Fashion Business and Promotion - BA (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

Welcome to the BA Fashion Business and Promotion course, this course opens doors to a multitude of roles in the fashion industry. Explore Marketing, Buying, Public Relations, Trend Forecasting, Event Experience and much more. Get ready to dive deep into the world of fashion -your gateway to a world of endless possibilities in the fashion industry....

  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Available with Professional Placement year

Open to International Students

Overview

BCU really stood out to me when I first visited an Open Day. So I got to explore the studio spaces, have a tour around and get to see all the facilities that I could use. And I really like the appeal that the studio spaces were professional and open, and in an environment where I could mix with other creatives as well. It was also really refreshing to know that I could have a career in such a subject and they would help me achieve that.

One of my biggest highlights so far has definitely been my first module where I was able to make my own garment from scratch. This was the first time I was able to transform one of my own designs into a final garment. It felt amazing seeing this modelled on a friend. In my free time, I'm also a lover of second-hand shopping, which has led me to explore second hand and vintage shopping scene in Birmingham. Buying second-hand is really important to me, not only to find really unique pieces for my own wardrobe, but also consider sustainability when shopping.

The Parkside Grow Garden is a great addition to the studio spaces so students can grow plants and flowers to use in natural dyeing processes, which is another sustainable addition. I've definitely grown as a person while being at BCU, and I feel I'm becoming more comfortable as an individual, which I only hope grows as I continue throughout my time here. Fashion has always been my interest since I was young, and it was considered a sort of taboo in my country, but I still have the interest, I still have the curiosity to explore.

As an international student, I came from Nepal to UK and it was a new chapter in my life. When I came to Birmingham, it was sort of alien society to me. But the longer I was here, I've made UK friends, I've made some international friends as well. What I've enjoyed the most about the multitude so far is the wide range of the research areas that we have, the analytic parts of the industry, how things work, and then a deeper dive into what it means working as a team in the fashion industry.

Outside of studying, I've really enjoyed the change of lifestyle. Exploring Birmingham City, Digbeth and the exhibitions that we had. We also went to London for exhibitions and fashion shows. So it was quite exciting coming to BCU and coming to the UK. I think I'm rediscovering my creativity. I found myself just working and not really spending time on myself so I decided to pick up a hobby. I picked up knitting just on a whim and it kind of opened the floodgates for me. So I just did a Google search for textile courses that offered a foundation year and BCU popped up. I was super impressed with all of the facilities and the hands on time.

I cannot talk enough about how enthusiastic and supportive the tutors are. They are always willing to help. They have a depth of knowledge. I got to develop my skills and find my niche within the textile world, and I've made loads of friends and connections with students from all of the creative courses.

Welcome to the BA Fashion Business and Promotion course, this course opens doors to a multitude of roles in the fashion industry. Explore Marketing, Buying, Public Relations, Trend Forecasting, Event Experience and much more. Get ready to dive deep into the world of fashion -your gateway to a world of endless possibilities in the fashion industry.

Here's what makes our course a game-changer: Explore, Experiment, Excel: Get ready to dive into the inner workings of the fashion world, beyond making clothes. From understanding the buying process, crafting marketing strategies to trend forecasting and event management, you'll be equipped with the skills to thrive in any role.

Unleash Your Creativity: You'll learn to create stunning visual work using cutting-edge CAD packages. Plus, in your final year, you'll hone your self-promotion skills to stand out in the industry. We are pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box. Whether you're exploring sustainable practices or harnessing digital technology, you'll be at the forefront of innovative ideas.

Industry-Ready Excellence: Become the professional you were meant to be! Led by a team of industry-experienced staff, you'll receive top-notch education across various fashion sectors, and guidance from award-winning alumni. Get ready to soak up knowledge and gain skills that will set you apart in the industry, you'll be primed to make your mark and future-proof the global fashion industry.

Global Impact: Explore how different fashion roles collaborate and gain insights into commercial, consumer, and competitive dynamics. Dive into live projects, industry briefs, and learn from guest speakers to stay ahead of the game. From trend forecasting to social media management, our course opens doors to international career opportunities. Whether you're dreaming of working for top brands or launching your own business, the sky's the limit!

Hands-On Learning: We'll equip you with the business know-how you need to succeed. From delivering presentations to mastering teamwork, you'll be ready to tackle any challenge. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into real-world projects. From industry live briefs to collaborative modules, you'll gain invaluable experience and build a network that'll last a lifetime.

Sustainability Matters: Join us in shaping the future of the fashion industry! Explore the United Nations Sustainability Goals, with new concepts around creating a positive planet, and learn how to apply these in real-world settings.

Empowering Futures: Level up your skills and confidence. Whether you're refining your strategies or mapping out your career path, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Professional Placement Option: Want to get hands-on experience? Opt for our optional professional placement year! Spend a whole year with an employer, gaining valuable insights and making industry connections.

So, if you're ready to unleash your possibilities and make waves within the industry, your future starts now.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

You will learn how fashion roles work together, as well as commercial and consumer and  competitive awareness. 

You will work on a live project, as well as industry focused briefs across the first two years and  benefit from regular industry guest speakers. 

Throughout the course, we will develop your business knowledge and language, preparing you for delivering presentations, teamwork, writing reports and build skills in creating both paper and digital visual work with the aid of CAD packages. 

In your final year, you will work on projects that support your independent interests and develop your self-promotion skills ready for industry.

Professional Placement Year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.

"The Fashion Business and Promotion course has taught me a variety of transferable skills, from hard skills like Adobe software to boosting my confidence with presenting, networking, and creativity. The course inspires and encourages an innovative and problem-solving approach to the fashion industry which has helped spark my passions and set me up to achieve my future career goals.

