FAQs

The British Academy of Fashion Design is a BTEC Approved Centre and an Edexcel Approved Centre. Our staff, tutors and courses have been thoroughly vetted and are continually monitored by Edexcel, who are owned by Pearson, the world's largest education company.

In addition to this, we run BTEC accredited courses (BTEC Higher National Certificate and BTEC Higher National Diploma) which allow students to gain the practical skills needed to enter the workforce or to use the credits awarded by this qualification towards advanced entry into a university degree.

We are also recognised by the International Approval and Registration Centre (IARC). View full details of our recognitions and approvals.

Our courses have been carefully designed to provide an up-to-date and practical educational experience to ensure that our students are primed to succeed upon graduation. Our comprehensive course materials have been developed in collaboration with leading industry experts.

Our BTEC Higher National Certificate and BTEC Higher National Diploma courses focus on the relevant skills required for employment within the profession or to gain advanced entry to a university degree.

Once you have registered on a course, you will receive login details to the student area of our website called the Online Learning Centre. This is where you will be able to access all your course materials which include: practical, instructional videos; written content on a variety of topics tailored to your subject area; and vocationally relevant assignments. All course materials are created by industry experts.

When you register for a course, you will be assigned your tutors and be given login details to the student area of our website called the Online Learning Centre. Your supportive tutors will guide you through the learning process and you can contact them directly by email or through the forum which can be accessed through the Online Learning Centre.

If you have any issues or questions about the Online Learning Centre, your payments, your student card or upgrading your course, you can contact Student Services.

Yes. Graduates of the British Academy of Fashion Design Postgraduate Diploma, BTEC Higher National Certificate, and BTEC Higher National Diploma courses are eligible for an optional work placement with a fashion design company. All placements are made in the greater London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh areas. Please note that you need to be eligible to work in UK to avail of this opportunity.

Yes, but there are certain requirements depending on the course you are looking to do.

All you need to begin is an interest in fashion design. Our Certificate, Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma courses have no minimum educational requirement. No matter which course you choose our expert tutors will provide you with all the necessary support and guidance that you need to succeed.

BTEC Higher National Certificate and BTEC Higher National Diploma courses
If English is not your first language, or if you have not completed your last two years of schooling through English, we recommend you pass an English language proficiency test to enrol on these courses. There are many options available and we have listed some below.

• IELTS: 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5)
• TOEFL iBT: 70 (total score)
• PTE Academic: Minimum score of 51
• Cambridge CPE (pre-Jan 2015): Grade A, B, C, C1
• Cambridge CAE (pre-Jan 2015): Grade A, B, C, Level B2
• Cambridge CPE & CAE (post-Jan 2015): CEFR Level B2 or above Grade A, B, C, Level C1 or C2
• Cambridge ESOL: Cambridge English Scale score 162 or above
• TEEP (University of Reading): 5.5
• OIBEC: Pass at Level B2 or above
• Trinity College ISE: Pass or above on the following ISE qualifications: ISE II, ISE III, or ISE IV

If you do not meet the English language level requirements for the BTEC higher national courses, we do offer other course options. To discuss the option that best suits your needs, please contact us and our experienced team will help you choose the course which is right for you.

No, you do not need to be good at drawing. During the course you will learn how to draw plans using pencils and rulers.

All students will need to purchase their own materials for their course. We encourage students to avail of any discounts by using their British Academy of Fashion Design student card, and to shop around for the best deals.

A full list of the materials required for each course is available in this blog post.

Our home study courses offer you the flexibility to complete your assignments when it is convenient for you. This ensures you can work at your own pace but always with the support of your tutors.

By choosing one of our classroom-based courses, you have the benefit of attending classes either every other Saturday or one evening a week. Whatever option you choose, you'll receive the guidance and support of our expert tutors, while also being able to complete the assignments at your own pace. This approach ensures that you receive the optimum support and knowledge required, with the least amount of disruption to your personal schedule.

Our live online classes combine the convenience of studying from home with the experience of a classroom environment where students can interact with our skilled tutors in real-time. This dynamic environment enables students to ask questions, participate in class discussions, and receive instant feedback. It also creates a learning community and camaraderie that can help keep students motivated and engaged throughout their course. Our live online classes also make it easier for students to attend classes with minimal compromise to their own busy schedule.

To discuss the option that best suits your needs, please contact us and our experienced team will help you choose the course which is right for you.

The British Education and Training Council (BTEC) has been the most successful applied learning brand for over 25 years. BTEC is administered by Edexcel who are owned by Pearson Education, the world's largest education brand.

BTEC courses are vocational courses which allow students to gain the practical skills needed to enter directly into the workforce. You can also use the credits awarded on our BTEC courses towards advanced entry into a university degree.

BTEC courses are only offered by approved centres whose staff, tutors and courses have been thoroughly vetted and monitored by BTEC standards verifiers.

Assignments are designed to be vocationally relevant to your area of study. In general, the skills you demonstrate in your first assignment will be built upon as you work through each assignment. This progression will ensure you can confidently use these skills in real-world scenarios. With the careful guidance of your tutors, you will be asked to submit a range of work which will include written assignments, practical work, presentations and more.

Completed assignments are uploaded to our Online Learning Centre. You will get access to the Online Learning Centre once you register for your course.

Constructive feedback on your assignment will be available from our secure Online Learning Centre within two weeks of submitting the assignment.

We provide student cards at no additional charge. Simply request a student card by contacting Student Services or through the Online Learning Centre, which you will be given access to once you register for your course. You will then receive your student card by post within two weeks. While you don't need a student card to attend class, we recommended requesting one as many retailers will offer discounts to student card holders.

Once you register for your course you will be given access to the Online Learning Centre where you will find all your course resources. Home study students have access to these resources for three years from the date of enrolment. Classroom-based students have access to these resources for three years from the date of their first class.

If you are doing the BTEC Higher National Diploma course you will have access to the Online Learning Centre for four years from the date you enrolled (home study student), or from the date of your first class (classroom-based student).

Yes. We hold an annual Graduation Ceremony where all students who have successfully completed a course during the year can receive their award.