
- UCAS course code
- 6G49
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description
Fashion buying requires a strong commercial and analytical foundation. The course is designed to provide students with and appreciation of the creative fashion drivers needed to be a successful fashion buyer, such as the ability to pick out and identify trends, as well as a solid understanding of the business acumen required for the products they buy to be a commercial success. The strong textile science underpinning of the programme will offer students a unique understanding as to the technical performance and construction of the garments. The programme also provides an emphasis on the numerical and data analysis, skills and knowledge essential to fashion buying. The role of the fashion buyer in a multi-functional team within the business is also emphasised, for example the way in which the buyer interacts with marketers to understand consumer demand, as well as merchandisers to facilitate the flow of stock in the most profitable way. The changing nature of the supply chain, in terms of the speed to market and continual buying cycles is introduced, including fast fashion and seasonal buying strategies. Students who graduate from this programme would be ideally equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for a fashion buying or mechanising role.
Special features
For study abroad, exchange partners are offered through the Erasmus Exchange scheme in Europe and the Worldwide Exchange scheme. Find out more about the Study Abroad Programme .
Students wanting to take the Industrial placement pathway are responsible for finding their own placement. They will work closely with the careers office and both the placement tutor and administrator to find a suitable placement. They also have access to former placement providers who often take students each year.
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Teaching and learning
Coursework and assessment
If you choose to take the four-year pathway with industrial experience, your year in industry is assessed through a written report, appraisal by the host organisation and an oral presentation contributing 20% towards your final mark.
Course content for year 1
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Raw Materials for Fashion | MATS11201 | 20 | Mandatory |
Fashion Buying | MATS11301 | 20 | Mandatory |
Fashion Marketing | MATS11402 | 20 | Mandatory |
Fashion Function and Aesthetics | MATS11502 | 20 | Mandatory |
Garment Technology | MATS11602 | 20 | Mandatory |
Management and the Apparel Pipeline | MATS11701 | 20 | Mandatory |
Course content for year 2
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Fashion Buying & Merchandising | MATS20422 | 20 | Mandatory |
Garment Production Technology | MATS21201 | 20 | Mandatory |
Fashion Business & Analysis | MATS22002 | 20 | Mandatory |
Fashion Product Development | MATS22031 | 20 | Mandatory |
Operations Management | MATS22601 | 20 | Mandatory |
Buying Communication | MATS21502 | 10 | Optional |
Digital Branding | MATS21702 | 10 | Optional |
Fashion Brand Promotion | MATS21902 | 10 | Optional |
The In-Store Environment | MATS22202 | 10 | Optional |
Commercial Design & Make | MATS22232 | 10 | Optional |
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Display all course units for year 2 |
Course content for year 3
Students may apply to extend this degree to four years, and spend their third year either on industrial experience or studying abroad.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Buying Strategy | MATS34571 | 40 | Mandatory |
Business Ethics Sustainability & CSR | MATS34502 | 20 | Optional |
Fashion Business in the Digital Age | MATS34511 | 20 | Optional |
Business Project | MATS34542 | 40 | Optional |
Fashion Project | MATS34552 | 40 | Optional |
Technology Project | MATS34802 | 40 | Optional |
Leadership in Action Online Unit | UCIL20030 | 20 | Optional |
Scholarships and bursaries
The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.
For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our the Department funding pages.
Facilities
We are unique amongst UK Universities in that we have world class facilities for manufacturing textiles, including Jacquard weaving, computerised flat-bed knitting, digital printing and nano-fibre manufacturing.
Manchester's Engineering Campus Development, MECD
Get ready to collaborate, create and innovate in a brand-new £400m purpose-built building which will allow you, our future engineers and material scientists, to come together and make your mark on the world. The Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) will officially open from September 2022 and will include hundreds of flexible teaching and learning spaces with unrivalled world-class research facilities - whatever your inspiration, with MECD the possibilities are endless. Learn more