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What are the best universities for Fashion Design?

If you’re interested in making your mark in fashion, a degree from a good university for Fashion could be a great start. Here at Kaplan we work with some of the best universities in the UK and USA: here are our best universities for Fashion Design.

So, what are the best universities for Fashion Design?

The UK and the USA have some outstanding universities for Fashion and Design, and many degrees to prepare students for a career in the fashion industry.

Every year, rankings provider such as Complete University GuideGuardian University Guide and Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide assess universities in the UK for Fashion degrees, and some of our partners score very well! The USA is also an excellent destination for international students to study Fashion, so let’s start there.

Arizona State University

Located in sunny metropolitan Phoenix, ASU has been named the USA’s #1 university for innovation for 8 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report 2016–2023)!

ASU is one of the largest public universities in the USA: you’ll join a community of 9,000+ international students. At ASU, you can study a bachelor’s degree in fashion at the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, which is ranked in the top 15 art schools in the nation by U.S. News 2022.

Natalia from Brazil is studying a bachelor’s degree in fashion at ASU — watch her video about her summer internship.

Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University in the UK is highly regarded for its Fashion degrees, and is ranked 23rd in the UK for Fashion and Textiles (Guardian University Guide 2024).

Nottingham Trent University fashion design students working on their designs in studio

Nottingham Trent Fashion graduates have gone on to win industry awards, plus, students may get the chance to attend events such as Paris Fashion Week as part of their degree!

The University offers a wide variety of Fashion degrees. These include Fashion Communication and Promotion, Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles, and Fashion Marketing and Branding.

University of Brighton

Students talking and studying in a roundtable

The University of Brighton is also recognised for its excellence in Fashion and Textiles, and is ranked 13th in the UK for teaching effectiveness in the subject, and 42nd in the UK overall (Guardian University Guide 2024).

In fact, the University gives students exposure to knit, print and weave, and offers a wide variety of Fashion and Design degrees, including 3D Design and Craft, Fashion and Dress History, and Textiles with Business Studies.

A member of the careers-focused University Alliance, The University of Brighton has built strong links with the fashion industry over the years, and its graduates often go on to work in prestigious fashion houses.

University of Westminster

Those interested in a Fashion course in London, however, might want to explore their options at the University of Westminster.

At Westminster, you’ll benefit from extensive, dedicated facilities for fashion and textile design, and the opportunity to undertake a work placement at one of the world’s most famous fashion houses, like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford.

Westminster offers Fashion degrees that emphasise the business aspect of the industry, offering great career prospects as a result. It is also ranked an impressive 31st overall for the subject (Guardian University Guide 2024).

International students at the University of Westminster can study the Fashion-related degrees Fashion Business Management, Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing and Promotion.

How to study Fashion and Design in the UK or USA

Kaplan can help you gain entry to one of the best universities for Fashion in the UK or USA. A pathway course can help you qualify for entry to a top university even if your grades don’t currently meet the entry requirements, and we can help you to apply for direct admission to a fashion degree, too.

You can search for your dream Fashion degree using the degree finder below, or contact us to find out more or apply.

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