Fashion design program in London and Milan: how the NABA and UAL joint course works

For those who want to build a career in fashion design grounded in two distinct creative hubs, few combinations rival London and Milan in the same curriculum. The NABA-UAL joint program brings together, over 5 consecutive weeks, the research and foundations approach of Central Saint Martins and the practical application in collection design at NABA's Milan campus.

The 2026 edition has closed applications. This article serves as a guide for those planning to apply for the next edition and want to understand the structure, criteria, and pedagogical progression of the program before speaking with a senior consultant.

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What is the NABA-UAL joint program: Fashion Design?

The Joint Summer Course NABA-UAL: Fashion Design is an intensive 5-week program for adult students aged 18 or older. According to the official NABA brochure, the structure is divided into two consecutive blocks with different pedagogical focuses in each city:

• Phase 1 (3 weeks): Central Saint Martins, London: focus on research and 2D design
• Phase 2 (2 weeks): NABA Campus, Milan: focus on creating a capsule collection guided by professors from both academies

Classes are taught entirely in English. Upon completing the program, the student receives 3 CFA credits transferable to their home institution, subject to approval (1 CFA equals 1 ECTS, according to the NABA system).

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Why does the London-Milan sequence matter pedagogically?

The order of the cities is not logistical. It is methodological.

London concentrates the research stage. In the Central Saint Martins environment, the student develops visual references, explores 2D design, and builds the conceptual repertoire they will use in Milan. UAL, of which Central Saint Martins is a part, is recognized as one of the world's largest arts universities. Among Central Saint Martins alumni in fashion design are Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Stella McCartney, names cited in the official NABA brochure as context for the academic environment.

Milan enters as the application stage. With the foundation built in London, the student arrives at the NABA campus prepared to develop the collection project. NABA ranks as one of Italy's leading art academies. NABA's own institutional material describes it as "one of the top 100 worldwide in Art and Design."

The result is a curriculum with deliberate progression: concept before execution, research before project.

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What is the ideal profile for this program?

The program has a clear entry requirement: minimum age of 18, with no exceptions for the joint course, as stated in the official NABA brochure.

The audience best aligned with the format includes:

• University students in design, fashion, visual arts, or related fields seeking practical international immersion
• Recent graduates who want to expand their portfolio with a project developed in two of Europe's main creative centers
• Early-career professionals in design or fashion who want to update their repertoire and market references

English fluency is a functional requirement: all classes, guidance, and deliverables are in English.

Be Easy's vocational career exchange for young adults covers this type of program, from application assessment to arrival support in both cities.

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What does the 5-week structure look like in practice?

The dates for the 2026 edition were, according to the official NABA brochure:

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The program is offered as a single annual session, with no repetition at other times of the year.

The schedule includes academic instruction combined with visits to companies, museums, and production facilities in both cities.

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When should you apply for the next edition?

The deadline for the 2026 edition was May 11, according to the official NABA brochure. The program operates with a single annual session, which means applications for the next edition follow the European summer calendar.

The 2026 edition timeline indicates that applications should be submitted several months before the program starts. Those planning to participate in 2027 should begin planning in the first quarter of the following year. Ideally, visa requirements and accommodation logistics should be mapped even earlier, given that the program involves two consecutive countries.

Be Easy's vocational career program supports this planning from the application phase through arrival in the cities.

Those who have already explored other facets of the Italian creative world may find useful context in the overview of fashion exchange programs in Milan and the creative tracks of the design summer camp in Milan 2026.

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Frequently asked questions about the fashion design program in London and Milan

What is the actual duration of the NABA-UAL: Fashion Design program?

‍5 weeks in total, according to the official NABA brochure: 3 weeks in London (Central Saint Martins) and 2 weeks in Milan (NABA campus). The program does not repeat on other dates in the same year.

What is the minimum age to participate in the joint program?

‍18 years old, with no exceptions, as per the requirements of the official NABA brochure for the Joint Summer Course NABA-UAL: Fashion Design.

Does the course offer transferable academic credits?

‍Yes. Upon completing the program, NABA can issue 3 CFA credits (1 CFA = 1 ECTS), transferable to the home institution subject to approval.

Do I need to speak English to participate?

‍Yes. All classes are taught in English, and fluency is a functional requirement of the program. Upper-intermediate level is expected to follow academic instructions and project deliverables.

How should I plan my application for the next edition?

‍The program has a single annual session with a May deadline. For future editions, planning should begin in the first quarter of the year, considering visas, accommodation in two countries, and academic documentation. A senior consultant can map out the complete timeline.

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Be Easy: Boutique study abroad consultancy

Be Easy supports adult students who want to build a career in design and fashion abroad, with support covering everything from profile assessment to logistics in the destination cities. If the NABA-UAL program is on your horizon for the next edition, we have the curation and calendar knowledge to ensure you arrive prepared. To speak with a dedicated senior consultant and start planning, get in touch with us.