About us

North West School of Design

NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN is an International Fashion College for Christian Tertiary Education.

We offer Foreign Qualifications relating to Fashion Design, Fashion Management & Communication and Photography.

NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN and its courses offer an entrepreneurial learning experience with real relevance.

From 1998 to 2012, NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN has successfully offered a 2 year diploma course in Clothing Design & Technology as a private FET (Further Education & Training) college. In 2012 NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN changed its status from FET to INTERNATIONAL with the registration and accreditation with City and Guilds of London.

NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN offers a variety of part time courses but our main focus is the fulltime training of future fashion professionals in either Fashion Design and Fashion Management & Communication (&buying)

Both these 3 year fulltime courses have been developed with the vision that South African Fashion education not only needed to globalize, but also needed to adapt to the changes within the global fashion industry. Both these fashion degree equivalent courses have been developed with focusing on globalization of communication, supply and manufacturing in the fashion industry.

To succeed in today’s fashion world, designers need to do more than sketch garments, buy fabrics and meet with clients. NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DEISGN sets a strong foundation for future designers, fashion professionals and entrepreneurs who find it more than second nature to do that little more, to learn that little extra, to read that little longer and to adapt to an industry that in two years from now will be different from the industry we know today.

OUR MISSION STATEMENTNORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN’S mission is to be a college for Christian Tertiary Education that shows distinction and excellence, striving towards and piloting fashion training in South Africa and neighboring countries. We meet this commitment through the quality of our syllabus and our staff and student credentials.

OUR VISIONTo remain an International Fashion College that serves the global, respective industries by providing well trained and motivated professional designers and artists that the related industries wants to employ.

OUR LEGAL STATUSAll our courses involve input from distinguished professionals, specialists and consultants, from the design, art, décor and educational fields, locally and abroad. This ensures that our courses are international compatible and meets international standards.

NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN is now internationally recognized with globalized curriculum. Verification to our continuing legal status and application routes is available by request email to the principal: nwsd@gds.co.za

NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN is an approved (registered and accredited) CITY AND GUILDS. (Centre no: 848446). City & Guilds London Institute was founded in 1878 and is a well known and respected name worldwide in vocational education and training and commands respect from candidates and employers alike. This aligns well with North West School of Design’s mission to ensure our curriculum caters for future designers and fashion professionals who are globally competent in terms of quality, price and supply chain management.

Because NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN offer diploma and degree equivalent courses that ultimately lead to Foreign Qualifications, we are accredited with City and Guilds, and not with a SETA, SAQA, CHE or DOE.

WHY FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS?
Please click on this link:
http://x-actlynwsd.blogspot.com/2013/09/fashionably-global.html

WHAT ARE DEGREE EQUIVALENT COURSES?
NWSD offers foreign qualifications as an approved City &Guilds centre. City & Guilds International Qualifications are not categorized in the same way as SAQA qualifications such as one year Certificate, two year Diploma or three year Degree. The City & Guilds framework makes use of Awards, Certificates and Diplomas and each of these are furthermore categorized into various Levels from Level 1 to 4. City & Guilds is however a registered provider with SAQA, therefore students who have successfully obtained City & Guilds qualifications through NWSD can establish the equivalent SAQA stature through City & Guilds.

NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN has successfully registered as a member of APPETD (Association for Private Providers of Education, Training and Development) who serves as an affiliate to NORTH WEST SCHOOL OF DESIGN. This body also assists in assuring quality of education provided by its members.

HOW EMPLOYERS VIEW CITY & GUILDS INTERNATIONAL QUALIFCATIONS

• Having a City & Guilds qualification enhances one’s career prospects
• City & Guilds qualifications are an excellent recruitment benchmark for the industry
• City & Guilds qualifications are an excellent training solution for employers
• Outstanding learners for a relevant City & Guilds qualification will be considered for a placement
• Applications are welcome from City & Guilds graduates seeking work within the sector
• Priority will be given to applicants with a City & Guilds qualification when recruiting

OUR REPUTATION
Our greatest success story is the achievements of our students and staff. The number and variety of competitions and awards they have won, nominations and their employment records has made us justifiably proud. Our past and present students, have helped to build our reputation over the years, both in the workplace, business world and as winners &/or finalists of local and international design competitions. For a small sampling of the caliber and quality of our students read more on our SUCCESS STORY