Fashion Business and Promotion - BA (Hons)
Our BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion course enables you to explore a range of roles within the fashion industry, far beyond the making and production of clothing.
You’ll receive the business skills, professional practice and knowledge you need to succeed in a competitive, but highly rewarding, industry.
Guided and supported by a knowledgeable, industry-experienced staff team, you’ll gain an education in fashion awareness, creativity and business skills
You’ll graduate with commercial business acumen and the fashion knowledge needed to undertake a number of roles, including visual merchandising, international retailing and marketing.
What's covered in the course?
This course will develop you through a variety of business and creative modules, teaching you skills in buying, merchandising, marketing, visual merchandising, PR, and buying and merchandising.
You’ll learn how fashion roles work together, as well as commercial and planning skills, competitive awareness and the ability to think outside the box, all of which are essential in this global industry.
You’ll be exposed to trends forecasting, buying, marketing, and events and industry placements, ensuring you graduate ready for employment.
You will work on a live event management project, as well as industry-led briefs across the first two years, supported by brands such as Whistles, Selfridges, Claire’s and River Island. You’ll benefit from regular industry visits, listen to guest speakers from leading fashion brands and have the chance to visit London, Paris, Florence and New York.
Throughout the course, you’ll be taught by staff with experience of brands like Topshop, Lyle and Scott, Emporio Armani and more, ensuring your learning is supported by contemporary knowledge, practice and contacts. We’ll develop your business knowledge and language, preparing you for delivering presentations, teamwork, writing reports, creating visual mood boards and using online resources. You’ll also explore new skills in packages such as InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
In your final year, you will work on a series of projects that will develop your skills ready for industry. In the June, you will have the opportunity to showcase work at London’s Graduate Fashion Week, which brings nationwide fashion courses together and offers valuable networking links with the fashion industry.
"I can truly say this course prepares you to be 100 per cent industry-ready. You will learn in a challenging, informative and inspiring way, giving you true industry insight and skills across a number of subjects. From trends forecasting to event management this course helps you understand the wider fashion picture. You will leave this course as a confident professional." Sophie Johnson, graduate
Why Choose Us?
- Students are satisfied with this course! We scored 91 per cent for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2017.
- The course helps you become as versatile and dynamic as the industry itself.
- Unlike other courses, we cover a variety of fashion business modules to ensure you gain a broad perspective of the fashion industry.
- The course provides creative and visual fluency, equipping you with the toolkit to operate in the competitive, international fashion market place.
- Our academic staff all have industry experience, teaching and researching their specialist subjects, ranging from trend forecasting to branding and international retailing.
- Integrated work placements provide you with the essential experience needed to get ahead in their sector.
To welcome all new home and EU undergraduate degree students starting in 2017 or 2018, we're giving at least £150 worth of credit to spend in a host of ways, on books and a range of learning materials. Even better, it doesn’t have to be repaid.
Find out more
This course is open to International students
Discover the School of Fashion and Textiles
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
Where our students go
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
And in jobs such as:
- PR Assistant
- Buyers Admin Assistant
- Trainee Merchandiser
There’s only One Direction for Team Audacious
Stars attend charity gala
Take seven students tasked with organising their own live event, throw in One Direction and what do you get? A star-studded charity gala worthy of a First.
Second year students on our course formed the student events company ‘Audacious’- as part of the event management module.
Retail stars of the future given a helping hand by Selfridges
Talented Fashion Business and Promotion students have ‘taken over’ Selfridges Birmingham for a term as they learn about retail design.
The students were given the unique opportunity to work with the creative and management team at the iconic Birmingham store to complete their module on Visual Merchandising and Retail Design.
Entry Requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
UK students
| Essential | ||
|---|---|---|
| At the point of entry, students will need Maths and English Language grade 4 (C) or above. | ||
| Typical Offers | ||
| UK Qualification | Requirements 2018/19 | |
| GCE A Level/ AS Level | BBC at A-Level or 112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A-Levels | |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Pass overall with 60 credits, 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2. Must be in a relevant subject pathway | |
| BTEC National Diploma (12-units not including early years) | D*D* or combined with 3 qualifications to achieve a minimum total of 280 UCAS points | |
| BTEC Extended Diploma (18-units not including early years) | DMM - 112 UCAS points | |
| BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/ National Award (6-units not including early years) | D* or combined with 3 qualifications to achieve a minimum total of 112 UCAS points | |
| BTEC Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art and Design | Distinction | |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma |
For students who complete the full IB Diploma: Obtain a total of 14 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects For students who do not complete the full IB Diploma: Obtain a total of 16 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects |
|
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 UCAS points - Higher Levels | |
| Scottish Higher/ Advanced Higher | 112 UCAS points | |
| Welsh Baccalaureate (core plus options) | Grade Pass plus grades CC at A-Level (or equivalent qualifications) combined with 3 qualifications to achieve a minimum total of 112 UCAS points | |
| GCSE | Maths and English Language grade C/4 or above. | |
| Other qualifications | ||
| If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
||
EU/International students
| Essential | ||
|---|---|---|
|
In addition to qualifications, International applicants will also need a good digital portfolio. EU applicants will not be required to submit a portfolio as part of their application. |
||
| EU/Non-EU (International) Qualifications | Requirements 2018/19 | |
| IELTS | 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all bands | |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma (or equivalent, including internationally accredited Foundation courses). |
For students who complete the full IB Diploma: Obtain a total of 14 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects For students who do not complete the full IB Diploma: Obtain a total of 16 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects In addition to the above, applicants will also need: |
|
International students who cannot meet the direct entry requirements can begin their degree studies at Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC).
