The Whitecliffe Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design (BSFD) is a 3-year single entry and exit degree designed to offer rich learning opportunities to inspire critical creative thinkers in the fast-evolving sustainable fashion industry. The programme facilitates, implements, and redesigns the value of fashion, past, present and future, through theory, practice and critical reflection; cultural integrity, earth-centred awareness of cultural, ethical, restorative and regenerative design. Elements of secondary research are an integral part of the programme supporting innovative practice-based learning, professional autonomy and capability to manifest authentic sustainable, cultural, ethical and regenerative design ideas and solutions. Progressive engagement with practice-based learning, technical skills, and techniques, builds confidence in design practices and processes relevant to the fashion industry. Real world industry experiences consolidate the application of creative practice-based learning, thereby progressing opportunities for employment and further studies, including specialism pathways, on completion of the degree programme. Sustainable, cultural, and ethical professional practices underpin the essence of the programme, creating awareness and responsibility for the natural world to become creative, innovative and adaptive change instigators, leaders and collaborators who influence contemporary and future regenerative sustainable fashion practice in the local and global sustainable fashion industry enabling learners to articulate, test, refine, and communicate ideas using professional design and communication strategies. Sustainable, ethical, and regenerative practices are embedded as foundational components of the programme, alongside futures thinking, systems awareness, and adaptive problem-solving. Learners engage with cultural, environmental, technological, and economic considerations to inform responsible design decision-making and practice. The programme also develops capability in business awareness, entrepreneurship, and professional practice, enabling learners to identify opportunities, analyse consumer and market contexts, and evaluate and validate the relevance and viability of their design outcomes. Through industry engagement, work-integrated learning, and professional practice, learners develop the skills to position their work effectively within appropriate market contexts. Graduates are equipped with the capabilities required to operate as adaptive, innovative, and responsible practitioners, with pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and further study.

GPO1: Demonstrate technical proficiency through relevant methodologies and skills, in design practices and processes, for implementation in the sustainable fashion industry. GPO2: Demonstrate cultural and ethical practices and responsibility aligned with the natural world and principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. GPO3: Apply critical awareness of key historical and social influences that impact contemporary and future regenerative, sustainable fashion practice. GPO4: Demonstrate individual thinking and collaborative capability, supported by relevant research, to initiate and realise innovative, restorative and environmentally regenerative and sustainable projects. GPO5: Collaborate with industry and community as change instigators for ethical, social, environmental, and cultural sustainability. GPO6: Demonstrate economically viable design solutions, leading to opportunties in existing and new sustainable and regenerative systems and models within local and global fashion industries. GPO7: Curate fashion collections that promote the environmental and ethical benefits of a sustainable and regenerative fashion industry.

The Bachelor of Sustainable Fashion Design provides a pathway to a Postgraduate study specialism e.g., Post Graduate Diploma and/or Master of Design or in the field of fashion, sustainability, enterprise or related area in New Zealand or internationally.

Applicants must demonstrate an ability to undertake degree level study, including appropriate knowledge and skills in the areas of written communication and mathematics, by having achieved: University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including: NCEA Level 3; 14 credits each in three approved subjects and UE Literacy (NCEA Level 2 or above; 10 credits with 5 credits each in reading and writing) and UE Numeracy (NCEA Level 1 or above; 10 credits) OR A relevant qualification at Level 3 on the NZQF or above and the equivalent of UE Literacy and Numeracy OR New Zealand Certificate in Fashion (Level 4) OR New Zealand Certificate in Apparel and Fashion Technology (Level 4) OR New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media (Level 4) OR New Zealand Certificate in Art and Design (Level 4) OR New Zealand Certificate in Jewellery (Level 4)