Key facts

Entry requirements

112 or DMM

Full entry requirements

UCAS code

WN25

Institution code

D26

Duration

3 yrs full-time

Three years full-time, four years full-time with a placement. Six years part-time.

Fees

2024/25 UK tuition fees:
£9,250

2024/25 international tuition:
£15,750

Additional costs

Entry requirements

UCAS code

WN25

Institution code

D26

Duration

3 yrs full-time

Three years full-time, four years full-time with a placement. Six years part-time

Fees

2024/25 UK tuition fees:
£9,250

2024/25 international tuition:
£15,750

Additional costs

Develop the practical skills needed to take on the challenges of our rapidly evolving industry, focusing on the shift in consumer demand

Fashion buying requires both strong commercial understanding as well as theoretical knowledge. After looking at the roles and responsibilities of buyers – from design concept to point of sale – you’ll focus on the business side of fashion, building your knowledge of planning, branding, public relations/communications and social media platforms.

You will study computer-aided design (CAD) to ensure that your design and marketing concepts can be presented and communicated in a professional, and industry-recognised, style. You will also cover report writing, data selection, presentation and critical analysis.

Develop the practical skills needed to take on the challenges of our rapidly evolving industry, focusing on the shift in consumer demand from high street to online shopping. With an emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility, we aim to give you the tools you will need to drive innovation at all stages of the buying process.

  • Work on live projects with industry partners to learn from buying, marketing and creative experts. Previous briefs include sustainable projects with Stella McCartney and Ted Baker, and a trend forecasting project with Next.
  • Learn how to analyse consumer behaviour in order to develop targeted marketing and promotional campaigns for retailers.
  • Enhance your career prospects by choosing a year-long placement. Our students have worked at Next, Urban Outfitters, Mamas & Papas, Joules, Yours Clothing and O’Neill.
  • Our graduates have gone onto work at companies including Reiss, Next, Marks & Spencer, River Island and Selfridges, while others have started their own successful companies.
Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments – rather than lots of exams at the end of the year – and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging. Read more about block teaching.

Our next Open Day is on
Saturday 29 June

Join us in 101 days and 23 hours.

Student ambassador waiting to welcome guests with a sign that reads here to help.

What you will study

Block 1: Fashion Consumer and Marketplace

In this module, you will study the fundamental principles of marketing, covering key concepts such as the marketing mix, segmentation, targeting, and positioning. This knowledge will enable you to understand the consumer and craft detailed customer personas, aiding in the identification of a brand’s target audience.

You will gain insights into commercial awareness and what is meant by the marketplace, exploring both traditional brick-and-mortar stores and the dynamic realm of e-commerce. You will also examine the future of the fashion retail experience, gaining a comprehensive overview of this evolving landscape.

Additionally, this module will introduce you to the intricacies of fashion roles and responsibilities. You will learn practical skills in computer aided design (CAD), fabric identification, and construction methods. By understanding how different garment qualities cater to distinct target customers, you will gain a good insight into fashion product.

Assessment: 100% report

Block 2: Fashion Business

This module teaches the fundamental principles of fashion business within a global context. The module will inform at an introductory level the subjects of fashion business innovation, marketing, merchandising, strategy, and digital enterprise. You will be taught the use of Microsoft Excel to develop a range plan and critical path. Additionally, you will explore and apply relevant theoretical concepts in the areas of fashion innovation, marketing, and business strategy to underpin your understanding of contemporary issues within these subject areas of fashion business.

Assessment: 100% report

Block 3: Fashion Lifecycle

This module explores the buying process from trend and colour prediction, range planning, product development and the role of sustainable sourcing, through critical path management to sales analysis and trading. You will communicate and present ideas through Adobe Creative Suite to develop a range of garments, implementing knowledge gained on fabric identification. Adobe skills will be developed enabling you to become CAD proficient, while developing your own digital portfolio.

Assessment: 100% digital portfolio

Block 4: Sustainable Futures

This module engages you in personal reflection and development with consideration to your professionalism and your future impact in the fashion world. The module content is further underpinned by theoretical studies delivered by the Design Cultures to contextualise current practice within an historical framework. You will consider origins and influences - how traditions develop and evolve in response to social and political - as well as research methods, visual literacy, and the skills for academic writing. Sessions will promote interaction and analytical thinking with an understanding of inclusive and ethical practice.

