The world of fashion is one of the globe’s fastest-growing industries, as well as one of the most competitive. This course equips you with the skills and knowledge to succeed as a manager in this exciting industry.

You will gain a technical understanding of the sector, combined with a solid foundation of management principles. We will help develop your overall understanding of the modern fashion industry, as well as the necessary skills for working in the sector.

What's covered in the course?

The course encourages you to develop the skills and competences of future managers in the Fashion Industry. To do this, you will be capable of making management decisions at both a strategic and at a tactical level, emphasising the complexity and dynamics of business and management and an awareness of the nature of the various factors which influence management decisions.

The course encompasses numerous field trip opportunities for students to allow reflection on the developing knowledge and understanding as it relates to their professional practice and the fashion industry. The School provides a unique setting for students to observe their peers, taking advantage of the proximity of fashion and textile design students at The Parkside Building. The School of Fashion & Textiles has built a network of diverse contacts and partners over its history. This business-focused course will offer expertise and innovative ideas through the student body to our contacts.

You will be able to develop opportunities through collaboration with peers from other courses within the School of Fashion & Textiles as well as the Schools of Jewellery and Birmingham School of Media and across the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media; to broaden the range of careers opportunities across disciplines.

Employability and key transferable skills are embedded within the course ethos to maximise your capabilities and understanding of potential career opportunities.

Many modules require group projects in the field to build first-hand knowledge of the Fashion Industry. The importance of positive contribution to a team and close working relationships with colleagues is a key feature.

The course is structured to build on experiences and embrace real scenarios through live projects, simulated practice requiring actual problem solving. This aims to develop your confidence and ambitions to explore a breadth of careers opportunities within a global industry.

Evaluating strategic and tactical business decisions will prepare you for working in Fashion by enabling you to understand the changing environment of competitors and stakeholders and adapt your plans and working practice accordingly. Your knowledge of management and marketing theories and how to apply them will be an advantage in many roles, and give you the flexibility to engage on many different levels with employers, clients and partners alike.

Professional Placement option

This course offers an optional 20-week Professional Placement, available to full-time students after the end of the Master’s year. The Professional Placement will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Please note that an additional fee is payable if you choose to pursue the Professional Placement version of the course.