Sept 2026 Entry
4 years (including 1 year with common curriculum)
120
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What's New
- Undergraduate
- Undergraduate
Programme Aims
The overall aim of the programme is to train competent professionals for the fashion business, equipping them to work in textiles, apparel, retailing, design and related organisations. Graduates play an active role in the development of the global fashion and textiles industry in local and overseas markets. In addition to cultivating students’ professional competencies, the programme enhances their other essential competencies, such as entrepreneurship, social media marketing and business analytics. This programme expands graduates’ skillsets to meet the needs of today’s business environment. They excel in leadership, teamwork, healthy lifestyle practices and lifelong learning; they become trend leaders, innovators, critical thinkers, and creative problem solvers; and they possess effective communication and interpersonal skills. They are biliterate and trilingual, and they serve as informed and ethical leaders who promote social and national responsibility, engage in local and international affairs, act as responsible global citizens and exhibit cultural and aesthetic appreciation with a global perspective.
Characteristics
Based on their desired careers and academic performance, students can choose one of the following five specialisms under the BA Scheme.
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Fashion Design
This specialism aims to nurture students’ creativity and design ability to develop their awareness of current and emerging technologies in the fashion and manufacturing environment and to enhance their understanding of relevant marketing and business practices. -
Knitwear Design
This specialism, similar to the Fashion Design specialism, aims to nurture students’ creativity and design ability. In addition to general education, students also attain the essential knowledge and skills of a knitwear designer. -
Contour Fashion and Activewear
This specialism aims to provide students with the necessary academic and practical knowledge of contour fashion and activewear, including the integration of design and technology aspects. It provides students with a supportive and inspiring learning environment in which to create imaginative designs using analytical and problem-solving abilities. It also encourages students’ independent judgement and critical thinking for the new development of contour fashion and activewear. Students are guided to attain first-hand experience of the latest technologies, modern materials and industrial practice.
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Fashion Business
This specialism equips students for the global fashion business. Students learn fundamental management and business principles, contemporary environmental and social practices and operational knowledge of global fashion marketing and digital channels. In particular, this specialism will develop students’ skills in defining, analysing and solving business problems in fashion retail and marketing, from fast to luxury fashion, and from fashion accessories to lifestyle products. Emphasis is placed on the aspects of fashion sourcing, buying, market research, branding, digital marketing, omni-channel distribution, social media analytics, store management and distribution of fashion products in both local and global contexts. This specialism ensures that students attain the necessary professional skills to initiate and carry out individual and team research projects. Students also acquire managerial, analytical and problem-solving skills for business from local and overseas internship opportunities.
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Fashion Innovation and Technology
This specialism nurtures graduates who have sound knowledge of fashion products and production processes, who are able to apply their knowledge within a technical, economic, managerial and commercial contexts, who are flexible and can adapt and respond to change and who have the potential to become industrial leaders in product development, process innovation and production management in textiles and apparel in local and global markets.
Students opting not to be streamed into any specialism will be given a BA (Hons) in Fashion. The curriculum of BA (Hons) in Fashion provides a flexible choice of subjects that will increase students’ adaptability to the changing needs of the fashion industry. It aims to provide students with a critical understanding of contemporary practices in the digitalisation, design and development of fashion products, trends in the global and local fashion markets and business and retail environments critical to the fashion system, as well as the emerging technologies, innovations and manufacturing environment in the fashion industry.
There are also opportunities to gain on-the-job knowledge and experience in the workplace through placements in the industry.
The decision to admit a student to a specialism will be made by the School based on the student’s preference, overall GPA in Year One and/or interview results. Students will be asked to rank their specialism choices by preference during Semester 2 of Year One for the School's consideration and approval.
Professional Recognition
Graduates with 2 years of relevant post-qualification experience can apply for an Associateship of the Textile Institute (ATI) in the UK.
Graduates with 1 year of relevant post-qualification experience can apply for Professional Membership of the Hong Kong Institution of Textile and Apparel (MHKITA) in HK. MHKITA members are eligible to apply for membership in the China Textile Engineering Society and for Textile Engineer status from the Guangdong Textile Engineering Society.
