Fashion & Sustainability At Collarts - Bachelor Degree & Diploma

STUDY FASHION & SUSTainability

If you dream of a career as a Fashion Designer, Textile Designer, Designer-Maker or Production Manager, working in Sustainable Fashion, Product Innovation, Industry Transparency and Enterprise, this course is for you.

The Fashion & Sustainability course is perfect for people wanting to shape the future of the fashion industry. You will learn how to create forward-thinking fashion, with a focus on sustainability and ethical consumption. You will be taught and mentored by industry experts who are currently working within many sectors of the industry including fashion design, reinvention, forecasting and enterprise.

With a focus on fashion futures, business strategy, and sustainable fashion business models and supply chains, you will gain the knowledge and skills to develop and manage a career in emerging fashion industries. Students will also have opportunities to apply their studies by partaking in sought-after internships at major events like Melbourne Fashion Week, Ego Expo, and more.

Collarts offers students a variety of real-life industry experiences so that they are career-ready when they graduate. Through our industry partnerships, students have opportunities to partake in a variety of real-world fashion experiences, gaining access to industry connections.

Students will graduate with a well-rounded understanding of sustainable fashion and design, both in Australia and overseas.

OPPORTUNITIES & EXPERIENCES

→ Create, develop and produce ethical fashion products and services

→ Acquire an in-depth understanding of global fashion practices, design, and sustainability

→ Gain knowledge and experience in fashion business, styling, ethical responsibility, and zero waste techniques and technologies

→ Develop an industry relevant portfolio and capstone project

→ Study in our warehouse-style campus in the heart of Melbourne’s fashion district, with access to our world-class studios, creative spaces and classrooms

→ Partake in several opportunities including a 60-hour work placement, sought-after internships and experiences at major events like Melbourne Fashion Week, Ego Expo and more

→ No ATAR requirement and no individual subject or score requirements

→ Complete your bachelor degree in two years instead of the standard three

→ FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees)

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT FASHION & SUSTAINABILITY

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BUILD A MORE SUSTAINABLE FASHION INDUSTRY?

In a recent podcast, Sal Edwards—Program Coordinator of Fashion & Sustainability —discusses 'Breaking The Mould'; looking deeper and more critically at the obligations that brands, tastemakers, and educators have when fostering better fashion futures with sustainability at the forefront.

LEARN MORE

MEET THE STUDENTS WHO ORGANISED THE COLLARTS CLOTHES SWAP

Clothing swaps are one of the easiest ways to encourage an ethical fashion consumption in everyone: all it requires is clothes, people, and a passion for sustainability. Carrying that same passion in hand, meet the students who commemorated National Swap Day by creating their own event on-campus!

Learn More

FIVE WAYS TO GIVE YOUR CLOTHES A SECOND LIFE

In the age of sustainability, we’ve learned a lot about how the fashion industry has impacted the environment through fast fashion, toxic chemicals, and other unethical practices. But here's how you can make a change from your wardrobe to the next.

Learn More

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

"Consumers are demanding more transparency around how brands are operating, so the need for professionals to manage green policies, sustainable supply chains, and the integrity of brands will be crucial in the years to come."

RACHEL MATTHEWS

Head of Fashion

"We're interested in unpacking the complexities of sustainability. How can we be making sure that we are lessening impacts and problem-solving?"

SAL EDWARDS

Program Coordinator of Fashion & Sustainability

Students browsing clothes at Collarts' clothes swap

"Fashion consumers want to feel good about the clothes they put on their backs. As a result, the industry is having to change. Not only is this helping to create a greener planet, but it’s also creating a whole new job market."

RACHEL MATTHEWS

Head of Fashion

"When I started the course, it was more about personal fulfillment. I really wanted to further my knowledge and learn about something I am passionate about. You learn so many diverse skills at Collarts that the options really are limitless."

EBONY TEWIERIK

Fashion Marketing Student

Ebony posing on the ground in fashionable outfit

BACHELOR

BACHELOR OF DESIGN (FASHION & SUSTAINABILITY)

The Bachelor of Design (Fashion & Sustainability) course is perfect for people wanting to shape the future of the fashion industry. Students will learn how to create forward-thinking fashion, with a focus on sustainability and ethical consumption.

The Bachelor degree can be completed in six trimesters (2 years) of full-time study or part-time equivalent.