Assessment: 50% presentation and 50% assignment

Block 1: Buying and Professional Practice

This module explores the buying process from trend and colour prediction, range planning, product development and the role of sustainable sourcing, through critical path management to sales analysis and trading. You will communicate and present ideas through Adobe Creative Suite to develop a range of garments, implementing knowledge gained on fabric identification. Adobe skills will be developed enabling students to become CAD proficient, while developing their own digital portfolio.

Assessment: 100% digital portfolio

Block 2: Design Innovation and Sustainable Futures

This module teaches the fundamental principles of sustainable design innovation and the future of fashion within a global context. The module will examine the key issues and considerations of sustainability from a design innovation perspective. The module will introduce the circular economy with consideration of the implications of cost versus planet. You will explore and apply relevant theoretical concepts in the areas of design innovation, sustainability, and fashion business.

Assessment: 50% assignment and 50% assignment

Block 3: Introduction to Global Sourcing Skills

This module will examine the fundamental principles of fashion buying within a global context. It will equip you with a sound knowledge of key tasks and considerations in buying fashion products from a global supply base. The module explores open costings, negotiation, key fabrics and fabric testing, garment production and the management of the buying process. The module will examine the day-to-day role and responsibilities of a buyer within the buying cycle and critical path. It will examine the global sourcing environment including logistics, legal implications, and supplier management.

Assessment: 100% coursework

Block 4: Marketing, Communications and Branding

This module has been designed to give you an appreciation of fashion marketing and how the industry uses specific tools to promote and entice consumers into purchasing its products through persuasive ways of promotion. Subjects studied include market research, consumer behaviour, digital marketing, marketing strategies, PR, editorials, promotional techniques, branding, and brand extensions all within a commercial fashion context.

Assessment: 100% coursework

Block 1 and 2

Sustainable Sourcing and Supply Management

This module focuses on the sourcing of a textile product and examines some of the global supply issues faced by buyers and merchandisers. Set within a commercial context, you will select a textile product, together with a specific type of retail outlet in the UK. You will evaluate country-of-origin, and consider flexibility of supply, managing quality, international distribution and supply chains, international political legislation, and sustainability.

Assessment: 100% assignment

And

Strategic Fashion Marketing

This module is based on research to review and establish new innovations in global retailing, visual merchandising, promotional techniques, and new directions in consumer demand. Visits to major cities i.e., London / a European city or New York will be encouraged to broaden the scope of research. From this research you will recreate a strategy for a relaunch of a particular retailer or brand. This could include new market positioning, new direction towards consumers and in store / digital concepts from the product direction to the design of the selling space.

Assessment: 100% assignment

Block 3 and 4: Major Research Project

This module will allow you to select a topic to research and create a piece of original work under supervision. The project will provide three options of research:

  • A dissertation.
  • An entrepreneurial project that identifies a product area for development and demands a business plan up to product launch.
  • A work-based project where you liaise with a company to develop an improvement project that focuses on a need, and through research and investigation can propose well justified solutions.

Assessment: 85% written and 15% presentation

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Structure

This includes design studio practice, formal lectures, group seminars, tutorials, lab work and practical workshops. There are regular tutorials and reviews which allow you to reflect and develop your work ready for your final presentation at the end of the year.

Contact hours

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work and self-directed study. Assessment is through coursework (presentations, phase-tests, essays and reports) Your precise timetable will depend on the optional modules you choose to take, however, in your first year you will normally attend around 15 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 25 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.

Student Insights

Chat 1-on-1 or in a group about courses, being a student, or the city of Leicester.

Start a conversation

Fashion Buying with Marketing in the spotlight

Open Days at DMU
Join us on-campus, find your new home at DMU at our Open Day 29 June
Book Now

Our facilities

The creative industries require imaginative graduates who can develop new ideas and products. Students use our sophisticated and contemporary workshops, labs and studios to experiment and test in the same way they will in industry.

Vijay Patel Building

Our award-winning Vijay Patel building has been designed to provide the space and facilities where all of our art and design students can develop their ideas and flourish. It is home to a wide range of resources and facilities, including:

  • Fashion studios: The building has a number of fashion studios, where students can design, create, and prototype their garments.
  • Textile workshops: The building has a number of textile workshops, where students can learn how to work with a variety of textiles, including fabrics, yarns, and fibers.
  • Fashion technology labs: The building has a number of fashion technology labs, where students can learn how to use a variety of fashion technology, including CAD software, pattern-making software, and sewing machines.
  • Exhibition spaces: The building has a number of exhibition spaces, where students can showcase their work.

