VOGUE Fashion Foundation Programme
- Inspired by Vogue
- Intimate learning environment
- High-Profile Industry Speakers
At a glance
- Duration: 9 Months
- Location: Soho, London
- Overall course fee: £16,500 (UK & Non-UK)
- Start date: 25 September 2023
STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The VOGUE Fashion Foundation Programme is an introductory course that will prepare students for further study in higher education. The focus is on creative practice and students will develop practical visual and digital-design skills using the authoritative Vogue: Voice of a Century as the main source of inspiration.
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| Vogue: Voice of a Century | |
The Foundation Programme is suitable for school-leavers who are interested in fashion-related courses, but are as yet unsure which area they would like to specialise in at degree level. It is also suitable for those that do not meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Fashion Communication or equivalent degree courses at other institutions.
Study and research skills are embedded into all modules to ensure students are effectively prepared for the transition to higher education, and support with degree applications is a priority. Successful students who complete the Foundation Programme will be considered for the BA (Hons) Fashion Communication degree should they wish to join this course as their next step.
Studying at our state-of-the-art campus in the heart of central London, students will have unique access to an incredible roster of industry speakers. Past speakers have included Victoria Beckham, Edward Enninful, Deborah Joseph, Bertrand Michaud and many more. Students will also benefit from our unique staff-to-student ratio, which guarantees a tailored learning experience from our outstanding academic team.
Programme Schedule*
The course is structured as a nine-month course, consisting of three 10-week terms.
| Induction Week | 25 September 2023 – 29 September 2023 |
| Autumn Term (Term 1) | 02 October 2023 – 08 December 2023 |
| Winter Break | 11 December 2023 – 05 January 2024 |
| Winter term (Term 2) | 08 January 2024 – 15 March 2024 |
| Reading Week | 18 March 2024 – 22 March 2024 |
| Spring Break | 25 March 2024 – 05 April 2024 |
| Spring Term (Term 3) | 08 April 2024 – 14 June 2024 |
| Exhibition | w/c 24 June date TBC |
*All dates are subject to change
Condé Nast College has a way of bringing people together from all over the world. That diversity had made this experience so intriguing as not only did we learn about the fashion industry here in London but all over the world. The programme pushed me to explore all areas of the fashion industry by writing articles for the Condé Nast blog or encouraging me to put my work out there on instagram. To read full testimonial and find links to Sadaf's blog click here.Sadaf Fatima Punjoo, Vogue Foundation, 2020-2021
The Foundation Programme enables students a broad yet detailed spectrum of careers within the industry which is perfect for those wanting a career in the creative field but do not know exactly what they want to specialise in. To read the full testimonial click here.Gabriel Summerfield, Vogue Foundation, 2020-2021
Programme Modules
Understanding Design & Visual Culture (20 Credits)
- Examine how messages are communicated visually.
- Introduce key art movements and their influence on visual culture.
- Consider the wider impact of design and visual culture on society.
- Understand the importance of research and how this informs the design process.
- Design an artefact of your own choosing.
- Evaluate and reflect on learning and relate this to your own design process.
Introduction to the Creative Industries (20 Credits)
- Examine the development of the creative industries over the past 25 years.
- Define creativity and explore related skills and techniques.
- Explore a range of disciplines within the creative industries.
- Create and present project work.
Fashion Media & Communication (20 Credits)
- Consider the heritage of the Vogue brand and the evolution of fashion media.
- Examine creative content from the Vogue archives to inform visual communication ideas and best practice.
- Explore key media and communication channels and their influence on audiences.
- Critique media representation and its positive and negative influence on individuals and groups.
- Examine the role of the media in relation to consumer behaviour in the fashion sector.
- Successfully present brand communication messages for the fashion industry.
Independent Fashion Portfolio (40 Credits)
- Develop an individual portfolio of work.
- Showcase creative practice and application throughout the Foundation Programme through a professional portfolio.
- Develop skills in a chosen area through the completion of an independent project.
- Support your personal development plan (PDP) and progression, including supporting the application process for further study in higher education and alternative career options.
- Introduce study skills suitable for independent study in higher education.
Multi-Media Practice (20 Credits)
- Become familiar with appropriate design and media tools/equipment.
- Learn about the key software commonly used in the creative industries.
- Develop practical design and multimedia skills, in line with project and portfolio work.
- Experiment with a range of illustration and visual communication skills mixing digital with physical media.
- Work collaboratively in creative teams.
To complete the course you will be required to create a project that will form an End of the Year – Vogue Fashion Foundation Exhibition. You can view a short video from the last cohort below as well as visit Student Portfolios page to read in more detail about each project.
Being on the Vogue Foundation Programme allowed me to connect with people in different parts of the fashion industry, and hear their experiences, which really helped me narrow down my career choices. It also required me to visit various exhibitions and shows, including an open day at Rankin’s studio, where I met the stylist I now work for.Ayzhulk Jogezai, Vogue Foundation Programme, 2019-2020
Condé Nast College highlights how there are many doors to be opened in the creative industry, and give the tools and encouragement to explore different paths and careers. To read the full testimonial click here.Erika Thomazi, Vogue Foundation Programme, 2019-2020
Entry Requirements
Students must be aged at least 18 years old on 31st August at the start of the academic year in which they intend to join this course. An academic year runs 1st September-31st August annually. For the duration of the academic year, a student is considered to be their academic age for admissions purposes, regardless of when their birthday falls within that academic year.
The standard entry requirements for this course are GCSE English and Maths at Grade C (4) or above, or the equivalent EU/international qualifications.
