How to choose where to study Fashion Design in Spain (2025/26)

Deciding where to study Fashion Design can completely change your future career. It is not a choice to be taken lightly. We're talking about four years in which you won't just learn to design clothes: you'll build a way of seeing the world, develop your creative identity and connect with the industry that will shape your career. That's why choosing the right school is as important as the talent you already have. 

Spain has a powerful fashion scene, with internationally recognised designers and a diverse educational ecosystem. But not all programmes are the same. Some really prepare you to work in consolidated firms, launch your own brand or move with ease in creative studios. Others are just theoretical or promise resources you won't see. This guide helps you to distinguish one from the other. 

If you already know that you want to specialise in pure design, you can start by exploring options such as UDIT's Degree in Fashion Design, a pioneer in Spain with a very practical approach. If your profile is more oriented towards brand management, communication or strategy, the Degree in Fashion Management and Communication may suit you better. But before deciding anything, let's see what you should consider. 

Why not all fashion universities are the same 

When you start looking for where to study Fashion Design, it's easy to get lost. There are public universities, public schools, specialised centres, official degrees, own degrees, online and face-to-face training. Each option has advantages and limitations. The important thing is to understand what criteria make the difference between a mediocre education and one that really prepares you to compete. 

What really matters (beyond marketing ) 

Many schools sell you impressive facilities, spectacular campuses or collaborations with famous brands. That's all well and good, but what really determines the quality of your training is something else: 

It's not enough that there is a pattern-making workshop or an experimental lab. You have to be able to use them, to book them easily and to have technical assistance when you need it. Ask how many students there are per machine, how many hours a week you can access and if there are any time restrictions. 

The software you will master during your degree - the industry works with specific tools. If you come out of your training without knowing how to use WGSN to analyse trends, Clo3D to simulate 3D garments or SEDDI to create digital cufflinks, you're going to have to learn it on your own when you're looking for a job. And that puts you at a disadvantage compared to those who have already mastered it. 

Teachers who are active in the industry right now.Teachers who are active in the industry teach you what works today, not what worked ten years ago. They have contacts, they know the real dynamics of companies and can open doors for you. Ask what projects they are involved in and what brands they collaborate with. 

An up-to-date and flexible curriculum -fashion evolves fast. A curriculum from five years ago may be completely outdated. Check that it integrates sustainability, digitalisation, new business models and agile methodologies. And that it allows you to specialise in what interests you most. 

Real internships in relevant companies. Internships cannot be a final-year formality. They must be integrated from the start, with active agreements and varied options: from big brands to independent studios or fashion startups. Ask for concrete examples of where recent students have done internships. 

The 7 key criteria for comparing schools 

Now that you know what to look for in general, let's get specific. These are the seven things you should evaluate in every school you visit. Take this list with you, make notes and then compare them at your leisure. 

1. Syllabus: what you are going to learn from year to year 

The syllabus is your roadmap. It has to combine solid technical foundations (pattern making, tailoring, drawing, fashion history) with strategic vision (branding, marketing, communication) and digital tools (3D design, data analysis, trends). 

Review the subjects year by year. Check that in the first year you are already working with practical projects, not just theory. In second year, you should delve deeper into advanced techniques and start to define your identity as a designer. In third year, specialise and collaborate with real companies. And fourth, develop your final collection and prepare your professional portfolio. 

Ask if there are electives that allow you to personalise your profile: can you go deeper into sustainable design, sports fashion, accessories or fashion communication? A rigid plan limits your potential. A flexible one allows you to explore. 

2. Workshops, labs and access to technology 

You learn fashion by doing. Full stop. You can read all the pattern books in the world, but if you don't spend hours cutting fabric, testing seams and adjusting patterns, you won't really learn. 

Visit the workshops in person. Check the condition of the machines, the space available, the lighting. Ask how many students there are per workstation. If the answer is more than three, you're going to have trouble getting access when you need it. 

Also assess whether there is aFabLab or prototyping lab. These spaces allow you to experiment with laser cutting, 3D printing, digital printing or new materials. They are not a luxury: they are a competitive advantage. They open up creative possibilities you wouldn't have with traditional methods. 

And of course, check the software available- are there active licenses for WGSN, Clo3D and SEDDI, are they used in evaluable projects or are they just mentioned in the brochure, do the classrooms have Macs or powerful PCs that support these programs without problems? These questions are fundamental. 

3. Teachers: who will teach you?

Teachers make the difference between a theoretical training and one that connects you to the reality of the sector. Look for teachers who are actively working in the industry: designers with their own brand, trend consultants, creative directors, communication managers for well-known firms. 

Ask if there are individual mentorships, personalised tutorials or portfolio reviews with external professionals. Such one-on-one coaching accelerates your learning and helps you spot blind spots you wouldn't see on your own. 