The creative industries require imaginative graduates who can develop new ideas and products. Students use our sophisticated and contemporary workshops, labs and studios to experiment and test in the same way they will in industry, while the open and transparent spaces in the building encourage collaboration between disciplines. In doing so, the building prepares students for industry and helps develop them as future leaders in their respective fields.

The building is striking and innovative, with a large central atrium filled with natural light. It has a variety of teaching and learning spaces, studios, workshops, and exhibition spaces.

It is a major landmark on the De Montfort University campus and provides students and staff with the space and resources they need to thrive.

Awards and memberships

Ranked as one of the best fashion schools in the world for 2022 and 2023 (CEOWORLD, 2023) and in the top 10 in the UK for 'career after 15 months' (The Guardian University Guide 2022), our innovative and widely-respected courses help prepare students for fulfilling futures in this fast-paced industry.

Green Gown Award logo

Green Gown Award

The School of Fashion and Textiles won the Next Generation Learning and Skills Award in the Green Gowns Awards 2021 and received global recognition in the International Green Gown Awards 2022. These awards are the gold standard for sustainability in universities around the world and this puts DMU at the forefront of sustainable fashion and textiles education in the UK. Sustainability is at the heart of our curriculum and teaching, empowering our students to be agents of change within the industry.

UK Fashion and Textiles Association logo

UK Fashion and Textiles Association

We are members of the UK Fashion and Textiles Association which ensures our teaching stays up to date with the latest developments in the sector and provides valuable industry links that enhance our courses.

What makes us special

Education 2030 - Block Learning

Block learning

With Education 2030, you’ll learn in a focused ‘block’ teaching format, where you study one subject at a time instead of several at once. As a result, you will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, have a more simplified timetable, and have a better study-life balance. That means more time to engage with your DMU community and other rewarding aspects of university life.

DMU-global

Global experiences

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich studies, broaden cultural horizons and develop key skills valued by employers.

Through DMU Global, we offer an exciting mix of overseas, on-campus and online international experiences, including the opportunity to study or work abroad for up to a year.

Students on this course have recently been to Porto, where they learnt about the fashion manufacturing cycle by visiting spinners, knitters, dye houses and manufacturers. New York trips have involved visits to local museums, colleges, suppliers, product data management head offices, and a tour and talk at Gap’s head office.

Where we could take you

MaisieBee_thumb

Placements

This course gives you the option to enhance and build your professional skills to progress within your chosen career through a placement. Our dedicated team offer a range of careers resources and opportunities so you can start planning your future.

We have excellent links with the fashion industry, ensuring you work on industry relevant projects and clients’ briefs to gain more experience and build your external reputation before you graduate. This invaluable experience can enrich student capabilities as well as their projects for their final year. This year some of our students have gone to companies Marks & Spencer, ASOS, George, F&F Tesco, Timberland, Matalan.

Maisie Bee secured a year-long placement at one of Britain’s largest fashion and home retailers, Next, in its online department

RosieHaymes_thumb

Graduate careers

Our graduates go on to a variety of areas within fashion buying. Recent employers include ASOS, Selfridges, Next, Reiss, Marks & Spencer, River Island, and Joules, among many others.

Rosie Haymes won an award from the Ideal Marketing Company (IMC) and landed a full-time job for Simply Be.

Course specifications

Course title

Fashion Buying with Marketing

Award

BA (Hons)

UCAS code

WN25

Institution code

D26

Study level

Undergraduate

Study mode

Full-time

Part-time

Start date

September 2024

Duration

Three years full-time, four years full-time with a placement. Six years part-time.

Fees

2024/25 UK tuition fees:
£9,250

2024/25 international tuition:
£15,750

Additional costs

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds.

  • Art and Design Foundation or
  • 112 points from at least 2 A ‘levels
  • BTEC Extended Diploma DMM
  • International Baccalaureate: 26+ Points or
  • T Levels Merit

Plus five GCSEs grades 9-4 including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above.

  • Pass Access with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit and GCSE English (Language or Literature) at grade 4 or above

We will normally require students to have had a break from full time education before undertaking the Access course.

  • We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GCSEs including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Additional costs

Here at DMU we provide excellent learning resources, including the Kimberlin Library and specialist workshops and studios. However, you should be aware that sometimes you may incur additional costs, which for this programme could include the following:

  • Art and Design materials; £50 in your first and second years, increasing to £100 in your third year.
  • Field trips or visits: £30 in your first year, £100-£300 in your second year and £400-600 in your third year.

There will also be a range of optional showcasing activities that will be available to you, the costs of which will vary depending on the opportunities you choose.

Learn more about fees and funding information