Diploma of Fashion and Textile Merchandising

Admission requirements

You are eligible if:

* you have successfully completed the Australian year 12 or equivalent in your country
* you have achieved a minimum of either:

- IELTS 5.5 academic (no band score less than 5.0) or
- TOEFL paper based 530 (minimum TWE 3.5) or
- TOEFL computer based 197 (minimum TWE 3.5) or
- TOEFL internet based 71 (minimum 17 in all sections)..

Intake

February

Books and equipment (AUD)

Approximately $500 per year

Study pathways

On completion of the Diploma, graduates may continue their study in:

* Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology (070014C) at Kangan Institute
* Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology (070015B) at Kangan Institute
* Bachelor of Applied Science (Fashion and Textile Merchandising).

Career pathways

On completion of the Diploma, graduates may seek employment as:

- Fashion/textile merchandiser
- Fashion/textile buyer
- Design assistant
- Assistant production manager
- Range developer
- Style forecaster.

Course structure

The Diploma of Fashion and Textile Merchandising at Kangan Institute is a unique program that provides students with an interesting blend of the theory and sound business principles that they will require as a graduate, along with classes that are designed around a range of problem-solving activities centred on both the local and global fashion industry.

The learning in this course involves field excursions, participation in fashion design competitions sponsored by industry-leading businesses, regular guest speakers and research projects that feature organisations located in and around the 'fashion-rich' precinct that surrounds the campus. Another feature of this Diploma is that students benefit directly from the vast industry experience that teachers bring to the classroom.

The teaching program is designed to simulate the fashion-buying cycle, with students working on projects that are broadly assessed across all units of study and defined by the length of each fashion season.

There is also provision for work placement where students are assisted in gaining on-the-job experience with a suitable industry participant.

In a typical week students will attend classes over four days per week with classes generally scheduled between 8.30am and 8.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Units

Operate computing technology in a textiles, clothing and footwear workplace
Interact and network with fashion industry participants
Follow defined occupational health and safety policies and procedures
Identify contemporary fashion influences and construction techniques
Identify fibres and fabrics
Identify fibres, yarns and textile materials and their uses in textile production
Assist in preparation of preliminary design concepts
Use electronic fashion design tools
Develop marketing plans for fashion products
Coordinate quality assurances for textiles, clothing and footwear products and services
Analyse textile, clothing and footwear merchandising and marketing principles
Apply textile, clothing and footwear market supply systems
Source materials and resources for production of fashion design
Research and Apply Concepts and Theories of Creativity
Draw a trade drawing for fashion design
Develop product specifications for fashion design
Use and apply sizing systems appropriate for fashion design
Communicate and sell design concepts
Analyse consumer behaviour for specific markets
Identify opportunities in the textile clothing and footwear market
Conduct fashion design purchasing
Calculate cost estimates for fashion purchasing
Participate in production planning processes
Interpret pattern and apply information
Modify patterns
Develop and present design concepts within specific guidelines
Analyse textile design influences
Present and promote textile design concepts
Develop textile designs using computer based design programs
Implement international client relationship strategies
Plan for international trade
Apply knowledge of the international trade environment to complete work
Work with international textiles, clothing and footwear supply chains
Develop merchandising plans for fashion products
Manage effective workplace relationships
Manage environmental performance