Course Summary
The BA (Hons) Fashion Management is an industry-focused level 8 honours degree awarded by University of Essex that prepares students for careers in global fashion.
The programme combines fashion business, branding, marketing, retail strategy, and leadership with industry-focused learning, enabling students to develop expertise in fashion management, consumer behaviour, sustainability, garment production, and commercial decision-making.
Through practical projects, internships, and international fashion industry experiences, students gain the commercial awareness and professional skills required to work across fashion retail, brand management, buying, merchandising and fashion marketing.
- Awarding body: University of Essex
- Qualification outcome: BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising (NFQ level 8 equivalent)
- Key progression note: Students gain industry experience through internships and professional projects, preparing them for careers across fashion buying, merchandising, retail management, and related commercial fashion roles.
Further Information
Book a call with Career Pathway Consultant Sarah Coyne to discuss study options
Fees, payment plan, and funding information is available.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Language Options
* Time abroad utilising this language
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - always check with the college.
Note: It may also be possible to do an Erasmus+ Programme allowing you to study abroad for a
period of at least 2 months to 12 months. This study can be through English or through your
language of choice � please check with your course coordinator to see if this is possible
for this course.
Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - If this is a course you are considering applying for you should check on the Colleges' website to ensure you have the latest entry requirements information.
If you believe the data above to be incorrect, please let us know at [email protected] - thank you.
PLC Progression Links
The Student
Who Is This Degree For?
This programme is ideal for individuals who are interested in both fashion and business and want to build a career within the global fashion industry. It is particularly well suited to those who enjoy understanding how fashion brands operate, analysing consumer behaviour, formulating marketing strategies, and exploring the commercial side of fashion before choosing a specialist career path.
Aspiring fashion professionals can benefit from a programme that blends creative thinking, business strategy, and practical industry experience, developing the commercial awareness needed to succeed in a fast-paced and evolving sector.
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Career Progression
What Career Pathways Are Available?
This honours degree prepares graduates for professional roles across the fashion, retail, and brand management sectors, combining commercial awareness with practical industry experience gained through projects and internships.
Career opportunities may include:
- Fashion buyer
- Fashion merchandiser
- Retail manager
- Visual merchandiser
- Product developer
- E-commerce or digital retail specialist
Graduates may also progress into leadership roles within retail organisations, specialist positions within global fashion brands, or further professional development within the fashion industry.
Further Research
DISCLAIMER: These links are to official sources of information for this course - we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
