University in South Africa
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
University profile
FEDISA Fashion School (FEDISA (Pty) Ltd) is a private higher education institution in the centre of Cape Town, dedicated entirely to fashion education. It was established in January 2005 by Allen Leroux and Gerald Bird and has been based at 81 Church Street in the Cape Town CBD since December 2011. Its stated vision is to be a leading global institution that shapes innovative, ethical and visionary fashion leaders.
FEDISA offers six qualifications: the Higher Certificate in Applied Fashion (NQF 5, one year, 120 credits, launched in 2026), the Diploma in Fashion Merchandising, Marketing and Media (NQF 6, three years), the Bachelor of Arts in Fashion (Design) and the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Fashion Retail (both NQF 7, three years, 360 credits), the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Fashion (NQF 8, one year) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Innovative Design (NQF 8). Programmes combine design, garment construction, retail and business studies, with Work Integrated Learning in the degrees and close collaboration with industry partners.
The single campus houses an open-air event deck, an indoor student centre, a 109-seat auditorium, pattern, production and design studios, a library and research centre, meeting rooms, a computer lab and an exhibition centre. A student shop, GEAR, supplies stationery, laminating and binding. FEDISA does not run its own residences but works with accommodation vendors and advises students from outside Cape Town to arrange housing early. The campus is just off Bree Street, a short walk from Long Street and the V&A Waterfront, and close to the city's First Thursdays gallery evenings.
Student support includes on-campus counselling, with tier-one counsellors provided through an agreement with the South African College of Applied Psychology, career counselling for Grade 11 and 12 learners and school leavers, and non-discriminatory access for students with disabilities, assessed case by case for physically demanding programmes. International students are admitted subject to South African study permit rules, and international applications close on 30 November each year.
FEDISA is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Registration Certificate No. 2007/HE07/001), with its programmes accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education and registered on the NQF. Since 2022 it has been part of Honoris United Universities, a pan-African private higher education network.
FEDISA offers an Excellence Bursary for 2027 study. Details are on the official bursary page.
FEDISA does not provide direct financial aid beyond this bursary. Students can use education loans from partner banks: Capitec Education Finance (up to R500 000, up to 84 months), Nedbank Education Finance (up to R400 000) and Absa Education Finance, and the Student Hero platform, a single point of contact for several funding providers. See the funding options page. Early-payment plans with lower fees are also available.
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View scholarships for FEDISA (Pty) Ltd →No specific school subjects are required. Art, design and mathematics are an advantage for the Honours programme. All programmes require a pass in English at high school level, and English is the language of tuition. Admission also depends on an entrance evaluation and selection, so meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place.
Applicants for undergraduate programmes through RPL must be 22 or older with at least three years of current, relevant work experience, and evidence may include a detailed CV, reference letters and certificates. For Honours, RPL requires age 22 or older and five years of relevant experience. An RPL fee of R1 000 applies.
A valid South African study permit naming FEDISA is required, including for SADC students, and applicants should not finalise plans before the visa and permit are obtained. An English proficiency certificate may be requested, and an A-level or O-level pass in English is accepted. Cambridge applicants need passes in at least five IGCSE/HIGCSE subjects, two at HIGCSE level, with grades A to C (IGCSE) or 1 to 3 (HIGCSE). International students pay a once-off administrative levy of R2 600 with the application and must budget about R3 000 to R5 000 per month (R36 000 to R60 000 a year) for living costs. The full registration fee must be paid by the end of November before the year of study, and international applications close on 30 November. Study permit applications need an official FEDISA letter, medical clearance, proof of medical insurance, a police clearance certificate and proof of funds. Permit holders may work up to 20 hours a week.
Students who completed first-year fashion studies elsewhere may apply for second-year transfer by emailing [email protected] for the application pack.
Apply through the online application portal at apply.fedisa.co.za for 2027 study. Preliminary applications close on 5 December each year. Late applications are accepted until 30 January (until 15 February for the Honours programme) while places remain, with a late fee. Submit a certified copy of ID or passport, certified recent results, one black and white ID photo, proof of the application fee and a 300-word motivation essay. The application fee is R500 (R3 100 for international applicants including the administration levy), and a R2 000 acceptance fee is due within 14 days of the acceptance letter to secure a place. All students need basic computer literacy and their own laptop.
Higher Certificate R53 400 to R55 000 depending on payment plan; Diploma R80 300; BA Fashion (Design) R112 400; BA Applied Fashion Retail R99 400; BA Honours R40 000, R40 000 and R20 000 payable by term; Postgraduate Diploma R84 000 to R88 100.
Cape Town Campus, 81 Church Street, Cape Town CBD. All FEDISA programmes are taught here.
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