Top Fashion Design Courses to Pursue After 12th in India
Published by Shikha Kumari on May 06, 2025
Fashion design refers to the integration of design and fashion, which creates and contributes to the fashion business and retail management. Fashion design provides hands-on experience in project sketching, styling, garment and industrial stitching, and 3d prototyping. To pursue a career in fashion design, candidates must go through entrance exams like UCEED and DAT. Types of fashion designing courses after 12th can range diploma, bachelor’s, certificate, as well as master’s degrees. In this blog, we will discuss fashion design courses after 12th grade.
Fashion Design Undergraduate Level (Bachelor’s Degrees)
A Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design is the most coveted and widely pursued route for those interested in fashion designing. Eligibility for fashion designing courses after 12th is to have passed 10+2 from a recognised board (Science, Arts, or Commerce). Candidates can pursue a Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fashion Technology, BA in Fashion Communication, or BSc in Fashion. These programs help candidates understand various aspects of the fashion industry, such as the production design process, pattern drafting, visual merchandising, and more.
| Program | Core Subjects | Syllabus |
| B.Des in Fashion Design | Fashion Illustration, Textile Science, Design Process, CAD | Fashion history, draping, portfolio, and garment construction |
| B.Sc in Fashion Design | Fabric Science, Fashion CAD, Apparel Production | Textile testing, design software, and garment making |
| Bachelor of Fashion Technology (BFTech) | Apparel Manufacturing, Pattern Making, Quality Control | CAD, industrial machinery, technical design |
| B.A. in Fashion Communication | Visual Merchandising, Fashion Journalism, Styling | Graphic design, PR, fashion blogging, trend forecasting |
| B.Sc in Fashion & Apparel Designing | Pattern Drafting, Draping, Surface Ornamentation | Sewing techniques, embroidery, textile craft |
| B.Sc in Fashion Business & Retail Management | Retail Strategy, Merchandising, Fashion Marketing | Consumer behaviour, supply chain, sales analytics |
Fashion Design Diploma Programs
If the candidate doesn’t want to integrate themselves into academia, they can also pursue one-year diploma programs that offer hands-on projects as well as 3D prototyping, if the institution allows. Some of the courses are mentioned below:
| Program | Core Subjects | Syllabus |
| Diploma in Fashion Design | Fashion Illustration, Basic Sewing, Fabric Selection | Hands-on projects, sketching, and styling |
| Diploma in Fashion Technology | CAD, Pattern Making, Production Techniques | Garment tech, industrial stitching, 3d prototyping |
Fashion Design Certificate Programs (Specialised)
Since fashion design is a very wide field, if we go deeper into the certificate programs, candidates can find certificate programs in jewellery design, footwear design, as well as fashion photography. While these may not directly correlate to fashion design, they are an integral part of the broader field.
| Program | Core Subjects | Syllabus |
| Certificate in Fashion Photography | Studio Lighting, Digital Photography, Portfolio Creation | Short course in photography, styling, and editing |
| Certificate in Jewellery Design | Metal Work, Gemology, CAD | Design theory, CAD for jewellery, product creation |
| Certificate in Footwear Design | Footwear Pattern Making, Materials, Product Development | Patterning, prototype design, and production techniques |
Distance/Online Fashion Design Courses
Some of the top online fashion design courses offer a fee range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 74,340, as mentioned below. These include institutes such as NIFT Bangalore and others. Following are some of the top fashion design courses to pursue after 12th in India, online:
| Course | College | Tuition Fee (Rs) |
| Diploma in Fashion Design | YCMOU Nashik | Rs 42,428 |
| Advanced Diploma in Tailoring & Dress Designing | NSOU | Rs 21,000 |
| Certificate in Apparel Merchandising and Manufacturing Technology | NIFT Bangalore | Rs 74,340 |
| Certificate in Fashion Design | IGNOU | Rs 5,000 |
| Diploma in Textile Technology | SASMIRA’s Institute | Rs 30,000 |
Fashion Designing courses after 12th can range from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, depending upon the institution. The following are some colleges that offer Fashion Design at more affordable rates.