Prospective students can apply for this course by filling in the form on our website. Each applicant is asked to provide information about themselves, including their personal details, education history and any relevant work experience. They will be asked to write a 500-word personal statement describing their academic interests and reasons for applying to the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design, which should include a link to a pre-recorded interview video covering their knowledge and current skills.
The College is looking for students who will actively contribute to the course and take an original approach to their work. If you are offered a place, you must confirm, in writing, that you wish to accept our offer. We will then send you the invoice for your tuition fee, upon which you must pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,200 to secure your place on the course.
Pre-Recorded Video Interview
Applicants are required to record a short video interview with a mobile phone, webcam, tablet or other appropriate device, and will need to answer the four following questions; the video should be around (but no longer than) 10 minutes.
The questions we would like applicants to answer are:
- What do you know about Condé Nast College? (2 minutes)
- What has motivated you to apply for this course (thinking particularly about future studies and your career journey)? (2 minutes)
- What creatives and/or brands in the fashion industry do you most admire and why (3 minutes)
- What are the most important issues or trends affecting the fashion industry right now in your opinion? (3 minutes)
Pre-recorded video interviews will need to be uploaded and transferred to us here, separately from your application submission.
Please name the video file in the following format: ApplicantReferenceNo_FullName_FileType_Course
- e.g. 000121991_Joan Smith_Video Interview_Vogue Foundation
Applicants who do not transfer to us a pre-recorded video interview cannot be considered.
Application Deadline
For the Foundation programme, applicants are required to submit their application no later than six weeks before the course starts.
English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to take an English language test and achieve IELTS level 6 or above, or the equivalent Secure English Language Test (SELT).
More information – including visa requirements – can be found on our International Students webpage.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
Exceptional applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements may still be considered through APEL if they can demonstrate the skills and capacity necessary for academic study at this level. Sometimes experience is as beneficial as what is learnt in a classroom. The admissions and academic teams will consider applications that show exceptional strengths and alternative evidence, which may include:
- Work experience
- Non-accredited courses
- Extensive reading and research
- A brilliant, relevant, and credible personal statement
- An exceptionally strong academic or professional reference
- OR a combination of these
Each application will be considered on its own merit, although we cannot guarantee every applicant an offer.
For further information or any queries regarding entry requirements or admissions, please contact the Admissions Office.
Paying the Course Fee
To secure your place on this course, you will be asked to pay a deposit of £1,200 at the point of receiving an offer from the College.
UK/EU students can pay the tuition fee in three instalments throughout the year.
International students will be asked to pay their course fee in full and in advance of arriving at the College.
More information – including visa requirements – can be found on our International Students webpage.
Bursaries & Alternative Funding
There are no bursaries or funding options currently available for this course.
Alumni Discount
Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design offers course fee reduction to our alumni.
For more information visit Terms and Conditions
Studying & Living in London
For more information on the costs of living in London – including accommodation advice – please see our Accommodation and Living Costs page.
The aim of the Foundation Programme is to help students prepare for further study in higher education.
If they are successful, students on the Foundation Programme can go on to study our BA (Hons) Fashion Communication degree, previous graduates of which are now working at companies such as Vogue, Glamour, Net-A-Porter, Condé Nast, Harvey Nichols, Tik Tok, GQ and many other leading businesses in the fashion and luxury sectors.
Unrivalled Industry Links
You will be supported by highly experienced academics and industry practitioners as well as attend regular industry talks by the best in the creative industry, from the design, media, PR, advertising, retail and digital sectors.
- Nova Dando, Creative Director, Fashion & Beauty at TikTok
- Timothy Rennie, Creative Director & Brand Consultant
- Danielle Griffiths, Stylist & Author of the Fashion Stylist’s Handbook
- Jayne Pierson, Senior Fashion Designer & Creative Director
- Sophie Stevens, Fashion Director & Stylist
- Marcus Agerman-Ross, Creative Director, Copywriter & Radio Presenter
- Dr Kara Tennant, Fashion Theory and Contextual Studies
Some of our previous speakers have included:
Edward Enninful, Victoria Beckham, Bertrand Michaud, Kate Phelan, Angelo Mitakos, Sarah Harris, Gemma Sheppard, Fred Stauffer, Phill Tarling and many more.
You will be studying this course with the only UK fashion education provider that operates from within the fashion industry. This exceptional environment provides you with a unique insight into fashion communication in all its forms and the workings of the creative industries, as well as providing access to numerous unrivalled experts in their fields.
With weekly guest speakers from a broad range of professions within the fashion and creative industries, you will be learning directly from the best.
The Campus
Condé Nast College is situated in a historic building at Bedford Square, in Central London.
The area was built between 1775 and 1783 and is one of the best preserved set pieces of Georgian architecture in London.
The square has had many illustrious residents including Lord Eldon, one of Britain’s longest-serving and most celebrated Lord Chancellors, who lived in the largest house in the square for many years. Other famous residents include the second Duke of Devonshire; William Butterfield, an architect; and H H Asquith, a former Prime Minister.
The square takes its name from the main title of the Russell family, the Dukes of Bedford, who owned much of the land in what is now Bloomsbury.
Bedford Square is in the heart of Bloomsbury, an exciting area for academia and the arts; originally made famous by Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Set.
The College is a short walk from the headquarters of Condé Nast, as well as Vogue House, which our students visit as part of their exposure to the professional world.
Course Leader
Fiona Howells
Fiona has been working within academia for the last ten years lecturing within the discipline of Fashion Design. She holds a postgraduate certificate in Post-Compulsory Education and Training.
Laura Holmes
Vogue Foundation Programme
After establishing and growing my own company (AGS) over the past 10 years with my husband I felt the time was right for me to explore my fashion aspirations. During this year at Condé Nast College, I have had the opportunity to develop creatively.
View My Work