From A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels
Worried about exams? Don't be.
We've put together a whole host of resources including student tips and expert advice to help you nail your exams. You can even get a free revision guide.
UK or EU students
| Award | Start | Mode | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | Sep 2018 | FT | 3 years | £9,250 per year* | Apply via UCAS |
International Students
| Award | Start | Mode | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | Sep 2018 | FT | 3 years | £12,000 per year |
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Guidance for UK/EU students
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college. You can apply until 30 June.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Non-EU (International) students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Portfolio Guidance
If you are an International student and your application is progressed, you will be asked to submit a portfolio of your creative work. Your portfolio is your opportunity to show us examples of your work and creative interests to support your application.
Please see our international portfolio guidance page for guidance on how to create and submit your portfolio.
Please note that if you are a UK/ EU student you will not be required to submit a portfolio.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Additional costs
Our courses include activities such as performance, exhibitions, field trips and production of works or artefacts which may require you to purchase specific equipment, instruments, books, materials, hire of venues and accommodation, or other items. Many of these activities are essential and compulsory parts of your learning experience.
The link below gives you an estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on your course. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Sorry, this course is not available part-time
Worried about personal statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Year one
The course is module-based and delivered one at a time – you will be taught in a classroom and lecture hall-style rooms to help you engage in lectures topics, discussions and class activities to support the module. You will receive workshops in Visual Communication across pages such as InDesign, Illustrator and SketchUp. All modules will be supported with weekly tutorials in groups or individually, of which you are expected to come prepared with work to show and questions. Modules include: |
Year two
The course is module-based and delivered one at a time – you will be taught in a classroom and lecture hall-style rooms to help you engage in lectures topics, discussions and class activities to support the module. You will receive workshops in Visual Communication across pages such as InDesign, Illustrator and SketchUp. All modules will be supported with weekly tutorials in groups or individually, of which you are expected to come prepared with work to show and questions. Modules include: |
You will also choose one of the following 20 credit modules: |
Year three
The course is module-based and delivered one at a time – you will be taught in a classroom and lecture hall-style rooms to help you engage in lectures topics, discussions and class activities to support the module. You will receive workshops in Visual Communication across pages such as InDesign, Illustrator and SketchUp. All modules will be supported with weekly tutorials in groups or individually, of which you are expected to come prepared with work to show and questions. Modules include: |
The first two years of the course allow you to explore the multi-faceted disciplines that are integral to the way that the fashion business operates.
The third year then allows you to refine your expertise through negotiated projects and tailor your work to become an expert in your chosen field.
Guest speakers have included buyers from George and River Island, social media and PR experts from Missguided, marketing and PR industry managers and fashion bloggers.
You'll gain commercial awareness through a series of live industry projects, industrial placements and opportunities for competitions.
Teaching breakdown
| value | label | color |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Time in lectures, seminars and similar | MidnightBlue |
| 72 | Time in independent study | RoyalBlue |
| 3 | Time on placement | LightSkyBlue |
Assessment breakdown
Projects
We have previously linked with Selfridges in Birmingham to help understand the scale of visual merchandising in a department store. Students applied trends and key drivers to new concepts, and developed skills in SketchUp to present their ideas to the store manager.
Buying and Merchandising module, worked with Whistles to focus students on their core consumer. They gained an insight into how to profile the consumer and interpret the fashion trends into a range. This was supported with Illustrator workshops and Whistles’ head office buyers.
You will also gain experience of Event Management, working in teams to generate a live event in support of a charity. Previous events have included comedy nights, roller discos, open mic nights and more. You will work with venues and retailers to get a real feel of how to manage, market and deliver an event.
You will engage in discussions and debates and you will look at issues surrounding fashion business, and offer solutions for the next generation.
Student Work
Emily Lehmann, Year 3 student
Final-year student Emily Lehmann worked on a project for ASOS, bringing online media to the high street with a new app that used geotagging. The app sent news feeds that direct the consumer to an open space. Once there, the shopper is then rewarded with discounts and content.
Georgia Griffiths, Year 3 student
Georgia Griffiths created a buying range plan for Whistles, offering a consumer-focused collection with ways to wear, and in-store layout.
Overseas Opportunities
In your second year, you have the opportunity to take some study in another country – we currently have links with Milan Polytechnic in Italy and Ryerson University in Canada.
