Source: Courtesy Image

Global Fashion School Rankings 2015

Bunka Gakuen University

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo-based Bunka is Japan’s highest-profile fashion school group and one of the most prestigious. Bunka Fashion College divides its teaching into four fashion programmes: creation; technology; marketing and distribution; and accessories and textiles. Dressmaking is a required class for all students, and is taught using the college’s own fashion textbook system. Courses for undergraduate and postgraduate programs (offered at Bunka Gakuen University and Bunka Gakuen Fashion University) are predominantly taught in Japanese. Nonetheless, the programmes have an international student body and approximately a quarter of students enrolled in Bunka Fashion College courses are from out of country. According to the comment of an international student in our survey, language and cultural differences can be challenging, but the school has proved accommodating and helpful. Students ranked the facilities, resources and faculty skills highly. Meanwhile, digital innovation, business, marketing and sustainability courses scored marginally above average compared to the scores of other institutions. The school’s career services are highly regarded by students. The school’s alumni include the most prominent Japanese fashion designers, which has created a global and active network of alumni.

Select Year

2nd

Undergraduate, Fashion Ranking 2015

Full-time fashion students

2,898

International students

22%

Student : Teacher ratio

18:1

12:1 including part time lecturers

Tuition: Domestic/intl

$7k/$7k

Acceptance rate

97%

Graduation Rate

80%

Courses Offered

Undergraduate:
Fashion Creation, Fashion Technology, Fashion Marketing and Distribution, Fashion Accessories and Textiles

Student & Alumni Comments

"Bunka is an incredible school with great facilities and faculty. For students Japanese proficiency is a must."

Alumni

"Not being a native Japanese speaker, the first few months were overwhelming, yet exciting. It is like riding a bicycle for the first time — Bunka Fashion College will hold the handles for you, teach you how to pedal and slowly let go. Suddenly, you're having the ride of your life, and you know you did because you learnt from the best."

Alumni

"Bunka has all the tools to learn fashion, however it concentrates more on patternmaking and sewing than conceptual design."

Alumni

"Good teachers, great pattern skills and a lot of fun. But not much free time because of the workload."

Alumni

Full Undergraduate, Fashion Ranking

The Business of Fashion's global fashion school rankings aim to provide an objective assessment of the top undergraduate and graduate fashion programmes around the world.