Course description

The International Fashion Retailing (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) master's course is delivered jointly by the Department of Materials and the Masood Enterprise Centre in the Alliance Manchester Business School. This dynamic course considers the links between business strategy, the external environment and innovation which are vital for both established and start-up retail businesses in the global fashion industry.

The course will equip you with the essential tools and knowledge to help launch your career in fashion retailing. We use theoretical frameworks and real-world examples, driven by industry, to evaluate how successful fashion retail companies stay relevant and innovative. Find out how nascent entrepreneurial ventures can increase their chance of success in a fast-moving business environment and stay ahead of their competitors. You will also discover how entrepreneurial start-ups and established firms fit within their wider economic, social, political, technological and environmental context, helping you to better understand the landscape of the industry.

You will explore the impact of external factors on a firm's access to raw materials and knowledge , as well as gaining an understanding of its design process and interaction with consumer insights. You will also consider how changes in the external environment have provided positive opportunities, for example launching new creative and original firms and product ranges.

Aims

The programme aims to:

• Equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to enable them to take a leading role in the continued success of fashion businesses by addressing the challenges facing the fashion industry
• Provide an in-depth understanding of the role and importance of entrepreneurship and innovation within a business setting
• Develop students' capacity for critical thinking and ability to present sound, well justified arguments and solutions to complex problems, recognising the interconnected nature of fashion business practice
• Enable students to explore new insights in areas such as sustainable development and strategic management of fashion businesses by drawing on the world-class research, teaching and practical experience of the Department of Materials, together with our excellent links to the industry,.
• Provide an intellectually challenging and stimulating learning environment, involving both independent and collaborative online learning activities
• Support employability in the fashion industry, with a strong focus on developing commercial awareness and a wider understanding of global citizenship.

Teaching and learning

The course is delivered through lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.

We use a range of teaching and learning methods, including tutorials, workshops, seminars and research projects. These are supported by an e-learning infrastructure that includes on-line feedback, lecture and lab podcasting and close academic supervision.

Career opportunities

The employment prospects for graduates from this programme are excellent. Recent graduates have been employed by IBM, Marks and Spencer, Oasis, Mercedes Benz, Next, Charnos, National Westminster Bank, Shell, Milliken and Harrods.