Best Fashion Design Schools Worldwide

Ten fashion schools show up again and again on lists of top programs: FIT, London College of Fashion, Central Saint Martins, Parsons and six more. Here's what each is known for, plus what to check before you apply.

Do you need a fashion degree?

Not always, but a good program gives you technical skills, industry contacts and a portfolio, which are hard to build alone. You'll learn pattern making, sewing and construction, along with fashion history and the business side. If you want a design or product-development job at a major company, a degree helps. For styling or content work, your portfolio matters more.

10 fashion design schools

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York

A public college in New York City, part of the State University of New York, founded in 1944. It covers design, business, art and fashion technology. A solid choice if you want to be in the city where the industry is.

London College of Fashion, UK

Part of the University of the Arts London. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses in fashion, beauty and makeup. Being in London puts you near its art scene and industry events.

Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University, Philadelphia

Known for small classes and hands-on teaching rather than big lecture halls.

Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Finland

Formed from earlier art, design and architecture schools. Admission is tough. Student unions are active, which helps if you want a social campus.

Central Saint Martins, London

A public art and design college that is part of the University of the Arts London. Admission is very competitive. It has a long list of notable fashion alumni.

Parsons School of Design, New York

A private art and design school in Greenwich Village, founded in 1896 by William Merritt Chase. Courses lean toward design thinking, including how design relates to cities, media and food systems.

Istituto Marangoni, Milan

Founded in 1935 and based in Milan, one of the fashion capitals. It offers bachelor's and master's programs. The source said CEOWORLD Magazine ranked it ninth among fashion schools in 2022, a ranking that goes out of date quickly.

Bunka Fashion College, Tokyo

A vocational fashion school founded in 1923 and based in Shinjuku. Departments include fashion creation, fashion technology, and manufacturing and distribution. A strong pick if you want serious technical training in Asia.

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), India

An autonomous institute headquartered in New Delhi, set up in 1986, offering fashion, design, technology and management programs. It is generally described as India's first dedicated fashion institution.

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Georgia

A private art and design school founded in 1978. Source figure: applicants generally need around a 3.0 GPA. It offers undergraduate and graduate courses in fine arts and design.

Before you apply

Check the portfolio requirements, tuition, scholarships and whether you can visit. Prices vary hugely between schools, and acceptance rates change every year.