BACHELORS OF FASHION DESIGNING (BFD)
Bachelor of Fashion Design or BFD is an undergraduate degree course in Fashion Designing. The duration of the course is either three or four years, depending on the institute.
This course is specifically for those students who have a knack for fashion and want to learn how the fashion industry works.
Check the full list of Top Bachelor of Fashion Design Colleges here.
In order to be considered eligible to apply to this course, candidates must have passed Class 12 with an aggregate of at least 50% marks from a recognized board. Admission to this course will be done either on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the entrance exam or on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the qualifying examination.
The Bachelor in Fashion Design course highlights the different cultures and values related to the world of fashion, its sustainable and worldwide development, while at the same time tracing the ever-changing and recurring trends in the fashion world.
The top five colleges in India that offer Bachelor of Fashion Design program, as per India Today’s 2020 rankings list, are provided in the table given below:
| India Today Ranking 2020 | College Name | City | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees | Average Annual Placement Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NIFT Delhi | New Delhi | Entrance-Based | INR 2,70,000 | INR 4,54,000 |
| 2 | NIFT Mumbai | Navi Mumbai | Entrance-Based | INR 2,70,000 | INR 4,30,000 |
| 3 | NIFT Bangalore | Bangalore | Entrance-Based | INR 2,58,000 | INR 3,50,000 |
| 14 | Symbiosis Institute of Design | Pune | Entrance Exam | INR 4,20,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
| 96 | Parul University | Vadodara | Merit-Based | INR 2,00,000 | INR 3,20,000 |
The tuition fees for Bachelor of Fashion Design course can vary as per colleges and institutes. The average fee in India for pursuing this course ranges between INR 5,20,000 and INR 6,80,000.
On completion of BFD, students can opt for a wide range of jobs including Costume Designer, Stylist, Trend Forecaster, Fashion Designer, Product Developer among numerous others.
This course allows the students to work in the glamorous world of the fashion industry, providing the average salary package of INR 2-9 lakh.
After completing this program, candidates can opt for numerous courses such as Master of Fashion Design, Master of Design and many Diploma courses.
Bachelor of Fashion Design Admission process
Most of the top Indian institutes offering Bachelor of Fashion Design degree courses conduct admissions through Entrance Examination. At the same time, other Indian institutes prefer admitting students based on Merit-based evaluation or direct admission.
The admission procedures followed in Indian institutes for Bachelor of Fashion Design course are given below:
Merit-based admission
The step-by-step procedure for merit-based admission to Bachelor of Fashion Design course in Indian Colleges/ Universities is given below:
- Online Registration- Candidates have to register themselves online by filling the necessary details.
- Application Form – On successful registration, fill the application form correctly with all the details required in the form.
- Application Fee – Pay the requisite amount of application fee and submit the form.
After a successful application, the college authorities will decide and publish the merit list of selected students.
Entrance based admissions
Most of the colleges and universities offer admission to Bachelor of Fashion Design on the basis of entrance exams like NIFT, AIEED, CEED etc.
The step-by-step procedure for entrance-based admission is as follows:
- Step 1: Students have to register on the official website.
- Step 2: Fill the application form with correct details.
- Step 3: After examination, a cutoff list will be released on the website. Seats will then be allotted to candidates based on their scores in the entrance exam.
- Step 4: Some colleges also conduct personal interviews and group discussion for admission to this course.
- Step 5: On meeting all the eligibility criteria, a student will then be offered admission to the course.
Bachelor of Fashion Design Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for admission into Bachelor of Fashion Design course will differ from institute to institute. The general eligibility criteria for the top colleges are as follows:
- Passed Class 12 or equivalent with an aggregate of at least 50% marks from a recognized board.
- Candidates who have completed a Diploma in a related fashion specialization are also eligible to apply through direct-admission in colleges.
Bachelor of Fashion Design Entrance Exams
Admission to Bachelor of Fashion Design program will be done based on the candidate’s performance in the entrance test.
Some of the popular entrance exams are briefly explained below:
- AIEED: ARCH Academy of Design conducts All India Entrance Examination for Design or AIEED. The examination is designed to test the candidate’s creativity, analytical ability, and fashion sensitivity. By qualifying AIEED, the candidates can take admission in ARCH Academy of Design.
- CEED: The Common Entrance Exam for Design or CEED is conducted for students who want to take admission in some of the top fashion institutes in India.
- DAT: Design Aptitude Test or DAT is conducted at some of the top private fashion institutes, including GD Goenka University and National Institute of Design. Candidates can take admissions in respective institutes after qualifying DAT of that particular institute.
