HBO Fashion Business (subject to NVAO accreditation)
Applications for September 2022 are open!
This programme is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in the fashion industry. Fashion businesses engage in marketing and branding, promotion, styling and communication, textile production, manufacturing and multi-channel sales. The industry feels the need for multi-functional professionals with appropriate communication and information technology skills, who understand the effects of macro and micro factors. The HBO Fashion Business prepares students to become all-round fashion professionals possessing all the necessary practical and technical skills required by the industry. Graduates may end up in positions such as: Brand Coordinator, Social Media Marketer, Brand Strategist, (E)Marketer, Fashion Stylist, Promotion Coordinator, Visual Merchandiser, and Retail Manager.
Accreditation: Subject to accreditation by Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO)
Duration: 4 years full-time programme
Language: English only
Dates: September 2022 to June 2023
ECTS credits: 240
Tuition fee*: € 15.500 per year
Application fee: € 275
Admission: open for admission for 2022-2023 academic year
Maximum number of students: 30 students divided in small groups
*This programme is eligible for studiefinanciering from DUO.
The fashion industry faces the need to develop new technologies to become more sustainable and eco-friendlier, and to reckon with labour situations. Furthermore, in 2020 a new challenge occurred: the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, fashion professionals must possess the frame of mind as well as skills to deal with these challenges.
The curriculum is supported by 5 pillars, which express areas of the professional field requirements: entrepreneurship, sustainability, digital transformation, research, individuality.
This programme believes people learn more and more effectively by doing, by gaining experience, and by learning to use tools, as opposed to learning by listening to lectures, and memorizing texts, handed out by others.
In the HBO Fashion Business student activities, whether performed in school settings or outside the institute, are linked to real business situations and this link with the professional practice is embedded in the curriculum: there is not one module that ignores it. The emphasis in the curriculum is on the application of knowledge and understanding, to create new insights and solve real problems.
The teaching methods are based on project-based learning. Projects in modules are the vehicle to apply theoretical knowledge, understanding, and all personal and professional skills to actual business problems.
Students follow classes for six hours per week per module; the remaining time is spent on self-study (preparing for classes, working on assignments), external activities such as visits to the industry, and tutoring either one-on-one or in a small group.
In the modules of the first year, students are introduced to the landscape of fashion and issues of promotion, marketing and entrepreneurship. They do secondary research into inclusivity and diversity of campaigns, create such a campaign, develop awareness of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and an understanding of how fashion developed through the ages.
In year 1 students begin to create a Personal Development Plan (PDP), which they continue to work on throughout the curriculum.
MODULES YEAR 1:
- Historical and Contextual Studies 1: History of Culture and Fashion, Academic Writing Skill.
- Introduction to Fashion Marketing and Branding : Fashion Marketing, Fashion Branding, Visual Presentation, Digital Design.
- Inclusivity and Diversity in Fashion Promotion and Styling: Fashion Promotion, Fashion Styling.
- Business Studies and Entrepreneurship: Clothing Technology, Product Development, Job Roles, Personal Development Plan.
In the second year students explore contemporary fashion and trendspotting, practise market research and communication, create a market entry plan, and investigate the effects on business when expanding internationally. At the end of this year, they do an internship. In the Year 2, the Personal Development Plan (PDP) is used to find and reflect on an internship.
MODULES YEAR 2:
- Contextual Studies 2: History of Culture and Fashion, Fashion Theory.
- Future Proofing a Fashion Business: International Business, Finance Basics.
- Global Marketing: Digital Marketing, Online Marketing, Fashion Communication.
- Industrial Practice in a Global Context: Go-To-Market Brand, Business Plan, Personal Development Plan, Insternship.
In the third year the module Live Industry Projects requires students to respond to briefs or assignments from various companies. They create an Applied Research Report for a specific business problem of a company and use that report to create a Start-Up Business Plan for a company of their own.
MODULES YEAR 3:
- Applied Research Report: Research Methods, Dissertation, Session with Expert, Proposal Presentation to Examination Board.
- Live Industry Projects.
- Start-Up Business Plan: Research and Proposal, Business Plan, Visual Outcome.
In Year 4 (semester 7) the module Current Issues in Fashion requires students to choose a fashion industry sector and investigate the effects of a national or international crisis on that sector. The module includes attending the International Week in Rome, during which they work on a business case provided by a well- known fashion company. In 2020-2021 this was Prada.
In conclusion to this module students create a reflection report addressing not only the experiences during this last module but also during the entire programme.
MODULE YEAR 4:
- Current Issues in Fashion
Step 1: Fill out the Request for Information form or sign up to an Open Day;
Step 2: We will send you more details by email and we will schedule a call or meeting with you;
Step 3: After the call or meeting, we will send you by email the Application form;
Step 4: Submit the application form; letter of motivations, secondary school diploma or predicted grades.
Step 5: We will invite you to attend an Interview Day or an interview on campus or online on another date. We will also send you an assignment to complete before the interview.
Please be informed that we are not legally able to sponsor non-EU students for a study visa, as the programme is validated in the UK. Applicants must have a EU passport or Dutch resident permit to study in the BA (Hons) Fashion Business.
