The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Fashion) is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law as a dual award with the Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology (LMT50307) offered by TAFE SA. The dual award requires three years of full-time study to complete both qualifications. Students are required to enrol concurrently at both the University and TAFE SA to complete the dual award.

Admission requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses as specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The aim of the course is to prepare students for a professional life by:

  • equipping students with an understanding of conceptual design principles and the use of computer aided design technology in the development of fashion designs;
  • equipping students with practical skills and understanding of the processes of garment design and construction;
  • equipping students with high-level skills to communicate and negotiate with clients, and to undertake collaborative teamwork throughout the design and production process;
  • producing graduates capable of analysing and applying design influences to determine trends and market opportunities;
  • equipping students with the skills and knowledge to manage design, production and marketing processes and assess the commercial viability of designs;
  • developing in students an understanding of the fashion industry through historical developments, social and cultural applications, and the function of formal and aesthetic properties in various forms;
  • providing students with the capacity to analyse concepts of creativity and visual thinking, and with experience in the creative process;
  • producing graduates capable of the application of logical thought, analysis, and research skills in ways that will enhance both the creative and practical processes required in fashion design;
  • producing graduates who will be able to think flexibly, collaborate with others on group projects and Identify and address design and production problems.

Learning outcomes 

Upon completion of their degree, students will have developed in-depth theoretical, conceptual, practical, technical, aesthetic, historical and business skills in Fashion. In addition, students will have developed a range of transferable skills.

Practical skills

In specialising in the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Fashion), students will be able to:

  • demonstrate their ability to produce creative work to a high standard in their chosen program
  • become effective members of creative production and planning teams
  • understand the processes involved in the production of creative work
  • be able to analyse and critically evaluate ideas and solve problems
  • be familiar with theories, factual content and research methods relevant to their program of study including an awareness of practices related to their chosen program
  • be familiar with aspects of the fashion industries relevant to their chosen program.

Transferable skills

Students will also develop:

  • communication and presentation skills (oral, written, electronic, graphic)
  • teamwork and interpersonal skills
  • the ability to give and receive constructive feedback
  • management and planning skills.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Fashion), a student must complete 108 units as follows:

  1. 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, consisting of 40.5 units of core topics, either TOUR1103 or LEGL2114, and 27 units from either Stream A or Stream B, according to the program of study listed below; and
  2. the Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology (LMT50307) at TAFE SA, for which 36 units of credit will be granted.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) on more than one occasion in the same topic may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University’s Policy on Student Progress.

Stream – Fashion

Core - Year 1 topics

13.5 units comprising:

BUSN1022 Marketing Principles (4.5 units)
COMS1001 Academic and Professional Communication (4.5 units)
ENVS2742 Environment, Economy and Culture (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

18 units comprising:

BUSN2020 Consumer Behaviour (4.5 units)
FSHN2000 Art, Culture and the History of Fashion (4.5 units)
FSHN2001 Patternmaking, Design and Construction Project 1 (4.5 units)
FSHN3000 Digital Media and Graphic Design for Fashion (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 units from:

TOUR1103 Event Design and Practice A (4.5 units)
LEGL2114 Regulating Small Business (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics

9 units comprising:

FSHN3001 Textiles Theory and Practice (4.5 units)
VISA3404 Visual Thinking and Creativity (4.5 units)

Plus 27 units from Stream A or Stream B

Stream A - Year 3 topics

BUSN3026 Business Planning for New Ventures (4.5 units)
BUSN2026 Entrepreneurship and Small Business (4.5 units)
FSHN3010 Advanced Design, Patternmaking and Garment Construction Project 1 (4.5 units)
FSHN3011 Advanced Design, Patternmaking and Garment Construction Project 2 (4.5 units)
FSHN3012 Advanced Design, Patternmaking and Garment Construction Project 3 (4.5 units)
FSHN3013 Advanced Design, Patternmaking and Garment Construction Project 4 (4.5 units)

Or

Stream B - Year 3 topics

BUSN3027 E-Business (4.5 units)
TOUR2103 Event Design and Practice B (4.5 units)
FSHN3020 Advanced Design and Product Development Project 1 (4.5 units)
FSHN3021 Advanced Design and Product Development Project 2 (4.5 units)
FSHN3022 Advanced Design and Product Development Project 3 (4.5 units)
FSHN3023 Advanced Design and Product Development Project 4 (4.5 units)

TAFE SA RTO Code: 41026