Art and Design

Master of Arts in Textiles and Apparel Design

The Master of Arts in Textiles and Apparel Design is a postgraduate programme that equips students with advanced knowledge and skills in textile design, apparel design, fashion merchandising, and textile technology. The programme prepares creative professionals for leadership roles in the fashion, textile, and apparel industry in Kenya and beyond.

Core areas of study include advanced textile design, apparel construction and pattern making, textile science and technology, fashion illustration and design, textile marketing and merchandising, African textile traditions, sustainable fashion, CAD for textile design, quality control in textiles, and research methods. Students engage with both traditional and contemporary textile and fashion practices.

The programme is offered by Maseno University, which has a well-established Department of Art and Design with undergraduate programmes in textile, apparel design, and fashion merchandising. The MA in Textiles and Apparel Design was accredited by the Commission for University Education in 2013. Kenya Highlands University, Mama Ngina University College, and Kibabii University also offer related programmes.

Students develop competencies in textile design, apparel product development, fashion collection design, textile quality assurance, fashion entrepreneurship, CAD applications, sustainable textile production, and research. The programme combines studio practice, coursework, examinations, and a research project or creative portfolio.

The programme is delivered over two years with studio-based learning, lectures, and practical projects. Students work in design studios and textile laboratories, developing both technical skills and creative expression. The programme emphasises the integration of African textile traditions with contemporary design practices.

Graduates pursue careers as fashion designers, textile designers, apparel product developers, fashion entrepreneurs, textile quality controllers, fashion merchandisers, design educators, and creative directors in the fashion industry, textile manufacturing, retail, education, and creative enterprises.

Skills Required

Advanced Textile Design
Apparel Construction and Pattern Making
Fashion Illustration and Collection Design
Textile Science and Technology
CAD for Textile and Apparel Design
Textile Marketing and Merchandising
Sustainable Fashion and Textile Production
Textile Quality Control and Assurance
Fashion Entrepreneurship
Research Methods in Design

Key Subjects

Advanced Textile Design
Apparel Construction and Pattern Making
Textile Science and Technology
Fashion Illustration and Design
Textile Marketing and Merchandising
African Textile Traditions
Sustainable Fashion
CAD for Textile Design
Textile Quality Control
Research Methods in Design

Certifications

Textile Institute Chartered Status
ITAA Professional Membership

Specializations

Textile Design

Focuses on advanced textile design techniques including weaving, printing, dyeing, embroidery, and surface ornamentation, with emphasis on both traditional and digital design methods.

Apparel Design and Construction

Covers advanced apparel design, pattern making, garment construction, draping, and collection development for different market segments and occasions.

Fashion Merchandising and Marketing

Examines fashion marketing, merchandising strategies, brand management, retail management, and fashion business development in local and international markets.

Textile Science and Technology

Covers textile fibre science, fabric properties, textile testing, quality control, and textile technology innovations including smart and technical textiles.

Sustainable Fashion

Explores sustainable fashion practices, eco-friendly textile production, circular fashion, ethical sourcing, and environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.

African Textile Traditions

Examines African textile traditions, indigenous textile techniques, cultural textile heritage, and the integration of African design elements in contemporary fashion.

Fashion Entrepreneurship

Focuses on fashion business development, brand creation, fashion start-up management, production planning, and supply chain management in the fashion industry.

