Top 20 schools and universities that offer fashion design in South Africa

Everyone wants to dress in a presentable manner. In South Africa, the fashion and clothing sector continues to expand each year. The demand for qualified designers is at an all-time high. If you wish to become one, you should know which schools and universities offer fashion design so you can pursue your dream course.

Key takeaways

• Studying fashion design and clothing technology helps one understand how the industry works.
• This field is a fantastic choice for people with creative minds and adventurous spirits.
• The top schools offering this course in South Africa include The Design School Southern Africa, Studio 05 School of Fashion, and Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Schools and universities that offer fashion design in South Africa

Choosing the right university or college is an important step for anyone who wants to become a fashion designer. Check out the list of the top private and public schools and universities that offer fashion design in South Africa that you can enrol in.

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20. Damelin

• Type: Private College
• Location: Johannesburg
• Year founded: 1943
• Website: www.damelin.co.za

Damelin is an accredited higher education institution offering a range of academic programmes. Students can attend classes on a full-time or part-time basis. Blended and online classes are also available. You can pursue a certificate in Fashion Design and Retail Buying at the institution.

19. UberGlam School of Fashion Design

• Type: Private
• Location: Randburg, Gauteng
• Year founded: 2019
• Website: www.uberglam.co.za

UberGlam School of Fashion Design is located in Gauteng. It offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses in design and construction, fashion illustration, and 3D design and handbag-making. These courses prepare students practically to start a business. Those who wish to learn a new skill or perfect a hobby are also welcome.

18. INSCAPE

• Type: Private
• Location: Cape Town, Durban, Midrand, Pretoria, Stellenbosch
• Year founded: 1981
• Website: www.inscape.ac

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INSCAPE offers courses in creative design, business and communication, and digital technology. You can pursue a Higher Certificate or a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design at the institution.

17. Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design

• Type: Private
• Location: Stellenbosch
• Year founded: 1996
• Website: www.elizabethgalloway.co.za

Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design is one of the best fashion schools in South Africa. The institution equips individuals with the skills and practical experience they need to handle the entire creative process of garment making and dressing.

The courses offered are the Diploma/Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design, the Degree in Fashion Design, and a part-time fashion design course.

16. Vega School

• Type: Private
• Location: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria
• Year founded: 1999
• Website: www.vegaschool.com

Vega School was established in 1999. The institution offers multiple courses in design, business, and branding. The courses offered are aligned with the needs of the modern-day population. It offers a BA in Fashion Design.

15. SEWAFRICA

• Type: Private
• Location: Johannesburg
• Year founded: 2001
• Website: www.sewafrica.co.za

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SEWAFRICA offers full and part-time courses. The full-time ones are the National Certificate in Craft Production: Fashion Focus and the Certificate in Fashion. Saturday short courses in sewing and pattern making are also offered.

14. North West School of Design

• Type: Private College
• Location: Klerksdorp
• Year founded: 1998
• Website: www.nwsd.co.za

North West School of Design was founded by Marlene Oosthuizen, an award-winning fashion entrepreneur. The institution offers diploma programmes in fashion design, fashion communications, and buying. Short courses are also offered.

13. The Design School Southern Africa (DSSA)

• Type: Private
• Location: Johannesburg and Pretoria
• Year founded: 1990
• Website: www.designschool.co.za

One of the notable fashion design schools in Johannesburg, DSSA, offers training in graphic, fashion, and interior design. Students interested in fashion can pursue a BA in Fashion Design, which typically requires at least 3 years of full-time study.

12. Design Academy of Fashion (DAF)

• Type: Private
• Location: Cape Town
• Year founded: 1999
• Website: www.designacademyoffashion.com

DAF is one of the top fashion schools in Cape Town. It offers a three-year diploma programme in fashion and a foundational course in the same field. Saturday short courses are also available.

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11. Xela Fashion Studio & Design College

• Type: Private
• Location: Mbombela
• Year founded: 2008
• Website: www.xela.co.za

Xela Fashion Studio & Design College is fully registered with the DHET. It is also accredited with the FP&M SETA and CATHSETA. The institution offers a two-year course in fashion design.

10. Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD)

• Type: Private
• Location: Cape Town
• Year founded: 1965
• Website: www.ctcfd.co.za

CTCFD is one of the top 10 fashion schools in South Africa, located in Cape Town. The institution offers a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design, equipping students with practical and creative skills for the fashion industry.

In addition, it provides several short courses, including Garment Technology, Introduction to Textiles, and Introduction to Fashion Business and Marketing Principles.

