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Buying & Merchandising for Fashion (Accelerated Degree) at Fashion Retail Academy - UCAS

Fashion Retail Academy

Degree level: Undergraduate
Awarded by: Falmouth University

Buying & Merchandising for Fashion (Accelerated Degree)

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Course summary

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.

Modules

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.

Assessment method

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

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
BUM1
Institution code:
F70
Campus name:
Fashion Retail Academy
Campus code:
F

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from international (non-EU) applicants who require a Tier 4 Student Visa.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

If you are able to demonstrate relevant, current, equivalent experience instead of formal qualifications, we encourage you to apply

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, we'll need to see academic proof of your level of written and spoken English. We require a minimum International English language testing system (IELTS) score of 6.0 (or recognised equivalent*). This test must have been taken no earlier than two years before you start at the Fashion Retail Academy. *Recognised equivalents include: Trinity (taken in the UK) - 111, Cambridge ESOL Exams - CAE or FCE, Cambridge English - scale 176, or Common European Framework - C1 or C2

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £11100 Year 1
England £11100 Year 1
Northern Ireland £11100 Year 1
Scotland £11100 Year 1
Wales £11100 Year 1
Channel Islands £11100 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Each academic year, you might need to pay one-off costs between £50 and £200 for day trips, final portfolios or shows etc. You might also need to pay up to £300 a year for optional study trips and placements. (Costs are approximate)
Buying & Merchandising for Fashion (Accelerated Degree) at Fashion Retail Academy - UCAS