Fashion Design
Our BA (Hons) in Fashion Design is a three-year level 8 degree course available on a full-time basis. The course will immerse you in all aspects of the fashion industry and prepare you for any role that requires both a creative flair and a technical and business knowledge.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
3 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Candidates will need to have obtained a minimum of two subjects at grade H5 and four subjects at grade O6/H7. These results must include a language (English or Irish) and either Maths or Art.
All applicants for this course must submit a general art and design portfolio.
Portfolio Requirements
All applicants to this programme are required to submit a general art and design portfolio, demonstrating creativity and observational drawing skills through the development of creative project work. Our portfolio guidelines are available at https://www.griffith.ie/sites/default/files/storage/uploads/Faculties/Design/Docs/Griffith%20Portfolio%20Single%20Page.pdf and we recommend watching this helpful video for information on what to include in your portfolio.
All candidates are required to upload a digital portfolio. Before you begin, you will need a CAO Application Number or a Griffith College application number so please make sure you have made an application to the CAO or to Griffith College (as appropriate) for one of our Honours degree programmes.
Deadline: Candidates will have the opportunity to select an assessment date when uploading their portfolio. You must upload your portfolio by your chosen date. If you are unsure of how to upload your portfolio, follow the steps in this instructional video.
If you have a query or you require further information about submitting a portfolio, please contact admissions@griffith.ie.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme apply in the usual way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as the Leaving Certificate. The Link Modules are considered as a single unit and are awarded points based on the result per unit. The Link Modules can be used as a sixth subject for points calculations only.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The College does not recognise LCA subjects as meeting its minimum entry requirements. If combined with a Grade 5 FETAC Award, applicants may apply for a higher certificate or degree course in the College.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Griffith College welcomes applications from students who hold a full FETAC Level 5 Award which typically contains eight modules. A full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the student to apply to FETAC for a full award where the modules are taken over more than one year. Please note that a record of achievement does not meet the minimum entry requirements.
• To be eligible for consideration for an Honours Degree programme, the applicant must hold a FETAC Level 5 certificate with a distinction grade in at least three modules.
• To be eligible for consideration for an Ordinary Degree or Higher Certificate programme, students are required to hold a FETAC Level 5 Award.
FETAC Application Process
Applications must be made through the CAO for those courses offered through the CAO. For direct entry programmes, applicants must send a completed direct entry application form to the College. For more information on this access route, please contact the Admissions Office on +353 1 415 0400 or email admissions@griffith.ie.
Careers / Further progression
Career Progression
Through the BA (Hons) 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 designer
• Own label
• Fashion illustrator
• Costume designer
• Fashion forecaster
• Fashion stylist
• Fashion buyer
• Fashion journalist
• Offshore manager
• Pattern drafter
• Production supervisor
• Quality controller
• Fabric & trims purchaser
• Fashion show producer
• Garment technologist
• Image consultant
Further information
Griffith College Dublin welcomes applications from mature applicants. Applicants interested in applying for a programme as a mature student should contact the Admissions Office for more details and applicants should apply directly online at www. griffith.ie/apply.
https://www.griffith.ie/admissions/undergraduate/how-apply
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Cultivate your creativity, innovate, and develop your original ideas with this practical design course.
Explore your personal design direction with our BA (Hons) in Fashion Design and gain an incredible opportunity to succeed in the fashion industry.
Why Study Fashion Design at Griffith College?
Our BA (Hons) in Fashion Design is a three-year level 8 degree course available on a full-time basis. The course will immerse you in all aspects of the fashion industry and prepare you for any role that requires both a creative flair and a technical and business knowledge.
• Through our Fashion Design and Garment Construction modules, students develop practical skills and explore a personal design philosophy.
• Our syllabus offers training in the most up-to-date 3D CAD pattern and manufacturing (CAM) technology, complemented with business and professional practice 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 economics.
• 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
• 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 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.
• Develop strong brand communication and entrepreneurial skills. Former students collections can be found at Brown Thomas Create, Havana Boutique, Marion Cuddy, Om Diva and at the Design House.
• Our graduates have strong brand communication and entrepreneurial skills, their collection 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 - All Apps plan, which gives you 20+ cutting-edge creative tools for desktop, mobile, and web.
The BA (Hons) in Fashion Design gives students a comprehensive and rigorous preparation for careers in fashion design. The programme emphasises project-based learning, requiring learners to experiment and innovate in order to create imaginative design solutions. Assignments include industry-based projects to ensure graduates will have the skills to take up employment, either for a company or as independent designers.
Learners are immersed in all aspects of the fashion industry from traditional methods of tailoring, draping, and embellishment techniques to fashion illustration and computer-aided design (CAD) skills. The fashion design and technology modules allow learners to explore a personal design style; from idea generation, design development, and pattern creation through to garment construction using contemporary production techniques. Graduates of the programme are working as fashion designers liaising with offshore production facilities, buyers, trend forecasters, and visual merchandisers.
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 Design Courses in Dublin 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.
Year One
• Fashion Design 1
• Garment Construction 1
• Design Graphics 1
• The Business of Fashion
• Contextual Studies for Fashion
• Fashion Design 2
• Garment Construction 2
• Design Graphics 2
• Textile Theory
• Design Culture & Theory
Year Two
• Fashion Design 3
• Garment Construction 3
• Design Futures
• Fashion Illustration
• Brand and Marketing
• Fashion Design 4
• Garment Construction 4
• Digital Fashion Portfolio 1
• Photography and Video
• Entrepreneurship & Business
Year Three
• Fashion Design 5
• Garment Construction 5
• Digital CAD Pattern
• Business Planning for Creatives
• Thesis
• Fashion Design 6
• Garment Construction 6
• Digital CAD & CAM Pattern
• Digital Fashion Portfolio 2
South Circular Road, Dublin 8.
Tel: +353 1 415 0400
Email: admissions@griffith.ie