The goal of this new and stimulating Masters course is simple – to be an innovative, challenging and inspiring Merchandise and Management programme for those who desire to be future leaders in the fashion industry. Delivering an innovative and relevant fashion merchandise curriculum, this course will equip you for a visual merchandise management career at a senior level in the domestic or international fashion industry.

This dynamic course offers an inside knowledge of industry strategies and cultures on a global basis, combined with a strong underpinning of key research and business skills and essential fashion industry management knowledge. It is a practically applied course that allows you to express your capabilities in developing concepts for the future of retail space design.

The key elements of this course will focus on research, with an emphasis on practical skills and portfolio development, which assists in the proposition and exhibition of pioneering strategies within a retail industry context. Working closely with industry professionals who will offer an insider knowledge of industry strategies, these innovative approaches are encouraged through the analysis of new technological methodologies, creative retail environments and innovation in display concepts for clothing collections.

A graduate on this course will have an advantage in the employment market in a number of roles e.g.Visual Merchandiser, Buyer/Allocator Merchandising, Creative Marketing, Consumer Behaviour Consultant, Store Planner/Designer, Retail Management, Own Business

Industrial Placements

University actively encourages you to seek relevant work experience within a fashion or design company while on the course. This is part of the ethos of the fashion department, where flexible programmes and the strong links with industry which have led to placements such as: Trend Reporting for WGSN, Mudpie Design, Design at Jenny Packham, Marketing Department at Harvey Nichols

Checkland Kindleysides Internship Award

This award is specific to the MA Fashion Merchandise Management and it is anticipated that it will be one of many offered in the future

Field Trips

There are opportunities to take part in trips abroad to Paris, New York and Milan, as well as of course regular trips to museums and exhibitions in and around London which are relevant to the programme.

• Entry to the course is based on either formal qualifications and/or significant industry experience in combination with previously achieved formal qualifications. You should have a second or first class honours degree in a fashion related discipline. An interview will normally be required.
• You are expected to have good general knowledge and understanding of fashion, fashion retail and/or related industries. If you do not have the formal qualifications you should have demonstrable industry experience in one or more areas of the fashion industry, including retail companies, supply side or designer businesses. Experience can also include working in industries that border fashion and creative knowledge or education based industries, such as marketing.

• Retail Marketing and Management: A comprehensive study of fashion retailing as an operating system.
• Retail Space Analysis and Design : Visual merchandising and branding and increased customer involvement with the product through the retail store environment analysed through a series of case studies.
• Retail Space Analysis and Design: Visual merchandising and branding and increased customer involvement with the product through the retail store environment analysed through a series of case studies.
• Buying and Merchandising: The theory of fashion merchandising and its application to basic retailing procedures.
• Enterprise Innovation and Futures : Looking at new ways of shopping and improving competition throughout consumer markets by seeking sustainable market advantages through recognising and reacting to global issues.
• Major Project : The creation of a design portfolio that will provide students with the opportunity to apply a range of knowledge and skills developed on the course.
• Dissertation: An original body of work that will culminate in the form a written topic proposed and negotiated by the student.