Art and Design

Diploma in Fashion and Design

The Diploma in Fashion Design and Clothing Technology is a KNEC and TVET-CDACC examined programme that trains professionals in fashion design, garment construction, and clothing technology. The course covers clothing construction, textile science, pattern construction, cutting technology, fashion design and sketching, quality control, and fashion marketing across three modules.

Students develop competencies in garment construction, pattern making and grading, textile science, fashion illustration, quality control, and industrial organisation management. The programme combines creative design skills with technical clothing production and business management competencies.

Kenya's fashion industry is growing, driven by increasing demand for locally designed garments, the second-hand clothing market's formalisation, and export opportunities under AGOA. Textile factories, fashion houses, garment manufacturers, and retail brands recruit diploma holders for design, production, and quality control roles.

The programme combines classroom theory with extensive workshop practicals in clothing construction, pattern making, and fashion sketching. Students create garments, develop patterns, and learn CAD for fashion design. A supervised industrial attachment in a textile factory, fashion house, or garment production company provides hands-on industry experience.

Graduates work as fashion designers, pattern makers, garment technologists, quality controllers, and fashion stylists. Employers include textile factories, fashion design houses, garment manufacturers, retail brands, and media production companies. Many graduates establish their own fashion labels or tailoring businesses.

This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- (minus) who have creative aptitude and interest in fashion, textiles, and garment production. It provides a pathway into Kenya's fashion and textile industry with progression options to degree programmes in fashion design or textile engineering.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 63,000
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: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

6 subjects

Research Methods
Communication Skills
Information Technology
Project Management
Entrepreneurship
Statistics

Modules

10 in the programme

Art and Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Colour theory and drawing for fashion design for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Fashion Design and Sketching I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fashion illustration and garment sketching for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Clothing Construction I Practical
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Hand and machine sewing techniques covering materials, techniques, safety procedures, and quality standards for construction projects.
Pattern Construction I Practical
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Pattern drafting and size grading covering materials, techniques, safety procedures, and quality standards for construction projects.
Textile Science I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties of textile fibres and fabrics for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Cutting Technology I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Pattern cutting and basic block construction for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Quality Control I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Quality assurance in garment manufacturing for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Clothing Construction II Practical
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Tailored garments and formal wear construction for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Fashion Marketing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Marketing strategies for the fashion industry for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Pattern Construction III and Grading II
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced pattern engineering and grading for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Garment Construction
Construction techniques for producing quality garments including cutting, sewing, and finishing, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Pattern Making and Grading
Creating and grading patterns for different sizes and styles in garment production, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Textile Design
Design and development of textile fabrics including printing, dyeing, and surface decoration, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Fashion Marketing
Marketing and promotion of fashion products, brand management, and retail operations, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

Students attend morning theory classes and spend afternoons in practical sessions, workshops, or laboratory work applying concepts learned in class.

The trade offs

In its favour

Creative and practical skills enable self-employment through fashion labels and tailoring businesses.
AGOA export opportunities create demand for qualified garment production professionals.

Against it

Kenya's fashion industry is competitive with limited formal employment opportunities.
Initial income may be low until building a client base or gaining industry recognition.

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

Public67k to 67k

67k at Public TVET colleges67k at Public TVET colleges

Private36k to 63k

36k at AITEC College63k at Nakuru College

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

TVET 67,189/yr. AITEC 36K, Nakuru College 63K/yr (aitec.ac.ke, nakurucollege.ac.ke).

Students can access HELB TVET loans, county government bursaries, and NG-CDF bursaries to support their studies.

Funding options

HELB loan

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed or accredited diploma programmes at recognised TVET institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries provided by county governments for needy students from their respective counties.
NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency Development Fund bursaries for needy students from the respective constituency.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Craft Certificate in Clothing Technology or Fashion Design from an accredited TVET institution.

English or Kiswahili
Mathematics

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester CATs covering theory and practical components.
KNEC Module Examinations
Exam60% of the mark
National examinations administered by KNEC at the end of each module.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment report and employer assessment.

Accreditation

Programmes accredited by TVETA and examined by KNEC, NITA, or CDACC in Kenya.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for TVET institutions offering this diploma programme.
Kenya National Examinations Council
Examination bodyRequired
Administers national examinations for the diploma programme at each module level.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Fashion Designer
Medium demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 50,000
Creates original clothing designs, develops collections, and produces garments for retail or bespoke clients.
Pattern Maker
Medium demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 48,000
Creates and grades patterns for garment production, ensuring proper fit and sizing across ranges.
Garment Technologist
Medium demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Oversees garment production quality, testing materials and construction methods to ensure product standards.
Quality Controller
Medium demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 50,000
Inspects garments and textile products to ensure they meet quality standards and specifications.
Fashion Stylist
Low demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 45,000
Curates fashion looks for individuals, media productions, and brands, coordinating garments and accessories.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates of the Fashion and Design programme work in relevant industries across Kenya, with opportunities in both public and private sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Pattern Making Software
Design softwarePrimary
Software for digital pattern making and garment design
Adobe Illustrator
Design software
Vector design software for fashion illustration and technical drawing
Dress Form Mannequin
Garment equipment
Adjustable dress forms for fitting and pattern draping
Sewing Machine
Garment equipmentPrimary
Industrial and domestic sewing machines for garment construction

Certifications

Industry links

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM)

Common misconceptions

The Fashion and Design diploma is just theory with no practical value.
The programme emphasises hands-on practical training in workshops, laboratories, and industrial attachment, ensuring graduates are job-ready.
Graduates of this programme end up unemployed in Kenya.
Kenya's expanding sectors create steady demand for diploma holders, with opportunities in county governments, private companies, and self-employment.