Graduate Diploma in Fashion

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Graduate Diploma in Fashion

  • Objectives The course had been created to meet the needs of International students and aims to produce mature and sophisticated designers equipped to work in / design for the international market. Students will leave the course with a portfolio and realised design work which will effectively support entry into employment in the fashion industry and/or access to postgraduate study.
  • Entry requirements Applicants should normally possess a BA (Honours) Degree (or equivalent) in fashion, or in a closely related design discipline. They will also be required to present a portfolio of design work. Applications from mature students are welcomed; the College takes into consideration prior learning, alternative qualifications and relevant professional experience. The governing principle of acceptance is that the College judges the applicant to have the potential to succeed on the course and be able to fulfil the course objectives and reach the standards required for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Fashion.
  • Academic title Graduate Diploma in Fashion
  • Course description Content

    The Graduate Diploma in Fashion has been created to meet the needs of International students and aims to produce mature and sophisticated designers equipped to progress to postgraduate study or work in design for the international market. This course in fashion design offers a one-year bridging programme at Higher Education Level 3 for graduate international students. It offers students with a background in fashion design or a closely related discipline the opportunity to take a fresh view of their work and their creative direction. The learning and teaching philosophy of the course emphasises creative freedom and offers students the opportunity to explore and experience London as both an international fashion and design centre and as a rich resource for research, providing invaluable insights into designing for the European fashion market.

    The learning and teaching are project-based and offer committed students the freedom to experiment and find, or rather re-define, themselves within a creative environment. It provides a supportive tutorial structure which emphasises breadth as well as depth of research and an innovative approach to design development.

    Fundamental to the course rationale is the commitment to support students' creative development with appropriate design, professional and practical skills to enable them to take advantage of the benefits and challenges that studying in the capital city provides.

    Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design is situated in Central London and has a high international reputation. The course is one of a number of related courses in the School of Fashion and Textile Design, and enables students to benefit from the teaching and learning methods which have produced some of the world's leading fashion design professionals. The course is delivered at the College's Charing Cross Road site which also houses the School's BA and MA Fashion courses.

    Structure

    The Course Framework comprises two related Units


    Unit One (week 1-15)

    Students will arrive with a project proposal, a fashion concept which they want to develop and realise. This proposal is just a starting point and may change radically as it evolves in consultation with the course team.

    The first unit of the course is diagnostic, with projects which seek to build on students' existing strengths and identify areas of their design work which need to be addressed. This Unit culminates in a project set by a designer working in industry which enhances and consolidates students' skills in working creatively to a set design brief.

    Unit Two (weeks 16-30)

    In the second unit students use the knowledge and skills acquired or extended in Unit One to develop a rationale for their final output. Support will also be provided at this point in developing students' personal presentation skills (including CV-writing skills) to support application for further study or employment. The major part of this phase is given over to the completion of the student's major project. This project defines what students have gained from the course and will comprise of realised creative work and a portfolio of design work.

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