Course overview
Study the new Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design in February 2022*
The Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design* programme addresses the belief that if we care for the land and the people, we ensure our stakeholders are better stewards of the planet and are more responsible towards ensuring a sustainable and progressive future for the fashion industry.
The programme acknowledges the urgent need to address the negative environmental and social impact of the fashion industry. The programme redesigns the value of fashion by challenging the conventional ways the industry operates by integrating skills and knowledge of sustainable and innovative design theories and practices to promote learning relevant to the future of sustainable and ethical fashion.
*This programme is subject to NZQA approval
Campus locations
Job outcomes
- Designer
- Design Assistant
- Workroom Assistant
- Patternmaker
- Sample Machinist
- Production
- Buyer
- Merchandiser
- Fashion Stylist
- Wardrobe Assistant
- Visual Merchandiser
- Fashion Retail
- Fashion Public Relations
- Fashion Marketing
- Fabric Range Designer
- Fashion Journalism
- Design Educator
What you'll learn
The Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design programme addresses the belief that if we care for the land and the people, we ensure our stakeholders are better stewards of the planet and are more responsible towards ensuring a sustainable and progressive future for the fashion industry. We take pride in providing an educational environment that values and fosters in students and staff Manaakitanga (mutual respect, care, and support), wisdom, courage, agility, and integrity. We provide a collaborative learning and educational environment that values and fosters creative minds to become responsible individuals, by weaving the concepts and values of Whitecliffe and Te Tiriti o Waitangi – protection, participation, and partnership.
The programme acknowledges the urgent need to address the negative environmental and social impact of the fashion industry. The programme redesigns the value of fashion by challenging the conventional ways the industry operates by integrating skills and knowledge of sustainable and innovative design theories and practices to promote learning relevant to the future of sustainable and ethical fashion. The programme offers rich learning opportunities that inspire critical and creative thinkers as future change-makers, enabling them to address the need for rapid, positive, restorative, and regenerative design solutions, through individual and expressive outcomes.
The programme provides an opportunity for students to draw upon their cultural knowledge, social issues, and values and their local community context/s, to be involved in, and to increase their awareness of wider issues within the local and global fashion industry and subsequently, to inform their contribution to this rapidly-changing industry. Students are encouraged to be confident to express their perspectives while developing their ability to be critically reflective and responsive to the broader contexts of influence and significance relevant to their own practice and individual creative inquiry. The programme emphasises ongoing development of attitudes, values, and self-awareness as a foundation for continuing personal and professional effectiveness and growth.
Study method
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Locations
- Auckland
Duration study load
3 Years, full-time. 360 Credits
Entry requirements
Domestic Student Entry Requirements:
Applicants must demonstrate an ability to undertake degree-level study, including appropriate knowledge and skills in the areas of written communication and mathematics, by having achieved:
- University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including: NCEA Level 3; 14 credits each in three approved subjects and UE Literacy (NCEA Level 2 or above; 10 credits with 5 credits each in reading and writing) and UE Numeracy (NCEA Level 1 or above; 10 credits) OR
- New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and Fashion Technology qualifications (Level 4) OR
- New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4) OR
- New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (Level 4) OR
- A New Zealand or overseas qualification assessed to be equivalent to the above by the Head of School OR
- Passes in other certificate/diploma qualifications or courses as considered appropriate by the Head of School
Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be eligible for admission with the approval of the Head of School
- Interview: Applicants are required to attend an interview to determine their suitability for the programme. During the interview, the applicant will be assessed against the following aspects to determine their admission into the programme:
- Portfolio: present 12-24 representative examples of creative work that reflect skills and potential to successfully complete the programme
- Letter of Intent: write a 250-word letter of intent about why you want to enrol in the programme.
Course features
The programme is creative practitioner, community, and industry-focused, designed to meet the professional needs of the wider sustainable fashion and design industry. It is structured by three key interrelated strands of content: sustainable fashion research and practice, theoretical studies, and creative enterprise. The BSFD degree positions sustainable fashion research and practice as the core philosophy of the programme. All technical, theoretical, and professional knowledge and skills inform and are integrated into the practice of designing and making sustainable and innovative design solutions.
Professional recognition
Study the new Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design in February 2022*
The Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design* programme addresses the belief that if we care for the land and the people, we ensure our stakeholders are better stewards of the planet and are more responsible towards ensuring a sustainable and progressive future for the fashion industry.
The programme acknowledges the urgent need to address the negative environmental and social impact of the fashion industry. The programme redesigns the value of fashion by challenging the conventional ways the industry operates by integrating skills and knowledge of sustainable and innovative design theories and practices to promote learning relevant to the future of sustainable and ethical fashion.
*This programme is subject to NZQA approval
Who is it for?
- Sustainability Conscious Fashionistas
Where could this programme take you?
A career in the fashion industry can take you from the initial stages of concept development and design through to production and merchandising or buying for high fashion chain stores. Fashion Design graduates may choose to work in designer workrooms, production, visual merchandising for product display or in fashion styling for magazines and photoshoots. Costume design for theatre and film and teaching at secondary and tertiary levels are other excellent career opportunities.
Subjects
Year 1
- Pattern Drafting and Garment Construction
- Earth-Centred Design
- Sustainable Design Practices
- Fashion History and Theory
- Research and Design
Year 2
- Sustainable Fashion Practices and Design
- Nature in Fashion
- Earth-Centred Design Thinking and Practices
- Sustainable Fashion Collection
Year 3
- Sustainable Fashion Research and Design
- Regenerative Design: Fashion Futures
- Creative Enterprise and Internship
- Sustainable Fashion Collection
About Whitecliffe College
Whitecliffe College is one of New Zealand’s highest-ranked and awarded research institutions in the private sector and has a long-standing record of academic excellence.
School of Technology
The Whitecliffe School of Technology, formerly known as Computer Power Plus, is one of New Zealand’s leading providers of IT and professional skills training. Thousands of our graduates are now working in rewarding careers. Focused on our students’ success, Whitecliffe consistently strives to see our students and graduates excel in the ICT industry by applying modern teaching/adult learning techniques and industry-relevant courses.
School of Design Innovation
The Whitecliffe School of Design Innovation offers programmes from certificate to degree level in design innovation and digital media.
Design and Innovation go hand-in-hand. With this, you will explore the future of design along with gaining the knowledge and skills the industry requires. During your study, you will be encouraged to take an innovative and leading-edge approach to create insightful and thought-provoking design outcomes.
School of Fashion + Sustainability
The Whitecliffe School of Fashion and Sustainability offers programmes from certificate and diploma levels through to degree-level study.
Whitecliffe has an international reputation for delivering world-class, personalised tertiary education experiences, whilst also ensuring the building of a game-changing community of socially conscious designers.
Our students don’t just learn how to be intelligent, creative, and responsive designers and artists with a strong portfolio of interconnected and professional industry skills, but emerge as thoughtful, creative, and socially conscious designers with strong principles and values built around sustainable design practices.
