Skip to content
Pathrel
Start free
All courses
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.

Duration
3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 67,189
Ksh 201,567 total
Private tuition
Ksh 63,000
Ksh 189,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 201,567 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 63,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C- or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 112 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 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.

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 favourAgainst it
Creative and practical skills enable self-employment through fashion labels and tailoring businesses.Kenya's fashion industry is competitive with limited formal employment opportunities.
AGOA export opportunities create demand for qualified garment production professionals.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.

Scholarships you could apply for

7 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C-minimum entry
Alternative entry

Craft Certificate in Clothing Technology or Fashion Design from an accredited TVET institution.

Subject requirements
English or Kiswahili
Mathematics

When it next starts

Taught at 112 institutions
January 2027112 institutions

Including Kirinyaga University, Maseno University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.

May 2027112 institutions

Including Kirinyaga University, Maseno University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.

September 2027112 institutions

Including Kirinyaga University, Maseno University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.

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

  • 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.

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

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

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.

Further reading

Read next