Buying & Merchandising for Fashion (Accelerated Degree)

This degree will build your understanding of the global fashion market and teach you the essential skills, techniques and knowledge in buying and merchandising. You’ll also discover the impact of trend analysis, consumer profiling and consumer behaviour, and how to plan and trade a fashion season from concept to consumer. Through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and projects, you’ll develop the essential buying and merchandising skills required to succeed in the fashion industry.

You will:

• Understand essential merchandising and buying concepts and how these two areas of industry collaborate to create innovative and successful range plans

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

• Study the cultural, social and economic behaviours that drive consumer spending and influences range planning and buying and merchandising decisions

• Explore the principles of supply chain management and how to plan and trade a fashion season from start to finish

• Develop an understanding of the interactions between buyers, merchandisers and the global fashion retail industry, as well as essential professional skills including effective communication and presentation skills

• Examine the rise of technology, sustainability and corporate social responsibility and how these affect the industry at all levels

• Learn essential data analysis skills to support an evidence-based approach to decision-making that will allow you to make more effective decisions

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

• Complete a self-directed Personal Professional Project that allows you to demonstrate your skills and knowledge, and contextualise these in alignment with your career goals

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 successful start to your career in fashion buying and merchandising. 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

The first year of study will introduce you to the fundamentals of buying and merchandising roles. You’ll also develop your understanding of the supply chain function and its impact of business success, as well as explore sustainability, ethical practice and customer service.

Modules:

• Fundamentals of Buying & Merchandising – 40 Credits
• Supply Chain, ESG & Sustainability – 40 Credits
• Advanced Buying & Merchandising – 40 Credits
• Study & Research Skills – 20 Credits
• The Fashion Industry – 20 Credits
• Consumer & Data Insights – 20 Credits

Year Two

In your second year, you’ll develop your knowledge and skills in product innovation and range planning, utilise emerging technologies for 3D and range planning, and explore the global influences on product planning. You’ll undertake an individualised project that allows you to showcase your professional knowledge and skills.

Modules:

• Product Innovation & Range Planning – 40 Credits
• Personal Professional Project – 40 Credits
• Live Project & Industry Experience: Trading – 40 Credits
• Consumer Behaviour – 20 Credits
• Global Markets – 20 Credits
• Entrepreneurial Practice – 20 Credits

Course structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes.

Our courses are assessed via 100% coursework. The assessment tools include, but aren’t limited to, professionally relevant projects, essays and presentations.