Bachelor of Science (BSc)

BSc Fashion Management

Equip yourself with management theory, textile science and business skills for brand management, production, and ethical sourcing.

  • Duration: 3 years or 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2026
  • UCAS course code: 3M89 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad
  • Industrial experience
  • Scholarships available
  • Field trips
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Overview

Course overview

  • This course is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing and The Textile Institute.
  • As a BSc, this course enables students to understand the science and technology behind the fabrics and garments they work with, ensuring that they can create, manage and market commercially viable knitted, woven and printed fabrics and garments worldwide.
  • Strong links with industry, including careers events promoting placements and graduate opportunities from companies such as Next, ASOS and Tommy Hilfiger.
  • Learn in our brand-new Home of Engineering and Materials . A purpose-built space for innovation and creativity that is transforming the way our students study, research and shape the world.
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Fashion, Business and Technology at Manchester

Science, Engineering and Fashion Discover Days – April 2025

Don't just imagine your future at University, experience it first-hand!

Step into the shoes of an undergraduate student and join us for our upcoming on-campus Discover Days in Science, Engineering and Fashion. These days are tailored exclusively for Year 12s who are interested in taking their academic journey to the next level. Find your favourite subject now!

Find out more about our Discover Days

A study experience that makes a difference

We place social responsibility at the heart of your learning which means you can take advantage of unique ways to make a difference while studying with us, through your course or through extra-curricular activities.

  • Complete our Ethical Grand Challenges to learn how you can create a better world and become more socially responsible.
  • Work with an external organisation to tackle real-world sustainability problems through our University Living Lab.
  • Discover subjects that broaden your horizon with our interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

Explore how you'll make your mark

Every course at Manchester contributes towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, so no matter what you're studying you'll be playing an active role in the protection of people and planet.

You will explore the following goals in your course:

  • Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

Open days

The University holds undergraduate open days regularly where you have the opportunity to find out more about our courses, the support we offer and see our facilities. Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days .

Contact details

Department
Department of Materials
Contact name
Department of Materials
Telephone
+44 (0)161 529 3043
Email
Website
https://www.materials.manchester.ac.uk/
School/Faculty overview

Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality.  Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

A-level

AAB in three academic subjects.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

Duration of A-level study

Your application will be considered against the standard selection process of your chosen course if you either:

a) sat your examinations early;

or

b) followed an accelerated curriculum and spent three years studying A-levels where the examinations were taken over two years.

If you are studying an advanced curriculum where the examinations are spread over three years, consideration for an offer will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor for that subject.

A-level contextual offer

ABB from three academic subjects. 

Find out more about contextual admissions.

Contextual offers are available for applicants who:

  • live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
  • live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
  • have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

UK refugee/care-experienced offer

BBB in three academic subjects.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:

  • have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
  • have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall with 6,6,5 in three subjects at Higher Level.

We will accept either Mathematics: analysis and approaches or Mathematics: applications and interpretation at SL or HL.

GCSE/IGCSE

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C/4 in GCSE/IGCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science.

GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact us for clarification.

Other entry requirements

Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.

Country-specific entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements see accepted entry qualifications from your country.

Detailed information on our international entry criteria is available on the Department of Materials website .

English language requirements

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:

  • GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade C/4, or;
  • IELTS 6.0 overall with no sub-skill below 6.0, or;
  • TOEFL iBT 80 overall with no sub-skill below 20. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, or;
  • An  acceptable equivalent qualification .


Where specified, we also require grade 1 or 2 in the Oral Exam component of the IGCSE English Language (first or second language) qualification.


Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact us for clarification.


If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the  UCAE page .


The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a  minimum level of English Language  (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.


Academic Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level.

English language test validity

Some English language test results are only valid for two years. Your English language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Fees and funding

Fees

Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

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.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .

Advice to applicants

Factors contributing to a successful application include:

  • past academic performance;
  • predicted academic performance;
  • enthusiasm for, and realistic grasp of, chosen degree programme;
  • evidence of interpersonal skills and non-academic interests/achievements.

Further guidance on how to apply .

Where you have mitigating circumstances these should be reported to your education provider and relevant exam board, we cannot make further allowances. We would normally require recent relevant study. Please contact the Admissions Office to discuss your particular circumstances.

Subjects with overlapping content are not normally considered as separate subjects. For example, Human Biology is not considered alongside Biology. The only exception would be Mathematics and Further Mathematics. If you are concerned there is too much overlap in your subjects please contact us for advice before applying.

Home-schooled applicants

If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the specified academic entry requirements of the course. We will also require a reference from somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education.

Please refer to UCAS for further information: UCAS reference guidelines

If you are a home-schooled student and would like further information or advice please contact us.

Non-standard educational routes

Mature applicants who are returning to studies after a break from formal education will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the Department of Materials

Further information for mature students .

How your application is considered

Applications are considered on the basis of the UCAS form. Strong examination results are the main factor in admitting students to our courses. We consider other information to ensure we admit students with the most outstanding potential. This is assessed within a structured framework and includes prior and predicted grades. Your referee should give realistic grade predictions for all qualifications that you are currently studying at the top of their reference. If you attend a non-UK school or college that does not provide predicted grades your referee should explain this policy within their reference.

Further information and advice on writing your personal statement and the UCAS application process .

Skills, knowledge, abilities, interests

We are looking for a genuine enthusiasm for the subject in your personal statement.

Interview requirements

Full selection process for 2026 entry will be confirmed soon.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

We welcome applications from overseas applicants. If you are not taking A-levels or International Baccalaureate, we may ask for a transcript of your academic qualifications so that we can give full consideration to your application.

Deferrals

Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation.

Deferred entry is granted at the discretion of admissions staff and is normally granted for one year only and two years at the maximum in exceptional circumstances. Some English Language test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL, are only valid for two years from the test date. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

We normally also guarantee a place in the current year should the applicant's gap year plans change, subject to availability of places.

Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications

If you have re-sat individual modules to improve your grades, we will consider your application according to the standard selection process. If you are planning to re-sit the final Year 13 examinations, or have already done so, the University will consider your application, but we may require further information in order to make an informed judgment on your application.

Policy for applicants who take their examinations in more than one sitting

We are happy to consider applicants who are taking their examinations in more than one sitting, provided they are taken over the standard two-year period. 

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.

We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through Clearing you are required to meet the Clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and Clearing the places will be subject to availability.

Course details

Course description

Learning a lot about consumer behaviour has helped me to get to where I am today: just sort of understanding how to word things or display things so it might inspire people more.

And learning all about marketing and retailing and understanding all of that; like how PR teams and marketing teams work, and also digital marketing. There are loads of things I learnt here that I¿m still using today.

Victoria Magrath / Editor and Director of Fashion, Beauty, Travel and Lifestyle blog Inthefrow

The Fashion Management course provides students with an opportunity to focus on management theory as well as the textiles science and technology context of the fashion industry. It addresses contemporary management concepts stemming from changing organisational structures, complex environmental conditions, new technological developments and increasingly diverse work practices. This course highlights critical issues involved in both managing and being managed, including components of organisations, environment, strategy, structure, culture, tasks, people and outputs and managerial decisions in the context of the global fashion industry.

Management is the effective and efficient use of resources to attain organisational goals. This involves planning, organising, leading and controlling. It informs every aspect of daily business from developing customer relationships and implementing marketing activities, to the coordination of key suppliers and ethical sourcing. Students will learn the modern contemporary management approaches and techniques thoroughly grounded in the innovative world of fashion. Management will be explored in all aspects of contemporary business life including brand management, design, production and the supply chain. 