- NIFT Entrance Exam: The National Institute of Fashion Technology conducts the NIFT Entrance Exam. After qualifying this exam, aspiring students can take admission to any NIFT campus across India, according to ranks.
- IIAD Entrance Examination: The Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD) conducts the IIAD Entrance Examination for admission to Bachelor of Fashion Design. Once qualified, the candidates can take admission in IIAD.
The application dates, exam dates and the mode of the exam of the above-mentioned exams are provided in the table below.
| Name of Exam | Application Period | Exam Date | Exam Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIEED SAT 2022 | To be announced | To be announced | Online/ Offline |
| CEED 2022 | To be announced | To be announced | Online |
| NID DAT 2022 | To be announced | To be announced | Offline |
| NIFT 2022 | To be announced | To be announced | Offline |
| IIAD 2022 | To be announced | To be announced | Online/Offline |
How to prepare for Bachelor of Fashion Design entrance exams?
Most of the top colleges in India that offer Bachelor of Fashion Design require entrance exam results as a requisite for admissions of aspiring candidates. So it is important that the candidate prepares for the entrance exam appropriately and succeeds.
- Candidates must have a clear picture and aim of the entrance exams he or she wants to appear. It will help them to study more accurately focusing on the particular exam types, patterns, and syllabus.
- These entrance exams test the candidates’ Qualitative and Quantitative Thinking Approaches, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Creativity, Sensitivity and Knowledge and Conceptions regarding various aspects of Fashion.
- A list of target colleges will prepare the candidate for the particular entrance examinations and what to expect from that examination. It will also provide them with a good idea of the cutoffs and possibilities of admissions based on targeted ranks.
- The candidate must have a good knowledge of the entrance exam syllabus and concepts that the particular exam demands.
- The candidate must focus on both theoretical and communicative aspects of the entrance tests. It will prepare them in facing the communicative round of exams and their success.
How to get admission in a Good Bachelor of Fashion Design College?
- Given that most of the premier institutions in India grant admissions to students through entrance examinations like CEED, NIFT Entrance Exams, DAT, etc., it is very important that the aspiring candidates give extra care and concentration while preparing for these exams.
- For best results, it is recommended that the candidates take up professional guidance through coaching and following proper academic materials.
- Making a list of the top colleges and their respective admission tests will help the candidate to prepare for the entrance exams efficiently.
- For merit-based direct admissions, the colleges consider the marks of the final board exams of the candidates. Hence the candidate must have a high aggregate score at the +2 level or final board exams.
Bachelor of Fashion Design: What is it about?
Information and details about the Bachelor of Fashion Design program are as follows.
- The course imparts in the students a thorough understanding of the world of fashion, different aspects of creativity, sustainability, development of trends, fashion sensitivity. These prepare the students for a career in the fashion industry.
- The course imparts into the students’ entrepreneurship spirit by incorporating areas of study like aspects of manufacture, textiles, and fabrics, economic relevance.
- The course provides a comprehensive program where the students can learn the history and development, characteristic features of fashion through theory-based classes, while at the same time providing them practical exposure to transform their creativity through first-hand experiences.
- The course focuses on building interpersonal and communicative skills of the students alongside honing their entrepreneurial abilities. These skill-sets widen the job scope of the students. The job prospects include Fashion Designer, Fashion Stylist, Production Designer among others.
Why Study Bachelor of Fashion Design?
Bachelor of Fashion Design is a comprehensive graduation-level degree course that imparts into the students the skills and creativity required in the field of fashion, while at the same time providing great exposure in practical knowledge and first-hand experience in the various aspects of the fashion world. However, several reasons make students want to study this course:
- Bachelor of Fashion Design (Fashion Designing) is a flexible course that offers opportunities to students from all streams, irrespective of Science, Humanities, or Commerce.
- This course is perfect for students who have a creative bent of mind and fashion sensitivity.
- This course equips the students with all the creative and entrepreneurial skills that make them a perfect candidate for employment in the fashion industry.
- This course provides a competent degree to the students that makes them eligible to open their very own fashion house. Through this, they can utilize and display their fashion creativity to the fullest.
- The ever-changing fashion industry is full of opportunities. After completing this course successfully, the students can get opportunities to join the fashion industry through different job profiles. These job prospects often offer great pay packages and a ticket to the glamour world.
- The course also opens up future career prospects like advanced studies and research in the field of fashion. Students can pursue a master’s degree in the field before doing their PhD or research. They can also study and work overseas.