"The course is the perfect mix of creativity, academics, and real industry skills, which has allowed me to secure a wide range of internships ranging from marketing and content creation to buying and merchandising. Going into my final year I already feel set up and excited to enter the industry and make my mark!"

Charlotte Butler

Why Choose Us?

  • 98% of students rated the teaching on this course as good or very good (NSS 2024).
  • Build a range of transferrable skills to adapt to the global fashion and lifestyle industry.
  • Work on live projects with industry brands such as Gymshark, Selfridges and Next, gaining business insight from professionals and opportunities for work placements.
  • The course equips you with the toolkit of both creative Adobe and business skills to operate in a competitive, international market place.
  • Our academic staff have industry experience working for brands such as Armani, George, Debenhams and our alumni revisit to share experiences and insights.
  • Integrated work placements provide you with the essential experience to get ahead in the fashion industry and graduate with valuable experience.

Open Days

Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation. Booking isn't open yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Open Day: 22 March 2025

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 3 years
  • £17,690 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Key subscriptions 

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library. 

Free Adobe Creative Cloud licence 

Students studying on this course can request a free licence to install the entire suite of applications on up to two personal devices. 

Project materials (mandatory) 

This course includes project work that requires you to develop and produce a portfolio or collection.  There are requirements within certain modules which need to submit printed outcomes. This is often only 1 or 2 modules a year. We recommend a budget of approximately £50 per year. 

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Placement expenses (optional) 

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home. 

Field trips (optional) 

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost. 

Gallery visits (optional) 

It is advisable for all Creative Arts students to visit exhibitions, galleries and other creative and cultural institutions and events depending on your own individual area of interest. Travel and entry costs may be associated with this. 

Personal equipment (optional) 

Whilst not essential, it is advised you own a computer or laptop capable of running Adobe CC applications. This could be Windows or Apple. 

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK students

UK 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.

Applying through UCAS

  1. Register with UCAS
  2. Login to UCAS and complete your details
  3. Select your course and write a personal statement
  4. Get a reference
  5. Pay your application fee and submit your application

Guidance for 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.

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.

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.

Get personal statement advice

*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.

Course in Depth

Year one

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Year two

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.

Professional Placement Year (Optional)

In order to qualify for the award of BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion with Professional Placement Year a student must successfully complete the following module.

Year three

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Download course specification

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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. 

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 presented their ideas to the store manager.

Within the Buying and Merchandising module we have worked with Next and Superdry to develop a range of products suitable for their profile of the consumer. Applying the fashion trends, considering lead times of the product, critical path and costs and competitive shop. This was supported with Illustrator workshops and feedback guest talks from the head office team.

You will also gain experience of Event Management, working in teams to generate a live event. Students have to consider the marketing of the event, networking with businesses locally for support, negotiation, problem solving and crisis management, all skills relevant to 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

Elizabeth Hudson

Page of Elizabeth Hudson's student project focusing on the puffer jacket, with colour palette and key words of cocooning, comforting, shapeless, smooth and protective

A first year module exploring factors affecting the fashion industry for future forecasting, Elizabeth identified post Covid impacts around more localised shopping, wellbeing and the athleisure casual market generated the need for more cocooning, soft, comforting clothes. A soft colour palette and puffer jackets will be key. Using Indesign to present her findings and learning about business theories like PESTLE she helped create a considered and future proof concept.

Go Abroad

Undergraduate students can apply to study on an exchange programme for one semester at one of our partner universities across the globe. The opportunity to apply will depend on which course you study. The majority of courses offer this in the second semester of your second year. You will obtain credits which are recognised by BCU.  Find out more about Go Abroad.

Alternatively, each year, the University offers students the chance to volunteer or study overseas at one of our partner institutions/organisations during the summer. In previous years, our students have been to France, Spain, Brazil, Fiji, India, Mexico, South Korea, and USA on a variety of activities. All students are eligible to apply, although PG and PhD students may require academic approval. Find out more about Go Abroad.

Employability

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 opportunity to undertake 72 hours of work placement at the end of the second year - you will be supported by the Careers team and a series of workshops to help you secure a placement and how to reach out and network. In additional we are offering a professional placement when you may wish to take a year out to carry out more than one longer term placement.

Placements have previously seen students undertake a range of roles, working with leading brands like Superdry, Selfridges and Next taking on roles in blogging, social media, PR and buying.

International

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:

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.

Facilities & Staff

Parkside article photo

Our Facilities

Fashion and Textiles courses are based at our Parkside Building, which is part of our multi-million pound City Centre Campus development in the heart of Birmingham's Eastside development.

Our staff

Kayleigh Parkes

Course Leader - BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion

Kayleigh has a Master's degree from London College of Fashion in Fashion Futures, where her final major project explored accessibility of sustainable products from the perspective of low socio economic demographic, with a focus on improving education and systematic change.

More about Kayleigh

Alison Rapsey

Senior Lecturer in BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion

Alison has over 17 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...

More about Alison

Beth White

Senior Lecturer BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion

Beth White is a Senior Lecturer on BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion and the Collaborative Practice co-ordinator and lead for fashion enterprise and employability at Birmingham City University. Beth has published widely on the impact of intellectual negotiation, and participatory democracy and the importance of collective decision...

More about Beth

Annette Clarke

Senior Lecturer in BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion

Graduating from De Montfort University with BA(Hons) Fashion & Textiles, the early phase of Annette's career was as a Designer for Christian Dior Lingerie, Paris. Moving into fashion buying she developed extensive buying experience at a senior executive level, managing multi-channel product strategy and product development across a wide...

More about Annette