Fashion Management

Year 1

You will be introduced to management and marketing subjects, explore fashion design concepts, garment construction, fashion retail and how the fashion business operates. You will also gain practical experience of using various digital imaging applications, create exhibitions and window displays.

Year 2

Your fashion communication skills are built through the creation of a fashion magazine, writing articles, producing product pages and organising fashion shoots. Advertising communication, public relations, consumer behaviour and the logistics of the global, omni-channel fashion industry are explored.

Year 3

You can complete a 6-week, 12-week or year long period of work experience. Modules taught include: the theories of successful brand management, financial merchandising, sustainability and ethics, events management. You gain valuable digital skills by creating digital fashion content.

Year 4

Option choices allow you to tailor your final year towards marketing, media or business topics. You will undertake your own research project, which can be written or include a practical element. Subjects taught include fashion buying and global fashion strategy and fashion sustainability.

Learning Methods

You will study three or four modules each term. Teaching for each module may involve one or two hour long lectures to the whole group, one or two hour long tutorials, or two hour computer labs to smaller groups.  Tutorials and computer labs allow you to practice and experience the concepts and theories presented during lectures, and are an opportunity to work more closely with both the lecturer and your classmates. Fashion is an industry that relies on strong teamwork and communication skills, so many of the class tasks focus on those, as well as presentation skills.

How long is a BA (Hons) Fashion Management course?

A Fashion Management degree can be successfully completed in 4 years, in which the opportunity to receive the necessary skills are obtained.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures - 50 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Tutorial - 25 students per group, 3 - 6 hours per week
• Project Supervision - 10 students per group, 1 hours per week
• Demonstration - 25 students per group
• Practical class or workshop - 25 students per group, 2 hours per week
• Supervised time in studio / workshop - 25 students per group, 2 hours per week

Independent Study

Beyond scheduled class time, you are expected to read widely from the provided reading lists, conduct research and meet with your peers to undertake allocated group work, complete tutorial assignments and work on assessments. Together, the scheduled teaching activities and your independent study should equate to approximately 40 hours per week.

Staff Delivering on This Course

All the Fashion Management teaching staff have worked in a variety of roles in industry such as fashion design and garment development, visual merchandising, fabric design, marketing and events management. 

All staff have teaching qualifications, including fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, recognising their practice, impact and leadership in teaching and learning.

Other staff members include industry experts, subject experts from the school and media technicians.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 2 reports
• 1 portfolio
• 1 set exercise
• 1 project output
• 2 oral assessments
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 2

• 2 reports
• 2 portfolio
• 2 project outputs
• 2 oral assessments

Year 3

• 2 reports
• 2 portfolios
• 1 set exercises
• 1 project outputs
• 2 oral assessments

Year 4

• 2 reports
• 1 dissertation
• 2 portfolios
• 1 project outputs
• 2 oral assessments

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

In Year 3, you will have the invaluable opportunity of undertaking a six week, twelve week or year-long placement where you will gain practical experience, put your skills and knowledge to the test and establish links with potential employers.

Placement opportunities include small, boutique-style businesses, high-street and designer retailers, fashion media or PR firms and digital marketing and events companies. We have strong links with the industry and a dedicated placement office, which ensure you have the opportunity to experience fashion as it operates in the real world.

You can choose to source your own placement or access our Employment and Professional Enrichment Hub will support you in sourcing and validating a suitable position.

Find out more about student placements at RGU in the student blog:

Study Abroad

In Years 2 and 3, there may be opportunities to study with partner institutions in Europe as part of the Study Abroad programme:

Job Prospects

You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to open doors to all kinds of careers including roles in fashion buying and product sourcing; merchandising and allocating; fashion marketing; retail management and visual merchandising; product planning and development; online content management and digital fashion strategy. You will also be equipped to set up your own fashion business based on the skills you acquire from the programme and the entrepreneurial business start-up support on offer.

Is Fashion Management a good career choice?

Previous BA Fashion Management graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue the following careers:

• Buyer
• Merchandise Allocator
• Senior Marketing Executive
• Social Media and Content Manager
• PR and Collaborations Executive

Companies where our graduates have secured roles include Burberry, Christian Louboutin, Hugo Boss, Sweaty Betty, River Island, Kurt Geiger, Cath Kidston, Matthew Williamson, Johnston’s of Elgin, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Net-a-porter, ASOS, and Zalando.

What is needed for a BA (Hons) Fashion Management degree?

Standard Entry Requirements

• SQA Higher: BBBC
• GCE A Level: BCC
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H3H3H3
• IB Diploma: 27

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

• SQA Higher: BBC/BCCC

Applicants from Partner Colleges

A relevant HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for entry into Year 3.

Applicants from Foundation Pathway Providers

Entry to year 1 or year 2 may be possible for students who have completed a Foundation Certificate or Foundation Undergraduate Pathway programme, from an approved UK provider, at 60% or above. For courses which require a specific subjects match, such as English or Maths, these would need to provided in addition to the Pathway Programme Certificate or result.

Advanced Entry

All other applicants who are interested in applying for advanced entry will be considered on an individual basis.

International Students 

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.