Do you also value the diversity of the faculty: are there only designers or are there also management, marketing, production and retail profiles? Fashion is a complex industry. You need to understand all sides of it to be fluent. 

4. Location: why the city matters more than you think 

Studying Fashion Design in Madrid is not the same as studying in a smaller city. And it's not just a question of prestige. Madrid concentrates events, fairs, showrooms, emerging brands, design studios, communication agencies and a very active cultural scene. 

This translates into real opportunities: attending fashion shows during Fashion Week, networking at industry events, collaborating with local brands, visiting fashion archives or participating in multidisciplinary projects. All of this feeds your education and expands your network of contacts. 

If you are studying outside Madrid, make sure you are aware of the local ecosystem: is there a fashion movement, events, brands that hire junior talent, etc.? Location is not everything, but it does condition your options while you study. 

5. Internships and industry connections

Internships need to be more than just a bureaucratic formality in the final year. It should be a natural part of your education, with active and varied partnerships. Question: 

• Which companies do you have agreements with at the moment? 
• When can I start an internship? 
• Are there options in design, production, communication, retail and management? 
• Can you help me find the internship that best fits my profile? 
• Can I do more than one internship during my degree? 

Ask for concrete examples of real projects that students have done: capsule collections, collaborations with brands, fashion events, communication campaigns. The connection with the industry cannot be something that appears in the fourth year. Ithas to be present from the first year. 

6. Portfolio and visibility 

Your portfolio is your letter of introduction. It must start to be built from the first year, with evaluable projects, public presentations and continuous feedback. Ask yourself: 

• How many completed projects will I have at the end of my degree? 
• Are there exhibitions, fashion shows or public presentations of my work? 
• Does the centre help me to disseminate my portfolio in networks, events or media? 
• Do students participate in awards, competitions or catwalks? 

A strong portfolio opens doors. A mediocre portfolio closes them. It is as simple as that. The centre where you study should give you the tools, spaces and opportunities to make yours competitive. 

7. Employability and  alumni community 

Look at what graduates have done in recent years. Don't just look at abstract employability figures. Look for names, stories, brands they have founded, positions they hold, projects they work on. 

An active and connected alumni community is a sign of quality. It means that the training was solid, that the school keeps in touch and that there is a network of mutual support. Ask if they organise networking events, if there is a job bank exclusively for alumni or if they facilitate mentoring between old and new students. 

Studying Fashion Design at UDIT: a safe bet

If you apply all these criteria, UDIT stands out naturally. It's no coincidence. It was the first university in Spain to offer an official Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, which means that they have been thinking longer than anyone else about how this discipline should be taught at university level. 

Today, UDIT has the largest fashion campus in Madrid, with facilities specifically designed for design: equipped pattern-making classrooms, a working FabLab, Mac computers in the classrooms and access to the most widely used software in the industry:WGSN for trend analysis, Clo3D for 3D simulation and SEDDI for digital cufflinks. 

The Fashion Design Degree at UDIT has a very practical approach. From the first year you work with real projects, assessable deliverables and continuous feedback. The teaching staff is active, the internship agreements are solid and the ecosystem that surrounds you is designed for you to grow as a designer. 

If your profile leans more towards management, marketing or creative direction, the Degree in Fashion Management and Communication prepares you for strategic roles: brand managers, communication managers, trend analysts, retail consultants or collection directors. The combination of both degrees covers all the needs of the sector. 

Entry requirements: how to enter a degree in Fashion Design

Entry requirements vary depending on the centre, but in general the most common routes are: 

• Baccalaureate + PAU: the most common option. Many centres recommend the Arts Baccalaureate, but it is not always compulsory. 
• Vocational Training: from a Higher Level Cycle you can go directly to a university degree. 
• Entrance exam for those over 25, 40 or 45 years of age: if you do not have a baccalaureate or vocational training, you can take these exams. 
• Previous university degree: if you already have a bachelor's degree, you can gain access by validating credits. 

Some centres, such as UDIT, do not require a cut-off mark but they do carry out specific admission tests to assess your creative potential, your motivation and your profile. It is important that you prepare yourself well: present a portfolio (even a basic one), show a real interest in fashion and explain why you want to dedicate yourself to this field. 

Costs and scholarships: how to value the investment 

Studying fashion design at a private university or specialised school has a cost. Prices vary between 6,000 and 15,000 euros per year, depending on the centre and the services included. It is important that you take this into account as a whole: 

• What is included in the price (workshops, software licenses, materials, access to laboratories )? 
• Are there additional costs (specific materials, outings, events ) ?
• What scholarships are available (academic performance, financial situation, creative talent ) ?
• Does the centre offer financing or payment facilities? 

Compare the total cost with what you get in return: infrastructure, faculty, internships, visibility, networking. Cheaper training can be expensive if it does not prepare you well. A higher investment can pay off quickly if it places you in good companies or gives you tools for entrepreneurship. 