Bachelor of Fashion Design vs Bachelor of Textile Designing
Students generally face confusion when it comes to determining the difference between Bachelor of Fashion Designing and Bachelor of Textile Designing. Both these courses are specializations of the design field and are different courses of B.Des (Bachelor of Design) degree. A comparison between the two courses is given below in a tabulated form for better understanding along with their respective fee and expected salaries:
| Parameters | Bachelor of Fashion Design | Bachelor of Textile Designing |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | This course provides an in-depth knowledge of the various aspects of the fashion world. It focuses on the creativity, development of fashion and trends, sustainability, and economic relevance of the fashion industry. | This course provides in-depth knowledge of the aspects of different types of textiles. It focuses on the development, trends, creativity, and sustainability of printed, woven, non-woven, knitted textiles. |
| Type of Degree | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
| Duration | 3 – 4 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility | Passed 10+2 level from a recognized Indian education board with a minimum aggregate a score of 50% in any stream | Passed 10+2 level from a recognized Indian education board with a minimum aggregate a score of 50% in any stream |
| Exam Type | Semester | Semester |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exams/Merit-based | Entrance Exams/Merit-based |
| Average Annual Fees (INR) | INR 5,20,000 to INR 6,80,000 | INR 50,000 to INR 3,00,000 |
| Average Annual Placement Package | INR 2,60,000 to INR 9,00,000 | INR 2,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 |
| Job Profiles | Fashion Designer, Costume Designer, Fashion Stylist, Production Manager, Fashion Enterprise Manager etc. | Textile Designer, Fabric Analyzer, Fabric Resource Manager, Design Consultant, Embroidery Designer etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Pantaloons, Shoppers Stop, Levi’s, Raymonds, Lifestyle, Benetton, Spykar, ITC Ltd, Omega Designs, top design houses. | Bombay Dyeing, Fab India, Lakshmi Mills, Reliance Textiles, Jct Ltd, Mysore Silk Factory, Grasim Industries. |
Source: College Websites
Bachelor of Fashion Design Top Colleges
Several institutes across India offer Bachelor of Fashion Design course. A list of some of the top institutes in India that offer Bachelor of Fashion Designing course is given below in a tabulated form along with their respective location, average annual fee, and agency ranking :
| India Today Ranking 2020 | College Name | City | Average Annual Fees | Average Annual Placement Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NIFT Delhi | New Delhi | INR 2,70,000 | INR 4,54,000 |
| 2 | NIFT Mumbai | Navi Mumbai | INR 2,70,000 | INR 4,30,000 |
| 3 | NIFT Bangalore | Bangalore | INR 2,58,000 | INR 3,50,000 |
| 5 | NIFT Hyderabad | Hyderabad | INR 2,70,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
| 10 | NIFT Bhubaneswar | Bhubaneswar | INR 2,70,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
| 12 | Amity School of Fashion Technology | Noida | INR 1,52,000 | INR 3,00,000 |
| 14 | Symbiosis Institute of Design | Pune | INR 4,20,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
| 36 | Jain University | Bangalore | INR 3,85,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
| 96 | Parul university | Vadodara | INR 2,00,000 | INR 3,20,000 |
| – | Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar | INR 1,37,000 | INR 6,00,000 |
Bachelor of Fashion Design College Comparison
The comparison of the top three Indian institutes offering Bachelor of Fashion Design is given below in a tabular form along with their average annual fees, average placement package, and top recruiting companies.
| Parameters | National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Delhi | National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Mumbai | National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Bangalore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | NIFT Delhi is a public institution established in 1986. It offers undergraduate, post-graduate, and doctoral levels of study with several specializations in fashion-related disciplines including Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, Textile Design. | NIFT Mumbai is a public institution established in 1995 for courses including design, management, and technology in the field of fashion. It was set up with the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. | NIFT Bangalore was established in 1997 and offered under-graduate, post-graduate, and short term courses in fashion-related disciplines. It is also a public institute. The institute includes Fashion Designing as one of the 21 design courses that it offers. |
| India Today Ranking 2020 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam | Entrance Exam | Entrance Exam |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 2,70,000 | INR 2,70,000 | INR 2,58,000 |
| Average Annual Placement Package | INR 4,54,000 | INR 4,30,000 | INR 3,50,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Adidas, Reliance, Myntra, Amazon, Tommy Hilfinger, Pantaloons, Shoppers Stop, Raymonds, Blackberry | 121 Couture, Richa & Co., Zorya Fashions, Vogue & Hyde, Deco de Trend, Gofab Lifestyle | Decathlon, Go Colors, Bata India Ltd, Blackberry, Tailorman, H & M |
Source: College Websites
Bachelor of Fashion Design Syllabus
The syllabus of Bachelor of Fashion Design program focuses on imparting in the students the creativity, management, and entrepreneurial skills required in the fashion industry. It also teaches students the various aspects of fashion, the ever-changing trends, and also the developmental features of fashion over the years.
