Art and Design

Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Fashion Design

This programme prepares students to design and produce apparel and fashion products, combining scientific knowledge of textile materials with creative design skills and fashion industry business acumen. Students learn to design fashion collections, understand textile science, construct garments, create patterns, apply CAD for fashion design, manage

apparel production, and build fashion brands. The programme builds skills in fashion design and illustration, textile science and testing, pattern making and garment construction, CAD for apparel design, fashion collection development, apparel production management, quality control, fashion merchandising and marketing, fashion entrepreneurship, and sustainable fashion. Graduates

apply these skills to design apparel collections for local and international markets, produce garments for Kenya's growing fashion industry, manage garment production operations, build fashion brands, create sustainable fashion products, and support the growth of Kenya's textile and apparel manufacturing sector. Students examine how cultural traditions,

market trends, textile technology, production economics, sustainability concerns, and global fashion dynamics shape apparel and fashion design across Kenya, from the cotton-growing areas and EPZ garment factories to the growing local designer fashion scene and export market. The programme combines classroom lectures, design studio projects, textile

laboratory practicals, pattern making and construction workshops, CAD sessions, visits to textile factories and fashion houses, industrial attachment, and a final fashion collection project showcasing original design work. Graduates pursue careers in fashion design, garment production, fashion merchandising, quality control, brand management, and fashion entrepreneurship across

textile mills, garment manufacturers, fashion houses, retail brands, EPZ factories, and as independent fashion designers and brand owners. The programme is ideal for students who are creative and design-oriented, enjoy working with fabrics and garments, and want to build careers in Kenya's growing textile and fashion industry.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 204,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Fashion Design and Illustration
Textile Science and Testing
Pattern Making and Garment Construction
CAD for Apparel Design
Fashion Collection Development
Apparel Production Management
Quality Control in Apparel
Fashion Merchandising and Marketing
Fashion Entrepreneurship
Sustainable Fashion and Textile Innovation

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Apparel and Fashion Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fashion industry overview, design principles, Kenya's textile and apparel sector, and career opportunities in fashion design.
Textile Science and Materials
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Textile fibres, yarns, fabrics, fabric structures, textile properties, testing methods, and understanding materials for apparel design.
Fashion Design and Illustration
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Fashion drawing, illustration techniques, design conceptualisation, colour theory, and developing fashion design ideas from inspiration to illustration.
Pattern Making and Garment Construction
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Pattern drafting, pattern grading, cutting, sewing techniques, garment assembly, fitting, and constructing quality garments from patterns.
CAD for Apparel Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer-aided design for fashion flats, technical packs, digital textile printing design, and using design software in the fashion industry.
Fashion Collection Development
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Developing fashion collections from concept to production, range planning, styling, lookbooks, and presenting cohesive collections for market.
Apparel Production Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Managing apparel production operations, production planning, line balancing, quality management, and ensuring efficiency in garment manufacturing.
Quality Control in Apparel Production
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Quality standards, garment inspection, KEBS standards, defect identification, and ensuring quality in apparel production.
Fashion Merchandising and Marketing
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Fashion marketing, merchandising, retail management, brand development, trend forecasting, and selling fashion products to consumers.
Sustainable Fashion and Textile Innovation
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Sustainable textile materials, eco-friendly production, circular fashion, reducing textile waste, and innovative approaches to sustainable fashion.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised attachment at a textile mill, garment factory, fashion house, or design studio, applying apparel and fashion design skills to real production.
Final Fashion Collection Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final project developing an original fashion collection from concept through design and production to final presentation and exhibition.

Specialisations

Fashion Design and Collection Development
Focuses on designing apparel collections, from concept and illustration to pattern making and garment construction for fashion brands.
Fashion Merchandising and Retail
Concentrates on fashion marketing, merchandising, retail management, and brand development for fashion retail brands.
Sustainable Fashion and Textile Innovation
Focuses on sustainable textile materials, eco-friendly production, circular fashion, and reducing fashion's environmental impact.
Fashion Entrepreneurship and Brand Management
Concentrates on starting and managing fashion businesses, building brands, and developing sustainable fashion enterprises.
Apparel Production and Quality Management
Specialises in managing garment production operations, quality control, and production efficiency in textile mills or garment factories.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on textile science, fashion theory, or production management, followed by design studio sessions creating fashion illustrations, developing collections, or working with CAD. Workshop practicals involve pattern making, cutting, sewing, and constructing garments. Textile laboratory sessions include testing fabric properties and understanding materials. Students also work on developing fashion collections and building design portfolios.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's textile and apparel sector is growing with EPZ factories, a rising local designer scene, and increasing demand for African-inspired fashion.
Strong entrepreneurial opportunities in fashion design and retail with growing demand locally and internationally.
Combines creative design with technical and business skills, making graduates versatile across design, production, merchandising, and entrepreneurship.

