International Fashion Brand Management: Fashion Buying and Merchandising MA

This course will teach you how to create a fashion range by integrating trends analysis, buying, merchandising, design and garment technology functions. You will excel in maximising turnover and minimising the inventory risk by creating commercially balanced groups of design options and effective lead times, pricing and sourcing strategies that conveys the brand DNA while promoting the commercial success of its products.<br/><br/>Learning by doing The course adopts a learning by doing approach through collaborative project work, which includes problem-based practical workshops and the development of live-consultancy projects with industry partners, prepared jointly by UWL academic staff and industry specialists/consultants.<br/><br/>Collaborative learning You will collaborate with fellow students from other pathways and/or other MA courses within our school in your projects and gain invaluable industry experience. These collaborations are carefully designed to provide a microcosm of the professional fashion business world.<br/><br/>You will develop in depth understanding of the key role of a fashion buyer and merchandiser; from professional competencies and essential retail strategy and operations to personal attributes. You will study the commercial implications for product ranges and supply chain strategies for both UK and overseas markets in an omni-channel environment. The course puts emphasis on digital developments and sustainable strategies for fashion buying and merchandising.<br/><br/>Compulsory residential international field trips The MA International Fashion Brand Management is the first postgraduate fashion course in the UK that formally integrates international residential trips into its curriculum. During these trips, you will meet industry professionals, attend master lectures, view collaborative work, and engage in personal growth. The compulsory trips throughout the 2021 academic year will be:<br/><br/>FT1: European Fashion Capitals Trip (Paris, Milan and Florence): 8 to 10 days (Semester 1).<br/>FT2: New York Fashion Field Trip: 7-8 days (Semester 2).<br/>Optional international residential field trips Students studying on this pathway will be able to attend Trip 3 and Trip 4 as optional trips. You may wish to attend only one or none: <br/><br/>FT3: Copenhagen Fashion Summit: 3 to 4 days (Semester 3).<br/>FT4: Berlin Circular Fashion Trip: 3 to 4 days (Semester 2).<br/>Internships This course has an optional 80 hours internship integrated into the curriculum. An internship will enhance your employability by offering valuable experience and professional contacts within the industry and put your skills to use in the real world of fashion. It is possible to do your internship digitally.<br/><br/>Learning through social action Instead of an internship, you may participate in a cross-pathway social action industry mentorship projects for which we have teamed up with Justice in Fashion - a global alliance of like-minded and skilled individuals endeavouring to create positive change in the fashion industry.<br/><br/>Digital skills On this pathway, you will work on your creative media and digital skills and learn to use a range of pathway-specific industry-standard software. Our facilities include:<br/><br/>3D design studio<br/>PC/Mac labs<br/>film/motion capture studios<br/>photography studios<br/>digital print bureau<br/>knitting studio<br/>sewing studio<br/>pattern making studio