The year-wise break-up of the syllabus of Bachelor of Fashion Design course is given below :
| Year I | Year II |
|---|---|
| Foundation Program in design | Fashion Studies |
| History of Western Costumes | Fashion Forecasting and Trend analysis |
| Appreciation of Textiles | History of Indian Costumes |
| Apparel Manufacturing Process | Craft Field Study and Research |
| Year III | Year IV |
| Fashion Merchandising and Management | Practical Knowledge |
| Fabric and Trim Research and Sourcing | Apparels Development and Showcasing |
| Intellectual Property Rights | Portfolio Development |
| Draping Techniques | Fashion Photography and Styling |
Bachelor of Fashion Design Books
Some of the best books for students who are pursuing a Bachelor of Fashion Design are given below:
| Name of the Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Patternmaking for Fashion | Helen Joseph Armstrong |
| The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, and Marketing | Leslie Davis Burns |
| The Fashion Resource Book: Research for Design | Robert Leach |
| Elements of Fashion and Apparel Design | G.J. Sumathi |
| Pattern Cutting and Making Up | Shoben MM |
| Fashion: The Ultimate Book of Costume and Style | Judith Watt |
| Fashion Retailing: From Managing to Merchandising | Dimitri Koumbis |
Bachelor of Fashion Design Job Prospects and Career Options
The areas of employment for students of Bachelor of Fashion Design include both public and private sectors of the fashion industry.
- The government sector initiatives of textile development and sustainable fashion call for employment opportunities for these students.
- Both government and private apparel manufacturing companies and education sectors employ the students who have qualified the Bachelor of Fashion Design course successfully.
- In the private sector options, opportunities are available in top Designer Houses, Top Fashion Brands, Fashion Retail Companies, Fashion Show Management Centre, Jewellery Houses, Media Houses, Fashion Magazines etc.
- The students are presented with a wide array of job prospects with both lucrative packages and opportunities in the glamour world. The salaries can range according to the experience of the candidate in the field, the job profile, and the sector.
- The starting salary of the Bachelor of Fashion Design degree holders ranges between INR 2,60,000 and INR 9,20,000 per annum.
Some of the top job profiles offered to a Bachelor of Fashion Design degree holder along with the average annual salary package are in the table below.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion Designer | Responsible for creating new fashion designs and keeping up with current fashion trends. They are also responsible for showcasing original creativity to the optimum levels. They are often the trend-setters of the fashion world. | INR 5,80,000 |
| Costume Designer | Responsible for creating designs and costumes for a particular project, including movies, stage productions, television, and web shows, music videos. | INR 3,70,000 |
| Fashion Stylist | Responsible for selecting costumes and fashion ensembles for editorial features, award events, concert performances, public appearances made by celebrities and public figures. | INR 4,87,000 |
| Product Developer | They are responsible for developing fashion products, including apparels, jewellery, footwear, and fashion accessories for fashion brands, retail companies, jewellery brands, etc. | INR 5,00,000 |
| Trend Forecaster | They are responsible for forecasting fashion trends by evaluating past trends. | INR 6,00,000 |
Source: College Websites
Bachelor of Fashion Design Future Scope
There are a large number of career options for students on completion of a Bachelor of Fashion Design degree course. The future scope for these students is increasing with the subsequent increase in the Fashion industry.
Some of the top career choices available to Fashion Design graduates are as follows:
- After completing a Bachelor of Fashion Design course, students can take up internship programs with top brands and design houses. This will provide them with the necessary exposure to the fashion market.
- The students can also take advantage of the massive job demands in the fashion industry. They can find employment in top retail companies and fashion brands and labels. The top recruiters in this field include Pantaloons, Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Max Fashions, Reliance, design labels like Sabyasachi, Ritu Kumar, among others.
- Graduates can opt for higher studies also. They can pursue Master’s degrees in Fashion Design, diploma courses in Textile Design, Fashion Technology and Fashion Communication.
- Master of Fashion Design: It is the post-graduate degree course that can be pursued after completing a bachelor’s degree course in fashion designing. It is suitable for those students who want to complete higher studies in the field.
- Diploma courses: Students who want to study specialized aspects of fashion can pursue diploma courses in Textile Designing, Jewellery Designing, Apparel Designing.
