Pre-Degree Foundation Diploma in Fashion
Amsterdam, Netherlands
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 11,500 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* application fee: 500 EUR
Key Summary
Introduction
The Amsterdam Fashion Academy Foundation Diploma programme is a stimulating and innovative introduction to the fashion industry that lasts for one year. It is aimed at school leavers who wish to study in an intimate, supportive educational environment that has close links to the fashion industry.
Our Foundation Diploma course is very much activity-based: theoretical knowledge is gained through numerous practical activities. This also means the students end up with a physical portfolio of their work to demonstrate their progression. Additionally, students learn a broad range of skills including illustration, print, knit and draping, digital technologies, brand development and marketing.
Our diploma programme provides a direct pathway to completing a Fashion Design or Fashion Business bachelor’s degree and supports students who need to complete a foundation course to progress to other undergraduate degree programmes.
Overview
The Amsterdam Fashion Academy’s approach to teaching fashion is a truly multidisciplinary one, taking in a broad range of subjects: fashion illustration, draping, design development, digital technologies, business awareness, styling, brand development, marketing, trend forecasting and an introduction to print, weave and knit.
Whether you don’t meet the academic requirements to enter into a bachelor’s degree programme, can’t decide between fashion design or fashion business or simply want to broaden and develop your range of fashion-related skills, our Foundation Diploma programme is perfect for you.
Although this course is completely independent from the bachelor’s degrees, students have the opportunity to progress directly to our bachelor’s degree courses in Fashion Design or Fashion Business once they’ve completed the foundation programme with the appropriate grades.
Additionally, all our fashion programmes are constantly reviewed and updated in conjunction with Amsterdam Fashion Academy’s industry board; ensuring our programme materials and practises remain cutting-edge and relevant in a fast-moving industry.
The Amsterdam Fashion Academy is based in the heart of Amsterdam, a cool, creative and multicultural European city. Our campus building provides a beautiful and inspirational space for you learn the skills you need to fashion your future.
All our Foundation Diploma students get free access to Microsoft Teams, WGSN and online library Perlego to help with their studies.
Admissions
Curriculum
Semester 1
Fashion Business Awareness
Within this module you will explore your business understanding alongside your creativity. This module focuses on showing you what the fashion industry looks like in relation to job roles and market levels but also how it functions practically. You are encouraged to develop an entrepreneurial and ethical approach to identifying gaps in the market.
Fashion Media & Visualisation
This module is taught in both semesters and focuses on communicating ideas effectively for the development of a fashion portfolio. You will explore and develop skills using a range of different media and fashion illustration techniques.
Over the course of the year, you will develop personalised illustrative styles and learn to create a portfolio that is distinct to you while gaining knowledge of the relevant industry tools and materials.
Ideas Exploration for Design
This module will introduce you to key concepts in visual arts to develop your sensitivity to and awareness of fashion design. Students will be encouraged to explore experimental design development techniques to create ideas of silhouette, colour and fabrication within a capsule collection. The fundamental principles of design will be introduced through a series of workshops, which include: research, drawing, draping and collage.
Professional Development
Over the course of two semesters, this module gives you the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of briefs that will enhance your skills in multiple areas.
This module is designed to underpin the other modules by supporting your understanding of professional practices. You will be given the opportunity to work in groups to develop networking and team building skills and undertake live project briefs with industry practitioners.
Semester 2
Go-To-Market/ Branding Basics
This module is split into two classes; one focusing on the development of a personal business plan and the other focused on the topic of fashion branding. These sessions will require you to expand on the fundamental skills you have gained in semester 1 to create both a viable market focused business plan and zine.
Materials, Techniques and Processes
This module introduces you to the fundamentals of textile design. You will learn the basics of fabric construction and begin to create your own fabrics and samples, which can be a mix of conventional and unconventional with regard to aesthetics and function.
Alongside textile development, you will enhance your draping and pattern cutting skills by producing an item of your own design.
Fashion Media & Visualisation
Professional Development
Program Outcome
What you learn?
The students end up with a physical and digital portfolio of their work to demonstrate their progression. Additionally, they learn a
broad range of skills including illustration, print, knitting and draping, digital technologies, brand development and marketing.
What to do after foundation?
The foundation diploma programme provides a direct pathway to completing our bachelor’s (Hons) degrees in Fashion Design or Fashion Business & Innovation.