Kickstart your career in fashion design or garment technology with a specialist diploma at the Fashion Retail Academy.
Our fashion design and garment technology diplomas prepare you for an exciting career at the forefront of the fashion industry. On these courses, you'll learn skills ranging from pattern cutting and sewing techniques to technical drawings and trend forecasting. Whilst studying at the FRA, you’ll also have masterclasses, workshops and industry engagement with some of our 250+ brand partners built into your course.
Our courses
These diploma courses are some of the fastest routes into the fashion industry. We work in collaboration with our brand partners to deliver unparalleled industry enrichment, ranging from masterclasses to mentoring to careers fairs, so you'll have the opportunity to build industry contacts and develop the skills and knowledge that fashion brands are really looking for.
Level 3 Fashion Design
Our Level 3 Fashion Design course teaches you a broad range of fashion and design principles, giving you a strong understanding of the essentials of clothing creation. Learn skills in drawing, concept design and pattern cutting and learn how to use software including Adobe Creative Cloud.
Level 4 Garment Technology For Fashion
Level 4 Garment Technology for Fashion is the only course of it's kind in the UK. Learn the necessary skills to become a successful garment technologist, from ensuring products fit perfectly and how to work with buyers and designers, to understanding the manufacturing process.
What's the difference between fashion design and garment technology?
A fashion designer creates ideas for clothing that a brand can sell, and are involved in every stage of the process, from concept to final product. In this creative role, designers make fashion illustrations and patterns to bring a brief to life. A garment technologist takes the fashion designer's ideas and works on the fit, fabric and quality standards to match the brand's vision and budget. They then create the tech packs for each garment to send to the factory so that it can be put into production. These roles work very closely together and are integral to a fashion brand's success.
What will I learn on a fashion design or garment technology course at the FRA?
All of our courses are designed to equip you with the latest skills and knowledge. Our Level 3 Fashion Design course will teach you practical and technical skills in sewing, garment design and construction. On Level 4 Garment Technology, you'll learn about fit requirements, fabrics and fibres, and construction techniques, as well as understand quality assurance and fashion production methods.
What kind of career could a fashion design or garment technology course at the FRA lead to?
For Fashion Design graduates, you could:
- Study a diploma in Garment Technology or a degree in Fashion Design
- Start an apprenticeship in a fashion studio
- Become a junior assistant in a design, sample or production department
Find out more about working in fashion design here.
For Garment Technology graduates you could become a:
- Fabric technologist
- Assistant garment technologist
- Technical assistant
Find out more about careers in garment technology here.
Studying at the Fashion Retail Academy is really fun, and you learn what it’s actually like in the fashion industry. The teachers are amazing and let you be independent, but also give you a lot of support.
Aida
Level 3 Fashion Design
Studying at the Fashion Retail Academy changed my life. It opened doors for me to get experience in the industry and set me on a path to successfully start my own business.
Jaliyah
Level 4 Garment Technology
The Fashion Retail Academy provides the best environment for students who want to work in the fashion industry. The teachers are so caring. They’re always there to help with your work, or just to chat if you’re having a bad day. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the FRA. The best decision I ever made was coming here!
Cameron
Level 3 Fashion Design
I didn’t know what I wanted to do in fashion, but studying such a broad course has been great to discover exactly what I want to do in the industry. You have such creative freedom with the projects. My tutors have been so helpful and amazing, and there’s a great Wellbeing Team. I even got to present some of my work to ASOS! Coming to the Fashion Retail Academy is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
Ella
Level 3 Fashion Design
The Fashion Retail Academy provided me with exciting opportunities to meet industry professionals and participate in work placements and industry projects. These experiences allowed me to begin my career working for a company I love.
Katie
Level 4 Garment Technology alumni and Assistant Garment Technologist at ASOS
The highlight of my course for me was the FMP, because you can have your own direction and explore whatever you want but with your peers you can give and received feedback. That community during the FMP has been my favourite part so far.
Kemi
Level 3 Fashion Design
The FRACareers team helped me understand that anything is possible, if you have a logical plan! They’ve as helped me to become more confident, and aware of my own strengths and weaknesses.”
Student
Level 4 Garment Technology
Through my work placement at the Fashion Retail Academy, I secured a role with Karen Millen as a Product Development Assistant, which I am loving! The FRA taught me valuable skills, to be confident in my abilities, to network and to focus on the things I love to do.
India
Level 4 Garment Technology alumni and Product Development Assistant at Karen Millen
