- UCAS course code
- 6G49
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Fashion Buying and Merchandising
Become a successful fashion buyer by combining creativity and trend-spotting with data analysis, business theory and textile science.
Duration: 3 years or 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: 6G49 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Industrial experience
Scholarships available
Field trips
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 35 points overall with 6,6,5 at HL
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £38,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
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 .
Course unit details:
Buying Communication
| Unit code | MATS21502 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 5 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
A critical part of the buying role is clear communication and effective negotiation in order to get the right product in the right place at the right time.
Aims
This unit aims to:
- Develop a creative and analytical approach, in challenging Fashion Buying situations.
- Appraise the needs to consider product, supplier, brand and consumer from both a practical and theoretical perspective in the decision making during the buying process.
- Apply diverse visual & digital design methods to communicate analytical research in order to present final concepts in a professional manner.
Learning outcomes
A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Intellectual skills
- Practical skills
- Transferable skills and personal qualities
Teaching and learning methods
This unit will make use of a variety of learning and teaching processes including: lectures, discussions, group activities and independent study. Blackboard will be used to present lecture notes, guided reading, articles and other information. Blackboard may also be utilised for assessment using Turnitin.
Knowledge and understanding
1A - Explain the diverse processes used in fashion buying and in particular the ones used during the product development.
1B - Discuss the diversity of research methods used in the decision making process in developing a commercially viable product.
Contributing to developing the programme learning outcomes and the assessment of:
1C- Analyse the process and stages of fashion product development with specific emphasis on the role of the buyer and merchandiser.
Intellectual skills
2A - Apply a range of both creative and analytical research to develop a commercially viable product for a specific retailer.
2B - Assess key findings from research and make independent judgements on its implications on product development.
Contributing to developing the programme learning outcomes and the assessment of:
2C - Synthesise, assess and evaluate information and data from appropriate sources and use these to make informed, independent judgments and decision making in relation to technical product and/or business contexts.
Practical skills
3A - Develop further visual communication skills using professional CAD software to implement results.
Contributing to developing the programme learning outcomes and the assessment of:
3B - Plan, implement and interpret results of research or experimental studies.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
4A - Formulate key findings through a range of communication methods (visually and in written foramt) from research to final results.
Contributing to developing the programme learning outcomes of:
4B - Clear and effective communication, using a range of styles and employing various media appropriate to the context.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Report | 100% |
Feedback methods
Written and verbal:
Recommended reading
Main Sources:
- Boardman, R., Parker-Strak, R., Henninger, C.E. (2020). Fashion Buying and Merchandising: The Fashion Buyer in a Digital Society, Routledge
- Bowles, M. (2012), ‘ Digital Textile Design’, 2nd ed., Laurence King
- Burke, S., (2011), ‘Fashion Designer: Concept to Collection’, Burke Publishing
- Clark, J, (2015) Fashion Merchandising, Palgrave, London
- Cohen, S. (2012). InDesign CS6¿: for windows and macintosh . Berkeley, Calif: Peachpit.
- Davis Burns, L. & Bryant, N.O. (2002) ‘The business of fashion: designing, manufacturing and marketing’ 2nd ed Fairchild Publications
- Goworek, H., (2007), ‘Fashion Buying’, John Wiley & Sons
- Hume, R., (2016), ‘Fashion and Textile Design with Photoshop and Illustrator’ 1st ed Fairchild Books
- Jackson, T. & Shaw, D. (2009), ‘Mastering Fashion Marketing’, Palgrave Macmillan
- Jackson, T & Shaw, D (2001) ‘Mastering Fashion Buying and Merchandising Management’: Palgrave Macmillan
- Keiser,S, J &Garner, M, B (2008) ‘Beyond Design. The Synergy of Apparel Product Design’. 2nd ed., Fairchild
- McKelvey, K. & Munslow, J. (2008) ‘Fashion forecasting’ Wiley-Blackwell
- Rath, P.M. (2015). The why of the buy¿: consumer behavior and fashion ma
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 82 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Janine Dixon | Unit coordinator |