Bachelor of Arts in Fashion

STADIO’s School of Fashion (formerly LISOF), offers a 3-year Bachelor of Arts in Fashion qualification that has been, for many years, preparing its students for success in a spectrum of roles across the fashion industry, from every level to haute couture to ready-to-wear and mass market. Our innovative and rigorous programme competitively situates graduates both academically and professionally by instilling creative, strategic and practical skills to prepare you for fashion careers in design, media and buying.

We have close ties to the industry, and this allows us to immerse students in what is happening now in this continuously changing industry. By integrating real-world, project-based methodology in technologically advanced studios and lecture rooms, you are exposed to specialised techniques and innovative approaches to fashion-related work.

At the School of Fashion, you will learn practical skills, build a network of industry contacts, and gain real-world experience in a supportive, creative, and professional environment. You will be able to study alongside fellow students who are passionate about various sectors of the fashion industry, and our curriculum places importance on leadership, teamwork, creativity and effective communication.

You can choose from our 3 programme specialisations; Fashion Design, Fashion Media or Fashion Buying. So, whether it’s creating innovative clothing or developing business solutions for top retailers, there are a variety of roles within the professional field of fashion that each of the BA specialisations addresses, including design, trend forecasting and analysis, styling, visual merchandising, textile development, marketing and public relations, and buying, sourcing or production.  

 

DESIGN ELECTIVE

The Fashion Design elective immerses you in the art of creating clothing, encompassing essential research skills that drive inspiration and a deep understanding of manufacturing processes and techniques. This elective is highly practical, allowing you to engage in design thinking and explore innovative problem-solving approaches. Through hands-on experiences, you will develop your skills by physically exploring form, silhouette, materials, and the entire garment production process.

 

MEDIA ELECTIVE

The Fashion Media Elective centres around the art of styling and presenting fashion across diverse platforms. It involves employing innovative and collaborative practices to develop a distinct style that can be seamlessly applied to professional styling, visual merchandising, and consulting across various fashion media roles and practices within the industry.

 

BUYING ELECTIVE

The Fashion Buying Elective delves into the realm of fashion industry-related buying and promotional strategies, with a specific focus on the intersection of creativity, finance, and technology. This elective fosters critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and collaborative teamwork to cultivate skills in comprehending consumer behavior, analysing brands, navigating retail and manufacturing processes, and executing effective marketing strategies. By honing these skills, graduates are equipped to thrive in diverse business roles within the dynamic fashion industry.

 

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Arts in Fashion may articulate into an Honours programme in a cognate field. Applicants will be required to meet the selection criteria of the programme. 

THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN FASHION ARE:

 

Candidates who matriculated after 2008 require:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with admission to Bachelor’s studies and a minimum of 45% for English as a first or additional language. A  Bachelor’s pass on the NSC requires an achievement of a minimum of 50% in four 20-credit subjects (excluding Life Orientation).

• Candidates with an NSC applying for the Buying specialisation further require a minimum of 50% in Mathematics or a minimum of 70% in Mathematical Literacy

• An admission test is required for the design specialisation for diagnostic purposes

OR

• A National Senior Certificate (Vocational) with a minimum of 60% in three fundamental subjects including English, and a minimum of 70% in four vocational subjects                                                   
• An admission test is required for the design specialisation for diagnostic purposes                             
• The STADIO, formerly LISOF, Higher Certificate in Fashion Retail (NQF 5); or Higher Certificate in Fashion (NQF 5); Higher Certificate in Digital Marketing Practice (NQF 5);                                          
• The STADIO, formerly Prestige Academy, Higher Certificate in Photography (NQF 5); or                  

 

• A Higher Certificate (NQF 5), Advanced Certificate (NQF 6) or Diploma (NQF 6) in the field of fashion or commerce

 

Candidates who matriculated prior to 2008 require:

• A Senior Certificate (SC) with endorsement and  a minimum of 45% for English as a first or second language

• Candidates with an SC applying for the Buying specialisation require a minimum of an E in Higher Grade Mathematics or a D in Standard Grade Mathematics

• An admission test is required for the design specialisation for diagnostic purposes

Art or Design as a school subject is not required, but is deemed an advantage

 

STADIO is committed to achieving inclusion and to overcome barriers to access and success in higher education. Applicants who do not meet the stated admission criteria, but who have relevant work experience and/or prior learning may apply for admission under the policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). STADIO admits a maximum of 10% per cohort via RPL. The implementation of RPL is context-specific, in terms of discipline, programme and level.  Further information may be obtained from your Student Recruitment Advisor.