MA Fashion Design: Eligibility, Colleges & Admission 2025,Salary

• Updated on  Aug 04, 2025, by Akangsha Das

MA Fashion Design is a 2-year postgraduate degree that offers a thorough study of fashion trends, textile science, fashion design, and luxury brand management. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related course with 50% marks can pursue the course of MA Fashion Design. Admission is either merit-based or entrance exam-based, depending on the college. A few of the best MA in Fashion Design colleges include NIFT, Pearl Academy, Amity University, and UID Ahmedabad.

 

MA Fashion Design graduates have the opportunity to find career opportunities in fashion houses, textile enterprises, retail houses, and design houses. They can be employed as Fashion Designers, Fashion Stylists, Textile Specialists, Merchandisers, or Brand Managers. The average starting salary package of an MA Fashion Design fresher is INR 4 LPA to INR 6 LPA.

 

Table of Contents

  1. MA in Fashion Design Course Highlights
  2. What is an MA in Fashion Design?
  3. Why choose an MA in Fashion Design?
  4. MA Fashion Design Eligibility
  5. MA in Fashion Design Admission Process
  6. MA in Fashion Design Entrance Exams
  7. MA in Fashion Design Colleges in India
  8. MA in Fashion Design Syllabus
  9. MA in Fashion Design VS Master of Design
  10. MA in Fashion Design Job Profiles
  11. MA in Fashion Design Future Scope
  12. MA in Fashion Design FAQs

 

MA in Fashion Design Course Highlights

Given below are the course highlights of the Fashion MA:

Feature

Details

Course Name

MA Fashion Design

Course Level

Postgraduate (Master’s)

Duration

2 Years

Eligibility

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field with a minimum of 50% marks

Admission Process

Merit-based or Entrance Exam (varies by university)

Top Colleges

NIFT, Pearl Academy, Amity University, UID Ahmedabad

Key Subjects

Fashion Illustration, Textile Science, Fashion Marketing, Sustainable Fashion, Design Thinking

Career Options

Fashion Designer, Fashion Stylist, Textile Expert, Merchandiser, Brand Manager

Employment Areas

Fashion Houses, Textile Industries, Retail Brands, Design Studios

Average Salary

INR 4 LPA – INR 6 LPA (for freshers)

 

What is an MA in Fashion Design?

An MA in Fashion Design is a postgraduate degree focused on advanced study and creative exploration in the field of fashion. It helps students to advance their designing abilities, come up with exclusive concepts and to perfect their conceptions of fashion as a kind of art and a commercial activity. The courses commonly covered in the program are design theory, textiles, trend forecasting, sustainability and digital tools, with the possibility of creating a professional portfolio.

 

Fashion MA is ideal for those aiming to become innovative fashion designers, creative directors, or industry entrepreneurs. It often culminates in a major design project or collection, giving students the chance to showcase their vision. The students are armed with all the necessary skills to enter the world as a top manager of a fashion house or an independent label or to start their own brand.

 

Why choose an MA in Fashion Design?

Given below are the benefits of choosing an Fashion MA:

  • Mastering fashion drawing, textile science, and sustainable fashion.
  • Work as a brand manager, merchandiser, stylist, or fashion designer.
  • Gain practical experience through internships, fashion shows, and work interaction with industries.
  • There are various design, retail, and luxury brand professions in the fashion industry.
  • Start your own fashion brand or work as a freelance designer.
  • Freshers will be offered an INR 4 LPA to INR 6 LPA salary, and better pay with greater experience.

 

MA Fashion Design Eligibility

To register in the MA fashion design process, students must comply with the requirements set by the institution. To do this, students must complete a bachelor's degree in the fashion design field and get a 50% mark. In addition, some organizations can conduct entrance exams as part of the recruitment process. The selection criteria may vary depending on the specific requirements.

 

MA in Fashion Design Admission Process

MA Fashion Design admission involves a series of steps that may vary depending on the institute’s selection criteria. For example, given below is the procedure for direct admission at Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida:

 

Step 1: Go to the official university website and go to the admissions or courses section.

 

Step 2: Choose the course you wish to apply for and open the application form.

 

Step 3: Complete all the given information, including your personal information, academic qualification information, as well as the contact details.

 

Step 4: Upload the essential files such as mark sheets, ID proof, and certificates. Next, make the application payment online in the available payment terms.

 

Step 5: Go through all the information provided very carefully. After this is confirmed, fill in the form and keep away the acknowledgement or acknowledgment number as input in the future.

 

Documents Required

The candidates need to submit some documents for the admission process:

  • 10th Marksheet
  • 12th Marksheet
  • Graduation Marksheet
  • Government-issued ID proof
  • CUET PG Scorecard
  • Passport-sized photographs
  • Seat Allotment Letter
  • Migration Certificate
  • Transfer Certificate.

