University in South Africa
Mowbray, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
University profile
Cape Town College of Fashion Design (CTCFD) is a private fashion college in Mowbray, in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. It has operated since 1965, which it says makes it one of the oldest fashion design institutions in the country, and was founded by Betty Keet. Its vision is to be a centre of excellence and a respected member of the South African fashion industry, with a stated commitment to ethical and sustainable practice and to the development of an African design identity drawn from cultural heritage.
The college offers a three-year full-time Diploma in Fashion Design (NQF 6, 360 credits), a one-year full-time or two-year part-time Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design (NQF 7, 120 credits), a Foundation Fashion Design Programme and short courses. Core practical modules in the Diploma are Fashion Design, Pattern Design, Garment Construction and Digital Fashion Application, supported by Business Studies, Textiles, History of Design, Clothing Production, Retail Management, Fashion Buying Principles, Brand Design and an Experiential Learning module, with Costume Design and Fashion Styling as electives. Second-year students also work with SYNC, an ERP and PLM apparel software. The Advanced Diploma is built on an internship, contextual studies, a research project and professional practice.
The Foundation programme runs for 37 weeks with a February and a July intake and is aimed at school leavers not ready for full-time study, those taking a gap year or applicants who still need a matric pass. It leads into the Diploma on completion but is not SAQA-registered or credit-bearing. Programmes are delivered face to face, in English, and full-time attendance is compulsory. Students engage with industry through guest speakers, outings, internships and partnerships, and alumni and students regularly feature in design competitions and fashion weeks.
Student support includes an orientation programme, quarterly academic reports, a student-at-risk programme, a Student Representative Committee, and printing, binding and scanning services. A Resource Levy gives students an annual Perlego digital library subscription and access to studio resources. International students are admitted subject to space and may take Momentum Health medical cover.
Cape Town College of Fashion Design (Pty) Ltd is accredited by the Council on Higher Education for the Diploma and Advanced Diploma (Ref No H/PR122/E002CAN) and registered as a Private Higher Education Institution (Registration No 2014/HE07/005). The Diploma is registered with SAQA as ID 87426 and the Advanced Diploma as ID 94947.
The college offers a limited number of partial bursaries each year to Diploma students who complete a tuition fee assistance application form and are judged worthy of the opportunity. For the Advanced Diploma, bursaries are offered to students who completed the three-year Diploma in Fashion Design at CTCFD. Contact the administration office for the form and dates.
Loans can be obtained from commercial banks such as ABSA, Standard Bank and FNB to cover fees and extra study needs. The college also partners with Student Hero, which lets students compare loan offers from major South African banks and other finance providers at no cost to them.
Tuition may be paid in full at a 5% discount, termly or monthly, as set out in the fee schedule.
Official pages: Apply and the Diploma Prospectus 2027.
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View scholarships for Cape Town College of Fashion Design (Pty) Ltd →The minimum entry requirement is a completed National Senior Certificate, or an international equivalent, that meets the minimum requirements for admission to a Diploma or Degree. Applicants are assessed on a prescribed entry portfolio submitted with the application form: a motivational essay on why they chose fashion design and their aspirations, and sketches of a range of four garments on the template provided with fabrics, colours and research sources. A portfolio template is provided on the apply page. Applicants must be South African citizens or, if international, hold a valid passport.
Entry requires a minimum age of 17 years. The programme is open to applicants who have not achieved a matric pass, and completing it gives automatic acceptance into the three-year Diploma. Intakes are in February and July.
A National Diploma (NQF 6, 360 credits) or a bachelor's degree (NQF 7) in fashion, fashion design or a cognate field. Applicants from other institutions are interviewed by the Directors and the Course Supervisor and submit a portfolio of previous work.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements can apply for RPL by demonstrating competence through a portfolio submission, an interview and a variety of tests.
South African citizens are given preference and international acceptance depends on space. Documents: completed application form, certified copy of the passport, certified transcripts or diplomas, proof of sufficient English literacy and the registration fee, with a certified study permit and proof of residential address required at the start of the academic year. Momentum Health is the preferred medical cover provider for foreign students.
Applications are made on the college's application form for each programme, available on the apply page. Diploma first-year fees: application fee R500, registration fee R6,500 (non-refundable, per year), tuition R79,500, Resource Levy R5,000 and start-up kit R3,000, a total of R94,500. Tuition can be paid in full with a 5% discount by end January (R75,525), in full by end February, termly (4 x R20,870) or monthly over ten months (R8,745 for South African students). Advanced Diploma 2027: registration R5,000, Resource Levy R4,000 and tuition R65,000. Foundation programme: registration R3,000, start-up kit R1,300 and tuition R25,500. Payments can be made by cash, deposit or EFT, and card options carry a 3.4% surcharge. 2027 terms for the Diploma run 8 February to 16 April, 3 May to 25 June, 19 July to 10 September and 27 September to 3 December.
Mowbray campus, Cape Town: Unit 15, Waverley Business Park, Wyecroft Road, Mowbray, 7700. All programmes are taught here in studios with face-to-face tuition.
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