The Shanghai International College Of Fashion and Innovation (SCF), a premier international college of fashion established in 2014 in partnership between Donghua University and the University of Edinburgh, stands as a beacon of global fashion education in Shanghai. Officially approved by the Ministry of Education, SCF offers a unique Sino-foreign cooperative learning environment, delivering internationally recognized diploma programs. Since its inception, SCF has rapidly grown, welcoming students from across the globe into its innovative Fashion Innovation and Fashion Interior undergraduate programs, situated on Donghua University’s West Yan’an Road Campus.
SCF distinguishes itself by fostering collaborations with leading institutions in global fashion capitals, seamlessly blending local insights with international perspectives, and balancing rigorous theoretical frameworks with practical application. This international college of fashion is dedicated to pioneering new models in Sino-foreign educational partnerships, adopting a world-class educational system, attracting top-tier international educators, and developing cutting-edge fashion disciplines to cultivate globally competitive fashion creatives.
World-Class Fashion Education and Unique Characteristics
SCF’s mission as an international college of fashion is to establish a world-leading Sino-foreign educational institution focused on fashion innovation, design, and management. Through strategic international academic and educational alliances, SCF aims to pioneer innovative models for global collaboration in fashion education. The college is committed to developing highly skilled, internationally-minded professionals who are crucial for the flourishing fashion industries in Shanghai, China, and worldwide, providing significant intellectual and practical contributions to the sector.
- Strong Alliance with Leading Institutions:
Donghua University, a distinguished institution recognized within China’s “Double First-Class” initiative, provides a robust academic foundation. It boasts the most comprehensive textile and clothing discipline group in China, with design recognized as a first-class doctoral program. Partnering with the University of Edinburgh, ranked 20th globally in the 2020 QS World University Rankings, SCF leverages the strengths of both institutions. The University of Edinburgh, a multidisciplinary leader, and its Edinburgh College of Art, renowned for innovation and research and consistently ranked among the UK’s best for art and design, bring centuries of academic excellence and a legacy of nurturing influential figures, including Nobel laureates and British Prime Ministers. This collaboration positions SCF as a truly international college of fashion.
- High-Quality International Education System:
As a leading international college of fashion, SCF leverages collaborations with top overseas institutions to deliver a world-class education. The faculty comprises international educators from the University of Edinburgh, experienced Donghua University professors, and globally recruited experts, ensuring a diverse and enriching learning environment. This synergistic approach to teaching and research attracts outstanding international fashion talent and strengthens the college’s commitment to first-class discipline development. The curriculum mirrors that of Edinburgh University’s fashion programs, with core courses taught in English, utilizing international educational resources. Guided by leading international professional standards, SCF cultivates high-caliber fashion design talents with a global perspective.
- Innovative Integration of Local and Global Perspectives:
SCF champions the integration of local Chinese fashion insights with international trends, creating a unique educational experience. Donghua University’s extensive network, including collaborations with 31 renowned fashion and art colleges across 12 countries and regions, including the world’s fashion capitals, provides a platform for global engagement. SCF actively recruits international students, fostering a diverse student body. Furthermore, the strong partnerships between Donghua University, the University of Edinburgh, and numerous well-known organizations and enterprises in the fashion creative industry worldwide offer students unparalleled career opportunities upon graduation from this international college of fashion.
- Emphasis on Theory and Practical Application:
At this international college of fashion, learning is deeply rooted in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. SCF’s pedagogy emphasizes the seamless integration of theory and practice throughout its curriculum. The college prioritizes design development and expression, incorporating varied methods to bridge theory and practice, including international design competitions and collaborative projects with international businesses. Students are actively encouraged to participate in studio research projects, taking designs from concept to creation, thus gaining substantial practical experience. This approach culminates in a graduation design showcase, allowing students to synthesize their accumulated knowledge and skills, providing a robust foundation for their professional capabilities, entrepreneurial spirit, and readiness for the fashion industry.
- Prestigious Academic Degrees:
Graduates from this esteemed international college of fashion who successfully complete their studies and pass examinations receive a bachelor’s degree in their chosen major and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Donghua University, both recognized by China’s Ministry of Education. In addition, an exclusive opportunity allows up to 10 students annually to study at the University of Edinburgh in their third and fourth years. Students meeting the degree requirements of both SCF and the University of Edinburgh will also earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh, enhancing their global academic credentials.
Departments and Programs at this International College of Fashion
1) Fashion Innovation
The Fashion Innovation program at this international college of fashion is designed to merge the best fashion education resources of China and the UK, focusing on the fashion industry’s evolving landscape and emphasizing creative and independent innovation. The program aims to develop high-caliber professionals with expertise in garment creative design, a deep understanding of fashion culture and social sciences, ready for design R&D and brand management roles in the global fashion industry. Students gain familiarity with international brand operation standards and innovation systems, develop international fashion perspectives and unique design styles, and are equipped to meet the dynamic demands of the fashion industry.
