Fashion Business and Promotion with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry.
Our BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion degree course enables you to explore a range of roles within the fashion industry, far beyond the making and production of clothing....
- Level Foundation
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City Centre
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2024
- School School of Fashion and Textiles
- Faculty Faculty of Arts, Design and Media
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Our BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion degree course enables you to explore a range of roles within the fashion industry, far beyond the making and production of clothing.
Guided and supported by a knowledgeable, industry-experienced staff team, you will gain an education across the different fashion sectors and develop skills in order to undertake a number of industry roles, including Buying, Marketing and PR, Trends Forecasting and Event Management.
About foundation courses
The foundation course is an exciting step towards your chosen degree. It provides an opportunity to develop skills to equip you on your professional journey into the creative industries.
The programme encompasses elements of fashion design, fashion business, fashion branding and textile design degree routes. You will be taught in mixed groups alongside students from other Fashion & Textiles pathways providing a platform for you to share with and learn from others, while developing visual communication skills and processes. It will help you in building confidence and independence ready for the next stage of your degree.
We aim to excite, engage and challenge you, pushing you to develop into a capable student with a great fashion and textiles aesthetic as well as an enthusiasm to learn.
This four-year programme has been specifically designed to allow you to undertake additional level three study, to ensure you are successful on your chosen degree programme.
After successful completion of your foundation year, you will have the flexibility to switch (should you wish to change direction) onto a number of related undergraduate degree programmes within the School of Fashion and Textiles.
What's covered in this 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.
I'm so glad that I did the foundation course here because it is a great stepping stone before the degree level and I think I came into my first year feeling much more confident than I ever would have done if it wasn't for the foundation year. It definitely prepared me for beginning my degree course.
Lucy Ettinger, Foundation Year
This course allows you to gain a greater understanding of retail principles and practices as it delves deep into the inner workings of the industry from all levels. Personally, I have acquired invaluable knowledge and insight of multiple sectors not just fashion and feel confident to step into a successful career in the future.
Mae Al Mousa, BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion
Why Choose Us?
- The foundation year will enable you to explore all of the different degree pathways to help you choose the right course ready for the step up to degree.
- On the foundation course you will be part of a community, building your knowledge of the equipment and facilities available, getting to know staff and your fellow students through social events and our end of year exhibition.
- 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 buying to marketing.
- The course helps you become as versatile and dynamic as the industry itself.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Open Day: 29 June 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2024/25.
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.
80 UCAS tariff points
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
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.
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 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
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
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
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.
Course in Depth
Foundation year
In your Foundation Year, you will gain a grounding in a variety of skills from each of our degree pathways, including blog writing, textile techniques, branding, creating garments and more. You will be able to explore the Fashion and Textiles workshops and CAD suites to pursue your individual interests.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Fashion and Textiles are two very large and interrelated global industries, they encompass many different job roles. The two disciplines also support a variety of related approaches and activities ranging from business to art practices.
This module will provide an overview of processes and skills that are essential to fashion and textiles and also give you the opportunity to develop the skillset and knowledge that interests you. You will be allowed to develop personal approaches that can incorporate one or a mixture of making, business analysis or communications.
This module will focus on techniques and strategies for identifying and researching trends, documenting them and how trend analysis can be used in professional practice. In response to seminar discussions and workshops you will experiment with layout and physical compositions to produce a visual interpretation of your findings. You will analyse past, present and future trends using a variety of primary and secondary sources. You will evidence ongoing reflective practice which includes written and visual analysis.
This module will allow you to develop your skills and understanding of a business practice through the set-up and development of a brand. Contextual lectures will help you to consider and predict what are the key drivers and influencers that will impact the development of your brand exploring: social changes, world events, industrial and technological advancements.
This module you will allow you to plan, develop and deliver a project that draws on your own, personal creative strategies to facilitate the realisation of ideas appropriate for progression on your BA course.
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 and Illustrator.
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.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Fashion Business Context will introduce you to an understanding the fashion industry, sectors and topical issues. This module considers the global picture of fashion and discusses the important issues which have defined or are defining this area. Whether it is social, political, economic, environmental or technological factors effecting the industry and consumers. You will be researching a sector and producing a visually creative piece of work that evidences your findings.
Trend Forecasting is the process of translating information across historical, cultural, social, technological, political factors into a visual direction for the future. This project is about understanding the process of trend forecasting, by identifying key drivers and their impacts and the consumer tribes. Student will develop a visual aesthetic to reflect the trend, which you will then apply to a chosen sector/client of the fashion industry.
This module will introduce you to the buying and merchandising principles, and the roles and responsibilities of a buyer and merchandiser, in relation to the fashion industry. You will understand how the buyers and merchandisers work together, within different retail formats.
The visual merchandising project explores the current shift within retail environments to that of curated spaces, and acknowledges the new creators who are shaping the future of retail design. As retailers look to deepen engagement with customers, this module defines and promotes the understanding of visual communication and retail design as a key factor in the evolution of bricks and mortar. The module will introduce you to the challenges and exciting developments within the retail sector with particular focus on innovative visual communication methods and visual merchandising strategies.
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 and Illustrator.
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.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module will advance students skills in the world of PR and Marketing. Students will learn about techniques on persuasion, sales, segmentation and communication across market sectors. Utilising theories and innovative thinking students will develop and execute a Marketing and PR strategy.
This module is designed to understand the nature of internationalisation and to critically evaluate strategies applied to the business sector. The module will enable students to address a variety of key issues in international retailing.
The purpose of this module is to enable you to undertake an in-depth project exploring the event industry. This module looks at different types of events, and explores key factors affecting their planning, it enables you to understand how funding and sponsorship work, and the importance of maintaining a healthy budget. You will explore and understand how to plan and organise a team, and find key suppliers and participants to make the event happen.
The purpose of this module is to enable you to develop professional attributes and subject skills through experience in the work place, and to critically reflect upon your learning in that context. You will normally be expected to arrange your own placement, with support from academic staff and ADM Careers+.
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 and Illustrator.
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.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practice-based portfolio.
The Independent Final Project is an opportunity to focus on a specific area related to future career aspirations, and develop a piece of work that reflects this. It could include creating a magazine or digital publication, developing a branding concept, a brand extension opportunity or a communication strategy. This will be grounded in extensive research both primary and secondary, with industry insight, innovation and justification.
The aim of this module is to critically reflect on good practice and experience and prepare you for the progression into industry and recruitment opportunities.
Download course specification
Download nowThe 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.
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
Elizabeth Hudson
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.
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 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.
Links to industry
The College of Fashion and Textiles works with local, national and international businesses to enhance student learning through placements, workshops, live briefs and guest lectures from industry professionals.
We have great links with the visual merchandising team at Birmingham’s Selfridges branch, as well as Claire’s Head Office.
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:
- 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.
Facilities & Staff
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.
Our staff
Louise Martin
Foundation Year Course Director
Louise’s Masters in textile design established the foundation for her design journey. From this platform, Louise started to build a career as an interior designer, regional design manager, stylist, and as a lecturer in fashion and textiles. Louise now has over 10 years' teaching experience as a lecturer.
More about LouiseNatalie Martin
Lecturer in Foundation Fashion and Textiles
After graduating with BA (Hons) Fashion Design from BCU Natalie has worked with brands such as Joseph Turvey and Hades Knitwear as a freelance designer, production assistant and illustrator as well as working on show production for presentations at London Fashion Week Mens. Working hands-on with small, luxury brands has enabled her to gain a...
More about Natalie