Digital Design and CAD

Covers computer-aided design for textiles and apparel, digital fashion illustration, 3D garment visualisation, and digital textile printing technologies.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 180,000
Private, up to: Ksh 247,400
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Textile Design
Apparel Construction and Pattern Making
Textile Science and Technology
Fashion Illustration and Design
Textile Marketing and Merchandising
African Textile Traditions
Sustainable Fashion
CAD for Textile Design
Textile Quality Control
Research Methods in Design

Modules

10 in the programme

Advanced Textile Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced textile design techniques including weaving, printing, dyeing, embroidery, and surface ornamentation, with emphasis on both traditional and digital design methods.
Apparel Construction and Pattern Making
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers advanced apparel design, pattern making, garment construction, draping, and collection development for different market segments and occasions.
Textile Science and Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines textile fibre science, fabric properties, textile testing, quality control, and textile technology innovations including smart and technical textiles.
Fashion Illustration and Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers fashion illustration techniques, collection design, fashion portfolio development, and visual communication for fashion design.
African Textile Traditions
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines African textile traditions, indigenous textile techniques, cultural textile heritage, and the integration of African design elements in contemporary fashion.
CAD for Textile and Apparel Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers computer-aided design for textiles and apparel, digital fashion illustration, 3D garment visualisation, and digital textile printing technologies.
Textile Marketing and Merchandising
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines fashion marketing, merchandising strategies, brand management, retail management, and fashion business development in local and international markets.
Sustainable Fashion and Textile Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Explores sustainable fashion practices, eco-friendly textile production, circular fashion, ethical sourcing, and environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.
Research Methods in Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in textile and apparel design, including practice-based research methods.
Creative Project or Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original creative project or research thesis on a textile or apparel design topic, demonstrating mastery of design skills and research methods, assessed through exhibition and written documentation.

Specialisations

Textile Design
Focuses on advanced textile design techniques including weaving, printing, dyeing, embroidery, and surface ornamentation, with emphasis on both traditional and digital design methods.
Apparel Design and Construction
Covers advanced apparel design, pattern making, garment construction, draping, and collection development for different market segments and occasions.
Fashion Merchandising and Marketing
Examines fashion marketing, merchandising strategies, brand management, retail management, and fashion business development in local and international markets.
Textile Science and Technology
Covers textile fibre science, fabric properties, textile testing, quality control, and textile technology innovations including smart and technical textiles.
Sustainable Fashion
Explores sustainable fashion practices, eco-friendly textile production, circular fashion, ethical sourcing, and environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.
African Textile Traditions
Examines African textile traditions, indigenous textile techniques, cultural textile heritage, and the integration of African design elements in contemporary fashion.
Fashion Entrepreneurship
Focuses on fashion business development, brand creation, fashion start-up management, production planning, and supply chain management in the fashion industry.
Digital Design and CAD
Covers computer-aided design for textiles and apparel, digital fashion illustration, 3D garment visualisation, and digital textile printing technologies.

A day as a student

A typical day involves studio-based learning at Maseno University's Department of Art and Design, working on textile design projects, apparel construction, or fashion illustration. Students spend significant time in design studios and textile laboratories developing practical skills in pattern making, garment construction, fabric printing, and dyeing. Lectures cover textile science, fashion marketing, African textile traditions, and CAD applications. Critique sessions allow students to present their design work and receive feedback from faculty and peers. Students develop fashion collections as part of their coursework, culminating in portfolio presentations. Those in the research phase conduct independent research on textile or fashion topics, working on their creative project or thesis under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme combines creative studio practice with academic rigour, developing both technical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Kenya's growing fashion industry and AGOA textile export market create diverse career opportunities for graduates.
Programme integrates African textile traditions with contemporary design, creating unique market positioning.
Offered at public universities, making it more affordable than private institution alternatives.

Against it

Limited specialised facilities and equipment at some offering universities may constrain practical learning.
Fashion and textile industry in Kenya is still developing, with limited formal employment opportunities compared to established fashion hubs.
Programme may require significant personal investment in materials, equipment, and studio supplies beyond tuition fees.
Limited industry-academia linkages may reduce opportunities for internships and industry exposure during studies.