9. Studio 05 School of Fashion

• Type: Private
• Location: Johannesburg
• Year founded: 2003
• Website: www.studio05.co.za

Studio 05 provides theoretical grounding and practical experience in the clothing design and manufacturing industry. The institution offers a three-year diploma programme in fashion, clothing, and technology, as well as a two-year national certificate programme in fashion design.

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8. The Future Excellence Design Institute South Africa (FEDISA)

• Type: Private
• Location: Cape Town and Sandton
• Year founded: 2005
• Website: www.fedisa.co.za

FEDISA has campuses in Cape Town and Sandton. The institution offers a BA Degree in Fashion, a BA Honours in Fashion, and a Diploma in Fashion Merchandising. These courses are ideal for creative business-minded persons with a flair for style.

7. STADIO Group (Southern Business School, Embury and Prestige Academy) (Formerly LISOF)

• Type: Private
• Location: Johannesburg and Pretoria
• Year founded: 1994
• Website: www.stadio.ac.za

STADIO Group was formed after the merger of four institutions of higher education, including LISOF. It has a Faculty of Arts & Design that offers a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fashion, a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion, a Bachelor of Commerce in Fashion, a Higher Certificate in Fashion, and a Higher Certificate in Fashion Retail.

6. Villioti Fashion Institute

• Type: Private
• Location: Johannesburg
• Year founded: 2003
• Website: www.villiotifashioninstitute.co.za

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Villioti Fashion Institute is an accredited tertiary education institution founded by Spero Villioti. The institution offers various courses, including a Bachelor of Fashion Degree, Diploma in Fashion, and Higher Certificate in Fashion. Short courses such as garment construction, styling, and pattern engineering are also offered.

5. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

• Type: Public
• Location: Cape Town
• Year founded: 2005
• Website: www.cput.ac.za

At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, you can study for a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Fashion. The diploma programme takes three years, and graduates can become designers, stylists, garment technologists, costume designers, or pattern makers.

4. Durban University of Technology

• Type: Public
• Location: Durban
• Year founded: 2002
• Website: www.dut.ac.za

Have you been wondering where to study fashion design in South Africa? You can do so at the Durban University of Technology. The programmes offered are Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion Design. You can also pursue a Master of Applied Arts in Fashion.

3. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

• Type: Public
• Location: Gqeberha
• Year founded: 2005
• Website: www.mandela.ac.za

Do you desire to pursue a fashion design degree or something related? Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University offers two options. One is a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Fashion, and the other is a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Textile.

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2. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

• Type: Publi
• Location: Pretoria
• Year founded: 2004
• Website: www.tut.ac.za

TUT’s Faculty of Arts & Design is highly regarded for its practical approach. They offer a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology, focusing on industry readiness.

1. University of Johannesburg

• Type: Public
• Location: Johannesburg
• Year founded: 2005
• Website: www.uj.ac.za

The University of Johannesburg is a premier institution in the heart of the city and is among the public colleges that offer fashion design in South Africa. Its fashion department provides undergraduate programs in Fashion Production and Fashion Design, blending technical skills with creative theory to prepare students for the fashion industry.

Which TVET colleges offer fashion design in Durban?

Some TVET colleges offering fashion design near you include Coastal KZN TVET College, Elangeni and Thysville TVET College, and Thekwini TVET College. These institutions provide fashion-related programmes such as clothing production, garment construction, and textile studies, which equip students with practical skills for the fashion and apparel industry.

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Which TVET colleges in Johannesburg offer fashion design?

One of the main TVET colleges that offer fashion design in South Africa is Central Johannesburg TVET College. The college offers a Clothing Production (N4–N6) programme that teaches fashion drawing, pattern construction, and garment making to prepare students for careers in the fashion industry.

Which TVET colleges in Pretoria offer fashion design?

One of the main TVET colleges that offer fashion design in Pretoria is Tshwane North TVET College. The college offers programmes such as Fashion Design, Garment Making, and Clothing Production.

Who is the best fashion designer in South Africa?

There are several top designers in the country, including Amanda Laird Cherry, Michelle Ludek, Nkhensani Nkosi (Stoned Cherrie), Laduma Ngxokolo, Mzukisi Mbane, and Jacques van der Watt (Black Coffee).

What subjects are needed to become a fashion designer in South Africa?

The compulsory subjects for this course are Mathematics, English, and History.

The top schools and universities that offer fashion design in South Africa are accredited and meet all the criteria for providing higher education training. This list can help students find an institution that supports them in achieving their career goals in fashion design.

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Briefly.co.za recently published a list of cheap universities in South Africa. Institutions of higher learning can be quite expensive and sometimes unaffordable for low earners.

There are relatively cheap universities in South Africa that offer top-notch education. These include the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the University of Pretoria.

Source: Briefly News