International Fashion Business, MA

This course will provide you with an understanding of the international fashion industry. Whether you have a design or a business background, this course has been designed for people who want to work in the fashion industry as a manager or entrepreneur.

This is a thorough, challenging and intensive course designed to cover the creative managerial and commercial aspects of the industry. It will equip you with a complete insight to all aspects of the global fashion business.

This course is ideal if you have some knowledge of the industry, from either a creative or business background, but wish to broaden your understanding and build your skill set. The course will examine the practical, theoretical, strategic and creative aspects of the subject area.

The wide range of international fashion industry links in the School of Art & Design, ensures that this course is offered in a truly international context.

Scholarships

The School of Art & Design is offering a number of scholarships for full-time Masters study. To find out more visit our Postgraduate Scholarships webpage.

Term dates

This course runs for a complete calendar year. For more details take a look at our Art and Design postgraduate term dates.

Any questions?

Contact our postgraduate team by email or telephone +44 (0)115 848 8434.

Modules

• Fashion Means Business or International Fashion Management
• Understanding the International Fashion Industry
• Application of Knowledge to the Fashion Industry

These modules cover:

• product development and design
• sourcing and supply chain management
• ethics and sustainability
• buying and merchandising
• logistics
• retailing
• branding and marketing
• global strategy and business planning
• finance
• consumer culture
• consumer and organisational behaviour.

How you study

You will be taught through lectures, seminars, group discussions, workshops and individual tutorials. You'll apply your learning and work experience to real industry situations through case studies and practical workshops.

Study trips are mandatory. Recent trips have included design, manufacturing and retail businesses and European trips to gather primary research and experience the international perspective of the industry.

Assessment

Assessment for this course includes:

• an evaluation report
• short and long business reports
• presentations
• a team business project
• an industry focused dissertation or major piece of research.

Learning opportunities

During term one you can choose to undertake a project in association with an established fashion industry organisation.

This study route will enable you to attend the scheduled timetable, and to work on placement for two days a week. If you wish to take this route, you'll need to source and negotiate a placement.

Study trips are an essential part of the course, to local design, manufacturing and retail business, and international destinations. Recent examples include:

• the Yohji Yamamoto exhibition at the V&A museum in London
• a London study visit with a focus on luxury brands and flagship stores
• a visit to Copenhagen, Denmark to study international branding and design culture in Scandinavia; and
• a trip to the Derbyshire headquarters of prestigious international knitwear design and manufacturing company, John Smedley Ltd.