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LOCATION
Docklands Campus
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
The BA (Hons) Fashion Buying, Merchandising & Innovation programme is designed to introduce students to responsibilities and develop their understanding of the skills that are required for working as a buyer within fashion.
In addition, students will be made aware of the evolving nature of fashion buying and be encouraged to developing an innovative mindset that will set them up for success and progression in the area of fashion buying.
Subjects to develop their key skills will involve working with IT and digital platforms, training their numerical literacy and also learning about fashion operation systems and consumer behaviour in order to nurture each student's progression within the evolving industry of fashion and also support with developing skills relevant for further progressing within higher education.
Foundation Year course
Our Foundation Year course is perfect if you want a degree in Journalism but you don't meet the standard entry requirements.
First we prepare you for your degree during the foundation year, bringing you up to speed with academic skills and a firm grounding in the subject. Then you can go on to do the full undergraduate degree. This means it will take you four years to complete the course full-time, and eight years to complete the course part-time.
What makes this course different
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
You will learn a range of subjects related to how the fashion industry operates and also develop your skills and ability for working with the required skills needed for employment as a fashion buyer.
The evolving industry of fashion will also require you to be proactive, empathetic and also embrace knowledge of sustainable practices. The Fashion Buying course will encourage this in you. You can also learn transferable skills that will be of paramount importance, such as team working, time management, communication skills and also develop your digital, numerical and technological proficiencies.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
MODULES
- Core Modules
Design and Application CloseDesign and Application
This module aims to allow you to put into practice knowledge gained from previous module development in term 1 and implement it towards design and application.
You will develop your design concepts developed from learned skills in the Design and Context module and be taught the application of your ideas towards potential 2D and 3D outcomes.
The application of your designs will delve into the different outputs of fashion such as graphics and layouts for fashion marketing, pattern cutting and sewing for design and sample and material development for textile design etc.
You will be expected to be innovative in your approach to application, practicing the context and technical and creative processes learned prior to help fuel your delivery.
The design element will come from a range of inspirational sources that you have a general interest in and be based on the fashion route chosen; be it Marketing, Design or Textiles, you will have the opportunity to explore what design means in your relevant fields.
Design and Context CloseDesign and Context
This module applies knowledge to the context of fashion through design and is effectively a new understanding of theory through creative vision, linking theory into practice.
Delving deeper beyond the practical, you will need to foster an understanding of your ideas from a theoretical point of view, beyond personal aesthetics and towards a broader development in professional practice.
The module will investigate the methods of contextual design using structural methods to consolidate research that will be used to create and prototype product or service concepts, and repeatedly test and refine those concepts with input from peers and tutors.
Through a series of workshops and lectures you will explore a wide range of creative techniques and methodologies within core specialisms in fashion such as design, textiles and marketing with a theoretical context given in each.
Utilising design research and skills learned from these specialisms, you will be able to transfer your knowledge across other projects and strengthen your creative portfolios.
Fashion Development and Techniques CloseFashion Development and Techniques
This module will give you an introduction to the wider aspects of the fashion sector through industry visits, market analysis, technical workshops and the fashion system.
You will be taught about the relationship between design, manufacturing, selling, buying and marketing facets of fashion.
Technical and Creative Processes CloseTechnical and Creative Processes
This module will focus on the creative cycle, from research to ideation, development and revision. You will be taught the initial skills that will be needed to begin the design and creative processes that will fuel your practical modules.
You will be presented with an overview of technical tools available in order to broaden your thinking towards the wide spectrum of outputs that can be used for creative processes in Fashion.
Processes include understanding how to find and develop a concept through research methodologies and present these ideas visually through sketchbooks and portfolio pages. This will constitute evidence of industry knowledge which in turn will be used as currency for further study or in the job sector.
You will also be taught key technical processes that lead to initial and final prototyping.
Final Realisation CloseFinal Realisation
The final realisation module is geared to encouraging experimentation and providing a clear focus towards your intended pathway.
Based on the different learned skill sets throughout the first and second terms, you will be required to identify a specific interest you may have identified in a previous module to develop into a final major project; outcomes will vary according to your discipline.
By this juncture, you will have gathered a range of vital preparatory skills of drawing, observation, research and project development to explore your specialism in an innovative and original manner that will form a robust foundation for further undergraduate study.
- Core Modules
Mental Wealth: Professional Life - Business of Fashion 1 CloseMental Wealth: Professional Life - Business of Fashion 1
This module focuses on an introduction to fashion and the creative industries offering insight through guest lectures and workshops designed to develop your professional skills. Students gain key visual communication and written skills to better understand industry expectations and standards. Digital skills and graphic identity are explored in the production of subject specific publications and portfolio development.
This module will give students the basic understanding of business operations by being actively engaged with level 5 students in producing collaborative works that can be effectively marketed and translated to a market. This module will relate closely to the Fashion Enterprise module and much more focus on finalised product, service or media.
Students will have the opportunity to build on their community and industry connections via enhanced knowledge on social media and ethical practices within industry, building and developing their confidence towards a future they are passionate and well informed about.
