Diploma in Fashion Design and Clothing Technology
The Diploma in Fashion Design and Clothing Technology is a KNEC-examined programme (Clothing, Fashion & Textile cluster) that trains designers and clothing technologists to design, construct, and manage garment production from concept to consumer.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 83,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 167,000 to Ksh 250,500 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 54,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2-3 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 56 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Auto Diagnostics Technician, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students study textile science, fashion design and sketching, pattern construction, cutting technology, garment production management, and fashion marketing, building both creative design and technical production skills. Skills RequiredFashion Design and SketchingPattern ConstructionCutting TechnologyTextile ScienceGarment Production ManagementKey SubjectsTextile ScienceFashion Design and SketchingPattern ConstructionCutting TechnologyGarment Production ManagementFashion MarketingCertificationsKenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) RecognitionSpecializationsFashion DesignFocus on garment design, sketching, and collection development. Garment Production ManagementFocus on managing clothing production lines and quality control.
Kenya's growing fashion, textile manufacturing, and uniform-making industries create demand for trained designers and production supervisors, alongside strong self-employment potential in tailoring and clothing businesses.
Training combines classroom design and textile theory with extensive sewing, cutting, and pattern-making practicals, plus a supervised industrial attachment with a clothing or fashion company.
Graduates work as fashion designers, garment production supervisors, textile designers, and pattern makers, or start their own tailoring, uniform-making, or fashion label businesses.
The programme suits creative students interested in fashion and textiles who want a practical, industry-connected route into Kenya's growing fashion and apparel sector.
What you study
6 subjects- Textile Science
- Fashion Design and Sketching
- Pattern Construction
- Cutting Technology
- Garment Production Management
- Fashion Marketing
Modules
11 in the programmeTextile Science I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties and characteristics of common textile fabrics for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Fashion Design and Sketching I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Design concept development and technical fashion sketching for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Clothing Construction Practical
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Garment construction techniques covering materials, techniques, safety procedures, and quality standards for construction projects.
Fashion Design and Sketching
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fashion illustration and design including design principles, material selection, and production techniques for creative industry practice.
Pattern Construction I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Creating garment patterns from design sketches using drafting and for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Pattern Construction
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Pattern drafting and grading covering materials, techniques, safety procedures, and quality standards for construction projects.
Textile Science
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties of textile materials as applied to technical principles and practical applications in the course curriculum.
Cutting Technology I
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fabric cutting techniques for garment production, including pattern laying for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Garment Production Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Managing production lines, quality, and workflow for clothing manufacture for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Quality Control
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Quality assurance in garment production including testing procedures, standards compliance, defect prevention, and quality assurance systems.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised placement with a fashion, tailoring, or garment production company for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Fashion Design
Focus on garment design, sketching, and collection development, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Garment Production Management
Focus on managing clothing production lines and quality control, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Textile Science
Focus on textile fibres, fabric properties, textile testing, and material selection for garment production within the Kenyan textile and clothing industry.
Pattern Engineering
Focus on advanced pattern drafting, grading techniques, size charts, and computerised pattern making for industrial garment production in Kenya.
A day as a student
Days are largely workshop-based — pattern-drafting, cutting fabric, and operating sewing machines — alongside design theory and sketching sessions, building toward an industrial attachment with a fashion or garment production company.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Combines creative design skill with practical, employable garment production competence. | The independent fashion design market is competitive and success often takes years to build. |
| Strong self-employment potential in tailoring, uniform-making, and fashion businesses. | Factory-based garment production roles can involve repetitive, target-driven work. |
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
TVET 67,189, KITI ~83,500/yr (gaa.go.ke). AITEC 36K, Naturesurf 54K/yr (aitec.ac.ke).
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; garment manufacturers occasionally sponsor students for guaranteed employment.
Funding options
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
Loan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
Scholarships
2 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
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
A certificate in clothing/textile-related studies from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 56 institutionsIncluding Machakos University, Eastern Kenya Integrated University, Technical University of Kenya.
Including Machakos University, Technical University of Kenya, University of Eldoret.
Including Machakos University, Eastern Kenya Integrated University, Technical University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework25% of the mark
Tests across textile science and design theory units.
Practical Sewing/Pattern-Making Assessments
Coursework35% of the mark
Hands-on garment construction and pattern-making assessments.
Final Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester written and practical examinations.
Accreditation
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised under Kenya's TVET qualifications framework.
KNEC-examined diploma (Clothing, Fashion & Textile cluster) offered at TVET colleges and some universities.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesFashion Designer (Junior)
Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 40,000
Designs garments for a fashion label or works toward an independent label.
Garment Production Supervisor
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Supervises a production line at a clothing manufacturer.
Pattern Maker
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 40,000
Creates and grades garment patterns for a fashion or manufacturing company.
Fashion Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Designs and produces clothing lines, manages fashion businesses, and markets fashion products for the Kenyan fashion and apparel market.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as fashion designers, garment production supervisors, textile designers, and pattern makers, or run their own clothing businesses.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Auto Diagnostics TechnicianTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Automotive Service AdvisorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- BlacksmithTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Boda Motorcycle MechanicTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- CNC MachinistTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Construction Safety OfficerTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Crane OperatorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Custom Apparel TailorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Pattern Making Software
Design softwarePrimary
CAD software for pattern making and garment design
Adobe Illustrator
Design software
Design software for fashion illustration
Cutting Tools
Garment equipment
Fabric cutters, shears, and cutting tables for garment production
Sewing Machine
Garment equipmentPrimary
Industrial sewing machines for clothing production
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Fashion design training is only about sketching pretty clothes.
The curriculum includes substantial technical content — pattern construction, cutting technology, and production management — needed for a manufacturable garment.
Graduates can only become independent fashion designers.
Many work in structured roles at garment factories, uniform-making companies, and textile firms.