Fashion Designing Courses in India: Fees and Top Specializations

Fashion designing courses in India: If you are planning to venture into the field of fashion design then the first and foremost step is to find the right course and college. In India, various private and government institutes offer different types of Fashion Designing courses at the diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. Students can also find certificate courses, diploma and advanced diploma courses online to get started with their journey. While the Fashion Designing course duration may range from anywhere between four months to four years, most of the online programmes can be completed within a few weeks.

As a prospective student, you can choose which fashion designing course suits your career progression the best and continue your academic journey. Some of the top fashion design courses in India include a B.Des Fashion Design, a BSc in Fashion Design, a Diploma in Fashion Design, an MSc in Fashion Design, a Master of Science in Fashion Design and Technology, and more. Apart from this, students have the option to choose a specialisation in their course. Read on to learn more about fashion design courses offered by top design institutes, fee structure, duration, and specialisation.​

Also Read: 

Types of Fashion Designing Course & Eligibility

In India, various types of fashion designing courses are available at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma levels. The following table shows the fashion design course eligibility as per different levels of study and types of courses popularly offered at top design colleges in India.

Also Read: List of Top 10 Design Colleges in India 2024

Now that we have discussed the different types of fashion designing courses available in India, let us check out the top design programmes, course duration, and fees.

Fashion Designing Course Fees

Check out the following table to learn about different courses along with the duration and fashion designing course fees:

It is important to keep in mind, though, that depending on the type of fashion design course in college, the cost of a degree may vary significantly. Other factors like the college's location, its reputation/ranking, and the particular fashion designing course duration also determine the course. However, the average fees for fashion designing courses in India range anywhere between INR 10,000 and 5,00,000.

Entrance Exams for Fashion Designing Courses

Colleges and institutes set the criteria for appearing in entrance exams according to their requirements. Some fashion designing course entrance exams are as follows:

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Entrance Exam: In terms of fashion and design, NIFT is one of the finest institutions providing fashion designing courses. Each year the college holds the NIFT entrance exam for the various undergraduate and graduate programs it offers. With its headquarters in Delhi and branches in 15 other major Indian cities, NIFT is one of the largest colleges in the country.

National Institute of Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT): NID is one of India's pioneers in the field of fashion education, offering various types of fashion design courses. To be eligible for admission to NID's Bachelor of Design and Master of Design programs, students must pass the NID DAT exam i.e., the Prelims and Mains stage.

Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED): The CEED is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay for students seeking admission to a Master of Design program in fashion designing courses. A large number of colleges accept CEED exam scores as admission criteria.

Indian Institute of Art and Design Entrance Exam (IIAD): This exam is conducted by the IIAD which offers many fashion designing courses such as the BA in Fashion Design, the MA in Fashion Design, and the BA and MA in Fashion Business Management. The IIAD exam is held once a year for admission to IIAD institutes in India.

Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED): The UCEED exam is taken by a significant number of students applying to UG courses in design, including fashion designing courses. Around 24 colleges accept this entrance exam score, which is conducted by the IIT Bombay.

Pearl Academy Entrance Exam: Among fashion educators, Pearl Academy has a very prestigious reputation. There are many different specialisations offered by the academy, including fashion designing courses. Three entrance exams are held by the academy every year - one in January, one in April, and one in June. Students who pass the Pearl Academy entrance exam must appear for an interview or studio round.

Fashion Designing Course Online

These days, numerous education platforms provide fashion designing course online that vary from certificate programmes to diploma programmes. Online fashion design courses are available to applicants in a variety of popular specialisations, including draping, fashion product development, fashion business, knitting, and pattern making. Some popular fashion designing course online along with their duration are given in the table below.

Fashion Designing Popular Specialisations

There are multiple popular specialisations in fashion design courses in India as mentioned in the infographic below and explained further in detail:

Textile Design: Textile design is one of the popular fashion designing courses specialisation where students will acquire different skills which may begin from handcraft printing to digital techniques and range towards handlooms and mills.

Accessory Design: This specialisation will comprise of the comprehensive syllabus to develop integrated competence in terms of materials, production process, consumer behaviour, design methodologies, market dynamics trends, forecast interpretations and others.

Fashion Technology: Fashion Technology has a different angle of the design process it ranges from printing, marketing, and merchandising (textiles, apparel, accessories, garments) and various others.

Fashion Communication: This is one of the fashion designing courses specialisation that is correlated with communication skills as it is highly relevant to the lifestyle industry.

Fashion Management: This specialisation is all about leadership and management skills. Students gain experience in merchandising, marketing, garment export, retailing, supply chain management and various others. 

Knitwear Design: Knitwear Design is an important part of the global industry for fashion apparel and it has also showcased its versatility in multiple areas of fashion.

Tips for a Successful Career in Fashion Designing

Here are some helpful tips to guide you towards success in a career even after completing a fashion designing course online along with the regular on-campus programme:

Acquire Formal Education: While formal education is not always a necessity for a fashion designer, possessing a degree in fashion designing courses can enhance your employment prospects and facilitate career growth. Consider obtaining a degree in business administration to gain insights into the management aspects of the fashion industry.

Internship Opportunities: Enhance your creative and artistic skills by undertaking internships with professionals. Apply for internships at manufacturing units, fashion houses, or design firms to gain valuable hands-on experience and knowledge.

Build an Impressive Portfolio: A compelling portfolio is important while you pursue fashion designing courses. Whether applying to colleges or jobs, your portfolio showcases your best work, demonstrating your abilities and creativity.

Accumulate Relevant Experience: Relevant experience is key to success in the fashion industry. It helps you identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Industry experience allows you to explore new and exciting aspects of the fashion world.

Continuous Skill Development: Keep honing your skills to unlock your full creative potential. Stay updated on industry trends, enrol in courses and workshops, and remain committed to refining your creative abilities.

Find Your Specialisation: Identify your niche within the vast fashion industry, such as garment and textile export houses, fashion showrooms, or the film and television industry. Specialise in areas like fashion design, footwear and accessory design, jewellery design, or visual arts to focus your expertise.

Learn Business Management: Alongside creative skills, successful fashion designers need superior management skills. Aside from top fashion designing courses in India, explore courses related to marketing, accounting, finance, and management. Expand your knowledge through reading books and online resources to gain comprehensive insights into the business side.

Expand Your Network: Building a strong professional network is advantageous in the fashion industry. Attend shows and networking events to establish connections both within and outside of work. View these opportunities as avenues for both professional and personal development.

Also Read:How to Become a Fashion Designer

The fashion sector is expanding quickly, providing opportunities for young people to pursue careers in the field and land respectable positions with well-known brands. On graduating from reputed colleges, fashion designers can get starting salaries varying from INR 35,000 to 50,000 per month, which may increase to INR 2-3 LPA.

If you are aspiring to study Fashion Designing, you may stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more updates on the Fashion Designing industry. To take any admission-related assistance, either dial the helpline number 1800-572-9877 (toll-free) or fill out the Common Application Form (CAT). Our admission experts would also be glad to help you out in our Q&A section!