Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising course explores how products are planned, sourced, and sold, combining creativity with commercial strategy to influence what people wear and how they shop. Students gain a clear understanding of the role of the buyer and merchandiser, learning how they work together to identify trends, build ranges, and respond to customer demand in fast-moving global markets.

Course Information

• The course is part of the Manchester Fashion Institute at Manchester Met.
• It is a three-year full-time course, with an optional placement year.
• The course covers the full supply chain, including sourcing, stock management, and international logistics.
• Students explore emerging technologies like blockchain, digital product passports (DPP), and AI-powered forecasting tools.

Year 1

• In the first year, students are introduced to the dynamics of both the global and local fashion landscapes.
• Core modules include:
  • Global Fashion Industry
  • Fashion Business Fundamentals - Buying and Merchandising
  • Introduction to Fashion Buying and Merchandising
  • Introduction to Product Development

Year 2

• The second year equips students with the core skills needed to enter a career in fashion buying, merchandising, or product management.
• Core modules include:
  • Career Readiness
  • Fashion X
  • International Buying and Merchandising Management
  • Sustainable Product Innovation

Year 3

• The third year offers a placement year option.
• Where a placement is not undertaken, students study the following final year units:
  • Buying and Merchandising Leadership
  • Sustainability Project
  • Option modules:
    • Fashion Consultancy Project
    • Fashion Research Project
    • Fashion Enterprise Project

Study and Assessment

• The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and independent study.
• Assessment is 100% coursework.

Placements

• The course offers an optional sandwich year route that gives students the opportunity to apply for an industry placement between their second and final year.
• Placements are available both in the UK and internationally.

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: 104-112 UCAS tariff points.
• IELTS score: 6.0 overall with no individual element below 5.5.
• UK students: Level 3 qualifications, such as GCE A levels or equivalent.
• International students: IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised.

Careers Support and Prospects

• The course has a strong reputation for producing industry-ready professionals and highly capable fashion business experts.
• Successful graduates have taken up roles within fashion trading retail head offices and importers.
• Previous graduates have gone on to work for companies such as River Island, Next, Ralph Lauren, Topshop, Abercrombie and Fitch, Reebok, ASOS, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, boohoo, and many more.