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Bachelor of Design (Fashion)
Majoring in Fashion Design
RC
Overview
If you dream of designing the collections everyone's talking about, Swinburne's Bachelor of Design (Fashion) will help you make it happen. From day one, you'll be hands-on: sketching, patternmaking, sewing, and bringing your ideas to life in our studios and ProtoLAB. With small classes and access to advanced equipment, you'll explore every stage of the fashion process in a supportive space where it's safe to experiment.
You'll develop essential skills like trend forecasting, collection development, styling, and garment construction, while also working with sustainable textiles and tech-enabled designs like smart garments and wearables. Industry connection is built into everything we do. You'll tackle real industry briefs, gain guaranteed work-integrated learning, and build the practical skills employers want. With our legacy as one of Australia's oldest design schools, we produce job-ready graduates ready to make an immediate impact.
Applications are portfolio-based. See How to Apply for more info.
Interested in studying with us?
Join us at Change of Preference Expo on 12 December. Explore your course options – and your future facilities. Meet academics and adjust your VTAC preferences on the spot. We’ll get you on your way.
Your industry experience
Bolster your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs – a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. This can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects.
Skills you’ll learn
- Trend forecasting and collection development
- Fashion communication and styling
- Garment construction and patternmaking
- Sustainable textiles and ethical design
- Smart garments and wearable technology
- Digital fabrication and prototyping
Your career opportunities
- In house or freelance fashion designer
- Startup fashion designer
- Stylist
- Design consultant
- Technical designer
- Product manager
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Why Swinburne?
Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
5 stars for overall experience
#1 in Melbourne for graduate found full-time employment 4 months after completing their degree
#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary one year out
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Applications that meet the pre-requisite requirements will be considered based on applicant portfolio.
Guaranteed Entry ATAR
RC
Subject adjustments:
- A study score of 25 in Art Creative Practice, Product Design and Technologies, Media, Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Art Making and Exhibiting, Systems Engineering or Visual Communication Design equals 4 aggregate points per study.
Overall maximum of 15 points. Subject adjustment points are applied to the aggregate, not the ATAR.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent overseas qualification.
This will be assessed at the time of your application. To check your eligibility for this course, visit our entry requirements for international students page.
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
Other requirements
As part of your application, you will need to submit a portfolio of your work and a written response using SlideRoom.
1. Portfolio
Portfolio requirements
Your portfolio should contain at least 5 creative works that show your interest in design and how you express your ideas. This can include designs in various stages of the production process, from concept sketches and works-in-progress to finished pieces.
Your portfolio can be up to 10 pages, and submitted as a PDF no larger than 10MB.
Selection of work
Your portfolio doesn’t have to be limited to fashion or textiles. It may include (but is not limited to):
- Fashion and textiles: fashion design, textile design, fashion illustration, sewing, pattern making, etc.
- Spatial design and 3D: architecture, interior design, product design, theatre set design etc.
- Media: photography, video, film, animation, social media, etc.
- Art: drawing, illustration, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, etc.
- Graphic design: branding, advertising, packaging, publication, interface design, etc.
For each creative work, please provide a short descriptive statement that explains your design intention or process. Please include a title of the creative work and a date.
Your portfolio could also include:
- Finished creative work: This might include a detail or several angles of the one work on a page.
- Process documentation: Sketches, drafts, mood boards, and/or any other documentation that shows your design process and how your ideas evolved from concept to completion.
2. Written response (up to 250 words)
Tell us a little about yourself, in your own words. Which aspects of design are you most passionate about? What drives your interest in a design career?.
Any portfolios or written responses not submitted via Slideroom will not be assessed.
Uploading your portfolio
- Open the SlideRoom submission portal.
- Click on the 2026 Bachelor of Design (Fashion) in the list of available programs.
- Click on 'preview full application' to view detailed information about portfolio requirements and the written response.
- Click on the 'apply now' button to create your SlideRoom login.
- Begin your submission (note: you can also save your submission and return to it later).
Once your portfolio has been submitted, it will then be assessed alongside your application.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
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Diploma of Design (UniLink)
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Diploma of Design (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
What your course could look like
This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2026 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Fashion Design Practice 1: Techniques and Prototyping
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD10010 |
|
Product Visualisation 1: Hand Sketching
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DID10001 |
|
Introductory Design Studio
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD10006 |
|
Twentieth Century Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD10001 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
Textile and Material Inspiration
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD10011 |
|
Fashion Communication and Expression
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD10012 |
|
Contemporary Design Issues
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20004 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Fashion Design Practice 2: Pattern and Garment Construction
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20038 |
|
Global Fashion Context and Culture
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20041 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Emerging Technologies in Fashion and Textile Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20039 |
|
Sustainable Fashion Design Studio
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD20040 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Wearable Technology Design Studio
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD30051 |
|
Professional Fashion Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD30054 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Fashion Branding & Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
DBE30005 |
|
Fashion Design Capstone
Major unit, 25.0 credit points |
DDD30053 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
2026 tuition fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$9,537.00
Total fee* ($AUD)
$28,611.00
Total indicative fee* ($AUD)
$39,140
2026 tuition fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$41,110.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2026.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2026.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$373.00
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$373.00
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2026 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Professional placement fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
So that we can assess you for an offer, you will need to submit a portfolio of your creative works. Details on this can be found on ‘Entry Requirements’.
You must submit your portfolio by Wednesday 25 February for your application to be considered in time for Semester 1. Learn more and submit your portfolio by accessing the SlideRoom portal.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
Along with your VTAC application, you will need to submit a portfolio of your work to be assessed for an offer. Details on this can be found on ‘Entry Requirements’.
You must submit your portfolio by Monday 15 December if you wish to be assessed for an offer in the VTAC December round. Learn more and submit your portfolio by accessing the SlideRoom portal.
Applying through Early Entry Program?
If you are applying through the EEP Program you will need a special code to apply.