Fashion Design Level 4
Fashion Design Level 4 is a TVET-CDACC examined artisan programme that introduces trainees to the fundamentals of garment construction, fashion illustration, and textile selection. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and assessed through the Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC).
Trainees develop competencies in hand sewing, machine sewing, pattern drafting, garment cutting, fitting, and finishing. The curriculum emphasises practical skills through workshop-based learning where trainees produce garments from start to finish under instructor guidance.
Kenya's fashion and textiles sector is growing, with increasing demand for skilled garment makers in both the local and export markets. The programme aligns with the Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) framework and supports the government's textile manufacturing agenda under the Big Four Agenda.
The course is delivered through practical workshop sessions and classroom theory. Trainees spend approximately 80 per cent of their time in the workshop producing garments and 20 per cent in theory classes covering design principles, textile science, and business fundamentals.
Graduates can work as garment makers in fashion houses, textile factories, or establish their own tailoring and fashion businesses. The programme provides a foundation for progression to Craft Certificate in Fashion Design and Interior Decoration.
This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of D- (minus) or below, or those who have completed KCPE. It serves as an entry point into the fashion and textiles trade for those seeking practical skills for self-employment.
- Duration
- 1 year
- Public, up to
- Ksh 67,189
- Private, up to
- Ksh 74,250
- 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
- Artisan Certificate
What you study
8 subjects- Garment Construction
- Pattern Drafting
- Fashion Illustration
- Textile Science
- Machine Sewing
- Hand Sewing Techniques
- Garment Cutting and Fitting
- Fashion Business Basics
Modules
8 in the programmeIntroduction to Fashion Design
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Introduces the principles of fashion design, colour theory, and the role of fashion in society and the Kenyan textile industry.
Textile Science
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Covers properties of different fabrics, fibre types, fabric care, and selection of appropriate textiles for various garment types.
Hand Sewing Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops fundamental hand sewing skills including basic stitches, hemming, button attachment, and hand finishing techniques.
Machine Sewing
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Trainees learn to operate industrial and domestic sewing machines, including straight stitch, zigzag, and overlock machines for garment construction.
Pattern Drafting
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Introduces basic pattern drafting techniques including taking measurements, creating bodice and skirt blocks, and adapting patterns for different styles.
Garment Cutting and Construction
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers laying, marking, and cutting fabric from patterns, followed by construction of simple garments including skirts, blouses, and trousers.
Fashion Illustration
Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective
Develops basic drawing skills for fashion illustration, including figure proportions, garment representation, and technical flats.
Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective
Introduces basic business skills for fashion entrepreneurship including costing, pricing, customer service, and marketing of garments.
Specialisations
Women's Wear
Specialises in construction of women's garments including dresses, blouses, and skirts.
Men's Wear
Focuses on construction of men's garments including shirts, trousers, and suits.
Children's Wear
Covers construction of children's garments and school uniforms.
Alterations and Repairs
Specialises in garment alteration, repair, and restyling services.
A day as a student
A typical day involves a morning theory session on design principles or textile properties, followed by afternoon workshop practice where trainees draft patterns, cut fabric, and construct garments using industrial and domestic sewing machines.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Practical skills enable immediate self-employment after graduation.
- Low entry requirements make it accessible to a wide range of learners.
- Growing textile manufacturing sector in Kenya increases demand for garment making skills.
Against it
- Initial income may be low for self-employed graduates building a client base.
- Competition from imported second-hand clothes affects the local garment market.
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
Michuki 40K, TVET std 67K public. CITC 71-74K/yr private (victormatara, citcthika.ac.ke).
HELB TVET loans and county bursaries are available for eligible students in CDACC-accredited programmes.
Funding options
HELB TVET Loan
County Bursary
NGAAF Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB TVET Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions
County Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Residents of the respective county enrolled in TVET programmes
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- D-
- Alternative entry
- KCPE certificate or equivalent. No specific subject requirements.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCDACC Practical Assessment
Practical assessment60% of the mark
Competency-based practical assessment of garment construction skills.
CDACC Theory Assessment
Written assessment30% of the mark
Written assessment of fashion design theory and textile science knowledge.
Portfolio Assessment
Project10% of the mark
Assessment of a portfolio of garments produced during the course.
Accreditation
Assessed and certified by TVET-CDACC under the Competency Based Education and Training framework. Institutions accredited by TVETA.
Accredited by
Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
AcademicRequired
TVET-CDACC assesses and certifies competencies under the CBET framework for fashion design.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
AcademicRequired
TVETA accredits institutions offering fashion design programmes.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesGarment Maker
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 40,000
Constructs garments in fashion houses, textile factories, or as a self-employed tailor.
Tailoring Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 15,000 to Ksh 30,000
Assists established tailors and fashion designers in garment production.
Factory Machine Operator
High demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 35,000
Operates sewing machines in textile manufacturing factories producing garments for local and export markets.
Self-Employed Tailor
Moderate demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 60,000
Offers tailoring and garment alteration services to individual clients.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as garment makers in fashion houses and textile factories, or establish their own tailoring businesses.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Fashion design is only for women.
The fashion industry employs both men and women, with many successful male designers and tailors in Kenya and globally.
You need to be good at drawing to study fashion design.
While illustration helps, the Level 4 programme focuses on practical garment construction skills that do not require advanced drawing ability.
Fashion design does not offer stable employment.
Kenya's growing textile manufacturing sector and export market provide stable employment opportunities for skilled garment makers.
Level 4 is too basic to be useful.
Level 4 provides foundational competencies that enable self-employment and progression to higher levels in fashion design.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Fashion Design Level 4 are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.