Course Description
BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising explores all levels of the market from value-orientated retailers to luxury brands.
What to expect
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Students will learn the importance of developing fashion awareness and business acumen through the analysis of buying and merchandising practice in both established, and new and emerging organisations.
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Students will explore the strategic relationship between a fashion business and its customers.
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Students will learn how businesses can develop through establishing different retail formats and entering new markets.
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The course incorporates theoretical, historical and professional study.
Work experience and opportunities
Students will be given the opportunity to undertake collaborative projects with other students, simulating industry practice. Students will also gain industry relevant knowledge by working with a prestigious fashion company. National and international industry professionals are an integral part of study, with industry providing guest lectures and student projects. The opportunity to undertake an optional industry placement year between the second and final year of the course enhances the employability of students by offering valuable experience and contacts within the industry as well as earning an additional Diploma in Professional Studies qualification.
Course Content
In Stage 1 (Year 1) you are required to complete 120 credits at level 4 in order to progress to Stage 2 (Year 2):
- Introduction to Fashion Buying (20 credits)
- The Principles of Buying and Merchandising (20 credits)
- Professional Skills Portfolio (20 credits)
- Product Development (20 credits)
- Introduction to Cultural & Historical Studies (20 credits)
- Better Lives (20 credits)
In Stage 2 (Year 2) you are required to complete 120 credits at level 5 to progress to Stage 3 (Year 3):
- Research Methods for Fashion Business (20 credits)
- Cultural & Historical Studies Option (20 credits)
- Merchandise Planning and Trading (20 credits)
- Retail Concept Development and Product Management (40 credits)
- Work Experience Based Learning (20 credits)
In Stage 3 (Year 3) you are required to complete 120 credits at level 6:
- Futures and Innovation (20 credits)
- Fashion Buying and Merchandising Strategy (40 credits)
- Final Major Project (60 credits)
Students successfully completing Stage 3 will be awarded the degree BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising.
A 20-credit unit is approximately equivalent to 200 hours of learning time, which includes a mixture of taught time, independent study and assessment.
Entry Requirements
The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:
One or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications.
- A Level Passes at Grade C or above to total 96 new UCAS tariff points (preferred subjects include Maths, Economics, Business Studies, Science subjects, IT, Geography, Psychology and Languages);
- Merit in Foundation Diploma in Art and Design;
- at least Merit, Merit, Merit BTEC Extended Diploma
- Merit in UAL Extended Diploma;
- Access Diploma with at least 45 credits at Merit level or 96 tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma;
- 96 new UCAS tariff points (equivalent to 220 old UCAS tariff points) from a combination of the above qualifications or an equivalent full Level 3 qualification;
- Or equivalent EU or non-EU qualifications such as International Baccalaureate Diploma;
- and six GCSE passes at grade A*-C or grade 9-4, with a grade B or 6 for Maths.
APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning)
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
- Related academic or work experience, preferably within a fashion retail store environment or a work placement at a fashion retailer
- The quality of the personal statement
- A strong academic or other professional reference
- OR a combination of these factors
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
English Language Requirements
IELTS level 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Assessment Methods
The following teaching and learning methods are employed to support the integrated aims of the course outcomes:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- eLearning
- Critiques
- Group presentations
- Studio-based workshops
- Open access facilities
- Demonstrations
- Self-directed study
- Collaborative working
Additional Information
Autumn term:
Monday 14 September - Friday 4 December 2020
Spring term:
Monday 4 January - Friday 12 March 2021
Summer term:
Monday 12 April - Friday 18 June 2021
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