Further Study
Birmingham City University has a range of courses at MA level, ensuring you can progress and enhance your skills. A new range of modules are currently being signed off for a 2017 start.
Trips and visits
During your first year, as part of the Buying and Merchandising module, you have the option to take a trip to Paris in February, coinciding with the Premiere Vision even. The trip is approximately £370.
You will also have the opportunity to visit relevant exhibitions in London during your first term, which will cost £20.
Other trips offered at Levels 5 and 6 have included New York (£750) and Florence (£380), but we are always looking for new locations every year.
Enhancing your employability skills
Employability and being ready for the world of work is very important to us and the course offers a range of modules that will develop relevant industry skills.
Our aims are to:
- To produce industry-ready graduates, who can creatively contribute to fashion and its related industries in local, UK or global markets.
- To provide opportunities for you to explore, practice and challenge the inter-relationships between the commercial environment, creative thinking and technical practice.
- To employ a range of teaching and learning methods, in which you are able to synthesis theories, concepts and fashion practice within local, national and global market places.
- To develop student confidence and professionalism through fluency in verbal communication, as well as coherent written and visual presentation skills.
- To stimulate commercial awareness and activity through project management, live and team projects, industrial liaison and visits, industrial placement and competition at all levels.
- To instil cooperation, competition and an entrepreneurial approach in all student achievements.
Placements
As is the nature of the industry, our students often get the chance to work in many inspiring and glamorous places. If that’s not a great excuse for a shopping trip, we don’t know what is!
Placements have previously seen students undertake a range of roles, working with leading brands like Topshop, Selfridges, Missguided, River Island and Next, taking on roles in blogging, social media, PR and buying.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Links to industry
We have great links with the visual merchandising team at Birmingham’s Selfridges branch, as well as Claire’s Head Office.
BCU Graduate+
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
More about Graduate+
Graduate jobs
Many of our students go on to become buyers or PR assistants, finding opportunities with brands such as Next, Office, Paul Smith, Store 21, Karen Millen and Asos.
Sophie Stronell landed her dream job in 2015 working in PR in Michael Kors in London.
Lizzie Sumners is working for Warehouse as a buyer’s admin assistant and was spotted in Drapers soon after graduation already schmoozing at an industry event.
Shaping retail design at Selfridges
Our students had the chance to 'take over' Selfridges Birmingham for a term to learn about retail design.
They worked with the creative and management team at the iconic Birmingham store to complete the Visual Merchandising and Retail Design module, and pitched their work to the General Manager before the project went on display.
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Our international students
Our School is particularly popular with students from China and Malaysia.
Our International Office in Shanghai was established in 2007 and we work hard to develop strong working relationships between both countries.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Popular home countries
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, and we have a cohort of students from countries like China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Lithuania and Poland. Our fashion business and promotion course is most popular with international students from:
Macau
Serbia
Our Facilities
You’ll be based in our School of Fashion and Textiles, within The Parkside Building. The Parkside Building is part of our new multi-million pound City Centre Campus development in the heart of Birmingham's Eastside development.
Staff
All of our staff have come from industry backgrounds. Sophie Johnson is an ex-student from the course who went on to set up her own PR company, promoting products for the likes of Katy Perry and Little Mix.
Amy Johns worked across a range of roles with a number of prestigious brands, including Burberry, Lyle and Scott, and Fortnum and Mason.
Julia South has worked across the business community, as well as the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
Alison Rapsey
Course Director - BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion
Alison has over 11 years of teaching experience joining Birmingham City University as a lecturer in Fashion Retail Management in 2006. Following her years of dedication to the department, in 2012 she became Course Director for BA(Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion.
Alison began her work in the fashion industry by working for Arcadia, across Dorothy Perkins and Burton stores in management roles and went on to the role of Ladieswear Manager in a newly opened Emporio Armani in 2000.
Sophie Johnson
Lecturer - PR and Marketing
Sophie graduated in 2011 from Birmingham City University on the former BA (Hons) Fashion Retail Management course.
She began her career working for the fast fashion brand In Love With Fashion, managing their online promotions, including social media, digital marketing, influencer marketing and website management. Sophie then began to manage the PR for the brand, dealing with fashion publications and journalists, stylists and celebrities.
After a short while she set-up her own company offering digital and public relations services to fast fashion online brands. MAD PR was born in August 2011 and began competing with top PR and boutique agencies offering a new style of Digital PR not many companies were offering at the time. Eventually MAD PR grew, working with big names such as Claire’s Accessories, In Love With Fashion, TFNC, Merc and Ziba. MAD PR also branched into celebrity placement and dressing services, event management and celebrity PR management.
Career highlights include dressing Katy Perry in a client’s product, working with X Factor, TOWIE, Made In Chelsea and other reality TV programmes plus charity football match Celebrities V Arsenal managed by England Football Player Jermain Defoe, and appearing on ‘The Work Experience’ on E4.