Students in this program master fundamental design theories and fashion creative design techniques, learn the operational dynamics of the global fashion industry, and stay updated on emerging trends in international fashion design. They develop strong skills in clothing culture, design, structure, and technology. Graduates are adept at analyzing fashion markets with innovative approaches, possess refined fashion aesthetics, master comprehensive creative design skills for fashion collections, and are proficient in English for professional communication.
2) Fashion Interior Design
The Fashion Interior Design program at this leading international college of fashion is structured to cultivate expertise in fashion interior design, creative fashion culture, and social science knowledge. Students learn international fashion design business practices, develop an international fashion interior design ethos, and are prepared to meet the fast-paced demands of the fashion industry. Graduates are equipped for interior design, visual marketing, and space planning roles within the international fashion sector.
Students acquire core design theories and fashion interior design standards, understand project management in international fashion interior design, and are familiar with the latest trends in commercial space design for global fashion brands. They build solid skills in fashion culture, interior design, and display design, enabling them to analyze fashion commercial spaces with innovative thinking. Graduates exhibit high fashion aesthetic standards and comprehensive creative design abilities for fashion brand interior spaces, and are fluent in English for professional and daily communication.
Undergraduate Degree Programs at this International College of Fashion
1) Fashion and Accessory Design (Fashion Innovation) (Sino-UK Collaboration)
MAIN CURRICULUM: The curriculum at this international college of fashion integrates core elements from both Donghua University and Edinburgh University’s fashion innovation programs, focusing on clothing technology, fashion sketching, design software, fashion painting, pattern making, fabric design, modernism, clothing history, human anatomy, computer-aided design, creative pattern making, womenswear, menswear, knitwear design, fashion brand strategy, trend analysis, and product analysis.
PRACTICAL COURSES: Practical training is central, including professional research, portfolio development, collection creation, and graduation showcases. The international college of fashion integrates international school-enterprise projects, studio research, and material production to provide rich practical experience.
SPECIALTY: Over one-third of courses are taught by faculty from Edinburgh University’s School of Art, ensuring students are exposed to the latest international academic and fashion trends. The program emphasizes practical ability and teamwork through project-based learning, mirroring the University of Edinburgh’s approach. Studio environments foster hands-on skill development. The dynamic curriculum challenges students to innovate in personal collections, fabrics, and garment details, pushing creative boundaries beyond industry norms. The program’s forward-thinking approach ensures graduates are well-versed in the modern clothing lifecycle. An international student association promotes self-management and peer support.
GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT: Graduates pursue diverse career paths within Chinese and international fashion brands, luxury sector, design studios, and fashion media. Roles include fashion design, fabric design, pattern design, fashion editing, and brand management. Entrepreneurship is encouraged. The 2019 graduate employment rate was 100%, with 73.33% pursuing further education, highlighting the success of this international college of fashion.
2) Environment Design (Fashion Interior Design) (Sino-UK Collaboration)
MAIN CURRICULUM: The curriculum at this international college of fashion builds upon programs at Donghua University and the University of Edinburgh, covering architectural perspective, design software, solid modeling, sketching, color theory, computer-aided interior design, environmental graphics, runway design, retail design, spatial design, hospitality design, residential design, materials technology, flagship store design, dining space design, furniture design, and lighting design.
PRACTICAL COURSES: Hands-on learning is emphasized through professional research, design practice, portfolio development, graduate research, thesis writing, and graduation design studios. The international college of fashion utilizes international school-enterprise collaborations and studio projects to enhance practical skills and material production experience.
SPECIALTY: This program benefits from a strong Sino-UK partnership and international faculty, integrating local and global perspectives with a focus on both theory and practice. Project-based learning, inspired by the University of Edinburgh, emphasizes practical teamwork and skill development. A significant portion of courses are taught by UK faculty, keeping students abreast of international trends. Studio facilities support hands-on learning. The curriculum encourages material exploration and spatial reconstruction, with cross-disciplinary collaboration with fashion design programs to deepen understanding of design and spatial construction. An international student association supports student development.
GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT: Graduates find careers in international fashion brands in visual merchandising and store design, architectural design firms, interior design companies, and fashion media. Roles include window display design, store planning, interior design, and fashion journalism. The 2019 class achieved a 100% employment rate, with 63.16% pursuing advanced studies, demonstrating the career readiness fostered by this international college of fashion.
Contact Us
Address: No.1882, West Yan’an Road, Changning District, Shanghai, 200051
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel：021-62378850
Fax：021-62378850
Websites
College Website: http://scf.dhu.edu.cn
Admissions: https://scf.dhu.edu.cn/17443/list.htm
Research: https://scf.dhu.edu.cn/xsyj/list.htm
