Program Overview

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Fashion Business Management with Professional Experience BA Honours

Overview

Our Fashion Business Management with Professional Experience BA is designed to create future leaders in the fashion, business, and retail industries. In our course, you will explore the roles and interrelationships between buying, merchandising, supply chain, and marketing.

Using a combination of academic theory, creative skills, industry knowledge, and direct business experience, our course is designed to develop your interpersonal, creative, commercial, and technical skills while giving you an authentic grounding in strategic business management. We aim to provide the expertise and knowledge to help you progress quickly upon graduation to employment in the retail and fashion industries, gaining a breadth of cross-disciplinary skills.

Our four-year course includes a full-year industry placement and the opportunity to study abroad for one semester. You'll have the option to choose to develop your global business and cultural awareness by combining your year of placement with an international exchange programme, with one of our academic partners in America, Australia, Canada, or Hong Kong.

The focus of our course is to reflect the nature of the diverse fashion and retail industries using inclusive teaching methods and a globally relevant curriculum.

We put a strong emphasis on real-world experience, and you'll benefit from an extensive and high-calibre programme of guest speakers, industry-driven projects, and a tutor team with considerable industry experience. You'll also benefit from all of the resources that London has to offer, including retailers, suppliers, and museums, as well as key shows, lectures, and events, which you'll be encouraged to attend.

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• Experience London – Our vibrant Harrow Campus is just a 20-minute train ride into London
• Get ahead before graduating – A year of business placement will provide you with practical commercial experience
• Industry-experienced tutors – You'll be taught by tutors who have real-world experience of the retail and fashion industries
• Get global experience – Our four-year course includes the opportunity to study abroad for one semester
• Excellent course reputation – The University of Westminster's fashion courses have an excellent reputation within the industry
• Westminster is ranked 2nd in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2023 for ‘Research Quality’ in Art and Design

Course Structure

This is a modular course with interactive sessions covering the academic, practical, and applied elements of fashion business management.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Placement year
• Year 3

Subjects of study include:

• Fashion Fundamentals
• Fashion Marketing
• Fashion Product Development
• Fashion Trends and Consumer Culture
• Introduction to the Fashion Industry
• London Fashion
• Preparing for Employment
• The Roles and Processes of Buyers and Merchandisers

Credit Level 4

Subjects of study include:

• Employability and Professional Practice
• Digital Strategies in the Fashion Industry
• Fashion Promotion
• Range Design and Concept Development
• Range Planning and Trading for Buyers and Merchandisers
• Supply Chain
• Textiles and Product Development
• Visual Merchandising for Fashion

Credit Level 5

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll undertake a professional placement year in industry. The business placement is an integral part of the course, which will give you essential practical experience and will increase your knowledge and understanding of the business environment. It is a critical factor in ensuring subsequent graduate career progression. Completing a year-long work placement will lead to the award title BA Honours – Fashion Business Management with Professional Experience.

Find out more about the costs involved in taking a placement year.

Subjects of study include:

• Consumer Behaviour
• Fashion Business Simulation Game
• Fashion Entrepreneurship
• Future Trends and Insight
• International Buying and Merchandising Negotiation
• Major Project
• Marketing and Luxury Brand Development
• Research Methods
• Sustainable Fashion
• The Changing Business of Fashion

Credit Level 6

Year 1

Subjects of study include:

• Fashion Fundamentals
• Fashion Marketing
• Fashion Product Development
• Fashion Trends and Consumer Culture
• Introduction to the Fashion Industry
• London Fashion
• Preparing for Employment
• The Roles and Processes of Buyers and Merchandisers

Credit Level 4

Year 2

Subjects of study include:

• Employability and Professional Practice
• Digital Strategies in the Fashion Industry
• Fashion Promotion
• Range Design and Concept Development
• Range Planning and Trading for Buyers and Merchandisers
• Supply Chain
• Textiles and Product Development
• Visual Merchandising for Fashion

Credit Level 5

Placement Year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll undertake a professional placement year in industry. The business placement is an integral part of the course, which will give you essential practical experience and will increase your knowledge and understanding of the business environment. It is a critical factor in ensuring subsequent graduate career progression. Completing a year-long work placement will lead to the award title BA Honours – Fashion Business Management with Professional Experience.

Find out more about the costs involved in taking a placement year.

Year 3

Subjects of study include:

• Consumer Behaviour
• Fashion Business Simulation Game
• Fashion Entrepreneurship
• Future Trends and Insight
• International Buying and Merchandising Negotiation
• Major Project
• Marketing and Luxury Brand Development
• Research Methods
• Sustainable Fashion
• The Changing Business of Fashion

Credit Level 6

Programme Specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching, and assessment, download the programme specification (PDF).

Careers

Career development is embedded in our course. Students can work part-time, on placements, and enjoy work-related learning across all three years of study.

With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

Support through Placements

You’ll be given substantial support both in securing your placement and during your placement year.

95-100%

Graduate Employment

Fashion Business Management with Professional Experience BA combines two previous courses: 100% of our Fashion Merchandise Management BA students are in work and/or further study six months after graduation, as are 95% of our Fashion Buying Management BA students.