Students must have one of the following high school diplomas:
- International Baccalaureate Diploma minimum 28 points;
- Minimum of 2 GCE A-levels (or equivalent);
- Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3);
- Austria: Reife- und Diplomprüfungszeugnis or Reifezeugnis/Reifeprüfungszeugnis;
- Belgium: Certificat d’Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur, enseignement artistique/technique or general; or KSO, TSO, ASO;
- Bulgaria: Diplomaza Sredno Obrazonvaine (Diploma of Secondary Education) with a minimum overall score of 5.0;
- Croatia: Croatian Svjedodzba o Maturi (Matura Certificate) with a minimum mark of 3.5;
- Czech Republic: Maturitni Zkouška / Maturita or a Vysvedcení o Maturitní Zkoušce when awarded after a minimum of four years of study with a minimum of 2.4 overall;
- Denmark: Højere Handelseksamen (HHX)/Højere Teknisk Eksamen (HTX) or Studentereksamenbevis (STX)/Bevis for Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF);
- Estonia: Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus (Secondary School Certificate) at grade 12 together and 60% average in Riigieksamid (State Examinations);
- Finland: Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/ Studentexamenbevis/ Matriculation Examination Certificate;
- France: Baccalauréat Technologique or Général;
- Germany: Abitur or Fachhochschulreife;
- Greece: Greek Apolytirion of Geniko Lykeio;
- Netherlands: Diploma HAVO or VWO;
- Hungary: Erettsegi/Matura qualification with a grade of 3 or above;
- Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate with Grade H2 in at least 2 subjects and Grade H3 in the remaining subjects for a total of at least 5 subjects;
- Italy: Diploma di istruzione liceale;
- Lithuania: Brandos Atestatas;
- Luxembourg: Diplôme de fin d’études secondaires classiques or générales;
- Netherlands: MBO 4, HAVO 5, VWO 6;
- Norway: Vitnemål for Videregående Opplaering Vg3;
- Poland: Swiadectwo Dojrzałości / Matura;
- Portugal: Diploma Nível Secundário de Educação / Certificado Nível Secundário de Educação;
- Romania: Diplomă de Bacalaureat;
- Slovakia: Slovakian Maturitna skuska / Maturita or a Vysvedcenie o Maturitnej Skuske with a minimum overall score of 2.4;
- Spain: Título de Bachiller;
- Sweden: Avångsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg från Gymasieskolan with a minimum overall grade of E (Pass) equivalent to 10 or Högskoleförberedande Examen;
- Switzerland: Berufsmaturität/ Fachmaturität/ Specialised Maturity Certificate or Maturity Certificate/ Maturitätszeugnis/ Maturitätsausweis/ Certificat de Maturité;
- UK: Access to HE Diploma in an art-related programme with at least 45 credits at Level 3;
- USA: GPA 3.0, plus 3 subjects in Advanced Placement (AP) with scores of 3 or better; or SAT composite score of 1050 or better;
- For other countries, please contact us.
Portfolio
- It is not required to apply to the BA (Hons) Fashion Business.
- Students applying to the BA (Hons) Fashion Business will be asked to complete an assignment.
Fees structure:
- Year 1: € 15.500, plus application fee € 275;
- Year 2: € 15.500;
- Year 3: € 15.500.
- Year 4: € 15.500.
Application fee: € 275
The application fee is due at the moment of application and it’s not refundable unless the Amsterdam Fashion Academy won’t accept you in the programme. This is a one-time fee, so you only need to pay it in the process of admission.
Tuition fee:
A deposit (20% of the tuition fee) is requested after the acceptance and before the 30th of April 2022. The remaining amount will be paid before the 15th of July 2022, or according to the payment plan agreed.
Payment Plans for Years 1, 2 and 3
Option 1 (no surcharge)
- 20% payment before April 30th, 2022
- 80% payment before July 15th, 2022
Option 2 (+3% surcharge)
- 20% payment before April 30th, 2022
- 40% payment before July 15th, 2022
- 40% payment before January 15th, 2023
Option 3 (+5% surcharge)
- 20% payment before April 30th, 2022
- 20% payment before July 15th, 2022
- 20% payment before October 15th, 2022
- 20% payment before January 15th, 2023
- 20% payment before April 15th, 2023
DUO
This programme is eligible for studiefinanciering from DUO.
The Amsterdam Fashion Academy is a non-governmental and non-subsidized institute.
Fees are equal for Europen and non-European students.
Even though we don’t have a deadline for applications, we encourage you to submit your application before April 2022 to have the opportunity to attend an Interview Day and have the best chance to be offered a place. Applications will stay open also after April 2022 if there will still be spots available.
After evaluating your application, we will might invite you to attend an Interview Day.
The Interview Day is a big opportunity to experience the Amsterdam Fashion Academy for a full day, meet other international applications, explore Amsterdam and work with your future lecturers. Thanks to the Interview Day, you will have a clearer idea if the Amsterdam Fashion Academy is the right place for you.
The Interview Days 2022 will be held on-campus on the following dates:
- Friday, 21st of January 2022 from 10:00am to 4:00pm;
- Friday, 4th of March 2022 from 10:00am to 4:00pm;
- Friday, 8th of April 2022 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Feel free to choose the day you prefer.
If you wish to attend an Interview Day, then we kindly ask you to submit your application before the following dates:
- Interview Day January 21st: application deadline is December 15th;
- Interview Day March 4th: application deadline is February 4th;
- Interview Day April 8th: application deadline is March 8th.
Won’t you be able to attend an Interview Day?
No worries, we will be more than happy to schedule a personal interview for you on another date.
