About this course
Our MA Fashion Management degree will give you a rare understanding of fashion theory and evolution. You'll learn to manage global relationships between fashion and political, social, ethical, and business contexts.
This course is ideal if you’re from a creative, design, business or management background and want to specialise in fashion at management level.
You'll learn how society constructs meaning from fashion and what drives fashion consumption. Through studying aspects of sociology and anthropology as well as fashion, business, art and design.
We focus on sustainability and ethics throughout this UK master’s in fashion management. You’ll take part in debates on these topics and learn from an annual fashion sustainability forum. Academics who have worked with the United Nations will provide global insight.
Industry links and input will enhance your learning and career prospects through guest lectures, and internship opportunities. You’ll develop and practice industry specific skills such as:
- live project briefs and business plans
- digital tools in fashion
- trend forecasting
- retail reports and price positioning maps
- marketing and brand communications
- recognising commercial opportunity
The ability to match your learning to your career goals will give you a competitive advantage as a graduate.
International students will also be able to access free English Language sessions, as part of the University’s mission to enhance academic student support.
Course lead
Your course will be led by Paul Mackie who has over 16-years experience in buying & merchandising. Paul has bought and managed product categories with annual turnovers in excess of £100 million, and has introduced international fashion brands into leading department stores. Paul also developed own brand collections in Menswear, directly working with suppliers and manufactures in China, mainland Europe and the UK.
Course location
This course is based at Winchester.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:2 degree or equivalent qualification in one of the following subject areas:
- advertising
- administration
- art or events
- marketing
- public relations (PR)
- cultural studies
- sociology
- psychology
- art or fashion design
- graphic art
- fashion and textile design
- textile engineering
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
This is a 1 year full time course, running from October to the following October. You’ll study taught modules in semester 1 and 2.
In semester three 3 you’ll undertake independent study for your final project (dissertation).
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
The module’s overall aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of fashion management and marketing theories and concepts. This will establish you with a base of practical knowledge and skills required for managing and developing fashion brands in di...
Module Overview The aim of the module is to provide students with an opportunity to expand their knowledge gained in the Semester 1 Fashion Management core module. This module provides students with the opportunity to explore and critically engage with i...
On this module you will develop your knowledge and understanding of fashion in a contemporary and historical context. It will introduce you to a range of fashion theories including the semiotics of clothing. You will explore the motivations behind fashion...
On this module you will put into practice the research and analytical skills that you have learned across the programme. Focusing on a specific contemporary fashion management issue, you will undertake in-depth research culminating in a final project. The...
This module is one of the compulsory modules taken by all students in the creative management programmes at WSA. While the learning outcomes are the same across programmes, the content will be delivered with reference to your subject specialism and your...
This module is one of the compulsory modules on your programme that provide you with a deeper engagement with the academic and professional skills to support the preparation of your Final Project work. The module encourages you to engage directly with...
You must also choose from the following modules:
The module been designed for the purpose of promoting and developing creative thinking and problem solving (CTPS) skills and addresses the need for individuals and teams who can ‘think outside the box’, and apply fresh thinking to practical, ‘real world’ ...
Digital Cultures is an elective module covering a broad range of topics relating to the encounter with digital environments, audiovisual content and the aesthetics and politics of media technologies in historical and contemporary contexts. This module int...
The module enables you to recognise entrepreneurial traits and behaviours and apply elements of these to the real world. With a strong orientation towards the future, realised through forecasting in both finance and marketing, the module will provide ...
The consideration of what publishing actual means today remains a relevant question for any creative practitioner. Over the past few years we have seen a huge rise in self-publishing, print on-demand services, tweeting and social media, from post-digital ...
The module provides thematic examples of the theories and practices of visual presentation and display explored through interdisciplinary and critical contexts appropriate to the MA pathways. It offers a number of critical “tools”, enhanced through refere...
The module seeks to advance your knowledge on key issues of globalization and changes to marketing approaches that have taken place due to internationalisation.. The module situates the concepts and terminology of global marketing in a range of different ...
This module addresses critical perspectives in relation to sustainability and its impact in art, design and the creative industries. The module seeks to inform your thinking in relation to sustainability issues, be they environmental, social or economic, ...
We live in a world that is saturated by images, from the far reaches of space to the sub-atomic level and just about everything in between. Images seem to have a special power in our lives, playing a part in the constructions of who and what we are and t...
Learning and assessment
Learning
You’ll learn through critical debates and detailed analysis of fashion business management case studies, along with advanced strategic management theory.
As well as lectures you'll take part in a variety of learning activities, including:
- role play
- writing job applications
- storyboard creation
- boardroom preparation
- collaborative projects
- example visual displays
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- reports
- portfolios
- essays
- idea logs
- reflective papers
Dissertation
As part of this fashion management course, you’ll need to make a project plan and conduct detailed research to create a 10,000-word final project. The focus of the project is a contemporary fashion issue of your choice, linked to your career aims.
The modules in semester 1 and 2 will give you with the skills to complete this. You’ll also be allocated a supervisor who will provide you with support and guidance.
Academic Support
You’ll have one-to-one tutorials with your personal academic tutor, who can advise on any questions relating to your studies. You’ll also be able to access a wide range of University learning and welfare services.
If you’re an international student, weekly English for Academic Purposes workshops will help you to advance your language skills and understand the requirements of academic study in the UK. One-to-one English language tutorials are also available.
Careers
This master’s will prepare you to join the fashion industry at management level, or to start your own entrepreneurial venture.
You could go into a career as a:
- fashion buyer or merchandiser
- fashion sourcing or brand manager
- supply chain, retail, or public relations manager
- marketing consultant
- fashion product developer
Our graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Burberry
- Arcadia Group
- Longchamp
- Seiko
- BestSeller Group
- Wuyoung
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £23,000.
Deposit
When you accept your offer to study on this course you’ll be asked to pay a deposit. This is non-refundable. The deposit amount is:
- UK students: £250
- EU and international students: £1,000
Full terms and conditions and details of how to pay this deposit will be sent to you in your offer letter.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Make sure we receive your application at least 4 weeks before the start of the course. This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available.
International students
Make sure we receive your application at least 6 weeks before the start of the course.
This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available. It will also give you time to apply for a visa if we offer you a place.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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