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 foundation programme is aimed at people who would like a pre-degree experience. This is very helpful for those who are unsure if they wish to commit to studying fashion, or want to gain confidence in their abilities to study at a tertiary level.
The New Zealand Certificate in Fashion will allow you to build your portfolio to apply for our Bachelor of Design (Fashion) Alternatively, you could 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 Otago Polytechnic 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.
We have found students who move from the certificate into our degree programme succeed extraordinarily well in the industry and in fashion awards. a shining example of this is Ciaran Naylor who is both a NZ Certificate in Fashion and a Bachelor of Design (Fashion) graduate.
What You Study
What you will learn
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
Entry requirements
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.
Academic requirements
- Open entry.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they are ready for this study.
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 Language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 (academic, no 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 internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
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.
All fees and costs are approximate.
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
Visit Welcome to StudyLink studylink.govt.nz to apply for a student loan to cover your course fees, course-related costs or living costs, or to apply for a student allowance.
If you are eligible for Fees Free you may not need to borrow for course fees, but you may still wish to apply for course-related costs, living costs or student allowance.
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
Starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time? You may be able to get Fees Free after you complete your first eligible qualification or programme.
Fees Free covers the cost of your fees for the final year of study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.
When you enrol, you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.
For more information on the eligibility requirements and when it is best to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
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.