Introduction to Fashion Management CloseIntroduction to Fashion Management
Fashion Contexts and Research CloseFashion Contexts and Research
The aim of this module is to introduce students to collaborative projects and design creative solutions as a team by working alongside other creatives within the fashion cluster. This module will focus on how to develop best practice and fully utilise individual skillsets to deliver specific project outcomes. Students learn to work in a team to develop project plans, research and development and design production and delivery.
This module will look to explore techniques and research methodologies in ensuring that students have a good understanding on how context and theory apply to practice in relation to Fashion. Students will understand how the wide variety of media and cultural, social and political influences form our contemporary perceptions of fashion.
Trends Forecasting & Fashion Buying CloseTrends Forecasting & Fashion Buying
The module will provide opportunities for students to study trends forecasting and use the outcomes to predict and develop buying strategies.
Students will analyse international supply chains in the fashion sector and build knowledge of relevant business models through research and case studies.
- Core Modules
Creative Fashion Practice CloseCreative Fashion Practice
This module requires you to further develop your creative practice across fashion and the industry, utilising knowledge gained from the Fashion Practice module at level 4.
You will demonstrate an understanding of the design process through development of experimental and creative practice to produce an innovative sketchbook/ file and design construction/ creative/professional portfolio. Research and exploration of a broad range of future cultural and global trends are fundamental to your concepts for fashion, textiles and marketing campaigns.
Fashion Enterprise 2 CloseFashion Enterprise 2
Fashion Enterprise 2 will further expand on the projects developed on the level 4 Fashion Enterprise module via individual and collaborative projects, with a focus on career development.
The module aims to develop enterprise skills for self-promotion in industry as well as technique and strategies in setting up own enterprise.
You will have the opportunity to go on placement and work on live briefs, learning skills in developing your graphic identity through exploration of fonts, art direction and branding, CV and business profile development and portfolio and promotional materials.
Having focused on understanding how the fashion industry operates at different levels and its career opportunities, you will create your personal brand Identity & use of formats to promote yourself.
Mental Wealth: Professional Life - Business of Fashion 2 CloseMental Wealth: Professional Life - Business of Fashion 2
Building on the work of FT4011, you will further your ability to identify industry related processes and professional skills. Through a series of workshops focused on design presentation and effective visual communication, you will engage with subject specific external competitions alongside building your identity as a designer through the production of individual portfolios.
The module will allow you to contextualise your core discipline learning within specific markets and trends relevant to your discipline within the Fashion and Textiles sector. In addition, you will gain a greater understanding and ability to present your work professionally and articulate your concepts visually alongside a supporting written report.
- Optional Modules
Optional placement CloseOptional placement
This course offers the opportunity of year-long placement between years two and three. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend your third year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.
The extra placement year means it will take four years to complete your studies, instead of three. - Core Modules
Consumer Psychology and Behaviour CloseConsumer Psychology and Behaviour
Fashion Enterprise 3 CloseFashion Enterprise 3
This module allows you to work directly with industry to define and execute creative solutions and develop a creative portfolio of work within the creative industries.
You will learn how to freelance and set up your own businesses by examining and understanding future roles within the creative industries.
You will collaborate across all fashion titles to plan and organise a showcase of your work at a relevant trade fair or sell designs in a pop-up shop. By utilising professional skills, you will work in teams alongside staff to design and implement creative concepts for a given market sector.
Mental Wealth: Professional Life - Business of Fashion 3 CloseMental Wealth: Professional Life - Business of Fashion 3
You will develop your ability to produce industry standard portfolios reflecting your skills and expertise, ready for graduate level jobs.
You will be able to develop your professional identity by demonstrating your entrepreneurial thinking into your exit portfolio which will provide insight into the complexity of the fashion industry with consumer behaviour, business models, business funding and different career alternatives.
Further insight on business strategy such as investment capital and start up campaigns will be delivered.
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
You will learn through lecture and seminar sessions that will be led by academics, practitioners, as well as industry guest speakers. Off campus activities such as local and international trips will also provide learning opportunities for you throughout the programme. Added to this, you will have the chance to learn in participation with mentors and through internships, which you can undertake during the placement year, within and between academic term periods.
HOW YOU'LL BE ASSESSED
You will be assessed through a range of assessment methods, and with both individual and group projects. Each assessment method will be dependent on the modules. Assessment methods can include:
- Portfolios
- Academic and creative journals
- Written essays
- Inter-programme group projects
- Competition entries
- Live project briefs
- Individual and group presentations
- Exam and assessed quiz activities
CAMPUS and FACILITIES

Docklands Campus, Docklands Campus, London, E16 2RD
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
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What we're researching
At the University of East London we are working on the some of the big issues that will define our future; from sustainable architecture and ethical AI, to health inequality and breaking down barriers in the creative industries.
Our students and academics are more critically engaged and socially conscious than ever before. Discover some of the positive changes our students, alumni and academics are making in the world.
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
You can expect to find employment in the area of fashion buying across a range of fashion organisations. Further opportunities can include working as a consultant, in merchandising or starting up your own fashion label.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.