(Full time) 2019 start
Fashion Marketing BA
Overview
This unique degree gives you an insight into the dynamic forces of the fashion industry, alongside the expertise in marketing to spot and promote the next big trend.
You’ll gain an understanding of the aesthetics of design and style in fashion products, as well as consumer behaviour and the role of consumerism in the fashion life cycle. But you’ll also put this into context by studying style, design and taste from an historical and technological perspective, so you can work confidently with trend information to develop and promote new colour and style trends and concepts.
Our combination of compulsory and optional design modules enable you to broaden your study as part of the Leeds Curriculum. You’ll develop your critical thinking and place your work into the wider context of art and design, its history and societal trends.
During the programme your projects could include devising a new brand strategy for a fashion label, trend forecasting or developing ideas for innovative fashion products or an exciting PR campaign. It’s a great way to gain the skills to succeed in a competitive and fast-changing industry.
Specialist resources
Students have access to extensive resources on fashion and textile design, especially for their individual research. We house the M&S Company Archive including documents, advertising, photos, films, clothing and merchandise from throughout Marks & Spencer’s history. It’s a fascinating insight into how fashion and the marketplace have changed and continue to evolve.
Course content
Year 1 will introduce you to the fashion industry, the marketplace and the processes involved in marketing apparel from concept to consumer. You’ll look at everything from design and materials to supply chains, as well as modules covering the key principles of marketing, research and consumer behaviour. Core modules will explore the historical, cultural and technological aspects of art and design to get a clearer sense of how consumer taste evolves.
You’ll build on your knowledge and skills in the following year, working with professional standards and developing your knowledge of fashion promotions, including branding and communications. With a focus on advertising and public relations, you’ll discover trend and colour forecasting and work on written and visual communications.
In your final year, your major project will allow you to plan and execute your own marketing strategy, identifying future trends and developing ideas for new products, branding and promotional campaigns. Beyond this, you’ll have the chance to appreciate issues such as sustainability and brand identity, as well as working collaboratively with colleagues. An individual research project and dissertation will also give you an opportunity to apply the research and creative skills you have gained.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Learning and teaching
This degree covers a range of different approaches and disciplines. As a result, you’ll benefit from a variety of teaching and learning styles. Lectures, seminars and tutorials are among the most common, particularly in more theory-based modules, as well as one-to-one contact with tutors in studios and workshops. However, independent study is at the heart of this degree – it builds research and critical skills, and also helps you to develop your individual voice.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Practical work is assessed using visual presentations and portfolios among other methods, or you may have to submit practical log books or collections of visual ideas. Written exams, essays and other written responses to assignment briefs may also be part of the mix, depending on the modules you choose.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB including an art or design-related subject and not including General Studies or Critical Thinking.
If you don’t have an art or design-related subject but you are taking Media Studies A-level, we may also consider your application if you can explain how your media studies is related to some area of fashion marketing. If you’re taking Business Studies, we may consider your application if you have GCSE or equivalent in Art or Design at a high grade and/or display a creative aptitude in your UCAS application.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass: 60 credits including 45 at level 3, with grades specified for individual subjects.
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BTEC
DDM in art/design
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M2, M2 including art or design.
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International Baccalaureate
34 overall (16 higher, with 5 or 6 in art/visual art/design). If you don’t have an art or design subject but you are taking Business Studies, we may consider your application if you have GCSE or equivalent in Art or design at a high grade and/or display a creative aptitude in your UCAS application.
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
(Leaving Certificate): AABBBB including art or design
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AABBBB OR AAABB (B at advanced level) OR AABBB (BB at advanced level) including an art or design subject
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Other Qualifications
Art Foundation course: We welcome Art Foundation course students. However, the qualification is not a requirement for entry and doesn’t usually count towards entry requirements, which are based on A-levels and equivalent qualifications. In exceptional cases, we may make you an offer conditional on achieving an Art Foundation qualification: we may consider your application if you’re taking a validated Art Foundation course and have ABB or above at A-level not including Art or Design.If you’re taking the EPQ, we may make you an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. In this case that would be BBB, plus EPQ grade A.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the School of Design Undergraduate Admissions Team.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £19,750 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
This degree is unique and will equip you with a range of specialist skills. You’ll have the chance to develop trend forecasting skills as well as consumer and commercial awareness. If you choose to spend a year in industry, you’ll also gain valuable work experience. Students from the programme have found exciting and diverse roles in companies such as French Connection, L’Oréal, JW Anderson, Donna Karan to name but a few.
However, it also cuts across different disciplines and has the academic grounding that a Leeds degree offers you. That means you’ll also be able to develop valuable transferable skills such as business acumen, research, critical and analytical thinking, creative problem-solving, communication, cultural sensitivity, professionalism and planning and organising – all of which are highly desirable to a variety of employers.
As a result you could work in fashion production and manufacturing as a buyer or new product developer, or in retail as a visual merchandiser. You could work as a fashion marketer, directing strategy and identifying opportunities for brand development. You could also go into the media in roles such as fashion stylist, fashion writer or journalist, or pursue a career in PR.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
The industrial placement is particularly popular with School of Design students – it’s great for your personal and professional development. Some students have even been offered permanent roles at their placement companies.
You could work in a range of roles, such as PR, buying, merchandising, product development, trend forecasting and advertising.
Placements have included:
- Harvey Nichols - Menswear buying team
- LKBennett - Press assistant
- Loreal - visual merchandising assistant
- MarcusLupfer - Ecommerce and Production intern
Read more about the Year in Industry