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.

Applications for 2020 entry to this course are now closed. We have a range of other related postgraduate courses that you may want to consider.

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 programme specification

The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.

PDF

Download 2021-22 programme specification

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Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:2 degree or equivalent qualification in one of the following subject areas:

advertising
administration
art, events, or fashion hospitality
supply chain management
logistics
tourism management
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

For entry in Academic Year 2021-22

You must study the following modules:

Fashion Management 1

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...

Fashion Management 2

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...

Fashion Theory and Context

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...

Final Project (Fashion Management)

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...

Professional and Academic Skills 1

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...

Professional and Academic Skills 2

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:

Creative Thinking and Problem Solving

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

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...

Entrepreneurship

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 ...

Experimental Publishing

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 ...

Exploring the Visual Language of Display

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...

Global Marketing

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 ...

Sustainability in Business and Design

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, ...

Visual Culture

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 £19,850.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

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

Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

International students

We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.

We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.

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, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, 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.