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

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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:
Sustainable Approaches to Fashion Business

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS22702
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 5
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit provides an understanding of the decision-making process required to ensure product expectations are met in a timely manner, balancing the desire for increased profitability along with the ethical and environmental factors which relate to global sourcing and distribtion practices.

Aims

This unit aims to:

  • Promote an in-depth understanding of sourcing and distribution theories and processes in the context of the buying and merchandising cycle. 
  • Provide an opportunity to explore the importance of supplier selection, trading relationships and ethical sourcing considerations that need to be made for fabrics and garments to get quality products into store or online at the right time and place.
  • Develop an understanding and critical appreciation of different configurations of inbound and outbound business systems in a global context.

 

 

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. The lectures will introduce topics and develop the theoretical subject knowledge, with directed reading and personal research encouraged to provide depth of understanding. Some lecture sessions will involve the use of worked practical exercises. The seminar exercises and group work will develop the skills and evaluate the importance and application of techniques. Blackboard will be used to present lecture notes, guided reading, articles and other supporting material. A factory visit will be included, where practical, to support the unit.

Sourcing and Distribution will be examined within the context of Buying and Merchandising and how this informs the decision-making process for business and industry. Crucially, we will examine what, where and when?

  • What garments are we sourcing?
  • Where are we sourcing from?
  • When and where do we deliver?

We will explore the relationship between where we source garments and how these choices affect retailers in terms of import buying, brand buying, and wholesale buying, expanding understanding of how we distribute and allocate garments throughout the business using corporate policy  and management strategies. 

The unit counts for 10 credits and comprises 12 lectures and 6 seminars, supplemented through private study and guided reading.

 

 

Knowledge and understanding

Understand relevant sourcing, supply and distribution theory relating to range and product planning for buying

Demonstrate knowledge required for fabric and garment sourcing

Intellectual skills

Appraise current and emerging practice in sourcing and distribution

Synthesise numerical data and information relating to sourcing and distribution planning 

Practical skills

Apply sourcing and distribution theory to case study examples

Evaluate information relating to the fashion, textiles and retail industry and use this to make informed judgements about sourcing and distribution challenges

 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Synthesise and organise written material and numerical data from a variety of sources

Communicate key concepts orally and in a written format

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

Written and verbal - Following the June Exam Board

Recommended reading

Students are not required to purchase any textbooks for this module. The following are recommended reading and are available in the library:

Connell, D. (2010) A Buyer’s Life: A Concise Guide to Retail Planning & Forecasting, Fairchild, New York.

Davis Burns, L., Mullet, K.K. & Bryant, N.O. (2011) The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, and Marketing, 4th Edition, Fairchild, USA.

Diamond, E. (2006) Fashion Retailing, A Multi Channel Approach, Pearson/Prentice Hall, USA.

Elliott, F. & Rider, J. (2007) Retail Buying Techniques, Mercury Business Books.

Wolfe, M.G. (2002) The World of Fashion Merchandising, Goodheart-Wilcox.

Goworek, H. (2009) Fashion Buying 2nd Edition, Blackwell Science, London.

Grove, V. (2011) Basics Fashion Management: Concept to Customer, Ava Publishing.

Jackson, T. & Shaw, D. (2001) Mastering Fashion Buying and  Merchandising Management  Macmillan Master Series.

Jones, R.M. (2006) The Apparel Industry 2nd Edition: Blackwell Science, London.

Keiser, S.J. & Garner, M.B. (2008) Beyond Design: The Synergy of Apparel Product Design. 2nd Edition, Fairchild, New York.

Marshall, L. & Rowland, F. (2013) A Guide to Learning Independently.  5th Edition, Open University Press, Buckingham.

Saunders, M. (1997) Strategic Purchasing And Supply Chain Management, 2nd Edition, Financial Times Press.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 12
Independent study hours
Independent study 88

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Lisa Taylor Kelly Unit coordinator

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