Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHAT IS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION?
2. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING AT MELBOURNE SCHOOL OF FASHION?
3. ARE THE COURSES AUSTUDY/ABSTUDY/YOUTH ALLOWANCE APPROVED?
4. CAN FULL TIME COURSES, IE THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF APPLIED FASHION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, BE STUDIED PART TIME, AND IF SO, OVER WHAT PERIOD OF TIME?
5. IS DISTANCE LEARNING OFFERED?
6. ARE THE COURSES AND QUALIFICATIONS WIDELY RECOGNISED BY EMPLOYERS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY?
7. WHAT JOBS HAVE GRADUATES OBTAINED?
8. DOES THE SCHOOL OFFER SHORT COURSES OR PART TIME COURSES?
9. I WOULD LIKE TO STUDY SINGLE SUBJECTS FROM THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF APPLIED FASHION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY. CAN I DO THIS?
10. DO I HAVE TO ENROL IN THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF APPLIED FASHION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY TO OBTAIN THIS QUALIFICATION OR COULD I ENROL FOR CERTIFICATE COURSES AND EVENTUALLY GAIN THIS QUALIFICATION?
11. COULD I ENROL FOR YEAR 1 OF THE COURSE ONLY, TO SEE IF I REALLY LIKE IT AND THEN ENROL FOR THE REST OF THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA AFTER COMPLETING YEAR 1?
12. I HAVE COMPLETED A FASHION COURSE AT ANOTHER INSTITUTION. WOULD THE MSF RECOGNISE THIS STUDY AND EXEMPT ME FROM HAVING TO REPEAT SUBJECTS I HAVE ALREADY STUDIED?
13. I HAVE STUDIED INFORMALLY AND ON-THE-JOB, BUT HAVE NO QUALIFICATIONS OR A STATEMENT OF RESULTS. WOULD MY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE BE RECOGNISED BY THE MSF?
14. DOES THE SCHOOL HELP STUDENTS GET WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY?
15. DOES THE SCHOOL ASSIST GRADUATES IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT?
16. DO YOU NEED A FOLIO TO BE ACCEPTED INTO A COURSE?
17. WHEN DO I NEED TO APPLY FOR A COURSE TO ENSURE I GET A POSITION?
18. DO YOU ACCEPT OVERSEAS STUDENTS FOR ENROLMENT?
19. CAN I VISIT THE SCHOOL AND DISCUSS THE COURSES WITH THE MSF STAFF?
20. CODE OF PRACTICE

WHAT IS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION?

Vocational education relates to courses at Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology levels that are designed to meet the skill needs of a specific position in an industry. In our case, the skills criteria is set by the fashion industry itself for a variety of occupations, and courses will only be accredited by the government if they teach these skills and teach them to industry standards. Vocational courses are practical in nature, hands-on and industry-focused. Graduates of such courses are highly employable as a result.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING AT MELBOURNE SCHOOL OF FASHION?

Small class sizes. A maximum of 16 per class for most practical subjects and 28 for business subjects. This enables lecturers to speak one-on-one with each student in every class and consequentially a higher calibre of work from each student is possible. The facilities are spacious and the equipment is extensive and equivalent to what is used in the industry. The School has a very strict policy of employing qualified lecturers with extensive professional experience in the industry relevant to the subject they are teaching, and in most cases, they are currently employed in the industry. This ensures students graduate with skills, knowledge and expertise in line with current industry standards and expectations (see lecturer's biographies and course information). A wide variety of study options: day-time, evening, weekends, part time, full time and distance education.

ARE THE COURSES AUSTUDY/ABSTUDY/YOUTH ALLOWANCE APPROVED?

Yes. However Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance is only granted by Centrelink for full time study. What constitutes full time hours will vary depending on the course or courses being studied. Prior to enrolment students should discuss with the School whether their study hours would be sufficient to apply for Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance. Also, refer to Appendix.

CAN FULL TIME COURSES, IE THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF APPLIED FASHION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, BE STUDIED PART TIME, AND IF SO, OVER WHAT PERIOD OF TIME?

Yes. The Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology can be studied part time over four or more years, depending on the number of subjects undertaken each year. Individual subjects can also be studied at night, weekends or day-time. Students can construct their own timetable after consultation with the enrolment officer. Part time study is arranged upon enrolment and can be modified each year if necessary.

IS DISTANCE LEARNING OFFERED?

Yes, the Certificate IV in Retail Management (Fashion Business) can be studied by correspondence and is conducted by mail or by email online.

ARE THE COURSES AND QUALIFICATIONS WIDELY RECOGNISED BY EMPLOYERS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY?

Yes. The courses and qualifications issued are recognised Australia-wide by the industry. (See Vocational Education above for more detail.)

WHAT JOBS HAVE GRADUATES OBTAINED?

Graduates have obtained employment as designers, production managers, quality controllers, pattern makers, machinists, illustrators, dressmakers, buyers, visual merchandisers, milliners, managers of retail businesses, in both large and small companies in Australia and the UK, or have started their own label or retail business.

