Where’s the best place to be a fashion student? Industry bible the Business of Fashion (BoF) has revealed its first global fashion school rankings based on global impact, learning experience and long-term value.
10) Drexel University, US
Rated best for student experience, the fashion programme at Drexel, Philadelphia, is considered one of the top 10 in the US and includes a period of studying abroad at the London College of Fashion. A student commented in the BoF survey: “Overall, I couldn’t ask for a better experience. Since coming to Drexel I have become more creative, hardworking and drive. None of that would have been possible without the exemplary staff.”
9) Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia
The university’s school of fashion and textiles also scores highly in this year’s BoF rankings for master’s-level fashion programmes, coming in at number six. As with many of the schools in the top 10, however, students want more help finding employment in the fashion industry (38% students said they were satisfied with their work placements, for example). An RMIT student wrote in the survey: “More emphasis on career options and specific design career fairs need to be implemented as this is lacking in the programme.”
8) London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, UK
Often known as LCF, the London College of Fashion, is the fourth most influential school in the ranking. It has the second highest enrolment rate, at 98%, and the third highest international enrolment rate, at 44%. It has an excellent library and resources, according to a student who commented in the survey. The student satisfaction rate for the quality of its recruiters and its alumni network are low, however. LCF comes even higher in the BoF’s master’s-level rankings, at number four.
7) University of Westminster, UK
Westminster comes in the top two for best overall experience, with the second highest overall student satisfaction with the faculty (90%) and coming in third for student satisfaction with the quality of the student body (86%). It’s the third most selective school in the rankings, with an average acceptance rate of 9%, and comes in the top three for best overall value. However, it has little recognition from international awards.
6) Polimoda, Italy
Located in Florence, Tuscany, Polimoda International Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing, is also BoF’s ninth highest-ranking fashion school for master’s-level programmes. 87% of survey respondents were satisfied with campus facilities and buildings. Some students told the survey, however, that they would like the school to provide students with more help to find jobs in the fashion industry after graduation. In light of such concerns, Polimoda is developing various projects and platforms to help launch and promote graduates’ startups.
5) Fashion Institute of Technology, US
Situated in the Chelsea neighbourhood of Manhattan, New York City, the college’s fashion design programme has been preparing students to work in the industry since 1944. Students have the opportunity to study abroad in Italy. Third most influential school in the BoF ranking, with the third highest reputation score, after Central Saint Martins and Parsons.
4) Parsons, the New School for Design, US
Found in the Greenwich Village neighbourhood of lower Manhattan, New York City, Parsons has the third highest international enrolment rate (44%). With a presence in Paris since 1921, it was also the first art and design school in the US to found a campus abroad. Despite ranking highly in BoF’s survey overall, Parsons receives low scores for student experience and value. One student commented that the college teaches its students “concepts” at the expense of practical knowledge.
3) Kingston University, London, UK
Kingston fashion students are highly satisfied with their library, with 96% expressing approval, their technology and IT resources (91%), and the quality of the student body (94%). It also has the third highest satisfaction rate for technical skill courses (90%), but students are less satisfied with its marketing, business and sustainability courses.
2) Bunka Fashion College, Japan
With its headquarters in Shinjuku, Tokyo and more than 70 branches throughout Japan, Bunka’s postgraduate fashion school, founded in 2006, was the first of its kind to specialise in fashion in Japan. In the BoF survey 100% of graduate respondents said they were satisfied with the preparation they were given for a career in fashion.
1) Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, UK
CSM is considered the most influential school in the BoF’s list, with the highest reputation score and the highest score based on the number of graduates who were finalists or winners of major global awards over the past five years. It’s the most competitive school to get into in the ranking, with a 6% acceptance rate, and has the highest graduation rate (99%). Its international enrolment rate is the second highest at 48%. However, a limit on the number of graduates chosen to exhibit at its final catwalk show led to protests.
