BA (Hons) in Fashion Buying and Merchandising, London College of Fashion

London,

36 Months

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About this course

The BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising program at London College of Fashion takes you through the responsibilities of buyers and merchandisers across the entire fashion market, from value retailers to luxury brands. You'll develop a blend of analytical, numerical, creative, and business skills, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, digitalisation, and data analytics. The course covers developing fashion awareness, business acumen, and strategic relationships with customers and markets. It includes theoretical, historical, and professional study aspects and offers practical industry experience through collaborative projects and optional placement years. You will also explore establishing different retail formats and entering new markets, preparing you for a broad range of roles within the fashion industry.

Why this course is highly recommended

Graduates of this program are highly employable, with a track record of securing roles at top fashion companies including Yoox, Net-a-Porter, Burberry, ASOS, Selfridges, H&M, and River Island. The course balances creative vision with commercial strategy and provides access to expert tutors with extensive industry experience. It offers excellent industry connections through collaborations with brands like Nike, Disney, Levi’s, and others, and membership benefits from the Textile Institute. The program’s focus on sustainability, digital skills, and data analytics is designed to prepare students for the evolving fashion industry landscape.

Specialisation

The course specifically explores the responsibilities of buyers and merchandisers at various levels of the market, including value-oriented and luxury segments. It emphasizes strategic relationships between fashion businesses and consumers, incorporating professional studies, historical context, and theoretical approaches. Students can choose to take optional industry placements or enterprise diplomas, which foster real-world skills and entrepreneurial development, with some options like Creative Computing and Apple Development to enhance technical capabilities.

Course fees

Application fees

1st year tuition fees

30.16L

Living cost

Degree requirements

To complete the degree, students must pass stages 1 through 3, which include a mix of core units such as introduction to fashion buying and merchandising, data-informed decision making, strategy development, final major project, and a project proposal. Each stage lasts approximately 30 weeks, totaling 90 weeks of full-time study. Optional industry or enterprise placement years can be taken between stages 2 and 3, offering additional qualifications and experience.

English language test

IELTS

6.5

PTE

TOEFL

DUOLINGO

Career prospects

Graduates are well-prepared for roles in buying and merchandising across the fashion retail industry, with opportunities at companies like Matches, John Lewis, H&M, and Topshop. Transferable skills gained during the course support careers in supply chain, visual merchandising, and marketing. Even though the course is new, similar graduates from related programs have secured positions in major retailers, and some have moved into visual merchandising roles at companies like Urban Outfitters and Abercrombie & Fitch.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements for this course?

Applicants need to have full Level 3 qualifications such as A-Levels, BTEC Diplomas, or equivalent, with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points, along with six GCSE passes including Maths and English.

Are industry placements part of the course?

Yes, students have the opportunity to undertake an optional industry placement or enterprise diploma between years 2 and 3, which enhances employability and industry contacts.