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:
Business Ethics Sustainability & CSR

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS34502
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 6
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Increasing interest in ethical and sustainable practices is having a dramatic impact on the nature of business operations within textile and apparel manufacturing industries and has profound economic, political and cultural implications.

Aims

The unit aims to:

  • Develop an appreciation of the challenges and complexities of business ethics, sustainability and CSR in the world of contemporary textiles;
  • Provide a thorough grounding in sustainability and ethical dimensions and consequences of corporate conduct; and
  • Equip you with the necessary skills and understanding to critically evaluate and analyse real world scenarios.

Learning outcomes

A greater depth of the learning outcomes are 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: workshops, videos, discussions, group activities and independent study. Blackboard will be used to present unit material, guided reading, articles and other information. Blackboard may also be utilised for assessment.

Knowledge and understanding

1a. Evaluate ethical and sustainable practices to successfully engage with and meet the needs of key stakeholders in fashion and textiles.

1b. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the strategic aspects of a proactive approach to Business Ethics, Sustainability and CSR and its potential to gain competitive advantage in the fashion and textiles industries.

1c. Apply ethical theories to appraise moral issues of right and wrong in the fashion and textiles industries, from various perspectives.

Intellectual skills

2a.Evaluate current and emerging ethical and sustainable practice(s) in the fashion industry and comment on strengths and weaknesses using balanced, logical and supported argument.

2b. Critically distinguish the key aspects of complex problems

2c. Apply theoretical frameworks and concepts to evaluate challenges relating to Business Ethics, Sustainability and CSR in fashion and textiles.

Practical skills

3a. Act autonomously with limited supervision or direction within negotiated guidelines.

3b.Use appropriate sources to gain relevant information on Business Ethics, Sustainability and CSR in fashion and textiles.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

4a. Engage effectively in academic discussion and present arguments in a professional manner.

4b. Express written ideas in a concise and justified manner.

4c. Work effectively in a team to debate ethical issues in fashion and textiles.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 70%
Written assignment (inc essay) 30%

Feedback methods

Written feedback

 

Recommended reading

Students are not required to purchase any textbooks for this module.

Each session will be supplemented by directed reading of relevant academic journal papers. You are expected to read widely around the subject and to find relevant recent academic journal papers to add to your knowledge in addition to the recommended reading provided. You are expected to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the key journals and key authors in the field at final year level. Remember that textbooks merely provide an introduction to topics.


 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 40
Independent study hours
Independent study 160

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Amy Benstead Unit coordinator

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