London universities lead in best fashion school rankings

Where is the best place in the world to study fashion design? It’s a question pondered endlessly by prospective students wanting to make it in the industry, and has now been potentially answered.

The Business of Fashion, a website dedicated to the creative industries, has collected data points from 24 learning institutions around the world and polled 4,000 students past and present to rank the best from the rest. It scrutinised each university’s courses for its global influence, learning experience and long-term value.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Central Saint Martins, the alma matter of Stella McCartney, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, was ranked number one for ‘Best Overall’ and ‘Most Influential’ BA programmes. Despite the London college’s overall learning experience considered to be lower than anywhere else, it triumphed in the global influence stakes, no doubt because of the number of graduates who have gone on to head up top fashion labels or launch their own brands. It was also deemed ‘Most Influential’ for the top MA programmes, followed by the capital’s Royal College of Art in second place and the London College of Fashion in fourth.

For undergraduates, London is the ultimate destination. Kingston University, University of Westminster and the London College of Fashion are in the top 10 places to study fashion at BA level, with Nottingham Trent University and University for the Creative Arts Epsom further down the list at 14 and 17 respectively.

Elsewhere for BAs, Stephens College in Columbia, US, is ranked number one for 'Best Long Term Value' and Drexel University in Philadelphia has come out top for 'Best Learning Experience'. For post-graduates looking for the leader in long-term value and learning experience, Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, US, was ranked number one for both.