New Zealand Certificate in Fashion (Level 4)
Build your portfolio to apply for our Bachelor of Design (Fashion) or prepare for entry-level roles in the fashion industry assisting with design, styling, retail/merchandising, basic garment construction. You'll learn about fashion design and textiles concepts, fashion industry practice, and fashion production as you develop fashion garments and outcomes. This studio work becomes your portfolio.
Domestic
About the programme
Got a passion for fashion and wondering how to transform that enthusiasm into a career in the fashion industry? Look no further!
This hands-on programme will allow you to build your portfolio to apply for our Bachelor of Design (Fashion) or to gain entry-level roles assisting with design, styling, retail/merchandising, and basic garment construction.
You will learn about fashion design and textiles concepts, fashion industry practice, and fashion production as you develop fashion garments and outcomes. This studio work becomes your portfolio.
The fashion world is fast-paced, exciting, and diverse, and with commitment and further study, you could consider career paths including fashion design, fashion journalism, buying, patternmaking, styling, or costume design for film/theatre/television.
The School of Design is internationally-recognised as a great place to study fashion. You will be part of a vibrant fashion and design culture with access to modern design facilities and guidance and support from highly skilled lecturers.
International
About the programme
Got a passion for fashion and wondering how to transform that enthusiasm into a career in the fashion industry? Look no further!
This hands-on programme will allow you to build your portfolio to apply for our Bachelor of Design (Fashion) or to gain entry-level roles assisting with design, styling, retail/merchandising, and basic garment construction.
You will learn about fashion design and textiles concepts, fashion industry practice, and fashion production as you develop fashion garments and outcomes. This studio work becomes your portfolio.
The fashion world is fast-paced, exciting, and diverse, and with commitment and further study, you could consider career paths including fashion design, fashion journalism, buying, patternmaking, styling, or costume design for film/theatre/television.
The School of Design is internationally-recognised as a great place to study fashion. You will be part of a vibrant fashion and design culture with access to modern design facilities and guidance and support from highly skilled lecturers.
What You Study
Courses
Our Fashion school offers you the chance to learn in an innovative and collaborative environment and provides you with fantastic opportunities to showcase your creativity. With numerous other talks and smaller-scale exhibitions during the year, a highlight on the Polytechnic calendar is the 'Collections' exhibition which focuses on year three graduate collections and creations.
With international guest designers and judges, and annually increasing audience numbers, a highlight on the Dunedin City calendar is the internationally-acclaimed iD Dunedin Fashion Week. Dunedin is fast becoming the fashion capital of New Zealand and is gaining a reputation for having a truly unique and distinctive style - come and be part of it!
You'll need to complete all of the courses below to achieve the Certificate.
| Course name | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion Industry Practice | Learn about the inner workings of the global and local fashion industry and consider some of the challenges for the industry around sustainability and ethical practices. Learn about fashion merchandising and consumer behaviour and apply this to a window or in-store display project with an online promotion component. Map out your future in the fashion industry and create a portfolio for application to further study or work in fashion retail or production. |
15 |
| Fashion Design and Textile Concepts | An introduction to the fashion design process using drawing and writing to communicate ideas through a fashion communication project. You will then go on to explore textile structure and techniques and undertake a creative textile project. |
15 |
| Fashion Production | This course covers how to operate industrial sewing equipment and covers the basics of garment construction and pattern making applied through two technical projects. You will undertake a Fashion Design project in the last four weeks, bringing together the technical and creative skills and techniques learned throughout the programme. | 30 |
Programme specific risks
You will be required to work with industrial machines, pressing equipment, and chemical dyes and you may also spend time working in the industry.
Further study options
This Certificate is designed to lead into the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) where you can build upon your skills and knowledge to further your career prospects.
Workload
Your workload
A full-time programme of study (17 weeks) averages out at 18 hours per week in class and the equivalent number of self-directed learning hours out of class.
Alternatively, enjoy the flexibility of studying part-time over two years, allowing you to fit your study around other commitments.
Entry
Skills needed to work in this area
- Creativity and vision.
- The ability to see an idea through from concept to reality.
- Enthusiasm and willingness to develop practical abilities
- The ability to communicate your ideas to others.
- An interest in people and the world around you.
- An enjoyment of working with others.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- Open entry.
Additional requirements
To be considered for selection into this programme, you are required to supply the following:
- A 300-word statement expressing your interest in working within the Fashion Industry.
- You may also be asked to attend an interview.
English requirements
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
If you study full-time, you will be required to purchase $200-300 worth of fabrics, equipment and stationery supplies. A list of class requirements is available upon enrolment.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
Application
How to apply
To apply for this programme just click the blue 'Apply now' button above.
Applications are preferred by 30 June.
Late applications will be accepted if spaces are still available, after which waitlists will apply.
Need more info?
If you want to chat about this programme before applying, email our Student Advisor pam.hodgkinson@op.ac.nz or the Programme Leader annette.cadogan@op.ac.nz.
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
