New Zealand Certificate in Fashion (Level 4)

• 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 have an acceptable level of secondary school achievement. 

Additional requirements 

To be considered for selection in to 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 requirements  

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual 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 NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes. 

You must supply certified copies of proof of identify and proof of residency (where appropriate).

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.

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.

You will be required to work with industrial machines, pressing equipment and chemical dyes and may also spend time working in industry.

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!

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, allowing you to complete the qualification over more than six months and fitting your study around other commitments.

A total of 60 credits are required to successfully complete this Certificate. 

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification.

• Connect with School of Design students, graduates and staff on our very active Facebook page
• iD Dunedin Fashion Week showcases the work of successful and emerging designers with a focus on unique and creative fashion

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