Course Overview
Kick-start your fashion journey with this hands-on, creative course. You’ll learn essential skills in sewing, patternmaking, fashion drawing, and textile knowledge while working on practical projects in the workroom.
Explore both historical and contemporary fashion, develop your own design ideas, and learn about sustainability and ethical practices in the industry. As your skills grow, you’ll move from basic techniques to designing and constructing your own finished garment. This course finishes with a Design to Completion project, where you create a trend-inspired garment as part of your fashion portfolio.
Whether you are passionate about fashion, a home sewer wanting to refine your skills, planning to launch your own small fashion business from home, or looking to step into an entry-level role in the fashion industry, this course will give you the technical foundation and creative confidence to move forward.
Build skills. Express your style. Start your fashion future.
Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:
- New Zealand Certificate in Fashion (Level 4)
| Locations | Tauranga |
|---|---|
| Next intake | Jul 2026 View more details |
| Study options |
1 semester full-time, including holidays (if applicable) |
| Total credits | 60 |
| StudyLink assistance | Available |
| Indicative Fees | $3,696 for domestic students View full fees information |
| Eligibility | View entry criteria |
To see the information for international students change your location using the button at the top right of the screen.
Timetable
Career Opportunities
This qualification is primarily intended to provide a pathway to further education rather than employment. Graduates of this qualification may be employed in junior assistant and/or support roles in related fields of fashion, decorative arts or other creative industries.
Topic Overview
- Practical sewing and construction skills using industrial sewing machines
- Develop fashion drawing and design concepts
- Understand textiles and sustainable practices
- Create and present a finished garment
Course Fees
| Indicative Fees * | $3,696 for domestic students |
|---|
*Please note, fees for our 2027 intakes are yet to be confirmed. Once they are, we will update our website to reflect the new 2027 fee amount.
Your final fee may vary if:
- you have a choice of topics/papers to study
- the qualification excludes GST
- there are extra course materials to purchase
- student levies apply
We’ll let you know if any of these apply to you.
* Important fee information, and hints and tips
Fee Help
Are you Eligible for Free Fees?
There are several ways to take advantage of free study at Toi Ohomai. Find out how on our Fees Free FAQ page.
Student Loans and Allowances
This course meets the requirements for student allowance and student loan applications through StudyLink.
- A student loan helps to pay for your course fees (the compulsory fees), study materials e.g. books, equipment, and living costs. You'll have to pay this money back.
- A student allowance is a weekly payment that can help with your living expenses while you're studying. You don't have to pay the money back.
Find out more and apply at studylink.govt.nz
Scholarships
Scholarships are one way you might be able to get some financial help. Any scholarships specifically related to this course are shown below, otherwise check out the full list of scholarships promoted by Toi Ohomai.
Course Entry Information
Entry Criteria
Standard Entry Criteria
Admission, entry, selection, and enrolment into programmes will be in accordance with the Academic Regulations and/or, where approved, specific programme regulations.
English Language Requirements
Level 4 certificate IELTS General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace or Academic, or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined by NZQA.
Course Locations and Intake Information
| Location | Campus | Start Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tauranga | Windermere Campus | 20 Jul 2026 | |
| Tauranga | Windermere Campus | 22 Feb 2027 |
