Sustainability In Fashion (Accelerated Degree)

Making sure that fashion’s future is sustainable and ethical has never been more important. Our BA (Hons) Sustainability In Fashion undergraduate degree will teach you the essential skills and knowledge you need to make a difference in the industry and ensure that the future of fashion is sustainable. You’ll explore the social responsibility of the fashion industry in a global context, look at the role of the retail sector from an ethical perspective and examine the impact of regulations on business practices. This is course has been created in collaboration with industry to give students the most up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and projects, you’ll develop the essential technical knowledge and analytical and communication skills needed to succeed in a sustainable fashion career.

You will:

• Explore the core principles of environmental, social and governance framework and the fast-evolving ethical and legal requirements effecting the fashion industry

• Be assigned a personal industry mentor to work with throughout the course

• Explore the economics of ESG in fashion, the benefits and costs of ethical and sustainable practice

• Explore the role of technology in sustainable practice and look at how emerging technologies for production and distribution will impact ESG

• Examine fashion imagery and see how fashion storytelling relates to communication through various forms of visual media

• Work on live projects set by our brand partners and complete work placements with our industry partners

• Learn how to adopt an analytical mindset and create innovative solutions

• Complete a self-directed Personal Professional Project that allows you to demonstrate your skills and knowledge

Industry Enrichment

We work with over 140 brands at the FRA. Our courses include practical, industry-focused content taught by some of fashion’s biggest names to give you valuable skills and work experience.

Industry enrichment opportunities include:

Industry mentorship scheme: Work with your own dedicated industry mentor throughout your course. You’ll meet a minimum of once a term, and they’ll be there to support and guide you.

Work placements: You’ll have a work placement with one of our brand partners each year. In the first year of your undergraduate degree, you’ll complete a three-week work placement. In your second year, your work placement will be either 3 weeks full time or two days a week over 3 months.

Talks, masterclasses and live industry projects: Attend talks and masterclasses led by some of the top names in fashion and retail, and complete projects set by industry partners who will give you feedback and advice.

Throughout the course you’ll develop the technical, analytical and creative skills needed for a career in sustainable fashion. You’ll learn through a mix of classes and lectures, individual study, creative projects and industry enrichment that is integrated throughout the course in the form of masterclasses, live projects, mentorship schemes and work placements.

Year One

In your first year of study, you’ll look at the social responsibility of the fashion industry and the role of the retail sector from an ethical perspective. We’ll teach you a range of practical skills to underpin the theoretical knowledge, and you’ll examine if the fashion industry can be sustainable, ethical and could contribute to the global drive to net zero. You’ll discover the benefits and negatives of onshore and offshore production, how to source sustainable and ethical materials and the costs of logistics.

Modules:

• Fundamentals of Sustainability and ESG for Fashion – 40 Credits
• The Economic impact of Sustainable Practices – 40 Credits
• Product Management & Ethical Supply Chains – 40 Credits
• Study & Research Skills – 20 Credits
• The Fashion Industry – 20 Credits
• Consumer & Data Insights – 20 Credits

Year Two

In your second year of study, you’ll explore the role of technology in sustainable practice and look at how emerging technologies for production and distribution will impact ESG. Look at circular design, zero waste and demand-based manufacturing as well as the roles of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and VR (Virtual Reality) in fashion. You’ll undertake an individual project that allows you to showcase your professional knowledge and skills.

Modules:

• Technology & the Future of Sustainable Fashion – 40 Credits
• Personal Professional Project – 40 Credits
• Live Project & Industry Experience: Circularity in the Supply Chain – 40 Credits
• Consumer Behaviour – 20 Credits
• Global Markets – 20 Credits
• Entrepreneurial Practice – 20 Credits

*This course is subject to validation. Modules may change during the approvals process.

This course is assessed via 100% coursework. The assessment tools include, but aren’t limited to, professionally relevant projects, essays and presentations.