 

MA in Fashion Design Entrance Exams

Some colleges, such as the NIFT and Pearl Academy, take MA Fashion Design admissions via entrance exams. Given below is a list of Fashion MA entrance exams:

Exam Name

Conducting Body

Application Date

 

(Tentative)

Exam Date

 

(Tentative)

NIFT Entrance Exam 2026

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

December 2025

February 2026

AIEED 2026

ARCH College of Design and Business

May 2026

May 2026

CEED 2026

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay

Oct 2025

Jan 2026

NID DAT 2026

National Institute of Design (NID)

Oct 2025

Jan 2026

Pearl Academy Entrance Exam 2026

Pearl Academy

May 2026

May- June 2026

 

MA in Fashion Design Colleges in India

Given below is a list of MA Fashion Design colleges that offer, along with their location and course fees.

College/Institute

Location

Total Fees (INR)

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Manipal

2,66,000

Jain University

Bangalore

4,50,000

Amity University

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

2,88,000

JD Institute of Fashion Technology

Bangalore, Karnataka

3,60,000

Apeejay Stya University

Gurgaon, Haryana

5,20,000

IIS (Deemed to be a University)

Jaipur, Rajasthan

1,72,000

Apeejay Institute of Design

New Delhi, Delhi

4,75,000

Indian Institute of Fashion & Design (IIFD)

Chandigarh

INR 2,08,000

 

MA in Fashion Design Syllabus

The MA Fashion Design syllabus has a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as Fashion Entrepreneurship and Portfolio Development. Given below is the two-year MA Fashion Design syllabus at Jain University:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Fashion Illustration

Advanced Pattern Making

Textile Science

Garment Construction

History of Fashion

Fashion Forecasting

Design Process

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Fashion Photography (Elective)

Knitwear Design (Elective)

Accessory Design (Elective)

Visual Merchandising (Elective)

Semester 3

Semester 4

Sustainable Fashion

Fashion Entrepreneurship

Fashion Marketing and Merchandising

Global Fashion Trends

Research Methodology

Dissertation

Portfolio Development

Retail Management (Elective)

Luxury Brand Management (Elective)

Costume Design (Elective)

Fashion Journalism (Elective)

-

 

MA in Fashion Design VS Master of Design

Mentioned below is the comparison between the MA in Fashion Design and the Master of Design:

Feature

MA in Fashion Design

Master of Design (M.Des)

Focus Area

Fashion-focused: garment design, textiles, styling, branding

Broad design fields: product, industrial, communication, UI/UX, fashion

Course Orientation

Aesthetic, cultural, and market-oriented

Innovation, problem-solving, and design thinking

Duration

1–2 years

2 years

Eligibility

Bachelor’s in Fashion Design or related field

Bachelor's in Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, Engineering, etc.

Curriculum Highlights

Fashion illustration, garment construction, textiles, portfolio

Design research, user-centered design, prototyping, UX, sustainability

 

MA in Fashion Design Job Profiles

Given below is an overview of career opportunities and salary ranges for professionals post the completion of an Fashion MA:

Job Profile

Job Description

Annual Salary (INR)

Fashion Designer

Develops original clothing and accessory designs, aligning with current trends and brand aesthetics.

6,00,000

Textile Designer

Creates patterns and designs for fabrics used in fashion and interiors.

4,00,000

Fashion Illustrator

Produces sketches and illustrations to visually represent fashion concepts.

4,00,000

Fashion Stylist

Curates outfits and styles for clients, photoshoots, or events to achieve desired looks.

5,00,000

Merchandiser

Plans and oversees product ranges, stock levels, and promotions to maximize sales.

5,50,000

Pattern Maker

Draft patterns for garment construction, ensuring proper fit and design accuracy.

4,50,000

 

MA in Fashion Design Future Scope

Upon the completion of the MA Fashion Design, students can follow the career paths given below.

  • One can pursue a PhD in Fashion Design for further in-depth knowledge in this field.
  • Certification courses such as CFD or APMC can also be done for upskilling.
  • Some colleges offer an Advanced Diploma or PG Diploma in Fashion Technology or a PhD in Fashion Design that can help with specialisation.

 

MA in Fashion Design FAQs

Are any software skills required for an MA in Fashion Design?

Computer professionals and designers need to know computer systems such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CoreLDRAW, CLO 3D, and AutoCAD, and help with digital drawings, clothing projects, and technical drawings.

Is an MA in Fashion Design only for a fashion designer?

No, the MA in fashion design opens the door for many other functions in a career with design. Graduates are hired as fashion stylists, merchants, fashion writers, style forecasters, retail managers, and brand consultants.

Is a portfolio required to apply for an Fashion MA?

Yes, most universities and fashion schools incorporate a portfolio as part of the application process. The portfolio should consist of original design work, drawings, prototypes of clothing, mood boards, and previous projects. It helps determine the technical capability, creativity, and knowledge about fashion of the candidate.

Is the internship compulsory for the course Fashion MA?

Internships are not necessarily required, but are highly recommended as they provide industry exposure. Internships also enhance employability as they build professional contacts and add practical skills to a student's CV.

What factors most influence a fashion designer’s salary in India?

A fashion designer’s salary in India is primarily influenced by experience level, the reputation of the employer or brand, and geographic location. Specialized skills such as expertise in CAD, sustainable fashion, or trend forecasting, as well as a strong portfolio, further boost earning potential.

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