Overview

The Fashion Design of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, pathway curriculum consists of a scaffolded sequence of co-taught design and construction courses over the course of the sophomore, junior, and senior levels, providing a firm foundation in drawing, draping, pattern-making, and garment construction. In courses that combine historical research with contemporary explorations, students transcend the traditional boundaries of fashion to examine clothing as it relates to lifestyle, performance, display, costume, and art.

Key facts

SAIC’s Fashion department offers one of the most intense, interdisciplinary fashion design programs in Chicago. You emerge not only as a skilled designer, but with an awareness of the social, political, and technological forces shaping the 21st century.Within the Fashion program, you will explore the most progressive achievements in the world of dress and fashion through our Fashion Resource Center, a hands-on collection of late 20th- and 21st-century designer garments representing extreme innovation. The world-renowned art exhibitions and research facilities of The Art Institute of Chicago are located one block from campus.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Design Studio

Fashion Construction and Design

Accesory Design

Begining Fashion Illustration

Production Design for Theater and Film

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-27 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-15 00:00:00
Starting 2027-01-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Chicago, United States

Disciplines

Fashion Design View 158 other Bachelors in Fashion Design in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Show us 10–15 of your best and most recent works.

Use your portfolio to showcase your interests, skills, and creative potential.

You may show us work created across media or focus entirely in one medium.

Work can range from observational to abstract.

We have no media-specific limitations nor do we present portfolio assignments.
Transcripts
Test Scores
Letter of Recommendation
Pre-College Credit Information

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

57240 USD / year

≈ 57240 USD / year
Out-of-State

57240 USD / year

≈ 57240 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

57240 USD / year

≈ 57240 USD / year

Living costs

Chicago

United States

1297 - 2491 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Fashion Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Key facts

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Chicago

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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