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

Public140k to 180k

140k at Kibabii University180k at Maseno University

Private161k to 247k

161k at KCA University247k at Daystar 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

Kibabii~~153K/yr(kibu.ac.ke).Maseno unverified.Priv:Daystar~~247K/yr

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Maseno University and other public universities offer limited internal financial aid. The African Fashion Fund provides support for African fashion entrepreneurs and designers.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Financial Aid
African Fashion Fund

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
African Fashion Fund
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
African fashion designers and textile entrepreneurs demonstrating talent and financial need, providing funding and mentoring.
University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 100,000
Postgraduate students demonstrating academic merit and financial need at offering universities.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is available in full-time and part-time modes. Holders of a Postgraduate Diploma in a related field may be considered for admission. Applicants with relevant professional experience in the textile or fashion industry may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How you are assessed

4 components

Studio Projects
Practical40% of the mark
Studio-based design projects including textile design collections, apparel construction projects, fashion illustration portfolios, and CAD design assignments assessed through studio critique.
Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
CATs, design analysis essays, textile science reports, marketing case studies, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering textile science, design theory, and merchandising, including written papers and practical design examinations.
Creative Project or Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original creative project with exhibition or research thesis on a textile or apparel design topic, assessed through creative output, written documentation, and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Maseno University's MA in Textiles and Apparel Design was CUE-accredited in 2013. Maseno University, Kibabii University, Kenya Highlands University, and Mama Ngina University College are all CUE-accredited public institutions.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE in 2013 at Maseno University. All offering institutions are CUE-accredited public universities or constituent colleges.
Textile Institute (UK)
Professional certification
International professional body for textile professionals. Graduates may pursue chartered status through the Textile Institute for international professional recognition.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Fashion Designer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs and develops fashion collections for fashion houses, brands, or personal labels, creating garments from concept to production.
Textile Designer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 300,000
Creates textile designs for fabric manufacturers, fashion brands, or interior design companies, developing patterns, prints, and surface designs.
Fashion Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 500,000
Establishes and manages fashion businesses including design labels, retail stores, textile production, or fashion consultancy services.
Apparel Product Developer
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 280,000
Develops apparel products for fashion brands or manufacturers, overseeing design, sampling, production, and quality assurance processes.
Design Educator
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Teaches textile and apparel design at universities, colleges, or design schools, combining academic instruction with studio-based teaching.
Textile Quality Controller
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages quality control and assurance in textile manufacturing, testing fabric properties, ensuring standards compliance, and managing production quality.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as fashion designers, textile designers, apparel product developers, fashion entrepreneurs, and design educators in the fashion industry, textile manufacturing, retail, and education.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Illustrator
SoftwarePrimary
Vector graphics software for fashion illustration, textile pattern design, and technical flat drawings in apparel design.
CLO 3D
SoftwarePrimary
3D fashion design software for virtual garment visualisation, 3D pattern making, and digital fashion prototyping.
Photoshop
Software
Image editing software for textile print design, fashion portfolio development, and digital mood board creation.
Optitex
Software
CAD software for pattern making, grading, and marker making in apparel manufacturing and production.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Textile and apparel design is just about making clothes.
The programme covers textile science, technology, marketing, sustainability, CAD, quality control, and research, providing a comprehensive understanding of the entire textile and fashion value chain.
This programme has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's growing fashion industry, the AGOA textile export market, and increasing demand for locally designed textiles create diverse career opportunities for graduates.
Fashion design is not a serious academic discipline.
The programme involves rigorous study of textile science, design theory, research methods, and technology, combining creative practice with academic scholarship.
African textile traditions are outdated and irrelevant.
African textile traditions are increasingly valued globally, and the programme integrates indigenous techniques with contemporary design, creating unique market opportunities.
You need to be good at drawing to study textile design.
While drawing skills are helpful, the programme develops design skills through various methods including CAD, textile manipulation, and construction techniques, accommodating diverse creative strengths.
Sustainable fashion is a Western concept not relevant to Kenya.
Sustainable fashion is globally relevant, and Kenya has a growing sustainable fashion movement with opportunities in eco-friendly textile production, recycling, and ethical fashion.