Research available scholarships and application deadlines. Many schools have grants for academic excellence, family situation or talent that can significantly reduce the cost. 

Online vs. face-to-face training: which option to choose 

In recent years, online or blended learning options in Fashion Design have emerged. They can be useful if you have other responsibilities (work, family) or live far from the big cities. But let's be realistic: fashion is a very practical discipline. 

Learning pattern making, tailoring or experimenting with materials requires attendance. You can watch videos and tutorials, but they are no substitute for hours in the workshop, face-to-face corrections or collaborative work with colleagues. If you choose online training, make sure it includes intensive face-to-face sessions, access to workshops at key moments and close support from the teacher. 

In general, for a first degree in Fashion Design, face-to-face training is still the best option. It allows you to build a network of contacts, immerse yourself in the ecosystem and take advantage of the opportunities that arise every day. 

Common mistakes when choosing where to study (and how to avoid them ) 

I have seen many students who make the wrong choice and regret it later. Here are the most common mistakes: 

Choosing on price alone

It is tempting to go for the cheapest option, but cost cannot be the only criterion. Ask yourself: what do I get in return? If you save 3,000 euros a year but don't have access to decent workshops, professional software or relevant internships, it's not a saving. It is a loss. 

Not visiting the facilities in person 

The pictures in the brochures always look nice. The reality can be very different. Visit the workshops, touch the machines, talk to current students. Half an hour's visit gives you more information than ten conversations with sales advisors. 

Relying on promises without evidence 

"We have partnerships with the best brands", "we use the latest software", "our students work in international firms". That all sounds good, but can you see it? Ask for names, examples, alumni portfolios, signed agreements. If they can't prove it to you, it's probably not true. 

Forget the day-to-day logistics

How long will it take you to get there? Can you juggle schedules with other commitments? Are transport and housing costs manageable? Studying in a big city can be amazing, but if you're spending three hours a day on transport, your performance and well-being are going to suffer. 

Not talking to current students

Admissions advisors will tell you the official story. Current students will tell you the truth. Ask them about the workshops, the professors, the internships, the workload, the atmosphere. Their answers are pure gold. 

Beyond Design: Fashion Management and Communication

Not everyone who loves fashion wants to design clothes. There are many other equally creative and strategic roles: brand managers, communication managers, trend analysts, buyers, visual merchandisers, retail consultants, content creators for fashion brands. 

If your profile is more oriented towards these areas, a specific degree in management and communication may be a better fit than a degree in pure design. UDIT's Degree in Fashion Management and Communication is designed precisely for these profiles: people with a strategic vision, analytical skills and a passion for connecting product with the public. 

This type of training combines subjects in branding, digital marketing, fashion communication, event management, retail, data analysis and collection management. It prepares you to work in the marketing departments of consolidated firms, communication agencies specialising in fashion or to launch your own consultancy. 

The advantage of studying management and communication in a fashion environment (such as UDIT) is that you share campus, professors and projects with design students. You understand the creative language, the production dynamics and the real needs of designers. That makes you much more valuable in the job market. 

15 questions to ask on your visit 

Before you decide, visit at least three centres. Take this list with you and make notes. Then calmly compare: 

1. Has the curriculum been updated recently? When? 

2. What practical projects will I be doing in first and second year? 

3. Can I see portfolios of current students? 

4. Who are the teachers and what professional projects do they have now? 

5. How many actual workshop hours do I have per week? 

6. How does access to machines and equipment work? 

7. Is there a FabLab or experimentation lab, what equipment do you have, what software will I learn? 

8. What software am I going to learn and is it included in the tuition? 

9. How well does the computer equipment support these programmes? 

10. With which companies do you have active internship agreements now? 

11. When can I start an internship? 

12. Are scholarships available and what are their requirements? 

13. What additional costs should I expect? 

14. Do you organise events, fashion shows or exhibitions of student work? 

15. Where do graduates from recent graduating classes work? 

The time to decide 

Choosing where to study Fashion Design is one of the most important decisions you will make in the next few years - don't rush. Don't rush, take the time to research, compare and get a feel for where you can really grow. 

Apply the criteria in this guide, visit schools in person, talk to students and teachers, ask to see portfolios and workshops. And then trust your instinct. You're going to spend four years there. It has to be a place where you feel inspired, challenged and supported. 

If you're looking for a solid education, with real infrastructure, active faculty and a proven track record, UDIT's Bachelor in Fashion Design is a safe option. If you are more into strategy and communication, explore the Degree in Fashion Management and Communication. 

The fashion industry in Spain is growing. There is room for fresh talent, for new perspectives, for designers and managers who understand the current challenges: sustainability, digitalisation, new consumption models. Your education is the starting point. Choose well and build from there.