Career Prospects
Our scheme-based education approach nurtures all-round talents with the design, technology and business knowledge needed for a wide range of career paths in the fashion industry. Graduates have career opportunities in the fashion and textiles industries and related fields, including the following.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Fashion (Fashion Design) can pursue careers in the fashion and lifestyle industry as womenswear/menswear designers, technical designers, digital designers, illustrators, stylists, editors and trend forecasters.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Fashion (Knitwear Design) can pursue careers as fashion knitwear designers, digital knitting technologists, product developers, illustrators, stylists, editors and trend forecasters.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Fashion (Contour Fashion and Activewear) have the abilities needed to work as designers or technical designers in the development of various kinds of products, such as contour fashion, intimate apparel, functional garments, swimwear, sportswear, activewear, lace and embroidery and fashion accessories. In recent years, many Hong Kong manufacturers have maintained their competitiveness and maximised their profit margins by switching from being low-cost original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to being high value-added original design manufacturers (ODMs) or even original brand manufacturers (OBMs). This has led to substantial demand for professionals capable of designing and developing new products.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Fashion (Fashion Business) can develop careers in digital retailing and marketing, sustainability and compliance, brand development, international trade in fashion and textiles, visual merchandising and luxury fashion management. Our graduates are equipped with all of the necessary skills to generate both online and offline business for the fashion industry and beyond.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Fashion (Fashion Innovation and Technology) can pursue careers in fashion and textile enterprises/companies or innovation institutions/centres as fashion/textile product designers and developers, R&D managers, fashion merchandisers, fashion house or production managers, fashion/textile techno consultants, quality control/functional evaluation experts, customer service professionals and fashion/textile product researchers and innovators.
All normal-year students start the programme with two common semesters, which provide a foundation in the major activities of the fashion and textiles industries. After these common semesters, students are streamed into one of the five specialisms according to their individual preferences. In principle, all students are offered a free choice of specialism. In the unlikely event that a specialism is over-subscribed, a contingency procedure is followed. As each specialism has a threshold number of students, determined by the teaching resources of the School, the contingency procedure is applied when this threshold is reached. Therefore, students are required to supply a list of specialisms in order of preference. Specialism selection normally occurs in the second semester of the students’ first year of study. Students will be invited for a selection interview/assessment based on their choice of specialisms. The pool of students in the over-subscribed specialism will be ranked according to their academic performance in their first semester of study and their interview/assessment performance. Students with lower rankings will have a lower priority in admittance to their preferred specialism. In each semester after admission to a specialism, compulsory core subjects pertaining to the specialism are offered in addition to a wide range of elective subjects that enrich the students’ learning experience. Furthermore, students will undertake mandatory language subjects, general education subjects and work-integrated education in fulfilment of the General University Requirements.
Each student is required to earn at least 120 credits for graduation. In addition to 30 credits of General University Requirements (GUR), students are required to complete 90 credits of Major, which include elective subjects and the Final Year Project.
120
Scheme Director
Dr Carrie Wong
PhD, BA (Hons)
Please click here to view the entrance requirements for international applicants.
Other Information
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Applicants attaining good results in EITHER art subjects (Textile, Visual Arts, and/or Design) OR science subjects (Chemistry and/or Mathematics) OR business OR commerce-related subjects are all preferred.
| Office Tel. No. | Office Fax No. | Email Address | Website |
| 2766 6500 | 2773 1432 | sft.ug@polyu.edu.hk | www.polyu.edu.hk/sft/ |
My experience at SFT has provided me with a comprehensive education and a fulfilling campus life. As an intimate apparel student, I have gained valuable insights into the industry. Visiting factories in Mainland China allowed me to witness the lace-making process firsthand, which significantly enhanced my learning experience.
Participating in the Miro Bra x PolyU SFT Bra & Panties Design Competition was a pivotal moment for me. It taught me how to incorporate functional elements, like bra pads, into my designs while ensuring they meet customer needs. Seeing my concept evolve from an idea to a market-ready product gave me a profound sense of accomplishment.
I am truly grateful to SFT for providing these opportunities, which have allowed me to showcase my talents and gain invaluable experience. I believe these experiences will greatly benefit my future career in the intimate apparel industry.
“I do not design clothing; I design dreams.”
During my time at SFT, I faced challenges that have shaped my outlook. Balancing rigorous fashion coursework with my passion for social advocacy taught me resilience and empathy. I found that fashion is more than just a practical item; it can evoke emotions and drive change in individuals and society. This realisation has inspired me to launch “John Marcus Collections”, an evening wear couture brand that honours my Filipino and Hong Kong heritages. Through this initiative, I celebrate cultural beauty while offering educational workshops on slow fashion practices. I am dedicated to uplifting the underserved communities, especially ethnic minorities and women who are facing hardships, by sharing the love of couture on a global scale.
As a proud Filipino-Hong Kong fashion designer based in Hong Kong, I am committed to promoting traditional and sustainable fashion, particularly in evening wear and couture. I was awarded Outstanding Student 2024 which reinforced my role as a voice for the unheard and marginalised, thus addressing important issues such as ethnic minority awareness and cultural sustainability within the fashion industry.