THROUGHOUT THE DEGREE, YOU WILL

→ Create, develop and produce ethical fashion products and services

→ Acquire an in-depth understanding of global fashion practices, design, and sustainability

→ Gain knowledge and experience in fashion business, styling, ethical responsibility, and zero waste techniques and technologies

→ Develop an industry-relevant portfolio and capstone project

→ Partake in several opportunities including a 60-hour work placement, sought-after internships and experiences at major events like Melbourne Fashion Week, Ego Expo and more

→ Study in our warehouse-style campus in the heart of Melbourne’s fashion district, with access to our world-class studios, creative spaces and classrooms

→ No ATAR requirement and no individual subject or score requirements

→ Complete your bachelor degree in two years instead of the standard three

→ FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees), to learn more click here

The Bachelor and Diploma of Design (Fashion & Sustainability) are delivered at the George St Campus and is recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, accredited through CRICOS; CRICOS Code 0101951 & 0101952.

Course Admission Criteria

DIPLOMA

DIPLOMA OF DESIGN (FASHION & SUSTAINABILITY)

The diploma can be completed in two trimesters (8 months) of full-time study and you have the opportunity to progress into the Bachelor Degree (subject to academic performance).

THROUGHOUT THE DIPLOMA, YOU WILL

→ Create, develop and produce ethical fashion products and services

→ Acquire an in-depth understanding of global fashion practices, design, and sustainability

→ Gain knowledge and experience in fashion business, styling, ethical responsibility, and zero waste techniques and technologies

→ Develop an industry-relevant portfolio of creative projects

→ Partake in sought-after internships and experiences at major events like Melbourne Fashion Week, Ego Expo and more

→ Study in our warehouse-style campus in the heart of Melbourne’s fashion district, with access to our world-class studios, creative spaces and classrooms

→ No ATAR requirement and no individual subject or score requirements

→ Complete your bachelor degree in two years instead of the standard three

→ FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees), to learn more click here

Course Admission Criteria

ELIGIBILITY & ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

→ Applicants will need to submit a 300-word essay on their interest in the field

→ Applicants will need to attend an admissions interview. You will be asked questions about your experience, background, and interest in the course and/or industry

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

DIPLOMA APPLICANTS

→ Applicants are required to successfully complete VCAL, VCE, IB, or state/international Year 12 equivalent. If students have not completed the year 12 requirements, they must be at least 20 years of age

→ The Diploma can be used as a pathway into the Bachelor degree

→ There are no ATAR minimum or subject requirements

BACHELOR APPLICANTS

→ Applicants are required to successfully complete VCE, IB, or state/international Year 12 equivalent

→ VCAL students are not eligible for the Bachelor until they have successfully completed the diploma

→ If students have not completed the year 12 requirements, they must be at least 20 years of age

→ There are no ATAR minimum or subject requirements

WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE APPLICANTS

→ If none of the above qualifications have successfully been completed, applicants must be 20 years of age or older with 2 years of work experience to apply

HOW TO APPLY

→ Non-Year 12 applicants may apply directly on the website, and a Future Student Advisor will be in touch to arrange an interview

→ Year 12 applicants must apply through VTAC. VTAC opens in August each year. Place the appropriate Collarts course into one of your preferences and a Future Student Advisor will be in touch to arrange an interview

KEY INFORMATION

Start Dates

February, May, and September

Number of Units

8 in Diploma

24 in Bachelor

Duration

Diploma 8 Months

Bachelor 2 Years

Or Part-Time Equivalent

Study Mode

On-Campus or Blended

Student Support

Free Access to Wellbeing & Academic Support

Industry Placement

Dedicated Time for Industry Experience

FEE-HELP

Available

Transparent Fees

$2,430 per unit

International Fees

Available

COURSE STRUCTURE

Delivery Mode - On-Campus, Blended

FIRST YEAR	DESIGN PROCESS	MATERIALS & MAKING	INDUSTRY & ENTERPRISE	INDUSTRY AWARENESS
Trimester 1	Fashion Design: Function	Fibres, Fabrics & Fabrication	Sustainable Fashion Business	Critical Thinking
Trimester 2	Fashion Design: Reinvention	Fashion Resourcing & Remaking	History of Fashion Systems	Critical Survey
Trimester 3	Fashion Design: Heritage	Bespoke, Couture & Slow Making	Business Strategy & Design Thinking	Fashion Styling
SECOND YEAR	DESIGN PROCESS	MATERIALS & MAKING	INDUSTRY & ENTERPRISE	INDUSTRY AWARENESS
Trimester 1	Fashion Design: Futures	Zero Waste Techniques & Technologies	Ethical Business Management	Communications & Marketing
Trimester 2	Fashion Design: Personal Investigation	Materials & Making: Personal Investigation	Entrepreneurship	Careers Development
Trimester 3	Fashion Design: Capstone Project	Design Realisation: Capstone Project	Business & Entrepreneurship: Capstone Project	Industry Placement