MA Fashion Design is a 2-year postgraduate degree that offers a thorough study of fashion trends, textile science, fashion design, and luxury brand management. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related course with 50% marks can pursue the course of MA Fashion Design. Admission is either merit-based or entrance exam-based, depending on the college. A few of the best MA in Fashion Design colleges include NIFT, Pearl Academy, Amity University, and UID Ahmedabad.
MA Fashion Design graduates have the opportunity to find career opportunities in fashion houses, textile enterprises, retail houses, and design houses. They can be employed as Fashion Designers, Fashion Stylists, Textile Specialists, Merchandisers, or Brand Managers. The average starting salary package of an MA Fashion Design fresher is INR 4 LPA to INR 6 LPA.
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Table of Contents
MA in Fashion Design Course Highlights
Given below are the course highlights of the MA Fashion Design:
Feature | Details |
Course Name | MA Fashion Design |
Course Level | Postgraduate (Master’s) |
Duration | 2 Years |
Eligibility | Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field with a minimum of 50% marks |
Admission Process | Merit-based or Entrance Exam (varies by university) |
Top Colleges | NIFT, Pearl Academy, Amity University, UID Ahmedabad |
Key Subjects | Fashion Illustration, Textile Science, Fashion Marketing, Sustainable Fashion, Design Thinking |
Career Options | Fashion Designer, Fashion Stylist, Textile Expert, Merchandiser, Brand Manager |
Employment Areas | Fashion Houses, Textile Industries, Retail Brands, Design Studios |
Average Salary | INR 4 LPA – INR 6 LPA (for freshers) |
Why choose an MA in Fashion Design?
Given below are the benefits of choosing an MA in Fashion Design:
- Mastering fashion drawing, textile science, and sustainable fashion.
- Work as a brand manager, merchandiser, stylist, or fashion designer.
- Gain practical experience through internships, fashion shows, and work interaction with industries.
- There are various design, retail, and luxury brand professions in the fashion industry.
- Start your own fashion brand or work as a freelance designer.
- Freshers will be offered an INR 4 LPA to INR 6 LPA salary, and better pay with greater experience.
MA Fashion Design Eligibility
To register in the MA fashion design process, students must comply with the requirements set by the institution. To do this, students must complete a bachelor's degree in the fashion design field and get a 50% mark. In addition, some organizations can conduct entrance exams as part of the recruitment process. The selection criteria may vary depending on the specific requirements.
MA in Fashion Design Admission Process
MA Fashion Design admission involves a series of steps that may vary depending on the institute’s selection criteria. For example, given below is the procedure for direct admission at Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of the university
- Step 2: Head ot the application form of the desired course
- Step 3: Fill in the required details, including the educational qualifications
- Step 4: Upload the documents and pay the application fee.
- Step 5: Check and submit the application form.
Additionally, some colleges, such as the NIFT and Pearl Academy, take MA Fashion Design admissions via entrance exams. Given below is a list of MA Fashion Design entrance exams:
Exam Name | Conducting Body | Application Deadline | Exam Date |
NIFT Entrance Exam 2025 | National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) | December 2025 (Tentative) | February 2026 (Tentative) |
AIEED 2025 | ARCH College of Design and Business | 25 May 2025 | 28 May 2025 |
CEED 2025 | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay | Oct 2025 (Tentative) | Jan 2026 (Tentative) |
NID DAT 2025 | National Institute of Design (NID) | Oct 2025 (Tentative) | Jan 2026 (Tentative) |
Pearl Academy Entrance Exam 2025 | Pearl Academy | 27 May 2025 (Last Date) | 31 May- 2 June 2025 |
MA in Fashion Design Colleges in India
Given below is a list of MA Fashion Design colleges that offer, along with their location and course fees.
NIRF Ranking 2024 | College/Institute | Location | Total Fees (INR) |
6 | Manipal Academy of Higher Education | Manipal | 2,66,000 |
65 | Jain University | Bangalore | 4,50,000 |
49 | Amity University | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | 2,88,000 |
- | JD Institute of Fashion Technology | Bangalore, Karnataka | 3,60,000 |
- | Apeejay Stya University | Gurgaon, Haryana | 5,20,000 |
- | IIS (Deemed to be a University) | Jaipur, Rajasthan | 1,72,000 |
- | Apeejay Institute of Design | New Delhi, Delhi | 4,75,000 |
- | Indian Institute of Fashion & Design (IIFD) | Chandigarh | - |
MA in Fashion Design Syllabus
The MA Fashion Design syllabus has a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as Fashion Entrepreneurship and Portfolio Development. Given below is the two-year MA Fashion Design syllabus at Jain University:
Semester | Subjects |
Semester 1 | Fashion Illustration, Textile Science, History of Fashion, Design Process, Fashion Photography (Elective), Accessory Design (Elective) |
Semester 2 | Advanced Pattern Making, Garment Construction, Fashion Forecasting, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Knitwear Design (Elective), Visual Merchandising (Elective) |
Semester 3 | Sustainable Fashion, Fashion Marketing and Merchandising, Research Methodology, Portfolio Development, Luxury Brand Management (Elective), Fashion Journalism (Elective) |
Semester 4 | Fashion Entrepreneurship, Global Fashion Trends, Dissertation, Retail Management (Elective), Costume Design (Elective) |
MA in Fashion Design Job Profiles
Given below is an overview of career opportunities and salary ranges for professionals post the completion of an MA Fashion Design:
Job Profile | Job Description | Annual Salary (INR) |
Fashion Designer | Develops original clothing and accessory designs, aligning with current trends and brand aesthetics. | 6,00,000 |
Textile Designer | Creates patterns and designs for fabrics used in fashion and interiors. | 4,00,000 |
Fashion Illustrator | Produces sketches and illustrations to visually represent fashion concepts. | 4,00,000 |
Fashion Stylist | Curates outfits and styles for clients, photoshoots, or events to achieve desired looks. | 5,00,000 |
Merchandiser | Plans and oversees product ranges, stock levels, and promotions to maximize sales. | 5,50,000 |
Pattern Maker | Draft patterns for garment construction, ensuring proper fit and design accuracy. | 4,50,000 |
MA in Fashion Design Future Scope
Upon the completion of the MA Fashion Design, students can follow the career paths given below.
- One can pursue a PhD in Fashion Design for further in-depth knowledge in this field.
- Certification courses such as CFD or APMC can also be done for upskilling.
- Some colleges offer an Advanced Diploma or PG Diploma in Fashion Technology or a PhD in Fashion Design that can help with specialisation.
MA in Fashion Design FAQs
Are any software skills required for an MA in Fashion Design?
Computer professionals and designers need to know computer systems such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CoreLDRAW, CLO 3D, and AutoCAD, and help with digital drawings, clothing projects, and technical drawings.
Is an MA in Fashion Design only for a fashion designer?
No, the MA in fashion design opens the door for many other functions in a career with design. Graduates are hired as fashion stylists, merchants, fashion writers, style forecasters, retail managers, and brand consultants.
Is a portfolio required to apply for an MA in Fashion Design?
Yes, most universities and fashion schools incorporate a portfolio as part of the application process. The portfolio should consist of original design work, drawings, prototypes of clothing, mood boards, and previous projects. It helps determine the technical capability, creativity, and knowledge about fashion of the candidate.
Is the internship compulsory for the course MA in Fashion Design?
Internships are not necessarily required, but are highly recommended as they provide industry exposure. Internships also enhance employability as they build professional contacts and add practical skills to a student's CV.
