Bachelor in Fashion Design

Type of course: Full time

Modes of study: On campus, online learning, industry /live briefs & live assessments (e.g. performance, exhbition, shows)

The academic year for the course follows our undergraduate calendar :

• Autumn Term: September to January 
• Spring Term: February to June

Students with disabilities can contact the dedicated disability officer for advice and adjustments during the course and for internships. handicap@atelier-chardon-savard.com

Entry requirements

There are two routes of entry to the BA (hons) courses with distinct requirements:

Route 1: Integrated Foundation Entry at Year 0

The standard entry route. Students complete the Integrated Foundation Year (Level 3) before progressing to Level 4 of one of two BA (Hons) pathways: Fashion Designer, or Fashion Business. Graduates for this course pathway receive a BA (Hons) Fashion Designer* or a BA (Hons) Fashion Business* with Foundation.

This route is for applicants who do not yet meet the Level 4 entry requirements, or who wish to build their creative, digital, and academic foundations and make an informed choice before committing to a BA (Hons) pathway. In accordance with the RUL Academic

Admissions Policy, applicants who meet English language proficiency but do not meet the academic requirements for admission at Level 4 may still be offered a place at Level 3.

Route 2: Direct Entry to Year 1

The advanced entry route. For applicants who meet the academic and English language requirements for honours-degree-level study, who have identified a definitive pathway, and who demonstrate the creative aptitude and subject knowledge needed to enter directly at Level 4.

Direct entrants join one of the two BA (Hons) pathways without completing the foundation year.

Graduates for this course receive a BA (Hons) Fashion Designer*.

This route is designed for applicants who already hold qualifications equivalent to the Level 4 standard, demonstrate the required English language proficiency, and can evidence creative aptitude through submission of a portfolio of creative ideas or a written piece of work. Direct entrants must indicate their chosen pathway (Design or Business) at the point of application.

The following entry requirements apply:

Route 1:

• Hold a secondary school qualification
• Submission of a signed Personal Statement
• For applicants who are not native English speakers, proof of minimum English language proficiency is required (comparable to a CEFR B1 or IELTS score of 5.0 overall with a minimum of 4.5 in each component, or an equivalent English language qualification). Accepted English language certificates are aligned with the those recognised by Regent’s University London. Recognition of Prior Learning can be considered in accordance with RUL policies.

Route 2: 

• Hold a secondary school qualification (Level 4 certificate or an internationally recognised equivalent such as International Baccalaureate), typically equivalent to a minimum of 12 years of formal education. 
• Submit a signed Personal Statement
• Submit 6 creative ideas (as defined in the published ACS application brief). 
• For applicants who are not native English speakers, proof of minimum English language proficiency is required (comparable to a CEFR B2 or IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent English language qualification : TOEIC, TOEFL, Cambridge). Accepted English language certificates are aligned with the those recognised by Regent’s University London. Recognition of Prior Learning can be considered in accordance with RUL policies.

Other routes:

• Entry into Year 2: Hold a secondary school qualification, a Level 4 qualification or equivalent, and have successfully completed the first year of higher education (60 ECTS) in the field of fashion or fashion design
• Entry into Year 3: Hold a Level 5 qualification, a two-year post-A-level qualification or an equivalent qualification, or have successfully completed two years of higher education (120 ECTS) in the field of fashion or fashion design

Students are enroled as full-time students from the first to the third year.

Admission based on application

The application must include the supporting documents, included in the application form: [INSERT LINK APPLICATION FORM]

Learn more about the application process

Application deadlines

Applications are accepted from October to August for the September intake. Applications are processed within a maximum of seven working days of receipt of the complete application pack. Enrolment is possible up until the start date, subject to availability.

By way of exception, enrolment may be permitted after the start date of the course, within a maximum of one month after the start of the course.

In addition to your tuition fees, you should plan for some equipment and materials to support your practical and creative work throughout the course. These may include:

• CVEC – a mandatory administrative fee required for students enroling in higher education in France (approximately €105 per year, depending on the applicable fee)
• Pattern-cutting kit – for pattern making and garment construction (€203, one-time cost).
• Drawing & illustration kit – for sketching, illustration and creative development (€312, one-time cost).
• Computer – suitable for the digital tools and software used during the course. We recommend a computer with the following specifications: 64-bit Windows 10, Intel Core i7 processor, 7th generation or later, 16 GB RAM, Graphics card with 4 GB of dedicated memory, 512 GB SSD, Screen resolution of 1920 × 1080 or higher. As a guide, expect to pay around €1,000 for a new computer, before any sales or special offers. A second-hand computer can also be a good alternative.
• Sewing machine – a personal sewing machine is recommended and can be purchased second-hand (approximately €280 for a new machine, one-time cost).
• Materials and supplies – including fabrics, equipment and other materials required for your projects. As a guide, you should budget approximately €400–€900 per year, depending on the scope and requirements of your projects.

The course prepares students for careers in fashion design, collection development, textile innovation, creative direction and fashion entrepreneurship within international fashion and luxury brands.

Graduates of the Bachelor in Fashion Design may continue their studies at Atelier Chardon Savard by enroling in our Master in Fashion Design, pursue careers across the global fashion and luxury industries, from ready-to-wear and luxury fashion houses to independent labels and creative design studios.

The Bachelor in Fashion Design trains students to conceive and develop a fashion collection from start to finish, combining an artistic approach, technical expertise and an understanding of the professional realities of the sector.

