New Zealand Certificate in Fashion (Level 4)
Design
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
A hands-on, pre-degree certificate to build your creative portfolio or prepare for entry-level roles in the fashion industry. Covers fashion and textile concepts, production skills, and fashion industry practice.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Dunedin, Dunedin
It will take a total of 17 weeks
This course requires 36 hours per week
Core skills this course teaches
Build a professional portfolio
Create a portfolio of fashion design and production work suitable for applying to advanced studies or for use in employment applications in the fashion sector.
Understand fashion industry practice
Learn key principles of working in the fashion industry, including ethical and sustainable practices, merchandising, and consumer engagement.
Apply creative design techniques
Develop and communicate fashion design ideas through sketching, writing, and practical projects.
What You're Signing Up For
This 17-week, studio-based programme is designed for those passionate about fashion and seeking entry-level opportunities in the industry or preparing to pursue the Bachelor of Design (Fashion). Students build practical skills in garment construction, textiles, patternmaking, and industry best practices while developing a portfolio. Coursework includes studio work, technical projects, and real-world exposure through events and exhibitions in Dunedin's vibrant fashion scene.
Course Content
- Fashion Industry Practice: Understanding local and global fashion industries, sustainability and ethical challenges, merchandising, consumer behaviour, creating retail displays, online promotion, industry mapping, portfolio creation.
- Fashion Design and Textile Concepts: Introduction to design process, communicating ideas through drawing and writing, textile structures and techniques, creative textile project.
- Fashion Production: Industrial sewing equipment operation, basic garment construction, patternmaking, completion of technical and creative projects, capstone fashion design project.
What you need to know first
Open entry – no specific academic requirements.
International students will be individually assessed for readiness.
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Fashion
Design
Textiles
Retail
Future employment opportunities might be
Fashion design assistant
Stylist assistant
Retail/merchandising assistant
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.