design university are taught to much smaller groups than is typical, and they emphasize practical experience over theoretical knowledge. Westphal College of Media Arts & Design hires only the most qualified instructors with professional experience in the field to instruct students. Many of them have done time at prestigious design houses and have even won Emmys for their efforts.

Fashion Institute of Technology

Fashion Institute of Technology

One of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world is the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). This school also offers programs in marketing, technology, and media arts and design.

It’s a SUNY school, so it offers degrees in the same areas as SUNY does. The Academy provides outstanding opportunities for networking with organizations worldwide. Being in New York (NY), one of the world’s fashion capitals, is a huge boon.

Globally renowned designers like Michael Kors and Calvin Klein were present. There are three different schools available to you at this institution: the Center for Continuing, Graduate, and Professional Studies.

A degree in Textile Studies or Trade and Marketing, for instance, would be useful in the business world.

Annual tuition could be between $35,000 and $45,000, with full-time undergraduate courses costing around $13,000. 77 percent of students graduate from FIT, while only 40.4% are accepted.

National Institute of Fashion Technology

Founded in 1986, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) caters to students with an interest in fashion design, technology, and management by providing them with access to their various campuses across India.

More than that, though, the Best Fashion Design Schools in the World stock a vast array of materials, including modern and historical garments, in their libraries. Students are taught about current global fashion trends and encouraged to find personal style inspiration in India’s rich textile tradition.

NIFT’s academic catalog includes continuing education certificate programs for experienced professionals who wish to acquire further technical knowledge and abilities in order to become fashion designers, in addition to its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.

Istituto Marangoni International

Considering Milan’s status as a global fashion capital, it should come as no surprise that one of the world’s best fashion schools can be found there. The Istituto Marangoni has been around since 1935, when renowned Italian fashion designer Giulio Marangoni decided to open a school to pass on his methods to the aristocracy.

Since then, the university has expanded its fashion studies to include courses in communication, management, and design. The Istituto Marangoni takes great pride in its comprehensive curriculum, which includes bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and is regularly updated to reflect the needs and developments of the business world.

Central Saint Martins

Central Saint Martins

Founded in the early nineteenth century and situated in the center of London, this forward-thinking institution offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs all under one roof.

Its fashion programs, which include design, journalism, textiles, critical studies, and photography, are, however, among the most sought after. It is also considered one of the world’s top fashion design universities.

London College of Fashion

The London College of Fashion is one of the schools that make up the University of the Arts London, and it is well-known for its extensive fashion program. In addition to courses in fashion design, the university also provides education in beauty and cosmetic science, fashion curation and criticism, buying and merchandising, and even footwear and accessory design.

There are more than 5,000 students enrolled, and because it is a part of UAL, tuition is the same as at Central Saint Martins. Jimmy Choo and Rupert Sanderson are just two of the well-known alums.

Istituto Marangoni

In addition to its main campus in Milan, the Istituto Marangoni also maintains locations in both London and Paris. Across its three campuses, which are home to 2,000 students, the school offers programs in fashion design, fashion business, buying, brand management, and promotion.

Tuition ranges from €16,200 ($18,270) to €19,400 ($21,900) per academic year, but this varies widely by program, nationality, and language of instruction. There is a sizable group of students from other countries studying at this university, which counts Franco Moschino and Domenico Dolce among its alums.

Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne

The Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne is a small fashion school in Paris that awards baccalaureate degrees and certificates to its few hundred students each year.

Plus, you get the added prestige of knowing that your school is connected to the commissioning body that decides what qualifies as couture. Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and André Courreges are all alums of the school. A prior design course is often required before a student is considered. Costs for one academic year at this institution are between $16,240 and €13,050 (approximately $14,720 and $16,400).

Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

There are significant developments taking place in Antwerp that position the city as a potential global fashion hub. The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, one of the most prestigious schools in the world, is located here and annually enrolls around one hundred students in its fashion design programs.

Since tuition is heavily subsidized, even for international students, it only costs about €967 (US$1,090) per year for students from outside the European Union and €238 for students from within the EU. Learning Dutch is mandatory, and a creative, out-of-the-box mindset is encouraged.

