Fashion Buying with Merchandising BA (Hons)

Program Overview

The Fashion Buying with Merchandising BA (Hons) program at De Montfort University equips students with the knowledge and skills to enter the dynamic world of fashion retail. Through a combination of theoretical and practical learning, students gain expertise in the buying cycle, merchandising, and sustainable sourcing. The program emphasizes critical thinking, industry-relevant projects, and placements, preparing graduates for successful careers in fashion buying and merchandising.

Program Outline

Fashion Buying with Merchandising BA (Hons)

Degree Overview:

This program equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the dynamic world of fashion retail. You'll gain in-depth understanding of the buying cycle, key trading activities, reacting to sales, and managing sales promotions. Additionally, the program focuses on the numbers behind buying a fashion range, its selection process, and strategic stock management.

Objectives:

• Learn the fundamentals of fashion buying and merchandising.
• Develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Gain practical experience through industry-relevant projects and placements.
• Understand the global sourcing environment and key considerations.
• Learn about open costings, negotiation, and supplier management.
• Develop skills in Adobe Creative Suite and CAD software.
• Gain an understanding of sustainable sourcing and supply management.
• Conduct a major research project on a selected topic.

Description:

This program combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience to prepare you for a career in fashion buying and merchandising. You'll learn from industry professionals and gain experience through projects, case studies, and a possible placement year.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Block 1: Fashion Consumer and Marketplace: Introduction to commercial awareness, buying function, retail stores, e-commerce, retail experience, fashion roles, fabric identification, construction methods, Excel spreadsheets.
• Block 2: Fashion Business: Fundamental principles of fashion business, innovation, marketing, merchandising, strategy, digital enterprise, Microsoft Excel, range plan, critical path.
• Block 3: Fashion Lifecycle: Buying process, trend and colour prediction, range planning, product development, sustainable sourcing, critical path management, sales analysis, trading, Adobe Creative Suite, garment development, CAD proficiency, digital portfolio.
• Block 4: Sustainable Futures: Personal reflection, professionalism, impact in the fashion world, design cultures, historical context, research methods, visual literacy, academic writing.

Year 2:

• Block 1: Buying and Professional Practice: Buying process, trend and colour prediction, range planning, product development, sustainable sourcing, critical path management, sales analysis, trading, Adobe Creative Suite, garment development, CAD proficiency, digital portfolio.
• Block 2: Design Innovation and Sustainable Futures: Sustainable design innovation, future of fashion, circular economy, cost vs. planet, design innovation, sustainability, fashion business, assignments.
• Block 3: Introduction to Global Sourcing Skills: Fashion buying principles, global context, key tasks, global supply base, open costings, negotiation, key fabrics, fabric testing, garment production, buying process management, day-to-day role, responsibilities, buyer, global sourcing environment, logistics, legal implications, supplier management, coursework.
• Block 4: Fashion Merchandising: Fashion merchandising principles, stock planning, management, control, profit maximization, key tasks, skills, merchandiser role, reports, Excel, data analysis, retail math, coursework, test.

Year 3:

• Block 1 and 2: Sustainable Sourcing and Supply Management, Strategic Fashion Merchandising, assignments, presentations.
• Block 3 and 4: Major Research Project: Dissertation, entrepreneurial project, work-based project, written report, presentation.

Structure:

The program uses a combination of design studio practice, formal lectures, group seminars, tutorials, lab work, and practical workshops.

Contact Hours:

The program involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, and independent study. Your first year will typically involve around 15 hours of timetabled sessions each week, with an additional 25 hours of independent study.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the module and can include:

• Reports
• Presentations
• Digital portfolios
• Coursework
• Tests
• Major research project (dissertation, entrepreneurial project, work-based project)

Teaching:

The program is taught by experienced academics and industry professionals who are experts in their field. Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Group work
• Workshops
• Independent study
The program uses a block teaching approach, where you focus on one module at a time. This allows for faster feedback, a simplified timetable, and a better study-life balance.

Careers:

Graduates of this program have gone on to work in various areas of fashion buying, including:

• ASOS
• Selfridges
• Next
• Reiss
• Marks & Spencer
• River Island
• Joules
The program also provides opportunities for placements with major fashion brands, giving you valuable experience before you graduate.

Other:

• The program emphasizes sustainability and social responsibility.
• The program is ranked as one of the best fashion schools in the world by CEOWORLD.
• The program is accredited by the UK Fashion and Textiles Association.
• The program offers an international experience program called DMU Global.
• The program has excellent links with the fashion industry.
• The program provides a range of careers resources and opportunities.

2024/25 UK tuition fees:£9,250 2024/25 international tuition:£15,750 Additional costs