DOES THE SCHOOL OFFER SHORT COURSES OR PART TIME COURSES?

Most of our courses take 9 months to complete with the exception of the Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology which is 3 years of full time study and the Certificate IV in Retail Management (Fashion Business) course which takes 20 month to complete on a part time basis (9 months full time basis). The School offers many courses that are part time and are studied either one or two nights a week (about 3 to 6 class hours per week) or one or two days a week (6 to 14 class hours per week).

I WOULD LIKE TO STUDY SINGLE SUBJECTS FROM THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF APPLIED FASHION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY. CAN I DO THIS?

Yes, you can study single subjects by enrolling in the Certificate courses offered. Each of the Certificate courses is an exact equivalent of an Advanced Diploma subject, apart from the Certificate of Advance Styling and Couture and the Certificate of Advanced Fashion Drawing.

DO I HAVE TO ENROL IN THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF APPLIED FASHION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY TO OBTAIN THIS QUALIFICATION OR COULD I ENROL FOR CERTIFICATE COURSES AND EVENTUALLY GAIN THIS QUALIFICATION?

Yes, if you complete all the certificate courses related to the Advanced Diploma course you will receive the Advanced Diploma qualification. In addition, there are various Certificate IV and Diploma qualifications issued for completing the equivalent of Year 1 and Year 2 of the Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology

COULD I ENROL FOR YEAR 1 OF THE COURSE ONLY, TO SEE IF I REALLY LIKE IT AND THEN ENROL FOR THE REST OF THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA AFTER COMPLETING YEAR 1?

Yes.

I HAVE COMPLETED A FASHION COURSE AT ANOTHER INSTITUTION. WOULD THE MSF RECOGNISE THIS STUDY AND EXEMPT ME FROM HAVING TO REPEAT SUBJECTS I HAVE ALREADY STUDIED?

Yes, where the previous study is relevant. The student would be required to provide an official statement of attainment from the institution where the study was undertaken, and if necessary, a folio of work. In many cases an assessment interview will be arranged.

I HAVE STUDIED INFORMALLY AND ON-THE-JOB, BUT HAVE NO QUALIFICATIONS OR A STATEMENT OF RESULTS. WOULD MY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE BE RECOGNISED BY THE MSF?

Yes. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. Subject exemptions are granted after the applicant submits a folio of work or sits a practical assessment test.

DOES THE SCHOOL HELP STUDENTS GET WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY?

Yes. The School assists students to arrange work experience. All students are able to participate in work experience and a list of companies is compiled to facilitate this process. Students are encouraged to get involved with such events as Fashion Week, relevant industry events and parades, and to submit their work in local and national competitions, such as the Wool Awards, Fashion Awards Australia, NRA, International Arts of Fashion and Spirit of the Black Dress.

DOES THE SCHOOL ASSIST GRADUATES IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT?

Yes. Job notices are placed on notice boards and students are encouraged to approach their teachers or staff for guidance in this regard. See also previous paragraph regarding work experience.

DO YOU NEED A FOLIO TO BE ACCEPTED INTO A COURSE?

Folios are only required for those students applying for subject exemptions or for enrolment into subjects that have special prerequisite requirements (see course information). Unless otherwise mentioned, applicants need a Year 11 pass, although Year 12 is preferred in most cases by the School. Applicants need to provide a photocopy of the certificate verifying their Year 11 or 12 pass at the interview or on the day of enrolment.

WHEN DO I NEED TO APPLY FOR A COURSE TO ENSURE I GET A POSITION?

The School has commenced enrolling for courses commencing March 2009. As we have a very strict policy on maximum class sizes, once a class is full no further applicants for that class are accepted. Therefore applicants are advised to arrange an interview at the School as soon as possible and if enrolling to do so prior to December 2009. Details of the enrolment process are listed in the Appendix of the 2010 Student Prospectus. Applicants wanting to enrol for mid-year courses can do so at any time, but should do so no later than May or June each year. Applicants are welcome to enquire with the School and enrol after the dates stipulated above, but they should be aware that there may not be places available in their preferred class, especially day-time classes, after these dates.

DO YOU ACCEPT OVERSEAS STUDENTS FOR ENROLMENT?

Yes. The School is approved to enrol students who require student visas to study in Australia. International students should consult the International Student Prospectus.

CAN I VISIT THE SCHOOL AND DISCUSS THE COURSES WITH THE MSF STAFF?

Yes. All visits are by appointment and can be made by phoning (03) 9417 4502

CODE OF PRACTICE

The Melbourne School of Fashion is a registered training provider and meets the administrative, delivery, staffing, facility, marketing, financial, quality assurance and assessment standards agreed to by Federal, State and Territory Governments in Australia. The Victorian State Government registering authority, the Office of Training and Tertiary Education, monitors and subjects the School to regular external audits to verify adherence to these standards, known as the Australian Qualification Training Framework (AQTF standards). For further details on the AQTF standards, please contact the administration of Melbourne School of Fashion to request a copy.