Polimoda

In 1986, the Politecnico Internazionale della Moda was established as what is now known as Polimoda. All of the executives have extensive experience in the field and come from prestigious backgrounds. The school brags that 87 percent of its grads find jobs in their field.

Provided Programs

Courses in Fashion Design, Footwear and Accessories Design, Fashion Technology, Fashion Business, Fashion Product Management, Fashion Communication, and Mastering the Craft of Fashion are all available at the undergraduate level.

Expertise in the following areas is required: Collection Design, Shoe and Bag Collection Design, Fashion Brand Management, Fashion Buying and Product Management, Fashion Enterprise, Fashion Merchandising and Buying, International Fashion Business, Luxury Business Luxury & Lifestyle Management, Fashion Communication, Fashion Styling, Fashion Trend Forecasting, Fashion Writing, Art Directing for Fashion.

Aalto University School of Arts, Design, and Architecture

Attending this design school is a good choice for those interested in learning about Scandinavian and Nordic fashion trends and developing a unique collection. There are five different instructional areas. They are well-known for the exceptional quality of their research, connections, and curricula.

Students at this university gain training in the arts, academic research, and strategic planning. In order to complete a bachelor’s degree, non-EEA and international students can expect to pay €12,000. The price tag of a master’s degree program is €15,000.

University education is free for citizens of the European Union. Scholarships for academic achievement may be available from the university. Please visit the website to familiarize yourself with the application process, requirements, and deadlines before submitting your application.

There is a 8% acceptance rate at the fashion school, but an 85% graduation rate.

ESMOD International

With a history dating back nearly two centuries, ESMOD has earned a reputation as one of the top fashion schools in France. There are twenty campuses in more than thirteen countries, and the university network includes five domestic universities. ESMOD has a wide variety of ISEM and ESMOD available. At this school, you can get both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.

Careers with Hermes and Chanel, two international powerhouses, are within reach of a third-year student. ISEM and ESMOD’s extensive markets and networks of alumni provide students with unparalleled access to professional resources. Before you send an application, make sure you’ve read the admissions requirements in full. Undergraduate programs cost about €10,250, while graduate programs cost about €12,900 per year to attend.

Kent State University, Kent, OH

Students at Kent State who are interested in the business side of the fashion industry now have a few more academic options to choose from.

Choose between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fashion Design or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Fashion Merchandising. A combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration in Fashion Merchandising is a rare option.

Since Kent, Ohio isn’t exactly a fashion capital, it’s great that the school has its own campus in New York City.

It is estimated that about 45 students per year study abroad at the Palazzo campus in Florence, Italy.

It’s worth noting that Kent State also has an exchange program with the illustrious Parisian institution known as The Paris Academy. In general, it appears that there is a wide variety of extracurricular activities for students to participate in.

The school also boasts a 90% placement rate for Fashion School graduates in the fashion industry.

There are a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees available in the fashion industry.

FAQs

What do fashion designers study?

When creating new clothing or accessories, fashion designers first study current trends and sketch out their ideas on paper. To find the best fabrics and trimmings, they visit factories and trade shows. Prototypes of designs go through rounds of fittings and alterations before being marketed to stores.

What are the degrees to have as a fashion designer?

Most designers in the fashion industry have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as art, design, merchandising, or even fashion design. They are common options for undergraduates seeking to specialize in their studies at a variety of institutions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that aspiring fashion designers enroll in a college recognized by the National Association of Schools.

What is the average salary of a fashion designer?

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for fashion designers is $65,170, which equates to $31.33 per hour. This is the median salary for fashion designers in the United States. Half of those who work in the field earn less than this amount, while the other half earn more.

Conclusion

These prestigious fashion universities are training the next generation of fashion industry professionals. They offer the ideal setting for any aspiring fashion professional with their cutting-edge curricula, renowned faculty, exceptional courses, and diverse student bodies. Choosing a university is a big step after high school, but after reading this list, you should have a better idea of the options available to you and may even want to apply to one of them.