| College Name | Programme Offered | Location | Fee Range |
| Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida | BDes in Fashion Design | Noida | Rs 9.12 Lakh |
| Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan | BDes in Fashion Design | Rajasthan | Rs 6,26,000 Lakh |
| Doon Institute of Fashion Technology, Dehradun | BDes in Fashion Design | Dehradun | Rs 2.4 Lakh |
| Institute of Design, Architecture & Technology (IDAT), Bangalore | BDes in Fashion Design | Bangalore | Rs 3,360 – Rs 26 Lakh |
| International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), Mumbai | BDes in Fashion Design | Mumbai | Rs 5,72,430 Lakh |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi | Diploma, Degree in Fashion Design | New Delhi | Rs 1.25 Lakh – Rs 3.42 Lakh |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab | BDes in Fashion Design | Punjab | Rs 5 Lakh |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi | BDes in Fashion Design | Delhi | Rs 1,23,000 |
| Pearl Academy, Jaipur | BDes in Fashion Design | Jaipur | Rs 8,30,000 |
| Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune | BDes in Fashion Design | Pune | Rs 18.68 Lakh |
NID DAT Schedule 2026
NID DAT schedule for 2026 examination has been released, the important dates are mentioned in the table below:
| DAT Prelims result (B.Des) | 7 April 2026 |
| DAT Mains exam (B.Des) | April / May 2026 |
UCEED Schedule 2026
UCEED notification for 2026 exam was released on 1 October 2025, the exam is scheduled to be conducted on 18 January 2026.
| Admit card release | 2 January 2026 |
| Admit card correction window | 2 – 8 January 2026 |
| Exam date | 18 January 2026 (Sunday, 9 AM – 12 Noon) |
| Draft answer key release | 20 January 2026 |
| Final answer key release | 28 January 2026 |
| Results announcement | 6 March 2026 |
| Score card download window | 10 March – 31 July 2026 |
| B.Des application for participating institutes opens | 14 March 2026 |
| B.Des application closes | 10 April 2026 |
CEED Schedule 2026
CEED 2026 registration started on August 25, 2025, and the last date to register was October 6, 2025, with a correction window from October 7 to 10, 2025. The admit card releases on January 2, 2026, and the exam takes place on January 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Results announce on March 6, 2026, with scorecards available from March 10 to July 31, 2026.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | August 25, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | January 2, 2026 |
| Exam Date | January 18, 2026 (Sunday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon) |
| Draft Answer Key Release | January 20, 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | January 28, 2026 |
| Results Announcement | March 6, 2026 |
| Scorecard Download Window | March 10 – July 31, 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which subject is best for fashion designing after 12th?
A: Any stream can choose fashion designing after 12th, but Arts or Humanities is often preferred. Subjects like fine arts, home science, and sociology are helpful. Science and commerce students can also apply. Creativity and interest matter more than subjects.
Q2. Is fashion designing a good career after 12th?
A: Yes, fashion designing is a good career after 12th for creative students. It offers opportunities in design houses, brands, export houses, and freelancing. Growth depends on skills and experience. With dedication, it can be a rewarding career.
Q3. How to become a fashion designer in India after 12th?
A: After 12th, enroll in a fashion design course like diploma or degree. Learn design skills, textiles, and garment construction. Build a strong portfolio and gain internships. Practice and industry exposure help you grow as a designer.
Q4. What is the salary of a fashion designer after 12th?
A: A beginner fashion designer can earn around INR 15,000–30,000 per month. Salary increases with experience and skills. Designers working with big brands or independently can earn more. Freelancing income varies widely.
Q5. What is the Big 4 of fashion?
A: The Big 4 of fashion refers to Paris, Milan, London, and New York. These cities are global fashion capitals. They host major fashion weeks and influence global trends. Top designers and brands showcase collections here.
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