Frequently-Asked Questions

Why Should I Study Textile and Fashion Design?

The textile and fashion design industry is characterized by speed, continuous change, and constant research. At the same time, clothing is an essential necessity in modern societies. As a result, the ongoing need for innovation in such an indispensable field creates a demand for creative minds and skilled professionals capable of driving change. Fashion and textile designers play a vital role in meeting this demand.

As one of today's leading and continuously expanding industries, the fashion and textile sector requires creative, visionary, aesthetically minded, and technically competent designers to sustain its high production capacity, meet consumers' expectations for innovation, and adapt to an ever-changing market. Consequently, graduates of Textile and Fashion Design programs enjoy strong employment opportunities and a smooth transition into professional life. Moreover, the diversity of career paths within the industry—including fashion illustration, pattern making, styling, fashion editing, visual merchandising, textile and surface pattern design, and many others—provides graduates with a wide range of professional opportunities.

Unlike many professions, textile and fashion design is a dynamic field driven by creativity and imagination rather than routine. Throughout their careers, designers continuously explore new perspectives, cultures, techniques, materials, and technologies to develop innovative design solutions.

What Distinguishes Your Department from Other Textile and Fashion Design Programs?

Established in 2007, the Department of Textile and Fashion Design has continuously evolved by responding to the expectations and needs of the industry, academia, and our students. Our primary objective has always been to provide an educational environment that equips our graduates with the knowledge, skills, and competencies sought by the fashion and textile industry.

Our comprehensive undergraduate curriculum combines compulsory courses with a wide range of electives that support students' professional, social, and personal development. Recognizing the importance of a well-equipped learning environment, our faculty provides professionally designed studios, workshops, and laboratories that meet the technical requirements of textile and fashion education.

Believing that close collaboration between academia and industry is essential for high-quality education, we actively cooperate with leading professionals through courses, workshops, seminars, and guest lectures. This approach enables our students to establish valuable industry connections before graduation while keeping pace with current sector developments.

In addition, our Cooperative Education Program offers students the opportunity to complete long-term internships with leading fashion brands and designers, significantly enhancing their professional experience and increasing their employability before graduation. We also provide educational opportunities that foster creativity, vision, versatility, and professional growth, enabling our students to develop as well-rounded designers.

Furthermore, through our Erasmus+ agreements with partner universities in countries such as Italy, Spain, Austria, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, our students have the opportunity to study abroad and gain valuable international experience.

Our department is also distinguished by its commitment to quality assurance in higher education. Following a comprehensive evaluation process conducted by TAPLAK – the Accreditation Board for Fashion Design, Textile Design, and Textile and Fashion Design (MOTETAK), our undergraduate program became the first accredited Textile and Fashion Design bachelor's program in Türkiye. By the decision of MOTETAK dated 19 February 2025, our program was awarded five-year accreditation, valid from 19 February 2025 to 19 February 2030. This achievement certifies that our curriculum, academic staff, physical infrastructure, and quality assurance system fully comply with national accreditation standards and reflects our commitment to providing students with a high-quality educational experience based on continuous improvement.

What is the Cooperative Education Program?

The Cooperative Education Program is a collaborative educational model that enables students to gain valuable industry experience while they are still pursuing their undergraduate studies. By integrating academic education with professional practice, the program aims to educate graduates who possess both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Originating in the United States and later adopted worldwide, this educational model is now widely implemented in various forms across Europe, the Far East, and many other regions.

The primary objective of the Cooperative Education Program is to bridge higher education and the professional world. By combining classroom-based theoretical instruction with workplace experience, the program prepares graduates who are well equipped in both academic knowledge and practical skills. Students who fulfill the program requirements have the opportunity to work in partner companies for approximately 6.5–7 months, beginning at the end of their third year of study.

What Are the Physical Facilities of Your Department Like?

Our department offers modern physical facilities designed to support uninterrupted, industry-oriented education in textile and fashion design. In addition to the technical equipment required for production processes, our workshops are supplied with consumable materials that are readily available for student use.

The department features two textile and fashion design studios, one multifunctional workshop, design studios and pattern design studios for drawing and design courses, as well as computer laboratories equipped for computer-aided design (CAD) and digital illustration courses. These facilities provide students with a comprehensive learning environment that supports both creative development and technical proficiency.

How Is Foreign Language Education Provided in Your Department?

Although the language of instruction in our department is Turkish, the curriculum includes a compulsory Basic English course spanning six semesters, designed to improve students' English language proficiency while supporting their academic and personal development. In addition, students who wish to broaden their linguistic and cultural competencies may choose from elective second-language courses, including Russian, French, German, Spanish, and Chinese.

What Is the Composition of Your Academic Staff?

As of 2026, our department consists of 11 academic staff members, including six full-time and five part-time faculty members.

What Is the Student-to-Faculty Ratio? Why Is It Important?

As of 2026, our department has six full-time faculty members. Based on our current student enrollment and admission quota, the student-to-faculty ratio is approximately 12:1.

This favorable ratio enables our faculty members to maintain close, one-on-one interaction with students throughout their education, providing individualized academic guidance and mentoring. As a result, it significantly supports our student-centered educational philosophy and contributes to a more effective learning experience.

What Are Your Scholarship Opportunities and Admission Quotas?

For the 2026–2027 academic year, our department will admit a total of 32 undergraduate students: 16 students through the national university entrance placement system and 16 international students through the international student admission quota.

Among the students admitted through the national placement system, 14 students will receive 100% scholarships, while 2 students will be awarded 50% scholarships.

What Internship Opportunities Does Your Department Offer?

To graduate from the Department of Textile and Fashion Design, students are required to successfully complete three compulsory internships:

• Internship I: A 10-working-day internship carried out in the department's workshops at the end of the first year.
• Internship II: A 20-working-day internship completed in ready-to-wear manufacturing companies at the end of the second year.
• Internship III: A 20-working-day internship undertaken in design studios at the end of the third year.

Throughout the internship process, students are supervised and guided by the department's internship coordinator to ensure that the required learning outcomes are achieved.

What Career Opportunities Are Available for Your Graduates?

Graduates of the Department of Textile and Fashion Design at Atılım University pursue successful careers both nationally and internationally. They are qualified to work in a wide range of professional roles, including:

• Textile and Fashion Designer
• Visual Merchandising and Store Display Specialist
• Fashion Research and Development Specialist
• Fashion Editor and Fashion Critic
• Style Consultant
• Accessory and Costume Designer
• Fashion Illustrator
• Pattern Maker (Modelist)

In addition to careers in the industry, graduates may also pursue postgraduate studies and an academic career, contributing to the education and development of future generations of designers.

How Do You Stay Connected with Your Graduates?

We place great importance on maintaining strong relationships with our graduates. Communication continues both through the Atılım University Alumni Association and through direct contact with our department.

We closely follow our graduates' career development while sharing employment opportunities received from our industry partners to support their professional advancement. In addition, we organize various events that bring together current students and alumni, fostering professional networking, mentorship, and a strong sense of community.

Do You Have Graduates Working Abroad?

Yes. Our graduates are employed both internationally and in Turkey-based companies with international operations, reflecting the global relevance and competitiveness of the education they receive at Atılım University.