Our students study contemporary including sustainability, social responsibility and stakeholder engagement. From day one, students will engage with real managers in real settings, learning to reconcile academic theory with actual practice. This culminates in the opportunity to use their learning to make a difference by working with, or starting, a company to analyse practices and recommend areas for improvement and development.

Special features

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Where ideas come to life

In our new Home of Engineering and Materials , we're ripping up the rule book to offer a truly innovative teaching and learning experience. You'll have access to world-leading sustainable research facilities and some of the most unique, industry-leading equipment and instrumentation in the sector to meet today's requirements and those of the future. 

Students may apply to extend this degree to four years, and spend their third year either on industrial experience or studying abroad. 

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.

Teaching and learning

If you choose to study textiles at Manchester you will enjoy great facilities. Our laboratories include textile chemistry, materials testing, manufacturing technology, information technology and computer aided design. We also have dedicated creative design studios and state-of-the-art multimedia learning packages.

Coursework and assessment

Assessment is normally by a mixture of traditional written examination and course work which includes laboratory reports and practical projects. You have the chance to simulate real-life experiences and your final year project gives you an opportunity to do genuine and original scientific research leading to a written dissertation.

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

The first year establishes the fundamentals in fashion business, textile science and technology through the core units of Introduction to Fashion, Introduction to Management, Introduction to Marketing and Retail and Design Management and the core textile science units where students are introduced to fibres, materials, fabrics and textile production processes.

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
MATS11201 20 Mandatory
MATS11301 20 Mandatory
MATS11402 20 Mandatory
MATS11502 20 Mandatory
MATS11602 20 Mandatory
MATS11701 20 Mandatory

Course content for year 2

The second year builds on the principles introduced in the first year by exploring specific aspects of management and marketing in depth with subjects such as product development, branding and textile technology. The specialist focus of the programme in the second year considers various aspects of managing the fashion supply chain. There are some practical textile subjects focusing on clothing technology and a significant characteristic is a group project which integrates textile product design, manufacture and marketing skills.

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
MATS21201 20 Mandatory
MATS22002 20 Mandatory
MATS22031 20 Mandatory
MATS22102 20 Mandatory
MATS22601 20 Mandatory
MATS21502 10 Optional
MATS21702 10 Optional
MATS21902 10 Optional
MATS22202 10 Optional
MATS22232 10 Optional
MATS22302 10 Optional
MATS22702 10 Optional
MATS22802 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 13 course units for year 2

Course content for year 3

The final year provides an opportunity to consolidate and extend specialist knowledge in areas of management studied in previous years. You may choose from a range of fashion business options; for example, a strategic management unit or retail focused unit. A final year project allows you to specialise in an area of your choice, for example focusing on developing a broader corporate strategy for a fashion business. Alternatively students could opt to take the Business Project which allows you to start up a company for the year.

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.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
MATS34521 40 Mandatory
MATS34502 20 Optional
MATS34511 20 Optional
MATS34542 40 Optional
MATS34552 40 Optional
MATS34802 40 Optional
UCIL10201 20 Optional
UCIL20030 20 Optional
UCIL20421 20 Optional
UCIL20592 20 Optional
UCIL23022 20 Optional
UCIL24151 20 Optional
UCIL33501 20 Optional
Displaying 10 of 13 course units for year 3

Facilities

The Department of Materials is home to an extensive array of unique facilities and equipment, across both materials science and engineering, and fashion business and technology.

Our new Home of Engineering and Materials opened in 2022 and is a place like no other. This is where engineers, material scientists and fashion students collaborate, innovate and make their mark on the world. Unleash your potential in our creative, academic playground that signals the evolution of a proud history of innovation spanning almost 200 years.

In this very special place, we're ripping up the rule book, offering you a truly innovative teaching and learning experience. As well as our creative classrooms, you'll also have access to world-leading sustainable research facilities in our new buildings.

