BSc Fashion Product Innovation

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.

This dynamic course offers students a unique blend of business acumen, industry awareness, and cutting-edge expertise in textile innovations and garment manufacturing techniques, empowering graduates to drive sustainable developments and excel in the competitive fashion markets. The course will develop the learning and skills around fabric and garment innovation that support sustainable practices as well as strategic directions around fabric and/or garment innovation and sustainable practice

This course offers students a unique chance to blend fashion business acumen with a deep understanding of industry challenges, while also mastering the latest in textile innovations and garment manufacturing techniques. Upon completion, graduates emerge equipped with a comprehensive understanding and the essential skills to drive sustainable advancements within the industry. 

With a deliberate focus on the commercial context, students delve into the dynamic evolution of textile and product innovations, positioning themselves to gain a competitive edge in fashion markets. The curriculum thoroughly covers the technical complexities of materials and manufacturing, with a focus on innovative textiles for sustainable product development and crafting technically advanced garments that meet both functional and fashionable requirements. 

Grounded in sustainability principles and technological advancements, the programme employs research-informed teaching methodologies. Students actively engage with the latest breakthroughs, including fabric innovations, sustainable textile manufacturing approaches, body scanning, parametric pattern creation, smart wearables, and virtual fitting, thereby ensuring a holistic and forward-thinking experience. 

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 can choose to extend this degree to four years, spending their third year gaining industrial experience or studying abroad.  

For those interested in Studying abroad, exchange partners are available through the University’s Worldwide Exchange scheme. Students are supported throughout the process with dedicated support from tutors and returning student.   Find out more about the Study Abroad Programme .   

Students choosing the Industrial Placement pathway receive extensive support throughout their placement search. Our dedicated placement tutor provides guidance and advice both during the search and while students are in the industry. Additionally, our mentoring scheme pairs students with returning placement students who offer support throughout the entire process and beyond. 

You will be taught by a variety of lecturers, many of whom conduct academic research in their specialist topic and have significant industry experience, which ensures our course content is up-to-date, and inspired by the latest discoveries of our research groups and the expertise of our staff. You will have access to industrial scale sewing, weaving, knitting, dyeing and fabric printing equipment, material testing and computer aided design technology that will give you real insight into the links between the product development process, marketing, and the external environment.

Our facilities will also help you to develop sound technical knowledge and an understanding of all the processes involved in the manufacturing of fabrics and development of fashion products. Your teaching and learning in a typical week will be delivered using a variety of methods that are online and on campus such as large group core learning sessions, small groups workshops with technical staff that have discipline specific expertise, student activity led seminars, supervision and tutorial sessions as well as independent study tasks and sessions that support assessment development and self-directed study.  

Assessment is normally by a mixture of traditional written examinations and course work which includes practical, technical, and creative projects. You have the chance to simulate real life experiences within some of your assessments as well participating in some cases with group projects and presentations that reflect industry practices.  The final year projects give students an opportunity to do genuine and original research that is evidenced in a variety of written and visual forms.  

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. 

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 . 

Our state-of-the-art facilities provide students with the very best opportunities and include: 

Computer clusters with access to media design and multimedia learning packages including Adobe Creative Cloud, all our students also have access to industry leading market intelligence databases and trade publications for free such as WGSN, Edited, The Business of Fashion, Fashion Snoops and Drapers, Euromonitor and Mintel. 

Student lab space that utilises research informed applications of software (Lectra, Size Stream) and hardware (Body scanners, CAD Suites, Production facilities) for digital and real processing of the body to product development for bespoke and ready to wear 

Industrial scale sewing facilities and equipment and well as specialised machinery, fabric weaving, yarn knitting, and fabric dyeing and laser printing equipment.   

Our graduates leave Manchester equipped with the knowledge, specialist skills, and professional attributes necessary for careers in the diverse and fast-evolving fashion industry. This includes expertise in ethical sourcing and sustainability, brand and operations management, buying and merchandising, fashion product development, textile and garment technology, marketing and social media, digital and technical innovation, business and economic operations, and diversity and inclusion. Additionally, we prepare students for graduate schemes with top employers. 

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:

• General Graduate Schemes
• Buyers, Merchandisers, Allocators, Purchasing Operations, Procurement 
• Brand & Marketing Executives and Managers, Advertising 
• Events Management and Public Relations  
• Social Media Manager, Digital Marketing, Digital Content Executive  
• Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Founders  
• E-commerce Executive, Digital Trade and Content Creators  
• Fashion Researchers and Academics  
• Recruitment and Talent Management in the Fashion Industry  
• Product Developers, Supply Chain Managers 
• Account Management, Project Management, Business Development Managers  
• Textile or Garment Technologists 
• Designers: Multi-media, Creative marketing, Apparel Products, Textile Print, UI /UX Design 
• Store Operations and Logistics, CRM Management  
• Sustainability areas within Fashion industry  
• Equality and Diversity areas within Fashion industry  

Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a variety of areas within the fashion industry sector, below are some of the brands and retailers that our alumni are employed within.   

• High Street Brands and Retailers - Urban Outfitters New Look, Oliver Bonas, Nobody’s Child, Monsoon & Accessorize, Adanola, COS, Gymshark, Primark, Ted Baker, H&M, & Other Stories, Office, South Beach, River Island, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, TK Maxx, Uniqlo, JD Sports, Footasylum, Karen Millen, Boohoo, Matalan, Marks & Spencer, Oasis, Topshop, Next, Paul Smith, ASOS, PrettyLittleThing 

• Omnichannel branded product retailers - Fenwick, Selfridges, Harrods, John Lewis, Net-a- Porter & Mr Porter  

• Beauty and Lifestyle Brands - Beauty Works, Loreal, Elemis, Look Fantastic, Amazon   

• Apparel Parent Groups - The Hut Group, Pentland Brands, The Very Group, N Brown, Zalando 

• Luxury Brands - Juicy Couture, Burberry, Stella McCartney, Dior, Cartier 

Throughout the degree journey, we offer a diverse range of events and services, which helps our students develop the careers knowledge and professional skills.  

We engage with Industry collaborations – Our Made in Manchester industry insights series enables students to engage with a variety of fashion and related brands and organisations. Our network of industry specialists regularly meet with students to discuss graduate and placement opportunities.  

Meet the Professionals – We love celebrating the successful and diverse careers of our globally placed graduates and we regularly hold a range of alumni panel events in which our graduates come and speak with students about their career experiences and progression. The events are a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain invaluable advice and insights into a variety of roles within the fashion, apparel and related sectors and provide an opportunity for students to and provide students with our alumni on LinkedIn, giving your professional network a kick-start for when you graduate.  

Professional Development Workshops – Throughout each academic year, you will be able to take part in a variety of specialist, practical and interactive careers building workshops such as CV development, Interview techniques, LinkedIn, Job searching strategies, presentation practice and so much more!  

Placement support – We will help you to find exciting placement and internship opportunities and support you through the application process. We will also provide support during the industrial placement year as part of the accredited program.