(Source: Discover Uni - site accessed in January 2020)

Strong Industry Links

We have long-standing relationships with many excellent retailers who recruit both placement students and graduates every year.

Industry Links

We have long-standing relationships with many excellent retailers who recruit both placement students and graduates every year, and you’ll be given substantial support both in securing your placement and during your placement year.

Work Experience

Our course includes a full-year industry placement and the opportunity to study abroad for one semester.

Destinations for students on our two previous courses (Fashion Merchandising Management BA and Fashion Buying Management BA) included:

• ASOS
• Boden
• Charles Tyrwhitt
• H&M Stockholm
• Karl Lagerfeld Amsterdam
• L'Oreal
• LVMH
• Michael Kors China
• Monsoon
• Net a Porter
• Ralph Lauren
• Selfridges
• Uniqlo
• Urban Outfitters

In Year 1, students are supported and encouraged to take part-time work or short-term work experience across all the sectors and roles within the fashion or related industries.

Job Roles

This course will prepare you for roles such as buyers and merchandisers for the fashion, business, and retail industries.

Roles held by graduates of our two previous courses (Fashion Merchandising Management BA and Fashion Buying Management BA) include:

• Assistant Events Manager
• Assistant Merchandiser
• Buying Administration Assistant
• Buying Assistant
• Brand Partnerships Assistant
• Business Development Coordinator
• Concept Designer
• Creative Director
• Digital Marketing Executive
• E-Commerce Manager
• Junior Demand Planner
• Merchandising Planner
• Product Buyer and Developer
• Web Merchandiser
• Wholesale Inventory Coordinator

Graduate Employers

Our graduates are sought as professionals working in a number of related disciplines and fields, manufacturing, supply chain management, wholesaling, marketing, and promotion, and some are working as entrepreneurs in the fashion and retail fields.

As well as setting up their own businesses, graduates from our two previous courses (Fashion Merchandising Management BA and Fashion Buying Management BA) have found employment at organisations including:

• ASOS
• BrandAlley
• British Fashion Council
• Burberry
• Fortnum & Mason
• Harrods
• House of Fraser
• Louis Vuitton
• M&S
• Matchesfashion
• Mulberry England
• New Look
• Nike
• Ralph Lauren
• River Island
• Selfridges
• Uniqlo
• Whistles

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for – so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

• Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
• Attending an international summer school or field trip
• Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Course Leader

Caroline Curtis

With over 25 years’ experience in the retail industry, Caroline’s early career was as a trainee at Harrods and then a fashion department manager at Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser. A move into fashion merchandising with the Arcadia Group and Richards gave her experience at all levels from Allocator through to Senior Merchandiser and Planning Controller. A move to Warner Bros Studio Stores gave the experience of a UK start-up operation and there, as Trading Director, responsibility for buying, merchandising, and store operations.

In addition to her work at the University of Westminster, Caroline acts as a consultant to the retail industry specialising in merchandising. In this role, Caroline has worked for companies including Paperchase, Krisp Fashions, and NY-Lon Design. Caroline has been at the University of Westminster for more than ten years and lectures in buying, merchandising, retail, and innovation at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Course Team

Our course team is also supported by visiting lecturers and guest speakers all with particular industry experience and skillsets.

• Caroline Curtis - Assistant Head of School
• Sally Heale - Senior Lecturer
• Nicola Mansfield - Senior Lecturer
• Helen Armour - Principal Lecturer

Why Study This Course?

• Access to London – Benefit from the retailers, suppliers, shows, and events on offer in London, which is just a 20-minute train ride from our vibrant Harrow Campus.
• Get ahead before graduating – The year-long industry placement built into our course will provide you with valuable practical commercial experience.
• Global opportunities – You have the option to combine your year of industry placement with the opportunity to study abroad.

Entry Requirements

UK

• A levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
• T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
• International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
• BTEC Diploma – D*D
• Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

• GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C - IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

International

• International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score.
• Other international qualifications – We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on country-specific entry requirements
• International Foundation courses – We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide the International Foundation Certificate at their College based in Liverpool Street. These courses are for students who don’t meet our direct entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out more about the different university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.

Fees and Funding

UK

• UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)

Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.

Fees are subject to UK Government Parliamentary procedure.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

International

• International tuition fee: £17,600 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase International tuition fees.

Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How You'll Be Taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

• Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
• Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
• Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

Year

Year 1

27% Scheduled hours 73% Independent study 0% Placement

Year 2

25% Scheduled hours 75% Independent study 0% Placement

Year P

1% Scheduled hours 2% Independent study 97% Placement

Year 3

22% Scheduled hours 78% Independent study 0% Placement

Scheduled hours Independent study Placement

How You'll Be Assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

• Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
• Written exams: end of semester exams
• Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Year

Year 1

0% Written exams 24% Practical 76% Coursework

Year 2

2% Written exams 24% Practical 74% Coursework

Year P

0% Written exams 30% Practical 70% Coursework

Year 3

0% Written exams 37% Practical 63% Coursework

Written exams Practical Coursework

Data from the academic year 2024/25

Supporting You

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support, and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits, and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events, and more

Visit our student hub

Course Location

Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media, and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the Westminster Enterprise Network.

Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.

For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.

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