The BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Brand Management degree at Cardiff Met is designed for students wishing to develop a career within the buying, trend forecasting, merchandising and brand management functions of the dynamic fashion industry. The degree combines the specialisms of Cardiff School of Management, with the creative elements of a fashion programme. All of our fashion business courses have a renowned reputation for their vocational orientation – meaning you will gain the academic knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in a branding and/or buying career. The degree has been designed to enable students to develop the skills and ability to think creatively and strategically – focusing on essential topic areas such as market research, trend forecasting, product development, garment sourcing, finance, account management, brand development and supply chain management. There is also a strong focus on innovation and future issues facing the global fashion industry. This course offers an emphasis on the professional management of brands at all levels, from value fashion, independent labels to sustainable brands and international luxury brands, along with creation of brands in a global fashion marketplace. Creativity is a highly valued attribute in the fashion industry and assignments are designed to develop ideas, encourage risk taking and support the creation of memorable branding materials and range plans. Having a strong brand is invaluable in the modern fashion market as it guides customers understanding of the business and provides a point of authenticity and personality. A key focus will be on developing communication, presentation and problem solving skills along with creative management tools. Show less

The course integrates ‘real world’ experience into our teaching practices to enable a clear understanding of the Fashion Buying and Brand Management process. Assignments are based on industry examples and there are also guest lecturers from practitioners from companies.

You will also be given the option of taking a language as an extracurricular activity and to study abroad for a semester to broaden your experience and skills; all an advantage in achieving success in Fashion Buying or Brand Management career.

Year One

You will follow 120 credits of core modules:

Introduction to Fashion Marketing (20 credits)
Principles of Fashion Studies (30 credits)
Fashion Visualisation (30 credits)
Digital Media for Marketers (20 credits)
Finance for Managers (20 credits)

Year Two

You will follow 100 credits of core modules and you can choose 20 credits of optional modules:

Core modules:

Fashion Buying and Merchandising (20 credits)
Fashion Consumer Behaviour (20 credits)
Creative Marketing Communication for Fashion (20 credits)
Fashion Buying in Practice (20 credits)
Marketing Research Methods (20 credits)

Option modules*:

Search Marketing: Content, SEO + PPC (20 credits)
Digital Analytics (20 credits)

Experiential Fashion Strategies (20 credits)

Mobile and Social Marketing (20 credits)
Sports, Events and Sponsorship Marketing (20 credits)
Managing Marketing Performance and Law (20 credits)

In year two there you will be supported to find a relevant and useful fashion related work placement. The work placement provides the experience of putting the theory into practice and observing how the theory is used in an organisation, first-hand. This has been very well received by employers and will give you an advantage when applying for jobs after graduation.

Year in Industry: The option of spending a year in industry between the 2nd and final years has been included to allow you to complete the degree with a level of practical experience. This option of practical experience can be incorporated in the three-year degree course undertaking practical work in industry during term time or in holiday breaks during the course.

Year Three/Year Four

Year three for students not taking the year of experience option, or Year Four for those students taking the practical experience option.

Students follow 60 credits of core modules and then choose 60 credits of option modules.

Core modules:

Strategic Fashion Brand Management (20 credits)
Sustainability and Responsibility in Fashion (20 credits)
International Fashion Supply Chain Management (20 credits)
Fashion Buying and Brand Management Project OR Fashion Dissertation (40 credits)
Option modules*:

Fashion Futures and Innovation (20 credits)
International and Global Fashion Marketing (20 credits)
Account Marketing for Marketers (20 credits)
Contemporary Issues in Marketing (20 credits)
Content, Copyright and Creativity (20 credits)
Strategic Public Relations Management (20 credits)
Global Sporting Events (20 credits)
Industrial Work Experience (20 credits)
*Please note that optional modules are delivered subject to demand and availability.

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

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