University in South Africa
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
University profile
Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion is a private higher education institution in Techno Park, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, about 40 km from Cape Town. It is the only fashion-focused school in Stellenbosch, on the southern edge of the town between vineyards and mountains, with views of the Simonsberg and Table Mountain. The Academy was founded by Elizabeth Galloway in 1996 and is run by a family-led team of directors, including her daughter Inez Shaw and Fiona Abdo.
The Academy offers a three-year full-time Diploma in Fashion Design, a three-year full-time Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design, a one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) Advanced Diploma in Fashion at NQF level 7, a part-time Fashion Design course on Saturdays and the Fashion Business Incubator Programme (FBIP), which mentors a maximum of five entrepreneurs a year. Full-time programmes run from February to November, five days a week; Advanced Diploma classes start in mid January.
Teaching combines practical work with theoretical reflection. Students train on industrial machines and CAD software, are not required to buy their own machinery or computers, and receive a kit of equipment and textbooks at first-year registration. The campus has a library with internet access, access to the WGSN trend service and a full-time librarian. The Advanced Diploma places students in workplace internships in specialisations such as childrenswear, leather bags, exotic leather, daywear, bridal wear and occasion wear. Students enter national competitions such as the Foschini Young Designer Award, Elle Rising Star, SA Fashion Week Student Competition and G12 Runway, and have exhibited at Design Indaba Emerging Creatives and the Cape Town Fashion Council Graduate Exhibition.
The Academy is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (certificate 2011/HE07/001) and is accredited by the Council on Higher Education. The Diploma in Fashion Design and Advanced Diploma are quality assured by the Higher Education Quality Committee, and the BA, Diploma and Advanced Diploma are registered with SAQA. It is a member of the Fashion Education sub-council of the Cape Town Fashion Council. Local languages in Stellenbosch are English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
First-year Diploma in Fashion Design applicants who show potential and drive may apply for fee assistance of up to 50% of tuition fees. Applicants must be accepted onto the Diploma, be South African citizens or refugees, and have a total annual household income of between R100,000 and R300,000, proved with three months of bank statements and payslips or sworn affidavits. They must also have been refused a student loan by two financial institutions, and submit a motivation letter and a recommendation from a non-family member. The 2026 intake closing date was 9 January 2026. Second-year assistance is not guaranteed and is considered on performance (at least 80% attendance, all first-year modules passed, no unpaid fees) and continued need. The selection committee's decision is final. See Fee Assistance.
The Academy's funding page also points students to Capitec Education Finance, Nedbank education loans, Manati and the Student Hero comparison platform.
Elizabeth Galloway Diploma First-Year Fee Assistance →
Browse the scholarships listed for Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design (Pty) Ltd and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion Design (Pty) Ltd →Applicants must be older than 18 at registration and hold a National Senior Certificate at NQF level 4 or an NCV level 4 issued by Umalusi, or a Grade 12 or recognised equivalent certified by Umalusi or an international examination board. Applicants aged 23 and over who do not meet these requirements may be admitted on workplace experience, Academy entrance assessments and interviews.
The same school-leaving requirements apply, plus an English Home or First Additional Language pass. Non-South African applicants must submit evidence of English proficiency. Mature applicants (23 and over) may be admitted on the same basis as for the Diploma.
Applicants need at least a relevant design-related Advanced Certificate (NQF 6), Diploma (NQF 6) or Occupational Certificate (NQF 6), i.e. a Diploma or BA in a fashion-related field. Applicants who fall short may be admitted through Recognition of Prior Learning, and mature applicants of 23 and over through workplace experience and assessment. Part-time study over two years requires the student to be employed in the fashion industry, as the workplace serves as the internship.
Applicants provide certified copies of academic transcripts or the latest school report, two written references (not from family or friends) with contact details, and a certified copy of their ID or passport. BA applicants also submit a 500-word motivation essay. The application fee is R250 for the Diploma and R500 for the BA, paid by bank deposit with the applicant's name as reference.
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