Bachelor of Arts (Textile, Fashion Design and Merchandising with IT)
The Bachelor of Arts in Textile, Fashion Design and Merchandising with IT is a four-year programme that combines creative design skills with technical textile knowledge and business acumen. Students learn textile science, fashion design, apparel production, fashion merchandising and information technology applications for the fashion industry. The programme prepares graduates for diverse careers in Kenya's growing textile and fashion sector.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 204,400 a year at a public institution, Ksh 817,600 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Ceramics Designer, at 18 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in fashion illustration, pattern making, garment construction, textile design, fashion merchandising, quality control and CAD for fashion. They learn to create original designs, manage apparel production processes, develop fashion brands and apply IT tools for design, marketing and supply chain management. The programme emphasises both creative expression and commercial viability.
In Kenya, the textile and fashion industry is experiencing growth driven by the government's push for local textile manufacturing, the expansion of the cotton value chain and increasing demand for African-inspired fashion globally. The AGOA trade preference provides export opportunities for Kenyan apparel. Graduates find opportunities in fashion houses, textile mills, retail chains, export processing zones and as entrepreneurs launching their own brands.
Teaching is delivered through design studios, practical workshops, IT laboratories, industrial attachment and fashion shows. Students create portfolios, produce garment collections and participate in industry exhibitions. The programme includes hands-on training in design software, textile testing labs and production workshops.
Graduates pursue careers as fashion designers, textile designers, fashion merchandisers, quality controllers, apparel production managers and fashion entrepreneurs. Some work in export processing zones, textile mills or retail organisations. Others establish independent fashion labels or work as freelance designers.
This programme is ideal for individuals with creative talent, interest in fashion and textiles, and aptitude for business. Students who enjoy design, hands-on making and want to combine creativity with commercial skills will find this programme particularly engaging.
What you study
10 subjects- Textile Science and Fabric Studies
- Fashion Design and Illustration
- Pattern Making and Garment Construction
- Fashion Merchandising and Marketing
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for Fashion
- Apparel Production Management
- Textile Design and Printing
- Fashion Portfolio Development
- Quality Control in Textiles
- Fashion Business and Entrepreneurship
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Textile Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of textile fibres, yarns, fabrics and their properties, including natural and synthetic materials
Fashion Design and Illustration I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamental techniques of fashion drawing, illustration and design concept development
Computer Applications for Fashion
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
IT skills for the fashion industry including design software, digital portfolios and e-commerce platforms
Pattern Making and Garment Construction I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques for creating patterns and constructing garments from basic to intermediate level
Textile Design and Printing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Methods of textile surface design including printing, dyeing and decorative techniques
Fashion Merchandising and Marketing
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Principles of fashion retail, merchandising, brand management and consumer behaviour
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for Fashion
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital design tools for fashion illustration, pattern making and textile design using industry software
Apparel Production Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Management of apparel manufacturing processes, including production planning, costing and quality control
Fashion Portfolio Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Creation of a professional fashion design portfolio showcasing creative and technical competencies
Quality Control in Textiles
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Testing and quality assurance methods for textile products, including KEBS standards and international specifications
Fashion Business and Entrepreneurship
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Business planning, brand development and entrepreneurial strategies for the fashion industry
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised placement at a fashion house, textile mill, retail chain or EPZ garment factory
Specialisations
Fashion Design
Specialization in Fashion Design, preparing graduates for careers such as fashion-designer. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Textile Design
Specialization in Textile Design, preparing graduates for careers such as fashion-designer. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Fashion Merchandising
Specialization in Fashion Merchandising, preparing graduates for careers such as fashion-merchandiser.
Fashion Entrepreneurship
Specialization in Fashion Entrepreneurship, preparing graduates for careers such as fashion-designer.
Apparel Production
Specialization in Apparel Production, preparing graduates for careers such as fashion-merchandiser. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Costume Design
Specialization in Costume Design, preparing graduates for careers such as costume-designer. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on textile science or fashion theory with afternoon studio sessions creating designs, drafting patterns or constructing garments. Students may work in CAD labs designing digital fashion illustrations, test fabrics in the textile lab or prepare collections for fashion shows.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's textile sector is growing with AGOA exports and local manufacturing push | Fashion careers can be competitive with irregular income for freelancers |
| IT skills give graduates an edge in digital fashion design and e-commerce | Starting a fashion business requires capital investment and market knowledge |
| Creative and fulfilling career with opportunities for self-employment | Textile manufacturing jobs may involve factory environment work |
| Diverse career paths from design to production to merchandising | Fashion trends change rapidly, requiring continuous learning and adaptation |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 73 art and design coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
KU Fashion Design 204,400/yr (mawese 2025). Private unverified.
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some textile companies offer industrial attachment stipends.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Scholarships
3 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Scholarships you could apply for
7 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 6 institutionsIncluding Maseno University, South Eastern Kenya University, Kirinyaga University.
Including Maseno University, South Eastern Kenya University, Kirinyaga University.
Including Maseno University, South Eastern Kenya University, Kirinyaga University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsStudio Projects and Portfolio
Coursework40% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework100% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework35% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework25% of the mark
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesTextile Designer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Designs fabric patterns and textile products for manufacturers and fashion brands
Quality Control Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 100,000
Inspects and tests textile products to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications
Fashion Merchandiser
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages product selection, pricing and display for fashion retail operations
Fashion Designer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Creates original clothing designs for fashion houses, retail brands or personal fashion labels
Apparel Production Supervisor
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 110,000
Supervises garment production processes in textile factories and EPZ garment units
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as fashion designers, textile designers, fashion merchandisers and apparel production managers in fashion houses, textile mills, retail chains and export processing zones.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Ceramics DesignerArt and Design18Low exposure
- Theatrical ScenographerArt and Design18Low exposure
- Ceramic Product DesignerArt and Design19Low exposure
- Circular Fashion DesignerArt and Design19Low exposure
- Architectural Model MakerArt and Design20Low exposure
- Exhibition Experience DesignerArt and Design20Low exposure
- Wardrobe Design SpecialistArt and Design20Low exposure
- Furniture Product DesignerArt and Design21Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Adobe Illustrator
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard vector graphics software for logo design, illustration, typography, and brand identity development used by professional graphic designers.
Adobe Photoshop
SoftwarePrimary
Image editing and manipulation software for photo retouching, digital art, graphic design, and visual content creation for print and digital media.
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Computer-aided design software for 2D and 3D drafting, essential for interior design, architectural drawing, and technical design documentation.
Figma
Software
Collaborative interface design tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and digital product design used by digital design professionals and teams.
Blender
Software
Open-source 3D modelling, animation, and rendering software for product visualisation, 3D design, and digital prototyping.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Fashion design is just about making clothes
The programme covers textile science, merchandising, production management, CAD and entrepreneurship, not just garment construction.
There are no career opportunities in Kenya's fashion industry
Kenya's textile sector is growing with AGOA exports, local manufacturing initiatives and increasing global demand for African fashion.
Fashion is not a serious academic subject
The programme combines science, technology, business and creative arts, requiring diverse skills and knowledge.
You need to be a great artist to study fashion design
The programme teaches design skills systematically, and CAD tools help students develop professional design capabilities.