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

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

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:
Operations Management

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS22601
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 5
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit provides a concise treatment of contemporary operations management; central to the unit is the recognition of the strategic importance of operations and the role of effective management in integrating organisational functions and aligning all activities with organisational goals

Aims

  • The unit aims to: 

    • Promote an in-depth understanding of the role of operations management in creating products and services of value, particularly in fashion and related industries 
    • Provide an opportunity to explore and interrelate a range of strategic, tactical and operational issues associated with contemporary operations management, including operations performance, designing the operation and developing the operation.
    • Develop an appreciation of the strategic impact of operations and how effective management can systematically drive competitive advantage.

 

Learning outcomes

A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Intellectual skills
  • Transferable skills and personal qualities

Teaching and learning methods

This unit will make use of a variety of learning and teaching processes including: online workshops, 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.

 

 

Knowledge and understanding

a. Formulate the principal steps of design or redesign of production and business systems to meet a given pattern of demand for a selection of products and services

b. Apply a range of contemporary techniques and philosophies underpinning operations management.

c. Outline the strategic importance of effective operations management and its potential to secure competitive advantage 

Intellectual skills

  1. Appraise current and emerging practice(s) and comment on strengths and weaknesses using balanced, logical and supported argument.
  2. Confidently distinguish the key ingredients of complex problems; and use these to select and apply appropriate knowledge, tools and methods to a range of operations challenges in the fashion, textiles and related industries.

 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  1. Engage effectively in academic discussion and present arguments in a professional manner.
  2. Act with increasing autonomy, with reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines.

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

Written and verbal 

Recommended reading

Core text:

  • Slack, N, Brandon-Jones, A and Johnston, R (2016). Operations Management. Harlow, UK: Pearson Education Limited/Prentice Hall.

 

You can use any previous version of the core text, if you cannot access the most recent edition.

 

Further Reading

  • Jones, R M (2006). The Apparel Industry. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.

 

Sessions will also be supplemented by further directed reading if required.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 22
Independent study hours
Independent study 178

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Victoria Stephens Unit coordinator

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