Studying at SFT has truly been an eye-opening experience that has increased my passion for fashion. One of the most remarkable highlights of my journey was being selected to attend the Louis Vuitton Men’s Pre-Fall 2024 Show by Pharrel Williams in Hong Kong.
In the second semester of my third-year, I was fortunate enough to be selected as an exchange student at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute. This invaluable opportunity allowed me to work with people from a diversity of cultural and professional backgrounds. It broadened my perspective on how fashion is approached in different parts of the world and enriched my learning experience.
One of my biggest dreams as a fashion student has always been to organise a fashion show, and I am incredibly grateful that SFT provided me with the knowledge and network to make this dream come true. Alongside my classmates from the fashion design specialisms, I had the privilege of collaborating with the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong to organise a meaningful fashion show tailored for visually impaired individuals.
I am beyond thankful for the experiences, connections, and personal growth that I’ve gained throughout my time at SFT. These experiences have not only shaped my skills but also strengthened my determination to make a meaningful impact in the fashion industry.
Studying fashion and textiles at SFT has been a journey of creativity and innovation. Aside from developing practical skills such as sewing and pattern-making, I also learned how technologies like AI are changing the different domains of fashion - from design to retail. The field that excites me the most is the blending of fashion business and marketing where I have learned how to analyse trends, develop brands, and strategise for an ever-changing market.
SFT allowed me to test my strategies in the classroom, which enhanced my understanding of responsible fashion, especially when it comes to sustainable practices, digital tools, and upcycling. The community was incredibly supportive, and the projects that I was given were tailored for the industry which helped to build my confidence as a future leader.
SFT has provided me with mentors and opportunities to collaborate which have helped me to think beyond the boundaries. Whether it is the use of AI design tools or strategic branding, SFT has unleashed my creativity so that now, I am ready for the ever-changing world of fashion. I hope my narrative pushes boundaries and inspires others to delve into the wonders of this industry.
My journey in this field began with a fascination of how technology can revolutionise the fashion industry. At SFT, I have gained a solid foundation in areas like fabric technology, materials science, garment engineering, and sustainable practices.
The curriculum has allowed me to thoroughly examine the technical aspects of fashion, such as fabric analysis and production techniques. I gained hands-on experience in the labs, where I learned about innovative materials and their applications in modern fashion.
One of the most rewarding experiences was a project that focused on integrating embroidery techniques into smart textiles. It was inspiring to collaborate with my supervisor, Prof. Yoyo Huang, who greatly motivated me during my final year project, emphasising the importance of making a positive impact in the industry.
I am excited to continue my journey and contribute to the future of fashion technology, where creativity and innovation go hand in hand.
- To understand the suitability of applicants for the BA(Hons) Scheme in Fashion at the degree level.
- To ascertain whether the applicants' expectations of the programme/career path match what we aim to provide.
- To evaluate the applicants' language, communication and interpersonal skills.
About 15- 45 minutes
All bands of applicants are considered, with preference for Band A and B applicants. Admission to the programme is primarily based on academic merit. The programme will directly offer a place to those candidates with outstanding performance in HKDSE, waiving the interview requirement.
Detailed interview/assessment arrangements will be announced to JUPAS applicants via email one week before the dates of the group interviews/individual assessments. Applicants with good interview/assessment performance will be given bonus scores to increase their chances of being admitted to the programme.
All students who are admitted with HKDSE results start the programme with two common semesters of foundational training in fashion and textiles, after which they are streamed into one of the five specialisms.
Important dates:
Mid-/end of January – Admission schedule/details announced via email to all Band A candidates
Mid-June – Admission schedule/details announced via email to selected candidates
Mid-July – HKDSE results announced
Mid-/end of July – Final interviews/assessments for selected candidates
Required
Any other additional information/document(s) to support the application (optional)
To assess the suitability of candidates for the programme.
About 15 to 30 minutes for the interview
The admission interview is for the BA Scheme, not individual specialism. All students will start the programme with 2 common semesters. After the 2 common semesters, students will be streamed to one of the five specialisms according to their individual preference, overall GPA in Year One and/ or interview results. Students will be asked to rank their specialism choices (from the most preferred to the least preferred) during Semester 2 of Year One for the School's consideration and approval. Students opting not to be streamed into any specialism will be given a BA (Hons) in Fashion.
Required
To assess the suitability of candidates for the programme
The interview should last approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
The admission interview is for the BA Scheme, not individual specialisms. All students will begin the programme with two common semesters. After the two common semesters, students will be streamed into one of the five specialisms according to their individual preference, overall GPA in Year One and/or interview results. Students will be asked to rank their specialism choices in order of preference during Semester 2 of Year One for consideration and approval by the School. Students who choose not to be streamed into any specialism will received a BA (Hons) in Fashion.