Throughout the course, students acquire:

• A solid grounding in fashion, informed by the history of clothing, stylistic movements, contemporary trends and societal issues.
• A creative methodology applied to fashion design, from defining a source of inspiration through to developing a collection concept.
• The fundamentals of brand and market analysis, enabling them to define a positioning, understand a target audience and propose a coherent design within a competitive environment.
• Proficiency in fashion styling and textile design tools, to visually translate their project through drawing, colour, materials and technical details.
• The skills required to develop a collection, including collection planning, sourcing, technical specifications, pattern-making and prototype monitoring.
• The ability to present and showcase their collection, through a style book, a portfolio, a fashion show or an exhibition, in a professional setting.

The teaching approach emphasises:

• Creative experimentation and the development of a personal style, through an approach that encourages intuition, risk-taking and critical thinking.
• Progressive exposure to professional environments, through practical projects, collaborations, fashion shows and work placements each year.
• The development of an independent and adaptable designer’s mindset, preparing students to join design studios or workshops, or to launch their own brand.

The course aims to lead to the ‘Fashion Designer’ qualification. It prepares students to become specialists in fashion design. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to apply the skills required for the following activities:

• Conceptualising a fashion collection project
• Creating patterns for a fashion collection
• Developing prototypes for a fashion collection
• Promoting a fashion collection internally or externally

In detail:

• Analysing the elements that form the basis of a fashion brand’s identity and DNA
• Analysing the competition for a fashion brand
• Studying the profiles of the fashion brand’s target audience
• Conducting stylistic and technical research
• Defining the overarching theme of a collection
• Sketch the initial designs for the various products in the new collection, either by hand or using 2D or 3D computer graphics
• Select the raw materials and fabrics, patterns and prints, as well as the colour palettes for the collection
• Select suppliers
• Draw up the collection plan using CAD tools (2D or 3D)
• Produce technical specifications for the collection’s products
• Create the patterns for the collection’s garments
• Monitor the quality of the prototyping process
• Present all the pieces in the collection to the studio’s various internal technical teams
• Plan the presentation of the fashion collection pieces for fashion professionals or investors
• Present the work-in-progress to teams in other internal departments (management, marketing/sales) via a style book or portfolio containing all the visual elements

• Face-to-face classes developed and delivered by lecturers or professional practitioners who are experts in their field.
• Implementation of a unique teaching approach to the creative process, designed to develop both analytical and intuitive thinking.
• Experimentation, risk-taking, tolerance of error and the rejection of self-censorship will serve as catalysts for creative abundance and the discovery of one’s cognitive profile.
• Practical classes and workshops, with professional technical equipment provided for all practical sessions.
• Online courses written by lecturers or professional practitioners who are experts in their field.
• A choice of specialisations in the third year of the course: Weft and Warp, Knitwear or Accessories, to acquire specific knowledge and skills.
• Lectures, visits and masterclasses enabling students to meet professionals and understand the knowledge and skills taught in the context of the industry.
• Professional work placements involving group projects (particularly for exhibitions and fashion shows) or individual projects for existing brands.
• Presentation of designs at fashion shows, exhibitions and before juries of industry professionals.

Number of hours (face-to-face teaching)

Total volume is approximately 2,543 – 2,575 hours depending on your chosen specialisation (chain & trame, knitwear or accessories). Teaching hours include distance and in-person learning, master classes, evaluation time and professional support.

• Year 1 comprises 660 hours plus a one-month internship
• Year 2 has 632 hours plus a two-month internship
• Year 3 ranges from 643.5 to 675.5 hours depending on the specialisation
• Year 4 - professionalisation includes 200 hours plus a six-month internship.

Assessment is carried out according to a number of criteria tailored to the type of course, in the form of portfolios, professional role-play exercises and oral presentations.

These assignments are to be completed individually or in groups. Successful completion of these assignments is required to obtain the qualification.

B1 Assessment methods

• Continuous assessment through the submission of portfolios and practical assignments
• Group project on the exhibition

B2 Assessment methods

• Continuous assessment through the submission of portfolios and practical assignments
• Group project on the fashion show

B3 Assessment methods validating the acquisition of the certification’s competencies

Through projects and professional scenarios, practical work and a professional panel:

• Project to create a collection based on a real or fictional project involving the conceptualisation of a fashion collection.
• Professional role-play scenarios based on a real or fictional project involving the pattern-making of a fashion collection
• Professional role-play scenarios based on a real or fictional project involving the production of a fashion collection.
• Professional role-play scenarios based on a real or fictional case study involving the promotion of a fashion collection.

For entry into the 1st year

• Have met the entry requirements for the course
• Have completed a 36-month training course preparing students to sit and pass the relevant certification examination with the certifying body or an approved partner.
• Have completed 6 months’ professional experience, regardless of the type of contract (work placement, voluntary work, VIE, permanent contract, fixed-term contract, etc.), and/or have invoiced 300 hours of professional activities related to the intended profession (freelancing, self-employment, etc.).

For entry into the 2nd year

• Have met the entry requirements for the course
• Have completed a 24-month training course preparing students to sit and pass the relevant certification examination with the certifying body or an approved partner
• Have gained 6 months’ professional experience, regardless of the type of contract (work placement, voluntary work, VIE, permanent contract, fixed-term contract, ...) and/or have invoiced 300 hours of professional activities related to the intended profession (freelancing, self-employment, etc.).

For entry into the 3rd year

• Have met the entry requirements for the course
• Have completed a 12-month training course preparing students to sit and pass the relevant certification examination with the certifying body or an approved partner.
• Have completed 6 months’ professional experience, regardless of the type of contract (work placement, voluntary work, VIE, permanent contract, fixed-term contract, etc.), and/or have invoiced 300 hours of professional activities related to the intended profession (freelancing, self-employment, etc.)