Our variety of spaces allows for greater collaboration for all our students, and it is the place to connect and tackle real-life challenges together. So, a chemical engineer could be sat alongside a materials scientist working on clean water, or bump into a fashion student developing their own sustainable brand, or an aerospace engineer sending a rocket into space. It is a place like no other for interactions and one of the biggest communities of engineers and materials scientists in any University in the world.

Dive into a world of possibilities, whether you are interested in aerospace, robotics, or sustainable fashion, there's a home for you here. Explore Our Home for Engineering and Material Science .

We are unique amongst UK Universities in that we have excellent facilities for manufacturing textiles, including Jacquard weaving, computerised flat-bed knitting, digital printing and nano-fibre manufacturing.

We also benefit from a dedicated CAD suite, a multi-media and digital printing centre, a fashion retail studio and our students have access to textile and clothing process laboratories which include knitting and weaving facilities.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

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Fashion Business and Technology - employability event

Our graduates leave Manchester with the knowledge, specialist skills and professional attributes applicable for careers within this incredibly diverse and fast-evolving industry, including ethical sourcing, sustainability, brand and operations management, buying and merchandising, garment technology, marketing, technological innovation, and diversity and inclusion. We also prepare students for graduate scheme opportunities with employers from The Hut Group and Uniqlo to M&S.

The University of Manchester is one of the most targeted universities in the UK for top graduate employers. Graduate with a degree from us and you'll be in high demand, according to The Graduate Market in 2023 report - High Fliers Research .

Some of the roles our recent graduates have gone on to include:

  • Fashion Buyer
  • Retail Manager
  • Design Manager
  • Product Developer
  • Merchandiser
  • Supply Chain Specialist
  • Fashion Marketer
  • Garment Technician
  • Trend Forecasting
  • Data Analyst
  • Public Relations
  • Fashion blogger/journalist
  • Fashion Researcher

Our recent graduates have gone on to work for:

  • Urban Outfitters
  • Burberry
  • NBrown
  • Gymshark
  • Nike
  • WGSN
  • Uniqlo
  • JD Sports
  • Hugo Boss
  • Zalando
  • Stella McCartney
  • Boohoo plc
  • Matalan
  • Marks and Spencer
  • Oasis
  • Next
  • John Lewis
  • Paul Smith
  • ASOS
  • Pretty Little Things

Throughout your degree journey, we offer a diverse range of events and services that help our students develop their careers knowledge and professional skills.

Industry collaborations

Our Made in Manchester industry insights series allows students to engage with a range of fashion and related brands and organisations. Our network of industry specialists regularly meets with students to discuss graduate and placement opportunities.

Meet the professionals

We regularly hold alumni panel events where our graduates come and talk about their career experiences and progression. The events are a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain invaluable advice and insights into different roles within the fashion, apparel and related sectors, and provide an opportunity to connect with our alumni.

Placement support

We can help you find exciting placement and internship opportunities and support you through the application process. We'll also provide support during the industrial placement year as part of the accredited programme.

Careers Service

We are committed to helping you get the best start after graduation, that's why The University of Manchester's award-winning Careers Service will continue to support you two years after graduation.

Department of Materials Blog

Explore more about our students' experiences, our alumni and where they are now, and our department in our blog .

Accrediting organisations

This course is accredited by The Textile Institute and The Chartered Institute of Marketing.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the leading professional body for marketers worldwide and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners. The University of Manchester has joined forces with CIM to give students the opportunity to gain professional qualifications through the CIM Accredited Degree partnership. CIM qualifications are highly sought after by employers, and their content is reflected in our own degrees which ensures we are equipping students with the best opportunities for a successful marketing career.

The Textile Institute is the professional body for people and organisations working in the textile, clothing and footwear associated industries worldwide. Accreditation of our courses by the Textile Institute provides our students with a further professional qualification. It also enables our courses to be validated against international benchmarks to demonstrate their applicability to industry and verify the important skills our students bring to their future working roles.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.