Program Overview

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BA in Fashion Design

Overview

The BA in Fashion Design is a three-year level 7 degree course available on a full-time basis. The course will immerse you in the fashion industry and prepare you for any role that requires a creative flair and business knowledge.

Why Study Fashion Design at Griffith College?

• Through our Fashion Design and Garment Construction modules, students develop practical skills and explore a personal design direction.
• Our syllabus offers training in the most up to date dynamic design communication software complemented with brand and marketing knowledge.
• Students create a fashion collection, exploring their personal design direction from idea generation, design development and pattern creation through to garment construction using contemporary production techniques.
• Our programme reflects the changes taking place in the fashion industry, recognising that traditional manufacturing bases have been relocated to low-cost economies.
• Students learn to think creatively when faced with design challenges, adapt to industry changes and develop the key skills required to liaise with offshore production facilities.
• Develop professional practice skills from modules in brand and marketing, business, and entrepreneurship
• Our graduates are prepared for employment as fashion designers liaising with offshore production facilities, buyers, trend forecasters, visual merchandisers, or any other role that requires the application of creative design supported by technical and business knowledge.
• 100% continuous assessment means learners do not need to sit written exams.
• The calibre of our fashion graduates' work has been recognised through numerous industry awards and exhibitions.
• Our Design Faculty graduates work is showcased during our annual Creative Week
• Our graduates have strong brand communication and entrepreneurial skills, their collections can be found at Brown Thomas Create, Havana Boutique, Marion Cuddy, Om Diva and at the Design House.
• Full access to Student Adobe Creative Cloud (On-Campus) - All Apps plan, which gives you 20+ cutting-edge creative tools for desktop, mobile, and web

Course Highlights

• Create a dynamic fashion collection
• Develop digital fashion design and visual communication skills
• Establish brand, marketing and entrepreneurial skills
• Expert lecturers create a dynamic learning environment
• Live industry projects
• Fashion graduate exhibition with industry internship awards

Experienced Lecturers

During the course you’ll be taught by practicing designers, garment technologists, buyers, art historians, photographers, journalist, business and craft practitioners, ensuring that the faculty maintains strong industry links.

Fashion Internships and Careers

Year on year Griffith College has awarded students and graduates internships in fashion companies both in Ireland and abroad. Graduates of our Fashion Degree have gone on to work at Avoca, Caroline Kilkenny, CVUK London, Ella Boo, Ellis Bridal, Emmett Equestrian, Esquire Footwear, Filmbase, Gareth Pugh, GW Global Trading, Heatons, Helen Mcalinden, Home Studios London, Hybrid Fashion, Joanne Hynes Design, Kathy De Stafford, Louboutin, Louis Copeland, Louis Vuitton, Mariana Jungmann, Mirjam Rouden, Native Clothing Designs, Nicole Farhi, Percival, Primark Stores, Reiss, Rick Owens, Simone Rocha, Soho Apparel, Styletex and Vivienne Westwood.

Intake Dates

• Dublin - Full-Time - September 2025

Are you applying through the CAO?

Check out our CAO HUB for everything you need to know about applying through the CAO!

Course codes

• Dublin: GC495

Entry Requirements

There is NO portfolio requirement for this course.

Advanced Entry

Applicants with a Level 6 qualification in a related discipline may be eligible for advanced entry onto this course. Candidates will be asked to provide relevant transcripts and a portfolio of work in support of their application. Pending the strength of the portfolio, candidates may be eligible for entry onto year 2 or year 3 of this programme.

All candidates with a Level 6 qualification, regardless of age, will need to apply directly here.

English language

Applicants from countries where English is not the first language will also be required to provide evidence of sufficient English language abilities.

Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.

How to Apply

CAO Applicants / Applicants under 23 years of age:

Applicants under 23 years of age on 1st January the year the course begins must apply through the CAO system. Please consult the CAO website for details on key dates for applications.

Applicants under 23 years old on the 1st January the year the course begins must submit a copy of their Leaving Certificate results. Candidates will need to have obtained a minimum of five subjects at grade O6/H7. These results must include a language (English or Irish) and either Maths or Art.

Candidates with equivalent grades from FETAC colleges and those holding awards including BTEC qualifications will also be considered.

CAO course code: GC495

Applicants over 23 years of age (Mature students):

Applicants who are 23 years of age on or before the 1st January the year the course begins, may apply as a mature student. Mature students must apply to Griffith College directly online using the Apply Online facility.

Mature applicants will be asked for a copy of their passport.

Tuition Fees

Irish/EU citizens, living in Ireland

Study Mode: Full-Time

• Dublin: EUR 6,850.00

Irish/EU citizens, living abroad

Study Mode: Full-Time

Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees.

International

Study Mode: Full-Time

Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.

Direct Debit Scheme

Students wishing to pay for their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page to review the payment plan schedule and how to apply.

Sponsorship

Is your company paying for your course?

They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:

• Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8, D08V04N
• Email:

2% Learner Protection Charge

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.

Academic Progression

Graduates of the BA in Fashion Design may also progress to the final stage of the related BA (Hons) in Fashion Design.

Career Progression

Through the BA in Fashion Design, you will have gained valuable design experience, built a strong foundation of creativity, and covered a diverse range of topics. There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:

• Fashion Design Assistant
• Fashion Illustrator
• Costume Design Assistant
• Fashion Forecaster
• Fashion Stylist Assistant
• Fashion Blogger/Content Creator
• Pattern Crafter assistant
• Fabric and Trims Purchaser
• Garment Technologist Assistant
• Fashion Illustrator
• Fashion Wholesale
• Fashion Public Relations
• Brand Ambassador
• Trend Forecaster
• Fashion Marketing