Against it

The fashion industry is highly competitive, with many aspiring designers competing for limited positions and market share.
Starting salaries can be modest, particularly for junior designers at fashion houses or garment factories.
Building a successful fashion brand requires significant capital, business skills, and persistence, with high failure rates for new fashion businesses.

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 courses

Public155k to 204k

155k at University of Nairobi204k at Kenyatta University

Annual 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

UoN BA Design ~154.5K/yr, KU Fashion Design 204K/yr (KUCCPS). Private: Daystar/KCA don't offer fashion design.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some textile companies and fashion houses offer internship-linked support for design students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SponsorshipKsh 500,000
Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders with credit pass in Fashion Design, Textile Technology, Clothing and Textiles, Art and Design, or related fields from recognised institutions may join. A portfolio of creative work may be required.

English or Kiswahili
C (plain)
Mathematics or Commerce or Business Studies or Chemistry or Biology
C (plain)
Art and Design or Home Science or Music or any creative subject
C (plain)
Any other subject
C (plain)

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat25% of the mark
Regular tests, design assignments, textile science reports, and assignments throughout the semester.
Design Studio and Workshop Practical Assessment
Practicum25% of the mark
Assessment of fashion illustrations, pattern making, garment construction, CAD work, and collection development.
Final Fashion Collection Project
Research10% of the mark
Final fashion collection assessed through design portfolio, constructed garments, and oral presentation to a panel.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam35% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering textile science, fashion design theory, production management, quality control, and merchandising.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of supervised attachment at a textile mill, garment factory, or fashion house. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates may pursue KEBS training for textile quality standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. This programme must be offered by a CUE-accredited university.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Quality Control Manager
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 160,000
Manages quality control systems in garment factories, ensuring products meet standards and specifications.
Fashion Designer
Medium demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs apparel collections for fashion houses, retail brands, or as an independent designer, creating garments from concept to production.
Fashion Buyer
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 170,000
Selects and purchases fashion merchandise for retail stores, analysing trends, managing budgets, and ensuring profitable product assortments.
Fashion Entrepreneur
Medium demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 500,000
Starts and runs fashion businesses including design brands, boutiques, garment production, or fashion retail.
Fashion Merchandiser
Medium demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages fashion product selection, pricing, display, and inventory for retail brands, fashion houses, or department stores.
Apparel Production Manager
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages garment production operations at textile mills or EPZ garment factories, overseeing production, quality, and efficiency.

Graduate outcomes

Kenya's textile and apparel industry is growing, supported by EPZ garment manufacturing, a rising local designer fashion scene, and increasing demand for African-inspired fashion. Graduates find employment in textile mills, garment manufacturers, fashion houses, retail brands, EPZ factories, and as independent designers. Starting salaries range from KES 40,000 to 70,000 per month, with experienced fashion designers and production managers earning KES 120,000 or more. Successful fashion entrepreneurs can earn significantly more.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Illustrator
Design
Adobe Photoshop
DesignPrimary
Blender
Creative
Canva
Design
Figma
DesignPrimary
Midjourney
Ai

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Fashion design is just about drawing clothes.
The programme covers textile science, pattern making, garment construction, production management, CAD, quality control, and business. It is a comprehensive technical and creative discipline.
There is no fashion industry in Kenya.
Kenya has a growing fashion industry with EPZ garment factories exporting globally, a vibrant local designer scene, and increasing demand for African-inspired fashion in international markets.
Fashion design is not a serious career.
The global fashion industry is worth trillions. Kenya's textile and apparel sector is a significant employer, and successful fashion designers build profitable brands and businesses.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.